Tutti Dolomiti Day 9: Klausen to Sterzing

Today we left Klausen for another two pass day. The first pass, the Auna di Sopra, was not a high pass, and it is comprised of three small climbs separated by short flat or downhill sections.

The second pass was the Passo di Pennes, which is a classic Alpine pass, ascending through a long valley, and where the switchback segments are much longer than some of the previous climbs. We had a long gradual uphill through the scenic valley before reaching those switchbacks.

The weather was mostly sunny but the wind was strong and cold, especially at the top. As a headwind, it make the climb that much harder, but was welcome when it was a tailwind, although those moments seemed much to short to enjoy.

We’re now deep in the heart of German-speaking Italy, as a result of this region being part of Austria until after the First World War. The towns have two names, the German version presented as the first and the Italian version as the second. So our start town is Klausen/Chiusa and the destination town is Sterzing/Vipiteno. German is the first language used here, although everyone knows Italian as well.