Passo Pordoi is one of the great passes of the Dolomites: at 2,239 metres it links the Val di Fassa with the Arabba area, set between the Sella group, the Sass Pordoi and the Sassolungo. It's one of the hubs of the Sellaronda, the famous ski circuit that loops around the Sella massif over four passes on skis. From the top, the Sass Pordoi cable car climbs in under five minutes, almost straight up, to 2,950 metres. Up there a broad, rocky plateau nicknamed the Dolomites Terrace gives you the Marmolada, the Piz Boè, the Sassolungo, the Catinaccio, and on clear days peaks well past the border.
For cyclists, the Pordoi is legendary: it's one of the most storied passes in the history of the Giro d'Italia and often the scene of decisive stages. It's no accident that a monument to Fausto Coppi stands just below the summit. In winter the pass links ski resorts and lets you ride the Sellaronda in either direction; in summer it fills with hikers, motorcyclists and cyclists heading for the other passes. Between lifts, huts and viewpoints, the Pordoi stays one of the busiest and most photographed spots in the whole Dolomites arc.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Sellaronda?
It's the ski circuit that loops around the Sella group over four passes: Pordoi, Sella, Gardena and Campolongo. You can ski it clockwise or anticlockwise, and it's one of the classic Dolomiti Superski experiences.
Can you go up to Sass Pordoi without skiing?
Yes, and in fact it's one of the things to do. From the top of the pass, the cable car takes you in minutes to the Sass Pordoi plateau, the Dolomites Terrace, open in summer too for walks and 360-degree views.