The Dolomites

Begin Your Dolomites Cycling Adventure with Scenic Valleys & Italian Hospitality

 50km | 1125m 

Arrive at Venice Marco Polo Airport for a private transfer to Hotel Diana Dolomites in La Villa | Alta Badia, a cyclist-focused hotel with secure bike storage and spa facilities. Upon arrival at the hotel, we'll enjoy a light lunch, unpack our bags, build our bikes and head out for an easy afternoon spin to loosen the legs taking in Val Badia which is situated in a sunny valley surrounded by one of the most imposing mountain chains of Europe, the Dolomites, before partially climbing The Passo delle Erbe. When we reach Antermeia we’ll have a coffee before the ride back to our hotel.

Refuel with a beautiful Italian dinner featuring regional dishes like speck (cured ham) and canederli dumplings.

Tackle Passo Giau – A Giro d’Italia Legend with 10% Gradients

83km | 2,668m

After breakfast we roll on out to take on perhaps the most famous climb in the Dolomites, the Passo Giau. Today, we'll climb it's northern side, which is the easier, gentler side. We start with the Passo Valparolo (2192m) which climbs up to the col where it meets the top of the Passo Falzarego (2105m).  En route we’ll ride through the regional border line of Trentino-South Tyrol into Veneto and pass through the boulder field surrounding the Valparolo cemetery on the site of an intense WW1 battle. We then descend the thrilling Passo Falzarego, eastwards towards the beautiful ski town of Cortina d’Ampezzo (which we’ll save for later in the week) before turning off and onto the Passo Giau (2236m). We finish with a stunning climb of Passo Falzarego, with it's switchbacks, tunnels and more stunning views.

At 2,236m elevation, the Passo Giau is most famous for its regular inclusion in the Giro d’Italia and for amateurs it’s the fearsome 6th climb in the Maratona dles Dolomites sportive. However, on this occasion we’re taking a look at the northern approach from Pocol, which is considered the easier side of the two albeit as equally beautiful.

Before 1986 this climb was a narrow mule track, until it was finally paved. Typically the climbs in this region are shorter than those of the Alps and Pyrénées, but they are tightly compacted together giving you the opportunity to ride several summits in one loop, giving a huge sense of Col Collecting satisfaction.

The early switchbacks in the forest give you a real sense of progress, with the grand Dolomite mountains peaking through the trees in a playful manner, playing with you as to what’s to come as you gain elevation.

The gradient is consistent at around 8-9%, so it’s an easier ride that its southern counterpart. Once the trees disperse the scenery bursts into life simply beautiful! It’s unlike any other, giant chards of Dolomite rock tower above you and as you approach the summit you face what looks like a wave frozen in time. It’s awe inspiring and has to be seen to be truly believed.

From the summit you can enjoy 360º views that literally take your breath away.

From here there is the 10k descent of superb switchbacks which takes us the Canazei where we will head back up the 16km southern side of the Passo Falzarego, before a final kicker back to the top of the Passo Valparolo and a fast descent home.

Post-ride: Unwind at the hotel’s spa or join a group stretch session led by Port Velo guides. There will be time to relax and enjoy

110km | 3100m

Today we head south and cross the stunning Passo Gardena, before heading west to Klausen-Chiusa via a rolling valley road and hidden climb. After lunch we face the longest climb of the week, Passo dello Erbe.

Riding Passo Gardena you will find the scenery just incredible. As you leave Colfosco, you have the massive Sella range to your left (the south) and the Pizes da Cier to your right (the north). These jagged walls are both intimidating and jaw-droppingly beautiful.

But the best moment is coming over the top of the Passo Gardena: there the views open up in front of you, with the road snaking down the mountain towards the Sassolungo Group.

After a long descent to Chiusa Klausen, you are faced with the long and testing climb of Passo delle Erbe. A full 25km averaging over 7%. A tough and super long climb, with long sections in excess of 12%. A coffee at the summit awaits at 2000m, before we return back to the hotel up the valley road alongside the Gran Ega river.

61km | 1813m 

Today is only half a day really, but what a half day it is.  A circular route that takes gives one of best rides you’ll ever do.  After the warming the legs riding up the valley to Corvara, we will ride the Sella Ronda circuit clockwise.  One after the other we will tackle the Passo Campolongo (1875m) over to Arabba, then the Passo Pordoi (2239m) over to Canezei, then the Passo Sella (2218m) followed by the Passo Gardena (2136m) from the direction that we descended yesterday.  The rewards for your work are views to die for all day long and a fabulous descent from the Passo Gardena back down to Corvara.  A bucket list ride.

103km | 1990m

Going further afield after yesterday’s Sella Ronda circuit we will ride some now familiar ground en route to the Lago di Fedaia and the Passo Fedaia (2040m) beyond.

The Passo Fedaia lies at the base of the Marmolada (the highest peak in the Dolomites). It was used as a location for the ‘Italian Job’ film and one way to the summit takes you through the beautiful Serrai di Sottoguda canyon.

A 10km descent then follows before the many hairpins and switchback of the Passo Giau (2236m), this time tackled from its harder side. With its panoramic views of rock towers and distant mountain vistas (hopefully) this is a great spot to take a breather. We will then descend towards Cortina d’Ampezzo but we’ll take a left turn and head back over the Falzarego and Valparolo passes, saving Cortina for tomorrow.

108km | 3347m

After a few tantalising views of the Cortina d’Ampezzo valley we will finally pay the beautiful town a visit not once but twice. 

First, we’ll make our way back over the Valparolo and descend the full length of the Falzarego where, towards the bottom you are rewarded with a fantastic view over Cortina and the mountains beyond. Its well worth stopping for a few pictures if the weather is favourable.

After a coffee in Cortina and some people watching, we’ll head over the Passo Tre Croci (1809m) to the beautiful Lago di Misurina via a punchy ramp that serves as a taster of things to come. 

The most challenging climbing of the whole trip starts after the lake on the final climb up to Tre Cime de Lavaredo. Initially it is easy going but after a toll barrier (free for cyclists) the road really ramps up and doesn’t relent until the car park at the Rifugio Aurunzo (2320m). This is a tough 4km stretch that will live long in the memory. 

All that’s left is to retrace our ride, perhaps after a well-earned breather back at the Lago di Misurina before heading back down to Cortina and over the Falzarego home.