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Passo Maniva
This pass connects Valle Trompia
with Val di Caffaro and its Lago d'Idro. At the
top of the pass a road crosses, leading to higher
points in both directions. One of them is the
Passo dell Spina, which is reportedly often
impassable. In the other direction is Passo
Crocedomini, which was still closed because of
snow, during a time when practically all other
passes above 2000m had been opened already. I
don't think this pass has high priority in snow
removal (if any at all), because it only serves
tourist traffic.
There is however one attraction common to all these crossings which is never closed, and for somebody not living here, it may be the most interesting view in the entire area, and that is the town of Bagolino, located where the routes to Maniva and Crocedomini divide. See pictures.
. The reason is a cathedral that takes a stretegic lookout position above the town. I just had to walk up there. A good bench with a scenic view for lunch is also available below. Then comes the decision about which pass to climb, Crocedomini or Maniva. In my case it was very easy. Crocedomini was still closed because of snow, so Maniva it is. The road to Passo Maniva starts with a series of switchbacks to climb the slope across from Bagolino. It's steep enough and consequently slow enough on a bicycle, that you still notice it, when the tree branches form a perfect frame around Bagolino from yet another new vantange point. Still - the switchbacks seem to take forever, and it is not until just before the last one that the road completely climbs above tree line. The snowy ridge in direction Passo Crocedomini is partially obscured from sight by lower hills. The top is a ski area, so the pass itself is gigantic parking lot with an albergo at one end
A Day on a tour: PARTIALLY PAVED / UNPAVED: (< Passo
Lagostrello |
Colle di San Zeno >)
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