ウンターティリアッハの峠・トップ18

scenically beautiful transition from the Karlsbader Hütte to the Kerschbaumer Alm

Spectacular view, very pleasant road although quite steep

magnificent panorama

The Tilliacher Joch was already an important crossing point in 1822, where a lively timber trade took place between the Italians and the people of Obertilliach. The timber was used at the time for fortifying Venice, for building houses and bridges, as well as for gondolas and ships. In 1915, the Tilliacher Joch was occupied by the Lesachtal Standschützen Company and the Porzescharte opposite was occupied by the Italians. The Carnic High Route has made the two crossings more important again in modern times.

The Mule pass is a ridge notch, located at 2,356 meters above sea level, between Mount Righile and Mount Lastroni, representing an important pass between Val Visdende and Sappada. Thanks to its strategic position, it was used as an outpost during the Great War. The pass took on its current name following a curious event that occurred in the summer of 1916: on a day of thick fog, the Austrians, having approached the Italian positions, joined a group of Alpine troops with their mules. Unnoticed, they unhitched the last mule and took it with them across the fork, which has since been called Mule Pass. The terrain is characterized by a steep climb on the north side and routes of varying difficulty on the south side. It's fun to climb up the northern escarpment and then quickly descend south.

On the Tilliacher Joch I always have to be quiet when I see witnesses to senseless wars.

From Kartitsch to Kötschach the asphalt is terrible. You're constantly stuck on the brakes and have to be extremely careful and constantly slaloming to avoid hitting holes or longitudinal cracks. I really felt sorry for my bike on the piste. It also tends to be downhill, as there are often short, sharp climbs in between, which give you another 400m of uphill climbing to Kötschach. All in all, the descent is not much fun.

Magnificent view of South Tyrol (Crode dei Longerm and Porze)