Giro d'Italia 2026-From Lake Garda to the Dolomites

This scenic ride from Verona’s historic centre along a dedicated bike path is a great way to ease into things. The route meanders past charming villages and vineyards before reaching the shores of Lake Garda. Cycle along the lake’s edge, passing through picturesque towns to the medieval lakeside gem of Malcesine. For those seeking a bit more of a challenge, ascend to Castion Veronese for panoramic views of Italy's largest lake before dropping down into Malcesine.

Discover the northern shores of Lake Garda, beginning your day with a ride to Riva del Garda, a mecca for outdoor sports enthusiasts. From here opt for more serene routes through Ceniga or up to Lago di Tenno, or go all in and tackle the Monte Baldo loop. Take time to explore Malcesine’s cobbled streets or ascend Monte Baldo by cable car for a different perspective on the lake and surrounding peaks.

Bid farewell to Lake Garda as you join the dedicated bike path that follows the Adige River. Pedal past the historic town of Rovereto and over the Passo Mattarello before descending into Levico Terme. Nestled by the shores of Lago di Levico, this elegant spa town of Habsburg heritage is cherished by Italians for it's curative waters and spectacular setting.

A more challenging option first takes on the Monte Velo climb out of Lake Garda before descending back down to meet the main route before the Passo Mattarello.

The day starts with a beautiful, easy ride out of Levico along the Valsugana, the spectacular valley through which the Brenta river flows. A more challenging option takes you up into the hills above Borgo Valsugana before returning to the Valsugana at Primolano.

Find you ideal viewing spot for the passing Giro riders as they tackle the switchback uphill section through the "Scale di Primolano", a fortified complex built in the 19th century to protect Feltre from Austrian attacks.

As the Giro cavalcade comes to an end, jump in behind the last support vehicles and continue your ride towards the main challenge of the day, the famed Croce d'Aune. The Croce d'Aune's claim to fame is not its length or it's steepness, but its place in cycling history: it was on this uphill that a frustrated pro cyclist named Tulio Campagnolo conceived the quick release skewer, the first of many cycling innovations Campagnolo subsequently developed. Stop at the plaque at the summit dedicated to Signore Campagnolo before enjoying the switchback descent and an optional stop at the Sportful-Castelli Flagship store before returning to our lakeside accommodations in nearby Arsie.

Get ready for a full immersion into the energy of the Giro as we take in both the start and the finish of Stage 19, guaranteed to be one of the key stages of this year's Giro.

Leaving Arsie, a short ride brings us into Feltre to soak in the build up to the start of this decisive stage. Get autographs from you favourite riders as they head to the sign-on and rider presentations. Starting gun fired, head into the beautiful Val Belluno countryside for a thankfully less demanding route to the stage finish above Alleghe.

After riding past the Lago del Mis, the route climbs to the Forcella Franche pass, where it then descends back down to the town of Agordo. You'll arrive with plenty of time to position yourself on the short but vicious Piani di Pezzè, which the Giro riders will tackle after a mammoth day of over 4000 m of climbing. Get up close and personal with the riders on the ride back down to Alleghe after the finish, and share your stories over an aperitivo at our accommodations in town.

Giro viewings out of the way, it's now time to tick off some of the most famous bucket list climbs in Italy. A flat warm up gets you to the foot of the Passo Fedaia, a climb that has a nasty sting in it's tail that is nicknamed the "Graveyard of Champions". This challenging climb rewards with stunning views of the Marmolada glacier before you continue your ride with a downhill into Canazei and the first switchbacks of the Passo Pordoi.

For the final part of the ride you have a choice: continue up to the Passo Pordoi for a direct return to Alleghe, or head up the Passo Sella and follow the Sella ronda circuit through Corvara before returning to Alleghe. You can't go wrong either way, as both these routes offer breathtaking scenery and fantastic riding.

For this final day of riding there is the opportunity to climb one of the mythical passes of the Giro, the Passo Giau. This imposing climb is regularly included in the race due to it's difficulty and breathtaking beauty. The Giau can either be combined with the Falzarego for a shorter loop back to Alleghe or bypassed altogether.

Alternatively, if you want to leave it all on the road, a longer loop combines the Passo Giau with the Passo Staulanza and Passo Duran before returning to Alleghe. Relax back lakeside while admiring the spectacular beauty of the Dolomites and reflecting on an unforgettable week of riding.

After a last breakfast, it’s time for the transfer back to Venice for your trip home or further explorations in the area.