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Passo Sella from Canazei is a climb in the region Dolomites. It is 7 mi long and bridges 2605 ft of vertical ascent with an average gradient of 7.1%, resulting in a difficulty score of 591. The top of the ascent is located at 7359 ft above sea level. Climbfinder users shared 15 reviews of this climb and uploaded 50 photos.
Road names: SS48 & SS242
5.0 by KevinThis is an automatic translation, the original language is: Dutch.Wonderful climb from the legendary Sella Ronda. Fantastic 360-degree views.... read more
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Πανέμορφη διαδρομή φοβερή θέα νωρίς το πρωί λίγη κίνηση αξίζει να την ανέβετε!!!
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Beautiful route, great view early in the morning, little traffic, worth the climb!!!
Beautiful climb and spectacular views. Done as part of the Maratona dles Dolomiti:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsuY-AI7UdM
Prachtige klim en spectaculaire vergezichten. Gedaan als onderdeel van de Maratona dles Dolomiti:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsuY-AI7UdM
Did just the part from the Pordoi intersection. It was 6:00 a.m., and no cars on the road, and I could do my s-turns.
This part of the Sella climb is by far the hardest from the clockwise Sellaronda, with long parts over 8-9％. Great views and probably the nicest top of all the Sellaronda climbs.
I wouldn't recommend this at other hours; the traffic later in the day was horrible
Magnificent climb, tackled four days ago as the first ascent of the 4 passes, uncertain weather that then opened up. The numerous hairpin bends help but it remains an alpine climb to be given " del lei". After the junction for Pordoi, it gets serious and the views pay off handsomely.
Salita magnifica, affrontata 4 giorni fa come prima ascesa per percorrere i 4 passi, meteo incerto che poi si è aperto. I numerosi tornanti aiutano ma rimane una salita alpina a cui dare " del lei". Dopo il bivio per il Pordoi si fa sul serio ed il panorama ripaga abbondantemente.
This side of the Passo Sella is also stunning. You come out of the forests a bit more here, but after halfway, the Dolomites loom really big and you can really enjoy yourself!
Ook deze kant van de Passo Sella is schitterend. Je komt hier iets meer uit de bossen, maar na de helft doemen de Dolomieten echt groot op en kan je echt genieten!
I did this climb (and Pordoi) on Friday 27 June 8:30am. Fantastic views and the higher you go, the more beautiful it gets. The road surface is much better (but not perfect) compared to Passo Pordoi. From the Pordoi/sella junction, I found the traffic not too bad.
Ik heb deze klim (en Pordoi) gedaan op vrijdag 27 juni 8:30. Fantastisch uitzicht en hoe hoger je gaat, hoe mooier het wordt. Het wegdek is t.a.v. Passo Pordoi veel beter (maar niet perfect). Vanaf het kruispunt Pordoi/sella vond ik de verkeersdrukte wel meevallen.
The first few kilometres are the same as on the Pordoi Pass, about 6/7 km with an affordable average gradient ( about 6％ ), with a couple of hard hairpin bends, but nothing major. At the fork that divides the road between Sella and Pordoi, the road hardens, with fairly hard double-digit hairpin bends, with a small stretch to rest. The views, however, are spectacular, majestic, both in the last few kilometres of ascent and once we reach the pass, which is absolutely worth doing at least once in a lifetime.
I primi km sono gli stessi del Passo Pordoi, circa 6/7 km con pendenza media abbordabile ( circa 6％ ), con un paio di tornanti duri, ma nulla di che. Al bivio che divide la strada tra Sella e Pordoi, la strada si indurisce, con tornanti in doppia cifra abbastanza duri, con un piccolo tratto per rifiatare. Il panorama però è spettacolare, maestoso, sia negli ultimi km di salita, sia una volta arrivati al passo, da fare assolutamente almeno una volta nella vita.
Passo Sella from Canazei – An Unforgettable Ride in the Dolomites
Climbing the Passo Sella from Canazei is nothing short of spectacular. This ascent, right in the heart of the Dolomites, is a dream for any cyclist, combining challenging gradients, breathtaking scenery, and an unforgettable atmosphere.
The Climb
The climb from Canazei is around 11 km long with a steady gradient averaging around 7％, making it a solid challenge but never overwhelmingly steep. The switchbacks are perfectly laid out, offering a smooth and steady rhythm as you gain elevation.
Road Conditions
The tarmac is generally in great condition, making for a smooth and enjoyable ride. The road is also well-maintained, which adds to the overall experience, though it can get busy with traffic, especially during peak cycling and tourist seasons.
Scenery & Atmosphere
This is where the Passo Sella truly shines. The views of the towering Dolomite peaks—especially the iconic Sella massif—are absolutely breathtaking. As you climb, the scenery constantly changes, with alpine meadows, rugged cliffs, and panoramic vistas unfolding around every turn.
The atmosphere is something special—cyclists from all over the world come to experience this legendary climb, making it feel like you're part of something bigger.
Final Thoughts
Climbing the Passo Sella from Canazei is an experience you won’t forget. The perfect combination of challenge and beauty, plus the incredible sense of achievement at the top, makes this one of the most memorable rides you can do. If you're a cyclist, this is a bucket-list climb—absolutely worth every pedal stroke!
I have also a video of it: https://youtu.be/RD6GUfHVdlo
Ridden the final stretch after descending from the Passo Pordoi into the Maratona. Spicy bits. Above the necessary catering facilities.
Het laatste stuk gereden na van de Passo Pordoi te zijn afgedaald in de Maratona. Pittige stukjes. Boven de nodige horeca.
The climb from Canazei to Passo Sella is not to be missed. Last year I had the chance to climb from Canazei to Passo Pordoi, then descended back to the intersection and moved onto the Sella climb.
The first section from Canazei is fully in the forest and with plenty of hairpin turns. After the intersection with Pordoi the climb becomes harder but so do the views which become more spectacular as you get near the top. The Sassolungo view at the pass is simply unforgettable.
I would recommend to climb in early morning to avoid as much traffic as possible and enjoy the road.
The climb from Canazei to Passo Sella is not to be missed. Last year I had the chance to climb from Canazei to Passo Pordoi, then descended back to the intersection and moved onto the Sella climb.
The first section from Canazei is fully in the forest and with plenty of hairpin turns. After the intersection with Pordoi the climb becomes harder but so do the views which become more spectacular as you get near the top. The Sassolungo view at the pass is simply unforgettable.
I would recommend to climb in early morning to avoid as much traffic as possible and enjoy the road.
Personally, I think the Passo Sella from Canazei is the most beautiful climb in the Sella Ronda. Especially the last 5 km has stunning views. I myself did this climb early in the morning. No cars and especially no motorbikes. The silence is therefore part of the beauty.
At the pass, there is not much to eat and drink. But after 500 metres downhill, everything is at hand. Enjoy!
Persoonlijk vind ik de de Passo Sella vanuit Canazei de mooiste beklimming in de Sella Ronda. Met name de laatste 5 km heeft schitterende uitzichten. Zelf heb ik deze beklimming vroeg in de ochtend gedaan. Geen auto’s en vooral geen motoren. De stilte is dan ook een onderdeel van de schoonheid.
Op de pas is niet veel te eten en te drinken. Maar na 500 meter afdalen is alles voor handen. Geniet!
Passo Sella is a magnificent climb. Make no mistake about how tough it is. With 11 kilometres and a rather steep second half, the Sella is not an easy climb. The climb is quite busy in the summer months. If you adjust to that, it is fine.
De Passo Sella is een prachtige klim. Vergis je niet in hoe pittig hij is. Met 11 kilometer en een vrij steil tweede helft is de Sella geen easy klim. De klim is in de zomermaanden vrij druk. Als je je daar op instelt is dat prima.
After my climb of Pordoi, I descended and went up again to the Sella.
Slightly more challenging than the Pordoi but the views make me forget that immediately. Breathtaking at the top and a real Dolomites feeling.
The valley towards Gardena is relaxing although you know you have to watch your legs to get back up.
Enjoy a drink at the top and look at others who come up, the faces, the smiles and most of them the liberation on their faces.
This climb is an ultimate combination of cyclists and motorcyclists up and down.
Na mijn beklimming van Pordoi, afgedaald en weer omhoog naar de Sella.
Iets pittiger dan de Pordoi maar door de uitzichten is dat meteen vergeten. Boven adembenemend en een echt Dolomieten gevoel.
Het dal richting Gardena is rustgevend al weet je dat je goed op de beentjes moet letten om weer boven te komen.
Geniet boven van een drankje en kijk naar anderen die boven komen, de gezichten de glimlachen en ook bij de meesten de bevrijding op hun gelaat.
Deze klim is wel een ultieme combinatie van fietsers en motorrijders omhoog en naar beneden.
Foot of the Sella climb is located in the tourist Canazei that was the base of my hiking & cycling holiday.
It was that day my first climb from the famous Sella round. (Sella/Gardena/Campolongo/Pordoï sense)
Starting at the roundabout in the centre, the wide road climbs the first few kilometres via the first numbered hairpin bends under the cable car and through the woods so that your starting town quickly sinks in.
After having passed the junction to the Passo Pordoï, the vegetation becomes thinner and the slightly steeper parts come. The last few kilometres you cycle above the tree line under the imposing vertical rock walls of the Sella Massif.
On the narrow top with 1 shop and 1 hotel traffic often stalls. Everyone wants to stop at one of the most beautiful mountain pass crossings because of the fantastic views of the Sella group, the Marmolada massif and especially the 3 peaks of the Sassolungo.
In the summer months it is best to start early in the morning to avoid heavy tourist traffic (coaches)!
The numbering of the hairpin bends scattered along the route is confusing.
Initially, the routes of the Sella and Pordoï are similar and the (Pordoï) bends numbering from 1 to 14.
After the junction, the numbering decreases from 10 to 1 in the direction of Sellatop.
Passo Sella, beautiful without extremes through the heart of the Dolomites, a must for every mountain biker.
Voet van de Sellaklim ligt in het toeristische Canazei dat de uitvalbasis was van mijn wandel & fietsvakantie.
Het was die fietsdag mijn eerste helling uit de gekende Sellaronde. (wijzerszin Sella/Gardena/Campolongo/Pordoï)
Startend aan het rond punt in het centrum klimt de brede weg de eerste kilometers via de eerste genummerde haarspeldbochten onderdoor de kabelbaan en door de bossen zodat je vertrekstadje snel wegzinkt.
Na de afslag naar de Passo Pordoï voorbij gefietst te hebben wordt de begroeiing dunner en komen de iets steilere stukken. De laatste kilometers fietst men boven de boomgrens onder de imposante verticale rotsmuren van het Sellamassief.
Op de smalle top met 1 winkeltje en 1 hotel stropt dikwijls het verkeer. Iedereen wil even halt houden op één van de mooiste bergpasovergangen vanwege de fantastische vergezichten op de Sellagroep, het Marmolada massief en vooral de 3 pieken van de Sassolungo.
In de zomermaanden start je best in de week op een vroege ochtend om druk toeristisch verkeer (autocars) te vermijden!
De nummering van de haarspeldbochten die verspreid over de route liggen is verwarrend.
Aanvankelijk zijn de routes van de Sella en Pordoï gelijklopend en telt de (Pordoï )bochtennummering op van 1 tot 14.
Na de splitsing loopt vanaf de afslag de nummering weer af van 10 tot 1 richting Sellatop.
Passo Sella, wondermooi zonder extremen door het hart van de Dolomieten, een must voor elke bergfietser.
| 5 mph | 01:24:15 |
| 7 mph | 00:59:38 |
| 9 mph | 00:46:29 |
| 12 mph | 00:34:55 |
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