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The Dolomites are said to be the most beautiful mountains in the world. But, the spetacular UNESCO-labeled landscapes of vertical rock walls and dolomite cliffs which jut out of picturesque Alpine meadows also offer some of the best road riding on the planet. Join us for a classic 7 day round trip starting and ending in the capital of the Dolomites, Bolzano. It takes in the highlights of the Dolomites in the East as well as the majestic Ortler and Trentino mountains to the West. A week riding some of Italy's greatest climbs made famous by the Giro: first the legendary Stelvio and the beautiful Gavia, then the Giau, the Fedaia, at the foot of the Marmolada, the cols of the famous Sella Ronda and last but not least the Tre Cime. On top of that, we enjoy the authentic and warm hospitality of South-Tyrol which definetely combines the best of the Italian and the Austrian worlds - especially in culinary terms. If you love Alpine cycling, this trip should definetely be on your shortlist.
"And into the mountains I go, to lose my mind and find my soul."
On this trip, we discover the Alpine regions of Lombardy, Trentino, Alto-Adige and Veneto in northern Italy, close to the Austrian border. The Dolomites and their spectacular landscapes are said to be the most beautiful mountains on the planet. Riding admidst these impressive but peaceful and tranquil giants makes you feel exalted and the humblest: with every col, new vertical cliffs and walls seem to arise from all sides, above Alpine meadows, immense forests, green valleys and orchards covering the plains. The Dolomites, besides being a number one tourist destination thanks to their UNESCO heritage status, have earned a considerable reputation as a top-class road cycling destination. The beauty, diversity and high number of interlinked mountain passes make them perfect for road cycling. The Dolomites figure on the Giro d'Italia's menu almost every year and have contributed to its history. South Tyrol has a strong regional image - with its traditional chalets, craftmanship, folklore and unique gastronomy -, taking in the best of the Italian and Austrian worlds.
Our itinerary is a 7-day round-trip starting in the city of Bolzano. It is the ideal starting point to take on the most beautiful passes of the Dolomites. Just ride and enjoy.
Each day you choose one of two different routes with varying distances and altitude gain (2 and 3 wheels).
Arrival in Bolzano in late afternoon. Preparation of our road bikes and dinner with the group and your trip leader.
As soon as we leave Bolzano, we climb up through beautiful coniferous forests and enjoy the typical Alpine scenery where chalets, mountain hamlets, Alpine meadows, clearings and herds of cows parade along our route.
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If the accomodation is in Merano :
Only one col today, but for a good reason: one of the most striking passes in the entire Alpine arc, the Passo dello Stelvio. A monument, a myth in the world of cycling... The countless final hairpins, with the glaciers of the Ortler massif as a backdrop, are an unforgettable moment. At the finish line, the historic centre of Bormio is perfect for a well-deserved drink on the terrace of a café before discovering its narrow streets...
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If the accomodation was in Merano :
At the foot of the Ortler's glaciers, the Passo di Gavia is not terrifying but the kind of "typical Alpine pass" that enchants Alpine road cycling enthousiasts.
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A rather easy day before entering the proper Dolomites. We ride through the beautiful coniferous forests that cover the mountain slopes of the wild Brenta Dolomites. We admire their majestic cliffs reflected in the waters of Lake Molveno.
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We set off for the Marmolada massif via small postcard-like mountain roads. Its glacial peak is also the highest point in the Dolomites (3343m). At the end of the stage, we arrive at the superb Lake Alleghe, dominated by the impressive north-western face of the Civetta.
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Today is the day. We will bag 5 cols (level 3) and enter the heart of the Dolomites UNESCO world heritage site with the Tre Cime de Lavaredo and the Sella group. Riding around the Sella, we discover the many different faces of this mineral plateau surrounded by massive cliffs. Simply unforgettable! On level 3, we ride an additional loop to offer us beautiful views on the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, whose three legendary blades rise towards the sky.
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A last day to enjoy the mineral cliffs that arise from the Alpine meadows and forests everywhere around us. On level 3, we add the Passo Pordoï to the Sella collection and the Passo Fedaïa below the northern face of the Marmolata. The last two highlights on our way back to Bolzano are the Sassolungo and the Cattinaccio, the "garden of roses", which we discover from the Karerpass/Passo di Costalunga. Time for some last minute souvenirs in Bolzano before saying goodbye.
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Itinerary end: The tour ends in Bolzano in the afternoon. On request we can book the following night's accommodation for you in Bolzano or organise a transfer to Venise or Milano airports.
Distances and altitude gain are an indication only and may vary.
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