Passo del Praderadego from Valmareno

I did it again on 21/06/2024. It had been two years since I had done it. It is generally accessed via Gus di Mel. Already from the first few kilometres there are stretches between 10 and 12％, then towards Carve it tends to level out and go downhill to Valmaor.
But from there up to Praderadego it is about 4.5 km. really hard, without respite and breathless, a succession of stretches at 14-15-16-18-19％ max. on a narrow and ruined road (even if there is little traffic, watch out for cars and motorbikes, especially at the steepest points). The last 2 km just a few short stretches at 8-9％ to rest your leg, then a final climb at 10-11％ to the Praderadego signpost.
I recommend a 34 x 32 ratio, unless you are super-trained.
Descent to Cison di Valmareno on a narrow road, very rough, pebbles, small tree branches. Beware of the passages with changing lights in the forest sections, the risk is that you will not see the potholes and asphalt patches in time.
The descent towards the Belluno area, to Gus di Mel is even worse, at the limits for a racing bike. If you can avoid it, if you can't, be careful not to "burn your brakes" and potholes for the wheels...
Lastly, there has always been a debate among us in the area as to whether it is harder on the Belluno or Treviso side. On the Cison di Valmareno side, the climb is more constant with gradients between 9-10-14％ max, you can pick up the pedalling rhythm better and take advantage of the hairpin bends. For me, it is the "easiest". On the Gus side of Mel it can fool you as far as Carve and Valmaor, but from there on the Praderadego presents the "bill" in 4.5km. really tough, especially the initial 2.5km. I have seen cyclists practically fall over on the climb.

I didn't like this climb very much. Attracted here by the very interesting gradients, I found a rough asphalt surface that was badly maintained (which caused me to fall off my bike on a particularly steep hairpin bend) combined with a panorama that was nothing special. These elements make the climb absolutely avoidable for me, at least on a road bike. If, on the other hand, you are on a mtb or gravel bike, you can pass through here to go towards Malga Canidi and then (mtb only) possibly connect to the Madean road.

However, I would like to point out that my experience dates back a few years.

Challenging climb, especially in the first part at the exit of the town for a few hundred metres and then in the central part with the hairpin bends.
Very little traffic, road surface in fair condition.
Being almost entirely sheltered by trees, it is excellent as a summer climb.
BE CAREFUL GOING DOWNHILL!