Monte Grappa Frontsteig 151 MTB August 2022

Type: Interesting

Description:
Monte Grappa is always worth a detour. Also in August 2022 during our 5-week Lake Garda holiday this trip was worth it. After 2 hours driving we reach the starting point Semonzetto near Bassano del Grappa. After an Italian breakfast Colazione we tackle the long ascent initially on the road. Numerous road cyclists but of course also motorcyclists and car drivers are already on the way. Hairpin after hairpin we spiral higher with fantastic view back to Bassano del Grappa and into the Venetian plain - even the Adriatic can be seen mirroring on the horizon. After 9 km ascent we treat ourselves to an espresso break at Al Puppulo and after another kilometer we leave the road and take a side variant over magnificent quiet alpine terrain without traffic. At Campo Croce we briefly join the road but soon branch left over Le Malghe on a good gravel road steadily rising past Malga Cabion 6 km until rejoining the road to Mt Grappa. A short stretch on it then soon right branching about 3 km below Ossario del Mt Grappa and Rifugio Bassano (we skip the summit today as it was already thundery) and traverse slightly downhill through a few tunnels to Frontsteigs 151/152/153. In 2015 we rode 152 - this time we check out Frontsteig 151. From above the narrow white serpentines look very promising. But the upper part over 1.5 km was very difficult due to coarse gravel and large stones. On tight narrow curves - partly quite exposed and no falls allowed - we fight and push meter by meter down - naturally we have to dismount some passages and hike. But after 1.5 km it becomes almost a flow trail - but only 'almost' - repeatedly tricky, coarse gravel, rock-filled and root-studded passages demand full concentration and technique - and one or the other hairpin elicits cheers from me! After 4 km the trail joins a coarse gravel hollow way and we surf to Rifugio S. Liberale where totally happy and proud we take a short break with espresso and drinks and enjoy. Continue alternately with racy downhills and in between some short snappy uphills over forest and hiking paths past Covolo and a way of the cross finally we 'row' down a weather-affected stream bed to Borso del Grappa and on the road back to start. A cool but mega hard round closes. Mt Grappa we'll come back!

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Video length: 33:14