Into the Dolomites-5 days
Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Dolomites. Ride on an unforgettable cycling journey into the heart of these majestic mountains. Discover epic routes and immerse yourself in stunning landscapes.
Bucket List Climbs
Overview
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If you like climbing and unbelievable views, there is no question that the Dolomites are a cycling paradise. But before diving in, how about a little Aperitivo in the Prosecco Hills? Have no fear, there are sufficiently challenging uphills in this region, as well, and it provides a great prelude to the high mountains.
This itinerary includes a long list of bucket list climbs, including the Passo San Boldo, the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, the Passo Giau, Pordoi, Gardena, and the Fedaia. And the recovery time will be fantastic, as well, with intimate lodgings in the towns of Soligo, Cortina d’Ampezzo, and Corvara.
So, get your climbing legs ready!
Included in this trip
- 4 nights accommodation in select boutique hotels including breakfast
- Pick-up and transfer from the airport to the pick-up hotel (also if arriving in advance of trip start)
- Support with set-up of rental bike, or assembly/disassembly of own bike
- Orientation meeting on day 1
- All on-trip luggage transfers
- Daily on-trip van support
- All on-trip transfers
- Exclusive access to the CyclingHero Companion App with daily multiple route options and local insights
- Access to Hammerhead Karoo-2 bike computer with pre-installed CyclingHero route options
- Bike box storage for the entire duration of the trip
- Post trip drop off at the airport
* Click Book Now to view specific dates and prices
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
After breakfast, a short van transfer touches you down in the small town of Pieve di Cadore. From here there are three ways to get to our base in Cortina d’Ampezzo: Chill, Challenging, and Epic.
-The Chill option follows the dedicated bike path created from the old train route. There is climbing to be done, but it's fairly harmless. This is the perfect option for those wanting to have an easy day and spend the afternoon exploring Cortina.
-The Challenging option heads up the Cadore Valley through Auronzo and climbs steadily up to the highest point at the Tre Croci climb, before concluding with a spectacular downhill into Cortina.
-The Epic option starts easily enough on the same bike path as the chill option but then heads into the hills, tackling first the Passo Cibiana, followed by the Passo Staulanza, and finally the infamous Passo Giau before descending into Cortina. This is a beautiful but challenging route with over 3000 m of climbing.
Whichever route is chosen, the quaint chic of Cortina’s town center will offer a variety of options for an evening Aperitivo and dinner.
This day offers a wonderful loop that allows a lot of flexibility depending on ambition level. Leaving Cortina, all options head North on undulating terrain towards the Pustertal valley.
The first decision comes at the intersection in Carbonin. You can head directly uphill towards Lake Misurina, or first continue further downhill to the valley town of Toblach (Dobbiacco), where the distinctly Austrian feel reminds visitors that there are only 13 more mostly flat kilometers to the Austrian border.
After the uphill to Lake Misurina, a harder choice presents itself. Return directly to Cortina, or muster all your remaining strength for an attempt at the mythical Tre Cime di Lavaredo climb, which starts tamely enough, before heading skyward with gradients well into the two digits.
Whichever option is chosen, only one relatively minor climb to the Tre Croci pass remains, and it's a wonderful final downhill back to where you started in Cortina.
Leaving Cortina, it's time to head into the heart of the Dolomites. The climbing starts shortly after leaving town as the route heads up the Passo Falzarego. The mountain goats soon have the option of taking the turn off for the ‘easier’ side of the Passo Giau before finally ascending the Passo Campolongo and diving down into Corvara.
The shorter option meanwhile heads to the summit of the Falzarego before taking on the last extra step up to the Passo Valparola before descending into La Villa for a last gentle uphill stretch into Corvara. For something a little more challenging than the shorter option, but without the mighty Giau, is a route that combines the Falzarego and the Passo Campolongo. Lastly, for the bucket list hunters, an option that takes in the Passo Giau, the Passo Fedaia, and the Passo Pordoi is possible. You will definitely NOT arrive in Corvara feeling climb deprived!
Called the “Most Beautiful Bike Ride in the World”, the SellaRonda is the perfect way to round out a wonderful week of riding.
Starting in Corvara, the first climb tackled is the Passo Gardena, which rewards with fantastic views of both the Alta Badia and Gardena valleys. A stepped descent down to Plan de Gralba and it's time for the Passo Sella, which winds its way past the “Città dei Sassi” or “City of Boulders” on its way to the top. After descending back down in the direction of Canazei, the route once again turns towards the skies for the third challenge, the Passo Pordoi, before a 33 switchback roller-coaster descent to Arabba.
Those with relaxation on their minds can head over the last climb of the day, the Campolongo, and return to Corvara. Those wanting to stay out longer can continue down the valley to Andraz to take on the Falzarego climb, followed by the short but punchy “Mur de Giat” in La Villa before returning to Corvara. Those who want to leave it ‘all on the road’ can add on the Passo Giau before doing the Falzarego and returning to Corvara.
The evening will start with a short transfer to Badia for an "Aperitivo con Vista" (Aperitif with a view) at 7pm at the Porcino restaurant, which will be followed by dinner with a set menu created by the resident chef and owner, Marco.
Enjoy. You’ve earned it!
After a last breakfast, it’s time for the transfer back to Venice for your trip home or further explorations in the area. A se udëi! - Goodbye!
* Click Book Now to view specific dates and prices
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