Mendel Pass Explained

Mendel Pass
Elevation M:1362
Traversed:SS 42
Location:Trentino/South Tyrol, Italy
Coordinates:46.4169°N 11.2072°W

The Mendel Pass (German: Mendelpass or German: Mendel, Italian: Passo della Mendola, Italian: Passo Mendola or Italian: Mendola pronounced as /it/) is a 1,362 metre-high mountain pass between the provinces of Trentino and South Tyrol in Italy.

Infrastructure

The pass is accessed by the pass road, which begins in the town of Fondo in the Non Valley and ends southwest of the city of Bolzano, and the Mendel Funicular, which connects the Überetsch plateau with the pass. The pass road, SS 42, has a maximum grade of 12%, but is relatively straight. It is open year-round, but trailers are prohibited.

History

The pass road was built between 1880 and 1885, and the first hotel at the pass was built in 1890. In 1900, a tram was built from the town of Kaltern.

Associated risks

The instability of the cliffs overhanging the road is a cause of concern, and work was undertaken in 2005 to stabilize them. The pass is under constant observation, particularly in the spring, when thawing and refreezing causes danger of slides.

See also

External links

46.4169°N 11.2072°W