The place to start is Sacile which is on the Venezia-Vienna train line. It is easy therefore to come by train, to the station at Sacile, using the Treno+Bici [train and bike] service found on most of the regional and interregional trains.
From Sacile take the road towards Vigonovo, which has little traffic and is relatively peaceful, continue in the direction of Castello di Aviano, then take a small road to the left towards Pedemonte di Aviano (160 m/525 feet above sea level). This is where the climb begins.
At first the road is wide and the grade is moderate (6-7%); then upon reaching 284 m/932 feet asl the road turns to the left and narrows down and the grade becomes more severe (around 10%). There are no impossible grades, but the climb doesn’t allow for a breather for several km until you reach, at 1,031 m/3,383 feet, a broad turn from where you have an expansive view over the Friuli plain and the U.S. air base of Aviano; and to really enjoy the view it is better to get off one’s bike and take the opportunity to catch one’s breath…
After the bend the climb becomes more gentle and there is even a flat section before a tunnel. Just past the tunnel the climb returns to make itself felt or perhaps it is rather the fatigue that makes this last section seem so strenuous. After two final switchbacks you arrive at a large rotary flanked by buildings of strange triangular architecture. We have arrived at Piancavallo, 1,270 m/4,160 feet above sea level.
From Piancavallo there are two alternatives to return to the valley:
At Pordenone the FS train station, again on the Venezia-Vienna line, provides good availability of trains with Treno+Bici [train and bike] service.
Latest visit: 1999-06-27
