Ride with R

The third day arrived with a new objective: tackling the Sella Ronda in the opposite direction. After successfully completing the clockwise (orange) route yesterday, today was dedicated to the anticlockwise (green) circuit, promising a fresh perspective and a new sequence of slopes around the majestic Sella Massif.

My first view out the window confirmed that today would be different—the skies were cloudy, setting a more dramatic tone for the ride ahead.

A Challenging Start and Entering the Green Circuit

I started once more from my Malga Ciapela base, but the initial connection to the main circuit proved more challenging than yesterday. As I ascended the Marmolada cable car, the cloudy conditions turned into a thick fog. The visibility was poor, making the initial descent toward the necessary connections a cautious, focused effort. It served as a good wake-up call, demanding sharp attention from the get-go.

Once past the fog and connected near Arabba, I joined the green circuit. The anticlockwise Sella Ronda is marked by bright green signs and immediately directed me high up towards Alta Badia. This region, which was the final leg of my clockwise journey, now served as the perfect energetic beginning. The slopes here are wide and usually immaculately groomed, offering great, long cruising runs around areas like Corvara and Colfosco. Even under cloudy skies, the flow from one lift to the next was seamless, and I quickly found my rhythm.

Val Gardena and the Rock Formations

The journey continued with a climb over Passo Gardena and the exciting descent into Val Gardena. The slopes here felt varied and long, providing a great mix of gradients. As I navigated through the runs leading toward Selva Gardena, the imposing sight of the Sassolungo group appeared from a different angle than the day before—a fascinating feature of completing both directions.

The connections led me toward Passo Sella and the famous Città dei Sassi area (City of Stones). This slope connects Val Gardena and Val di Fassa and, while it was a little flat in sections, making it a bit slow on a snowboard, the scenery more than made up for it. The towering, dramatic rock formations of the Sella Group were absolutely stunning, living up to the area’s name. It was a beautiful, unique stretch of the circuit.

Finishing Early and a Perfect End

The final leg took me through Val di Fassa and back toward Arabba. The anticlockwise route felt, overall, slightly faster and more cruiser-oriented, providing a great contrast to the more technical feel of the orange route.

Unlike yesterday, where I powered through until the last possible minute, my muscles were feeling the cumulative effort of two full days. I was tired, so I decided to call it a day earlier than the previous day.

Before the final descent home, a well-deserved stop was mandatory. I pulled into Rifugio Fedaia, a mountain hut near the base of Marmolada, for a well-earned pizza and a cold beer. It was the perfect savory reward after a long day of riding.

Arriving back at Malga Ciapela, I felt the familiar ache of accomplishment. And as if to perfectly punctuate the end of the trip, I looked outside and saw that it had started snowing! The thought of fresh powder for anyone riding tomorrow was the perfect finish to my two-day Sella Ronda adventure.

The Sella Ronda, in either direction and through all kinds of weather, is a truly iconic experience. Have you tackled the green route, or which direction do you prefer? Let me know in the comments!