Bucket List Climbs
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I was more than satisfied and had a terrific time. The riding, routes, hotels, the Giro watching spots, dinner spots…all top notch. It felt very "bespoke" without being stuffy. Bob and Caterina and Puppers…Italy’s best hosts. I will return…Stelvio next!
"CyclingHero: really, the best cycling experience of my life, bar none."
"If you want to book a cycling trip in Italy in the Dolomites and Prosecco Hills region, then CyclingHero is the tour company for you! The personal touch and attention to detail will allow you to enjoy your vacation and experience the Italian culture."
"What a great trip! We were comfortable from start to finish with the itinerary, logistics, routes, directions, app, places to go post-ride, etc. What an experience. Across the board it was awesome and we are planning on taking another tour."
"This CyclingHero adventure was absolutely amazing - I saw parts of Italy that I'd never likely see during a normal tourist visit, all while doing what I love more than anything - cycling! The terrain was incredible, the vistas unforgettable, and the organizers are highly experienced, and thus have thought through all the fine details of a cycling adventure of this sort."
"Everything a cycling trip should be with a twist of technology!"
"What an incredible experience. High end, fantastic hotels, and incredible scenery. I love the concept. I'm not one for organized events with people that I don't know. There can be too much starting, stopping, waiting, and indecision when you have a group of different people of different abilities that don't know each other."
"The selection of hotels, bars and restaurants recommended were top notch, and the whole trip was delivered at a great price considering the high-end nature of the itinerary."
"Without a doubt, the CyclingHero tour was the best cycling week of my 20+ years of cycling. A real challenge, but perfectly curated, and with excellent support throughout the trip."
"The itinerary was very well thought out and rides built on each other, culminating in a spectacular climb of the Monte Grappa. A memorable experience - highly recommended!"
Day-to-Day Schedule
We have collected a few of our favourite rides out of Treviso for those who arrive early or have more time after the end of the trip.
Route A - Heading West there is the loop ride out to the market square of Badoere aka "La Rotonda", a unique circular structure that once housed local merchants, and now hosts a monthly artisans market. The route is pretty much completely flat, and mostly on quiet country roads.
Route B - A beautiful, quiet route that heads Northeast to Maserada and skirts the edge of the Piave River.
Route C - Another flat ride, but this time heading North West is the loop that skirts the edge of the Montello. The Montello is something between a hill and a mountain and is a favourite for cycling locals for its quiet roads and varied terrain.
Route D - There is also a hillier version of the Montello ride that circles around to the northern side to take on the Presa XIV, a challenging climb that has been used as the last obstacle of the Gran Fondo Pinarello.
Route C and D pass the Pinarello flagship store on their way back into town.
Leaving Treviso the route heads North towards the Prosecco Hills. Along the way there is the option to take in a bit of the Montello, a small hill that is a favorite with local cyclists.
After crossing the Ponte della Priula bridge the Prosecco area starts proper, with a scenic climb past the Collalto Castle. For a little extra challenging vertical take the detour via Arfanta, otherwise head straight to Rolle and your fabulously situated hotel.
From your perch in the Prosecco Hills, this is a day to explore this wine area more deeply. After descending down into Soligo, the route skirts the steep vine clad hills all the way to ground zero of the Prosecco wine industry, Valdobbiadene. From Valdobbiadene you have the choice of a bit, or a bit more than a bit of climbing, with either a gradual climb up to Combai or a more challenging option rising directly out of Valdobbiadene to the 'Pianezze'. The two routes rejoin in Combai where you descend down past Follina and through charming Cison di Valmareno. A shorter option brings you back up to Rolle directly, while the longer option descends down to historic Vittorio Veneto, before climbing back up along the beautiful San Lorenzo climb and returning to your hotel.
Today's route brings you from the Prosecco Hills to the Asolo Hills, which is still technically part of the extended Prosecco growing region, but is less intensely cultivated. After passing through Valdobbiadene, the route crosses the Piave river at Vidor before entering the lush landscape of the 'Colli Asolani'. The more direct option goes around the hills before taking on the final climb up to Asolo. The hillier option passes over the 'Forcella Mostaccin' before joining the other route on it's way to Asolo. Round out your day with an afternoon aperitivo in the main square only a few steps from your hotel.
A visit to Bassano del Grappa is the common thread across the three loop rides on this day. For a medium climbing experience, head West through charming Marostica and up the San Luca and Rosina climbs before returning to Asolo via Bassano. A longer option loops around through Possagno, the hometown of the sculptor Canova, before visiting Bassano and returning to Asolo.
The most challenging option is a climb up the imposing Monte Grappa, a deceptively difficult climb that is a right of passage for cyclists from the area. Climb conquered, descend back into Bassano for an afternoon pick-me-up before riding the gently undulating terrain back to the final uphill into Asolo.
Today is Stelvio day. A morning transfer brings you to the town of Lasa, famous for its hard-wearing marble. Soon after the town of Prato allo Stelvio the (in)famous switchbacks that lead to the Stelvio summit start. There are 48 of them in total, so manage your effort and leave something for the final push to the top of one of the highest paved roads in Europe.
Congratulations, you have conquered one of THE iconic ascents of the cycling world! Take a (brief) moment to soak it all in before enjoying the equally spectacular descent into Bormio.
Lots of options on this day, from relatively straightforward to monumental. For some inviting switchbacks and great views, there is the out and back to Laghi di Cancano.
A more challenging option is to take on the Gavia Pass from its easier side via Madonna di Campiglio.
Stepping it up a notch is the ride down to Mazzo and up the fearsome Mortirolo, a climb Lance Armstrong said was "the hardest thing he has ever done on a bike".
The Queen Stage loop is nothing short of monumental, taking on first the relentless Passo del Mortirolo before following up with the grand finale, the Passo Gavia from the classic side out of Ponte di Legno.
Lots of options on this day, from relatively straightforward to monumental. For some inviting switchbacks and great views, there is the out and back to Laghi di Cancano.
A more challenging option is to take on the Gavia Pass from its easier side via Madonna di Campiglio.
Stepping it up a notch is the ride down to Mazzo and up the fearsome Mortirolo, a climb Lance Armstrong said was "the hardest thing he has ever done on a bike".
The Queen Stage loop is nothing short of monumental, taking on first the relentless Passo del Mortirolo before following up with the grand finale, the Passo Gavia from the classic side out of Ponte di Legno.
A morning transfer of approximately 3 hrs via Bolzano leads to San Lorenzo in the Val Pusteria, where the route continues along the valley by bike to the edge of Dobbiaco, where it veers South and heads into the heart of the Dolomites. The flatter route involves a gentle uphill to the Cimabanche before dropping back down into Cortina. Some more climbing can be found by heading up to picturesque Lake Misurina then on to the Tre Croci pass before descending into Cortina. Your hotel is a bit further along the bike path in a beautiful setting surrounded by mountains.
Cortina offers some great riding both to the North and to the South of town. Heading North towards the Pustertal valley, the route then heads uphill to lake Misurina. For those looking for a bigger challenge, the Tre Cime climb beckons. Don't let the average grade deceive you. The last 3 km (2 miles) hover around 13% average gradient! Descend back to Misurina for the final, less demanding Tre Croci pass which leads you back to Cortina.
An alternative follows the Boite river down to Pieve di Cadore, before looping around to Lake Auronzo and up to the Tre Croci pass from a different direction before a final downhill run into Cortina. Hike (option D): This is a great medium difficulty hike along a creek up to the Malga Federa hut.
Leaving the hotel, the first 25 mins are along a quiet road. After passing the Lago di Pianozes, the route continues along an asphalt road for a stretch before following the path next to the creek past several waterfalls. The route meets the paved road again at several points before arriving at the Malga Federa hut (open only on weekends in October). It is also possible to extend this hike by 1 h total and include the Croda da Lago Rifugio, which is open through November. The easiest way back is via the paved road which will bring you back to the Lago di Pianozes.
Cortina offers some great riding both to the North and to the South of town. Heading North towards the Pustertal valley, the route then heads uphill to lake Misurina. For those looking for a bigger challenge, the Tre Cime climb beckons. Don't let the average grade deceive you. The last 3 km (2 miles) hover around 13% average gradient! Descend back to Misurina for the final, less demanding Tre Croci pass which leads you back to Cortina.
An alternative follows the Boite river down to Pieve di Cadore, before looping around to Lake Auronzo and up to the Tre Croci pass from a different direction before a final downhill run into Cortina. Hike (option D): This is a great medium difficulty hike along a creek up to the Malga Federa hut.
Leaving the hotel, the first 25 mins are along a quiet road. After passing the Lago di Pianozes, the route continues along an asphalt road for a stretch before following the path next to the creek past several waterfalls. The route meets the paved road again at several points before arriving at the Malga Federa hut (open only on weekends in October). It is also possible to extend this hike by 1 h total and include the Croda da Lago Rifugio, which is open through November. The easiest way back is via the paved road which will bring you back to the Lago di Pianozes.
Shortly after leaving your hotel, the ride begins to climb toward the Passo Falzarego.
Suitably warmed-up, an option of taking a detour up the ‘easier’ side of the Passo Giau presents itself.
The two routes rejoin each other near Andraz and pass through Arabba and over the Passo Campolongo to Corvara. One last uphill to San Cassiano has you admiring the views from your hotel.
The main attraction for today is the Sella ronda, or four passes. This loop is a staple of the Maratona dles Dolomites annual cycling event and has been called 'the most beautiful bike ride in the world'.
Alternatively, for a medium mileage route and no serious passes, you can instead head downhill all the way to Longega and head up to the Rifugio Pederú. Located at the end of a valley with restricted car traffic, the Pederú Lodge is the perfect place to get a bite and admire the 360-degree mountain views that surround you before heading back the way you came to San Cassiano. Stepping it up a notch, a climb over the Campolongo in Corvara and descent to Caprile has you at the foot of the Passo Fedaia, a climb known for the 2 mile section dubbed the 'Graveyard of Champions'. The Fedaia is followed by the Passo Sella and Passo Gardena to bring you back to San Cassiano.
Finally, for a truly formidable challenge, combine the Sella ronda with the Passo Giau for a ride that rivals the Maratona for length and amount of climbing. Hiking option: Larch trail to Rifugio La Crusc
After an initial uphill out of San Cassiano a beautiful Larch forest, this medium difficulty hike follows a less demanding route until the La Crusc mountain hut. After returning along the same path back from La Crusc, the route passes again through the Larch forest via a more direct way and descends back down to San Cassiano.
The main attraction for today is the Sella ronda, or four passes. This loop is a staple of the Maratona dles Dolomites annual cycling event and has been called 'the most beautiful bike ride in the world'.
Alternatively, for a medium mileage route and no serious passes, you can instead head downhill all the way to Longega and head up to the Rifugio Pederú. Located at the end of a valley with restricted car traffic, the Pederú Lodge is the perfect place to get a bite and admire the 360-degree mountain views that surround you before heading back the way you came to San Cassiano. Stepping it up a notch, a climb over the Campolongo in Corvara and descent to Caprile has you at the foot of the Passo Fedaia, a climb known for the 2 mile section dubbed the 'Graveyard of Champions'. The Fedaia is followed by the Passo Sella and Passo Gardena to bring you back to San Cassiano.
Finally, for a truly formidable challenge, combine the Sella ronda with the Passo Giau for a ride that rivals the Maratona for length and amount of climbing. Hiking option: Larch trail to Rifugio La Crusc
After an initial uphill out of San Cassiano a beautiful Larch forest, this medium difficulty hike follows a less demanding route until the La Crusc mountain hut. After returning along the same path back from La Crusc, the route passes again through the Larch forest via a more direct way and descends back down to San Cassiano.
After a last breakfast, it’s time for the 3 hr transfer back to Venice for your trip home or further explorations in the area. How does your climb bucket list look today?
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