Report from the ascent of Passo Mendola/Mendelpass from Bolzano/Bozen:
The third last day of our "Giro" wasn't fully planned. After two previous challenging days, we were looking for something easier. Moreover, craving warmth and Italian sunshine, we set off by car towards Bolzano. Passo Mendola, mainly known from the Tour of the Alps race, stands at "only" 1363 meters above sea level, but from Bolzano, which is located at 250 meters above sea level, it's quite a climb.
We start from the central parking lot, located in the heart of the city, near the old town and the train station, by the Adige River. The parking isn't cheap, but it's very convenient, multi-level, and covered (if you're transporting bikes on the roof, unfortunately, you'll have to look for something else – I transport bikes on a towbar). An additional advantage is the availability of toilets where you can change and freshen up a bit.
Initially, navigating through the large city of Bolzano intimidates us, but completely unjustifiably. Throughout the city, there's a kind of circular bicycle path running along the river, with multi-level intersections. The cycling infrastructure is breathtaking. We comfortably reach the junction towards Trento and Merano. Then, we ride along the bike path, following the old railway line towards San Michelle. Along the way, we pass through several tunnels and the Bicigrill Frangarto Spinngart café, where you must stop for coffee or a Radler.
The actual ascent begins after San Michelle, even though we've already climbed 200 meters in altitude. The road to the mountain pass is very picturesque, and even though there aren't any particularly challenging sections, it continuously tires you out. We were all somewhat surprised that the ascent, which was supposed to be recreational, took a toll on us. Perhaps it was a matter of mindset, or maybe it was the heat? After all, it's a continuous climb of 15 kilometers. The section approximately 5 kilometers before the summit deserves special attention – a gallery with a breathtaking panorama of the city and the entire valley. The final stretch with several spectacular switchbacks, reminiscent of Mallojapass, is also noteworthy.
The pass itself is a small town with houses, taverns, and hotels. We stop there for a Radler and an ice cream dessert at Cafe Catinaccio.
The return route is a beautiful downhill ride of several minutes back to San Michelle. We tried to find a charming place in San Michelle for lunch but couldn't due to the siesta hour, so I can't recommend anything.
Personally, I consider the ascent to be one of the more interesting ones, even though the mountain pass isn't among the highest. 15 kilometers with an average gradient of 6.4% and an elevation gain of approximately 1000 meters classifies it as a Category 1 climb. The breathtaking views, especially from the traversing gallery section, are undoubtedly a major asset. The stretch from Bolzano to San Michelle is exceptional.
Logistic summary:
The central parking in Bolzano is open 24 hours a day - €2 per hour of parking;
The bike path from Bolzano to San Michelle has a very good asphalt surface with clear directional signage;
The entire ascent to Passo Mendola has a very good road surface;
The best places for a gastronomic break include the Bicigrill Frangarto Spinngart café on the bike path at the 7.7-kilometer mark;
Passo Mendola - offers a wide selection of dining options;
San Michele - cafe;
The drinking water - from the spring has been tested.;