The best traffic-free bike rides around Ovaro

Hut with magnificent panorama.

In addition to its role as a cycling arena, Monte Zoncolan is a multi-purpose tourist destination. In winter, you can enjoy downhill runs of varying difficulty (ranging from blue to black). The Zoncolan Ski Area offers a variety of challenging trails (both fast technical sections and steep walls), making it ideal for slalom and giant slalom training. The location in Friuli-Venezia Giulia offers good snow conditions, but also a relatively quiet base – fewer tourists than in the Dolomites. Modern infrastructure (the Ravascletto–Zoncolan gondola and artificial snowmaking system) allows for regular training even in inclement weather. If you visit Ravascletto in winter, it's not unusual to see sections of the trails marked "chiuso per allenamento" (closed for training) – a sign that national teams or clubs are training there. In summer, you can enjoy a network of trails of varying difficulty—from family walks to challenging mountain treks. The areas are well-marked and have infrastructure (huts, rifuges, viewpoints).

Among the many cycling greats on the plaques on the Zoncolan climb is a photo of Eddie Merckx – considered the greatest cyclist in history. Interestingly, Merckx never raced the Zoncolan (this pass didn't make its Giro debut until 2003), but his portrait is displayed there as a symbol of the entire Giro d'Italia and cycling legend – alongside photos of riders who actually won this climb. Merckx, a five-time Giro and Tour de France winner, is cited by many route writers as the "greatest name" among the cyclists immortalized on these commemorative plaques.

Gilberto Simoni has the most stage wins on Monte Zoncolan in the history of the Giro d’Italia – two wins, in 2003 and 2007. No other cyclist has repeated this result.

On the steep switchbacks of Monte Zoncolan, you'll pass not only hairpin bends but also cycling history, captured in pictures. Along the way, plaques display portraits of the Giro d'Italia's greatest champions. Among the most famous names pictured are Gilberto Simoni and Eddy Merckx.

I ascended the Zoncolan on a beautiful, sunny day. Entering the tunnel was like falling into a black hole in the wall of a steep driveway. The air inside was noticeably cooler, and the humidity increased. This sudden change in conditions accentuated the difference between the bright, exposed trail and the narrow, rocky expanse of the tunnel.

During the Giro d'Italia, these three tunnels are a signature feature of the route. Crowds of fans line the entrances and exits. The sound of cheering, shouts, and horns bounces off the tunnel walls, amplifying the noise. When a cyclist enters a tunnel, they enter a deafening, claustrophobic world where the noise is more intense than on the open road. When they exit, loud cheering erupts behind them, spurring them on. Fans line these areas to give the riders an extra boost of energy.

On the approach from Ovaro, at the top of the climb, three short tunnels await, located about 500 meters before the summit. Passing through them marks the beginning of the final, serpentine battle with the mountain. The tunnels are carved into the rock, paved, single-lane, and have basic lighting. Each tunnel is several dozen meters long and requires concentration, as the road is narrow and usually slippery. For the cyclist, it's also a moment of mental "breathing." Although the gradient still requires effort, the tunnels offer a brief respite from the steepest sections of the climb.