The best traffic-free bike rides around Sauris

The twin races of the Granfondo Carnia Classic Fuji-Zoncolan in Italy and the Mt. Fuji Hillclimb in Japan were a practical manifestation of this partnership. This enabled the creation of a unique, bicontinental destination for amateurs, where they tackled the extreme intensity and gradients of Monte Zoncolan on the one hand, and the long, endurance climb of Majestic Fuji on the other, gaining global recognition for conquering the iconic 1,200-meter vertical drop on both sides of the globe.

The main reason for the partnership is the similar elevation gain experienced by cyclists on both routes. The climb to Zoncolan from Ovaro requires approximately 1,210 meters of elevation gain. Similarly, the popular Subaru Toll Road leading to Mount Fuji requires approximately 1,250 meters of elevation gain. However, the difference in scale is important: Zoncolan is extremely concentrated (about 10 km of very challenging climbing – at one point, you're climbing a 22% gradient), while the climb to Fuji is long and gentle (about 25 km, with an average gradient of 5%). The partnership focused on the vertical gain.

The "Zoncolan Mt. Fuji" sign at the wooden starting arch in Ovaro symbolizes the international twin-mountain partnership, initiated around 2015 to promote cycling tourism in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. The Italian province of Carnia and the Japanese prefecture of Shizuoka have announced an official gemellaggio, linking the iconic Alpine mountain of Zoncolan with Japan's majestic sacred Mount Fuji.

In addition to its role as a cycling arena, Monte Zoncolan is a multi-purpose tourist destination. In winter, you can enjoy downhill runs of varying difficulty (ranging from blue to black). The Zoncolan Ski Area offers a variety of challenging trails (both fast technical sections and steep walls), making it ideal for slalom and giant slalom training. The location in Friuli-Venezia Giulia offers good snow conditions, but also a relatively quiet base – fewer tourists than in the Dolomites. Modern infrastructure (the Ravascletto–Zoncolan gondola and artificial snowmaking system) allows for regular training even in inclement weather. If you visit Ravascletto in winter, it's not unusual to see sections of the trails marked "chiuso per allenamento" (closed for training) – a sign that national teams or clubs are training there. In summer, you can enjoy a network of trails of varying difficulty—from family walks to challenging mountain treks. The areas are well-marked and have infrastructure (huts, rifuges, viewpoints).

I ascended the Zoncolan on a beautiful, sunny day. Entering the tunnel was like falling into a black hole in the wall of a steep driveway. The air inside was noticeably cooler, and the humidity increased. This sudden change in conditions accentuated the difference between the bright, exposed trail and the narrow, rocky expanse of the tunnel.

During the Giro d'Italia, these three tunnels are a signature feature of the route. Crowds of fans line the entrances and exits. The sound of cheering, shouts, and horns bounces off the tunnel walls, amplifying the noise. When a cyclist enters a tunnel, they enter a deafening, claustrophobic world where the noise is more intense than on the open road. When they exit, loud cheering erupts behind them, spurring them on. Fans line these areas to give the riders an extra boost of energy.

On the approach from Ovaro, at the top of the climb, three short tunnels await, located about 500 meters before the summit. Passing through them marks the beginning of the final, serpentine battle with the mountain. The tunnels are carved into the rock, paved, single-lane, and have basic lighting. Each tunnel is several dozen meters long and requires concentration, as the road is narrow and usually slippery. For the cyclist, it's also a moment of mental "breathing." Although the gradient still requires effort, the tunnels offer a brief respite from the steepest sections of the climb.

This phrase perfectly captures the nature of the Zoncolàn climb, where steep gradients of up to 22% force riders to push themselves to their limits, often beyond their capabilities. The name emphasizes that once the climb begins, especially in a race like the Giro d'Italia, there's no respite until the very top.