Tour Transalp Stage Semonzo – Lavarone

650 kilometres, 16,500 vertical metres, numerous Alpine passes – these are the key figures for the 22nd Tour Transalp. Around 1,000 participants from 35 nations will take part in this spectacular Alpine crossing in 2026.

Stage 6: Semonzo – Lavarone

Once again, we enter a completely different world. Between Bassano del Grappa, with the River Brenta, and the Val d'Adige (Etschtal) near Trento further west, a massive plateau rises. The eastern part of the Sette Comuni, the seven communities around Asiago, connects further west to the Alpe Cimbra – the area including the villages of Folgaria, Luserna, and Lavarone, the destination of this stage. This huge rock plate has several outcrops in the north reaching peaks over 2,000 metres, and sheer valley incisions on all sides forming impressive gorges. One of these is Valstagna, home to one of the most eccentric roads in Transalp history. The road winds up the wall in hairpins like steep stairs. There are no straights between the bends; it is simply curve after curve, a winding path that is incredibly spectacular. After 800 metres of dizzying climbing, you reach Foza, the first village of the Sette Comuni. An old German dialect has survived here, a very local language in which place names are also written on signs. Foza is also called 'Vüsche', and Asiago is known as 'Sleghe'. The connection to German becomes particularly clear in the village of Mezzaselva, where 'Mitterballe' is easily associated with Mittenwald. Up here is farming country, a land of mountain pastures and a cheese stronghold, a green carpet interrupted by fields. In Rotzo, signs advertise locally grown potatoes. Small woods break up the cultivated land. Clouds and sometimes fog play with the rolling landscape and valley cuts. Once you reach the top by bike, you stay there, cruising along gentle ups and downs. This is a great cycling area, especially in summer, as a slightly cooler microclimate prevails, allowing you to escape the heat below. One of the major incisions in the centre of the plateau is Valdastico, which extends to our destination on the Alpe Cimbra. A road leads down into the valley that is no less spectacular than the one through Valstagna: the Pedescala. However, the respect and concentration required to navigate the many curves and hairpins safely are just as great as the thrill. Once in the valley, there are two ways back up to the plateau. Either sharp right up to Carbonare – the short route taken in the 2024 Transalp – or left via the long route through Arsiero and Tonezza, last used in 2018. To cut a long story short: it was time for the long way again. This climb is very rewarding, offering great views and a road that plays charmingly with the steep mountain walls. We now reach the highest point of this stage at 1,500 metres at Malga Melgnon. Back in the green Alpine pastures, we can enjoy open views across the wide landscape. Soon, the Passo del Sommo between Folgaria and Carbonare is reached. We must admit to a little deception: including it in the list of passes. Coming from our direction, you actually approach this pass from above. Carbonare lies 250 metres lower, and after the final short descent of this stage, Lavarone awaits just five kilometres away.

Lake Garda hinterland. There is actually a lake at the end of this stage already, providing a taste of the final destination on the last day. Lake Roncone is much, much smaller, but it is certainly enough for a refreshing dip. There is also a bar on the shore. Anyone who has completed this massive stage is certainly entitled to celebrate a little.

The Tour Transalp is considered one of the major road cycling highlights for everyone in Europe. In 2026, seven daily stages will lead from Lienz in East Tyrol via Sillian, Falcade, San Martino di Castrozza, Possagno, Semonzo, and Lavarone to Riva del Garda.

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