Cycling the Dolomites
The Pale Mountains
If you were given a blank canvas and tasked with creating the perfect playground for cyclists then it would more than likely look exactly like the Dolomites. Part of the Southern Limestone Alps their unparalleled natural beauty extends from the River Adige in the west to the Piave Valley in the east.
Criss-crossed with a multitude of stunning passes that link the idyllic valleys and their exquisite towns such as Corvara, Cortina d’Ampezzo and Canazei they are like no other mountain range on earth. The Dolomites have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since June 2009.
Facts
History
Named after the 18th-century French mineralogist Déodat Gratet de Dolomieu who was the first to describe the light grey carbonate rock they are made of, the Dolomites are famed for their towering peaks that protrude from the wonderfully manicured farm land interspersed with patches of conifer forest.
Cycling Classic
Although having featured in many Giros and been witness to heroics from Fausto Coppi, through Eddy Merckx and into the modern day the Dolomites belong to the amateur rider. With manageable climbs and epic scenery they play host to the famous Maratona dles Dolomites and many other festivals of cycling.
Climate
The Dolomites offer some of the best weather in the Alps with less precipitation than anywhere else in the range. In summer temperatures don’t climb much higher than 25 degrees and you can rely on plenty of sun and a fresh wind. Conditions are also good in the autumn then the snow usually arrives in December and lasts to March.
Terrain
Generally but with the odd exception the Dolomite passes are easier to climb than those you’ll find elsewhere in the Alps. They all start from a high altitude and many summit well over 2000 metres with the gradients tending to hover around the 7-8% mark so should be comfortable for all to ride.
Tours that Include this Region
Points of Interest
Corvara
Corvara in Badia is the main center of the Alta Badia tourist industry and caters for both winter and summer sports making it very popular with visitors throughout the whole year.
WWI
At the top of the Passo Falzarego sits the open air museum of Mount Lagazuoi with its restored tunnels, trenches and machine gun posts where you can earn about the high altitude battles of WW1.
Messner Museum
In the heart of the Dolomites on Monte Rite (2181 m) between Pieve di Cadore and Cortina d’Ampezzo, the Museum in the Clouds, is one of the six Messner Mountain Museums (MMM) and offers a sensational 360° panorama view of the Dolomites.
Fausto Coppi
On top of the Passo Pordoi stands a monument to the great Fausto Coppi or Il Campionissimo (the Champion of Champions) who became synonymous with this climb during his dominance.
Tre Cime
One of the grandest examples of Dolomite peaks are the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, composed of the Cima Grande, Cima Ovest and the Cima Piccolo (Little, Big and Western). You can ride up for a closer look, if you dare.
"The Pordoi is like my life force. This mountain has given me so much, right from when I used to come here as a ten-year-old kid, and we'd throw a blanket on the grass and have a party"
Why Choose the Dolomites for Your Next Cycling Vacation?
A Dolomites cycling holiday is the ultimate experience for riders who love spectacular mountain scenery and legendary climbs. The Dolomites cycling routes are among the most breathtaking in the world, offering a mix of challenging ascents, thrilling descents, and awe-inspiring landscapes.
Our expertly curated Dolomites cycling tours take you over iconic mountain passes like Passo Giau and Tre Cime di Lavaredo, and the legendary Sella Ronda loop, ensuring you experience the best cycling routes of the Dolomites. Whether you’re hunting bucket list climbs, or just looking for a rewarding challenge, our Dolomites bike tours offer multiple route options to match your level.
Biking in the Dolomites means immersing yourself in a UNESCO World Heritage landscape, where every climb reveals stunning rock formations and panoramic views. It also means sampling the unique Ladin cuisine and learning about a culture and language that sets the region apart from the rest of Italy.
If you’re looking for an unforgettable adventure, our Italian Dolomites cycling tours provide carefully designed itineraries, charming bike-friendly accommodations and top-tier support to make your experience seamless.
Dolomites Cycling FAQ
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME FOR A DOLOMITES CYCLING HOLIDAY?+
June, July, September and the first half of October are the best months to ride in the Dolomites. We recommend avoiding the month of August when it gets very busy and the passes are filled with motorbikes, cars, and caravans. Snow is unlikely, even in October, but temperatures can dip down to near freezing at night even in July, so always bring some cold weather gear.
WHAT ARE THE MOST FAMOUS CLIMBS IN THE DOLOMITES?+
While the Passo Giau is probably the most infamous, with its 10% avg gradient over 10km, the Passo Pordoi is likely the best known, with over 40 inclusions in the Giro d’Italia. The views from either of them are absolutely stunning.
Other must-ride climbs in the area include:
For a full review of the region’s best-known climbs and routes (including GPX files), check out our Blog Post on the subject.
HOW FIT DO I NEED TO BE TO RIDE THE DOLOMITES PASSES?+
Although it varies by which pass you want to take on and how many passes you plan to ride in a day, a solid level of cycling fitness is needed to enjoy riding in the Dolomites. You should be able to sustain an effort that has you in Zone 3 for upwards of an hour (more info on training zones here), and have at least a few 4-hour rides with several climbs of at least 20-30 minutes in duration under your belt. If you don’t have any longer climbs in your area, Zwift is your friend. If you can do the “Alpe du Zwift” at a reasonable cadence without stopping, you should be fine.
WHAT GEAR RATIOS ARE RECOMMENDED FOR THE DOLOMITE CLIMBS?+
Although your gear ratios ultimately depend on your fitness level and your weight, you can’t go wrong with a 34-11 rear cassette and a 34-tooth small ring on the front. Most of the Dolomite climbs average around 7%, so you likely won't need that easiest gear most of the time. However, if you are thinking about taking on the Passo Giau, Passo Fedaia or the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, you will likely get to know your ‘granny gear’ intimately.
WHAT ARE THE BEST KNOWN CYCLING EVENTS HAPPENING IN THE DOLOMITES?+
The Sellaronda Bike Day opens and closes the cycling season in this beautiful part of the world. This is the day when the four most beautiful mountain passes in the world are entirely free from cars.
Starting from Corvara in Alta Badia, we ride the Passo Gardena, Passo Sella, Passo Pordoi and Passo Campolongo on
Jun 7, 2025 - Sellaronda Bike Day, Spring Edition
Sep 13, 2025 - Sellaronda Bike Day, Fall Edition
On June 15, 2025 the Sportful Dolomiti Race is one of the most challenging Gran Fondos in the world with its 204km and almost 5,000m of elevation. A mega loop starting from Feltre in the core of the Dolomiti Bellunesi Natural Park. Their motto? ONLY REAL CYCLISTS
On Jun 21, 2025 on the Dolomites Bike Day, starting from Corvara in Alta Badia three passes are closed to traffic: Passo Campolongo, Passo Falzarego and Passo Valparola.
On Jul 6, 2025 get ready for the most exclusive Granfondo in the World, the Maratona dles Dolomites. Spots are limited and are available through a lottery or via an official tour operator (CyclingHero is one).
Let Us Help You Create the Perfect Cycling Adventure
Tell us about your dream tour, and we'll be in touch with our customised recommendations just for you. Let us show you why we are one of the best cycling tour companies in Italy for avid cyclists.