Monte Alz – Giro di Vallo Alpino

Monte Alz

Decades after the end of World War II, Monte Alz—with its massive fortifications at the summit—offers a perfect mountain biking infrastructure thanks to the military installations of the “Vallo Alpino,” which have since been transformed into first-class trails.

Description

The route begins in the small, idyllic village of Cavazzo Carnico. From here, it heads south toward the Grotta dei Pagani, past several military installations, and then up a steep, challenging climb toward Stavoli Taulis. The middle section features rocky sections where you’ll need to push your bike and carry it, though the ride becomes relatively smooth at times on the old military road starting from the agricultural area of Stavoli di Taulis. At this pace, you’ll eventually reach the summit of Monte Alz. At the summit itself, you’ll find a massive “Vallo Alpino” complex, which you can explore at your own risk if you’re feeling adventurous. Functioning lights are absolutely essential for this. Monte Alz itself is heavily forested and offers a decent view only during periods of sparse vegetation.

The route then continues northward along a first-class singletrack that captivates with sections ranging from difficulty levels S1 to S3 and a great variety of terrain all the way down to the military installations above Cavazzo Carnico. Here, you briefly pedal eastward on the road before encountering another singletrack. At the first hairpin turn, you can branch off from it to visit another massive bunker complex, should your thirst for discovery not yet have been quenched by the previous sites. The descent over the final few meters can generally be classified as difficulty level S2. Afterward, it’s a relaxed ride back to the starting point in Cavazzo Carnico.

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