Mountain Biking in the Dolomites

Trip Highlights

• Take in the incredible mountain panoramas and breathtaking vistas of the limestone Dolomite Mountains
• Mountain bike rugged terrain on different trails every day, stopping for hearty lunches at traditional mountain huts
• Visit the valleys of Alta Badia and of Cortina d’Ampezzo, and experience their different cultures, traditions, and cuisine
• Perfect for experienced mountain bikers looking for a challenging adventure!

One of the best ways to experience the Dolomites is by mountain bike, where you can cover a lot of ground, but pause whenever the beauty of these mountains demands it. No other mountain chain in the Alps offers such impressive views. For mountain bike enthusiasts it is unique, and on this extraordinary itinerary we perfectly pair the landscape with mountain refuges and high quality cuisine.

Each day you’ll cycle from hotel to hotel (or rifugio to rifugio), taking in the Dolomites from all different angles and perspectives. We’ll begin with a lift-service “warm up ride” to get you acclimated to these mountains, and to give you a chance to take in their beauty before you start riding hard! Then it’s different challenging, breathtaking terrain each day, riding through pastures and meadows, climbing and descending passes, bearing witness to new vistas of the towering massifs, and discovering lakes and streams and cascades. All the while you’ll explore multiple cultures, languages, and cuisine (the Dolomites are home to Italian, Austrian, and Ladin peoples), and an amazing history and artefacts ranging from medieval castles to World War I bunkers.

By traversing the Dolomites by bike, you have the opportunity to literally experience the depth and breadth of these mountains, and see for yourself why they are considered one of the most beautiful Alpine landscapes in the world!

Want to know what mountain biking in the Dolomites is all about?
Check out Dolomite Biking: Are You Experienced? by Harmon Leon for the San Francisco Chronicle!

Check out the high definition videos in our: SUMMER VIDEO GALLERY!

TRIP DETAILS

Length: 7n / 8d

Dates:
This trip is available as a group trip on fixed dates (view group departure dates) or as a custom departure on dates of your choosing (mid-June to mid-October).

Start / Finish:  Alta Badia

Activity Level: This trip is for strong, active and experienced mountain bikers in good physical condition who enjoy cycling, have a good spirit of adventure, positive attitude, and are prepared to and capable of biking an average of five to seven hours a day.

Mountain Biking:
30-60km (19-37 miles) a day
1,300-2,000m (4,265-6,562') uphill every day

Cost: €1580 per person with minimum 8 members 

Includes: Double accommodations in “bike friendly” hotels and mountain inns, meals as noted, professional mountain bike guide, local transportation, luggage transfer during the trip, map of the area. Single rooms supplement: on request.
Mountain bikes on request.

• INFORMATION REQUEST
  Ready to take the next step? Just complete and return our Trip Questionnaire, or contact us directly to plan your Dolomites adventure today!

ITINERARY
Trip itinerary may vary based on weather conditions, fitness levels and abilities of participants, and/or the recommendations of your guide.

Day 1 ~ Arrival
Arrive in the Dolomites, and check into your hotel in Alta Badia. Meet your mountain bike guide for a trip briefing and equipment check. Evening welcome dinner with your guide, where you’ll have your first taste of the incredible regional cuisine and wine!
D… Hotel in Alta Badia (3-Star)

Day 2 ~ The Sellaronda
The perfect kick-off for our week in the Dolomites, this fantastic warm-up tour circumnavigates the Sella Massif, and offers spectacular views of these mountains from almost every possibile angle. On this mountain bike tour, you’ll have the opportunity to see more of the Dolomites in one day than many see on an entire trip! In the winter, the Sellaronda is considered one of the most popular ski tours in the world.

We’ll take lifts up four high altitude passes and descend to the valleys below, primarily on single-track trails.  Ascents and descents are full of breathtaking views of some of the most beautiful peaks of the Dolomites. (6 hours biking, 58km / 36 miles, 3,400m
/ 11,154' elevation change via cycling and lifts.)
B,D… Hotel in Alta Badia (3-Star)

Day 3 ~ Pütia Massif
Depart our hotel and cycle toward Passo delle Erbe (Herb Pass). Today we climb up and down through meadows, green pastures, and the occasional forest, alongside the Pütia Massif. We’ll ride through Pederoa full of artisan shops and Picedac with farms dotting the hillside, to the town of Longiarù in Puez Odle Nature Park, one of the villages in the Dolomites that upholds Ladin traditions. From here you’ll climb two more passes to our hotel. (3 hours biking, 30 km / 19 miles, 1,600m / 5,249' elevation change.)
B,D… Rifugio

Day 4 ~ Passo delle Erbe – Rifugio Fanes
Morning descent to the town of San Martino in Badia (1,127m / 3,698'), known as "the cradle of Ladino culture,." Continue through beautiful woods and meadows framed by the Dolomite to La Valle, and up to Costa with it’s idyllic farms. Travel on to the biotope of Rit and descend to San Vigilio, both located within Fanes-Sennes-Braies Natural Park. Continue to Pederu through a beautiful larch forest, and ascend to our rifugio for the night. (4.5 hours biking, 42km / 26 miles, 1,700m / 5,577' elevation change.)
B,D… Rifugio

Day 5 ~ Rifugio Fanes – Rifugio Fodara Vedla
Another spectacular ride, all within the Fanes-Senes-Braies Natural Park, one of the largest Natural Parks in the region. Cycle along side of the Lago di Limo (Limo Lake), before a long descent towards the Ampezzo Valley, and on toward Passo Cimabanche (1,529m / 5,016'). Today a popular route for hikers, skiers, and cyclists, during World War I it held great strategic importance as a communication route between the Austrian Tyrol and the Italian Cadore, and many artefacts remain. Climb steeply past the Croda Rossa and on to our rifugio for this evening. (4 hours biking, 33km / 21 miles, 1,500m / 4,921' elevation change.)
B,D… Rifugio

Day 6 ~ Rifugio Fodara Vedla – Cortina d’Ampezzo – Passo Staulanza
Today we will see some of the most beautiful mountains in the Dolomites, including the Croda da Lago, Pelmo Massif, and Civetta. Begin by descending along the Boite River to the chic Venetian town of Cortina d’Ampezzo, for lunch and visit. Cycle up the eastern flank of the Croda da Lago, to Forcella Ambrizzola (Ambrizzola Fork), Rifugio Citta’ di Fiume, and to our rifugio for the night, enjoying vistas of these breathtaking mountains throughout. (5 hours biking, 42km / 26 miles, 1,500m / 5,249' elevation change.)
B,D… Rifugio

Day 7 ~ Passo Staulanza – Fodom – Alta Badia
Begin cycling on the “Strada della Vena” to reach the little village of Andraz, featuring one of the most ancient castles in the Dolomites, constructed to defend the iron mines and foundries here. Continue to Roncat, and to Livinallongo del Col di Lana. Bike to the Passo Incisa (2,034m / 6,673'), from where we’ll have a fantastic view of the most famous mountains in this region: the Marmolada, Sella, and Civetta groups.  Arrive to Alta Badia and final group dinner – the perfect way to end your mountain biking adventure in the Dolomites!
(5-6 hours biking, 55km / 35 miles, 1,300m/ 5,265' elevation change.)
B,D… Hotel in Alta Badia (3-Star)

Day 8 ~ Depart
Breakfast and departure.
B…