The European Chronicles 2022.13. Cinque Passi & Casa Olea

August 23, 2022

The European Chronicles 2022.13. Cinque Passi & Casa Olea

Passi Tonale and Gavia on the way to Lago di Como

Ahhh, Italia.

Where every sign, every line; every limit and every law are mere suggestions. It is an "at will" environment: pass at will, park at will; set your own speed. Pass in the dark tunnels, pass in the towns, pass in front of the speed cameras. Hell, pass the Carabinieri.

And every vehicle in front of you is to be treated as the one pass you need for the top step of the podium and the 2022 Motogp championship, all happening at Mugello's final turn, before your home crowd. Forza Italia!

Lest you think it is only Motos, it's not; dawdle at the speed limit and a Punto will blow by you. Go for the gap...now!

Controlled chaos, aka, fun. 😎

Leaving Laives, you must first pass thru the many, many apple orchards.

Eventually heading back into Trentino where they begin to mix with vineyards.

Passo Tonale is a relatively gentle ascent to 1884 meters (6200 feet); it is a ski/hiking area, with over 100 km of ski trails and countless hiking opportunities. There is also a war memorial at the summit, housing the remains of 847 soldiers lost during WWI.

Tonale is a frequent portion of the Giro d'Italia bicycle race, as you might guess from this photo.

Coming down the other side...

Shortly thereafter you make a hard right to climb Passo di Gavia. At 2621 meters (8600 feet) it is the tenth highest paved road in the Alps, and the second highest in Italy, after Stelvio.

But that does not begin to tell the story. Heading up from the south, the road is both steep and narrow; basically a car width wide with the occasional slightly wider spot that's used for "passing," in that you have to slide over, back up, whatever, so both vehicles can get by. And back up we had to do, several times. This pass is a "challenge." You need to be "comfortable" on the edge of a cliff with no guardrail, be able to do steep 180 degree uphill hairpins in less than one lane AND simultaneously do your best Carnac impression to predict what everyone else around you is going to do. A challenge.

It is, however, amazing how folks just "figure it out" left to their own devices.

Without that integrated nose camera on Mia, I'm left to show you a couple of screen grabs from others who have the patience for a go pro...

That gives you some idea; it's narrow...

At the top.

Also often part of the Giro d'Italia.

Coming down the northern side is easier, slightly wider with better pavement. Not easy, mind you, but easier.

My reward: First Gelato.

Casa Olea

A series of tunnels, the climb up to Perledo from Varenna and there's Casa Olea, peaking thru the olive trees.

First class Bat Cave parking (now with an EV charger)

Along with a first class view

The only thing missing is Krisanne...

First sunset

Complete with kitty

Lago di Como

Be sure to turn up the sound!

The hike down to Varenna from Perledo

More olive trees and small farms.

Davide's Cinquecento is still here; he gave us a ride back up in it when were were here in 2019!

Past the train station with covered Moto parking

And here we are!

One of the many, many ferries, this one to Menaggio

Two way street leading to the central piazza, including busses, trucks, cars, bicycles, pedestrians, Motos...

I assume they have sunroofs. 😎. Things are a bit tighter in Europe.

Nice deck.

To Switzerland For Maloja, Albula and Julier Pass

Time for a loop ride to three of my favorite passi. They are high enough that you get great landscapes and open enough that you have some time to see it on the way. Easily looped together from Casa Olea.

Swiss border

The top of Albula, 2312 meters, about 7600 feet.

Down, then up Julier

The theater tower is still there, but the second, yellow, tower is gone. Have not been able to find out why and when. They both were supposed to be temporary.