Forte di Cima Vezzena

This loop route around the legendary Forte di Cima Vezzena, at just under 1,900 meters above sea level, offers breathtaking views across the entire Valsugana valley and features historic climbs as well as some challenging downhill sections.

Description

The tour begins near Lake Caldonazzo in Levico Terme. From here, the route climbs the imposing and breathtaking Kaiserjäger Road, which is unparalleled throughout the Alps. Once you reach the plateau, you switch from asphalt to gravel and ride over the ridges to the turnoff toward Cima Vezzena. The climb along the old military road becomes increasingly bumpy and technically challenging until, at just under 1,900 meters above sea level, the highest point of the tour is reached: the former military post, complete with its summit cross. The remains of the Austro-Hungarian fortress from World War I are extremely impressive and vividly documented by informational signs. The panorama in this area is unique and appears particularly imposing due to the historical military relics.

The descent from the summit, or rather from the fortress itself, initially requires a high level of riding skill. At difficulty level S3, the route follows the ridge directly along the rock edge toward the east until the trail becomes smoother and eventually joins the military road that crosses the plateau. You’ll follow this road as a panoramic loop from Malga Larici to Passo Vezzena and then turn toward Porta Manazzo. This transition marks the start of the next descent sequence. On the northern slopes of the Asiago plateau, the route descends steadily at S3 difficulty level. Here, you’ll need to navigate numerous steps, steep sections, and tight hairpin turns. However, with a clean line choice and forward-thinking vision, this section is well-rideable for experienced all-mountain and enduro mountain bikers.

Finally, you reach the valley floor again at the Il Laghetto biotope and follow the paved road steadily westward before tackling the final descent to Barco. The descent here is very smooth on a wide cart track, though it should not be underestimated due to the loose gravel. This section is rated between S1 and, in places, S2, primarily due to the occasionally large stones. The route then leads through Barco onto the bike path along the Fiume Brenta, bringing this impressive tour full circle.

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