MTB tour Mt Cima Lasta - Rodengo Alp

We start this challenging mountain bike tour in Vandoies (755 m a.s.l.) in Val Pusteria and cycle in direction of Brunico on the Val Pusteria Cycle Path, to Mantana (the road to Mantana can be cut by branching off to the right onto a forested road before reaching Chienes). In Mantana the fun begins and we follow the signposts "Elle". The asphalted road we cycle on is rather steep, one curve follows the next and now and then the forest opens up and we can have a glimpse of the Val Pusteria at our foot. We pass by the church of Elle, where we make a short break. Then we cycle on to a parking space, where the asphalted road transforms into a forest path. By the way, many hikers start their walk to Mt Cima Lasta in this place!

We follow the forest road and always stay on the same route, ignoring the signposts to the Rodengo Alp. We would like to scale Mt Cima Lasta by bike before going to the Rodengo Alp, but when you would like to go straight there, follow the signpost "Rastnerhütte". We continue on the forested path, leading to the tree line. This is where you can enjoy a fabulous view, on the Odle Group and Mt Sass de Putia as well as on the mountains of the Val Pusteria. Soon also the cross of the summit is visible. Not the first you see (Cross of Elle), but the cross in the background is our destination. At some mountain huts, the path ends and is no longer negotiable.

We need to push our bike across a meadow, the way up. After about 10 minutes we made it and we stand on the 2,194 m high Mt Cima Lasta, which provides a highly impressive 360 degrees view for its moderate hight. As we are quite exhausted and hungry now, we decide to go back down again and take the path n° 67 towards the Rodengo Alp. At the beginning the track is rather rough, again we need to push and carry our bikes, but soon we reach a forested road that is well negotiable and this is also how we reach the mountain pasture, a highly popular destination with families. This is where we stop to eat, satisfied and knowing that afterwards we only need to cycle down. After lunch we cycle down the asphalted mountain road to Rodengo (885 m), then to Rio di Pusteria, where few km are left before we reach our starting point Vandoies again.

Please note: this tour is only recommendable to athletically trained cyclists. Our starting point is only one of many possibilities. Mt Cima Lasta offers a highly impressive panoramic view, even if it is not too high. Be careful when cycling over the Rodengo Alp, as above all on weekends there are many families with kids!

Author: BS