Madonna di Campiglio

Madonna di Campiglio

The ascent from the south begins in the village of Carisolo, where the road splits from the valley floor to follow the Sarca di Campiglio stream. Geographically, this climb serves as a stunning transition zone between two geological giants: to your left lies the Adamello-Presanella group, characterized by dark, volcanic tonalite and massive glaciers, while to your right rise the pale, jagged limestone spires of the Brenta Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The route is a steady, rhythmic grind of about 15 kilometers with a 6% average gradient, weaving through the pine forests of the Adamello Brenta Nature Park. As you pass through the sun-drenched terrace of Sant’Antonio di Mavignola, the valley widens, offering a panoramic "theatre" of rock that has made this one of the most aesthetically celebrated climbs in the Italian Alps.

Historically, this road is defined by the soaring highs and tragic lows of Marco Pantani. It was on these slopes in 1999 that "Il Pirata" delivered one of his most legendary performances, attacking with such ferocity that he rode the final 5 kilometers at nearly 30 km/h to claim the stage victory in the Maglia Rosa. However, the climb is equally remembered for the following morning, when Pantani was famously expelled from the Giro d’Italia due to high hematocrit levels—an event that signaled the beginning of the end for Italy’s greatest climber. Since then, the climb has remained a pilgrimage site for cycling fans, hosting modern battles like Ben O’Connor’s 2020 stage win and continuing to feature in the Giro’s high-mountain drama, bridging the gap between the rural traditions of the Val Rendena and the high-society "Pearl of the Dolomites" at the summit.