Cycling the Dolomites - The Top Routes & Climbs
Welcome to the Dolomites.
Sitting at the top of Italy like a snow-capped crown, the mountain range's jagged peaks span almost 16,000km through the regions of Trento and Alto Adige, jutting into neighbouring Veneto.
The awe-inspiring landscape has long attracted travellers all year round in search of sublime natural settings, luxury hotels and spas, extensive ski networks, excellent hiking and rafting, and those who want to breathe in the sweet, fragrant air.
The Dolomites are also a cyclist's playground, with some of the best cycle routes and climbs not only in Italy, but also the world.
With its meadows of wildflowers and valleys glistening with freshwater lakes, the area is an absolute must-visit for serious cyclists who want to experience a bucket-list trip.
The Dolomites contains plenty of iconic routes and climbs, simply breathtaking and exhilarating scenery and the memories of legendary cyclists swirling through the mountain air.
When's best to visit?
The Dolomites boasts excellent riding weather from May to October, characterised by sunny days and lower levels of precipitation than other Alpine regions.
May can be a wet month, while maximum temperatures (on the valley floor) vary from 19 to 29°C from April to October.
Not surprisingly, the hottest months are June and July, with a maximum of 28-29°C, but the heat up high should be more of a welcoming heat rather than an energy-sapping one.
If you’re after quieter roads, May, September and October are often considered to be the best time to visit. In fact, we'd say September is the best month of all – it's still warm down in the foothills and still fairly dry.
Once you're there, you'll want to get into the saddle and take on some of the range's most iconic climbs. Here are some of our favourites...
Sella Ronda
This classic cycling circuit over four famous mountain passes is often called ‘breathtaking’ by anyone who has spent time riding through them. It's routinely been called the world's most stunning bike route, and for good reason.
With the majesty of the Piz Boè – the highest mountain of the Sella group - looming above you, the Passo di Campolongo (1875m), the Grodnerjoch (Passo di Gardena) (2121m), the Passo Sella (2213m) and the legendary Passo Pordoi (2239m) all provide awesome, epic in-saddle adventures
Our carefully-curated The Best Of The Alps and Dolomites tour gives you the opportunity to sample this incredible, bucket-list ticking circuit.
Passo Pordoi
Located between the Sella group of mountains and the Marmolada peak is the legendary Pordoi Pass.
The road that crosses the pass is the highest surfaced road on any pass in the Dolomites and connects Arabba in the Livinallongo Valley with Canazei in the Valle di Fassa.
The pass has a long, rich history, including its role in several WWI battles and the contributions it has made to cycling – the world-famous monument dedicated to cyclist Fausto Coppi that commemorates the world-famous Giro d'Italia tour sits at the summit.
However, the road from Cortina to Ortisei is not for the faint-hearted.
Passo Giau
The Giau pass may have only become one of the great segments of the Giro d'Italia only recently, but already it's regarded as an incredibly challenging but rewarding climb.
Linking the valleys of Ampezzo and Livinallongo, it peaks in a vast and beautiful mountain pasture at the foot of the Nuvolau Alto 2647-metre turret, where you can also see the summits of the Tofane, Monte Cristallo and the Sorapis mountains.
As stunning as it is challenging, it's a must-cycle for any rider wanting to earn his or her Giro stripes, whilst riding in the tyre tracks of the pros.
Passo Fedaia
This is the climb that generations of cyclists have loved to hate.
Described as tougher than Pordoi and Giau, one portion in particular of the climb from Caprile, has become infamous. Dubbed ‘the graveyard of champions’, ‘the valley of death’ or ‘the corridor of fear’, the unbending, unending three-kilometre shaft beginning just before Malga Ciapela - five-and-a-half kilometres from the summit - is one of the most feared stretches of any Italian ascent.
Double Giro champion Gilberto Simoni thinks cycling the Dolomites, and Fedaia in particular, is ‘probably the hardest climb in Italy’. So this is certainly one for those who want a serious challenge.
Our top tips to get the most out of your Dolomites trip
Get fit. The Dolomites is a mountain range, so it goes without saying there will be tough stretches and lung-busting elevations and gradients that will really challenge you. Get some miles in the saddle and get some hill training in before you take your trip.
Fuel yourself. You need serious energy to ride mountain passes, so make sure you fuel before your ride and carry what you need during your ride. Remember that old but very true maxim: “eat now for later”.
Pack for all weather. The weather conditions whilst cycling the Dolomites can change very quickly: one minute you could be up on a freezing mountain pass, the next braving some serious wind chill while descending quickly around hairpin bends, and the next careening through a warm valley. It's essential you pack a jacket, leg warmers and gloves – it will help you handle the wind chill and changeable conditions.
What happens when you get off the bike?
Whether you've challenged yourself on one of the major climbs or taken it a bit easier, the good news is that the Dolomites provide plenty of après-cycle R&R to enjoy.
Thanks to its proximity to Austria, the area has a rich tapestry of languages, cuisine, and architecture, and during the winter months, it becomes a skiing paradise. In the warmer seasons, the snow and ski may have gone, but you can still recharge your batteries in fantastic wellness hotels and spas that include saunas, soothing massage centres and aromatic baths.
The area also boasts some truly delicious and hearty cuisine. The canederli dumplings, polenta dishes and the high-class meats (like deer, roebuck and ibex) are superb, while the local apfelstrudel is a must.
With long days in the saddle taking in the incredible sights, and long nights making new friends with fellow riders, this is one trip that will never be forgotten.
Cycling the Dolomites is one the most staggeringly beautiful rides any cyclist can enjoy, so get in touch with the Italy Bike Tours team today and enjoy a trip that will give you and your group memories to last a lifetime.