Dolomites Biking 8 Days

Arrival day in Alleghe

From Venice, take the bus into the mountains to Alleghe, gateway to the Alps. Stroll through town and stretch your legs. Enjoy dinner at one of the many excellent restaurants here with views over the lake and rest up for the week ahead.

Alleghe

Your bike fit will take place just after breakfast. Ride from Alleghe up the valley alongside the River Cordevoie to Caprile before climbing to the Ladin village of Arabba where you can enjoy a morning coffee and marvel at the Sella Massif, at the foot of Pordoi and Campolongo passes. The Ladin language is a traditional idiom spoken in some valleys of Veneto and Trentino Alto-Adige. From here, it’s a modest climb over Campolongo pass and then a glorious descent into stunning Corvara to your hotel. We will provide recommendations on where to dine. As you will learn, much of this region was Austrian until annexation by Italy after World War I, and the distinctive local cuisine reflects this; expect lots of speck, sauerkraut, knödel and strudel on the menus.

Riding Distance: 36km; 1,285m gain or 42km; 1,500m gain.

Corvara

Today ride one of the classic loops of the Dolomites, reversing part of yesterday route by first climbing Campolongo and descending into Arabba in the early morning. After a rolling ride to the base of Passo Giau, begin the challenging climb over this iconic mountain pass. The grade averages 9% over its 10k ascent to the pass. Arrive to a welcoming café which sits in a verdant pasture at the foot of the soaring Nuvolau and Averau mountains with jaw-dropping views worthy of the effort to get there. After an exhilarating descent, climb over the Falzarego pass where you can visit the fascinating Forte tre Sassi, a mountaintop museum in an old fort that gives a glimpse into hardships that World War I soldiers faced, and the battles fought around the surrounding mountain passes. Back in Corvara, enjoy a celebratory beer; the locally brewed Colonial I.P.A. from the Bolzano brewery Batzen Bräu is a popular local choice.

Ride Distance: 84km; 2,600m gain.

Corvara

If you are a Giro d’Italia follower, you’ve heard of the Sella Ronda circuit, with its 4 passes including Campolongo, Pordoi, Sella, and Gardena. The Sella boasts the best views of the lot, the four Sella Towers to the left, the peaks of the Langkofel Group to the right. The pass at Pordoi has a memorial to perhaps Italy’s greatest professional cyclist, Fausto Coppi. If you haven’t already, this could be the night to dine at St. Hubertus, where chef Norbert Niederkofler’s haute mountain cuisine has earned him 3 Michelin stars. Or, if you prefer a more casual option, the restaurant Osteria Garsun, a family-run restaurant with a set menu of Ladin specialties might include such hearty items as panicia, vegetable-and-barley soup, and casunziei, or house-made half-moon ravioli served with melted butter, ground poppy seeds and Parmigiano cheese. Dessert typically includes a warm apple strudel and a parting shot of grappa. Whatever gastro treat you indulge in, let your friends back home know that you are ‘roughing it in the Dolomites’.

Ride Distance: 53km; 1,780m gain.

Spodinga

A private morning shuttle (1h30) takes you north toward the Austrian and Swiss borders. Starting from Spodinga, climb perhaps the most enigmatic peak in all of the Dolomites, Stelvio where 48 switchbacks zig zag up over a distance of 22km and 2,000m! Take in the view of Switzerland over lunch and then descend into Bormio, another picture-perfect village and settle into your comfortable hotel.

Ride Distance: 50km; 1,900m gain.

Bormio

Consider this a rest day and enjoy the town of Bormio – perhaps take a thermal spa. If you would like to ride, the out and back to Torri di Fraele is an optional climb where more glorious views await.

Ride Distance: 26km; 875m gain.

Bormio

For your final day of cycling here, start with a climb of Mortirolo, the climb that Marco Pantani, ‘Il Pirata’ made his name on in 1994 when he rode it in just over 42 minutes. It’s a narrow twisting road with blessedly few vehicles and climbs relentlessly, averaging 10.5% over it’s 13km. Maybe reward yourself with a refreshing drink at the pass? After descending, cruise along the Oglio River to Vezza di Oglio, where numerous lunch options await. You’ll want to re-charge for the long, but more gradual climb up Pass Gavia, where, with a view over Lago Bianco, you can enjoy a drink on what must be one of the most spectacular terraces in Europe. You’ll finish with a 25km descent back to Bormio and your hotel. Celebration dinner anyone?

Departure Day

Depart at your leisure. From Tirano train station, trains reach Milan in 2h30.