Passo Monte Croce di Comelico

The Kreuzbergpass at 1636m, a well-graded SS52 saddle between the Sesto Dolomites and the Carnic Alps, linking San Candido to Santo Stefano di Cadore.

The SS52 Strada Carnica climbs from San Candido in the Puster valley over the 1636m Kreuzbergpass, the dividing line between the Sesto Dolomites to the west and the Carnic Alps to the east, then runs down the Val Padola to Santo Stefano di Cadore. It is fully paved and in good order, with sweeping curves rather than extreme hairpins, and an old Roman trade route beneath it. A relaxed but scenic Dolomite crossing that has featured in the Giro d'Italia. Mind the moderate to heavy summer traffic, the steeper twistier descent toward Santo Stefano, and trucks using it as a through route.