Mountain Biking in the Dolomites

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Experience a fairy tale mountain landscape with astounding panoramas at every corner
  
• 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 and traditions
  
• Perfect for experienced mountain bikers looking for a challenging adventure!
  

The Dolomites offer a tremendous opportunity for mountain bikers: incredible scenery, challenging terrain, and fascinating culture. Long known as a paradise for rock climbers and skiiers, cyclists can also take avantage of the charming hotels in hidden pretty valleys.

On this six day mountain biking itinerary, we’ll use these comfortable “base camps” from which we’ll venture out each day for invigorating bike rides along rugged trails. 
Wild alpine meadows, deciduous and evergreen woods, high altitude lunar-like terrain, soaring peaks, dramatic walls and towering heights alternate with the refined Venitian town of Cortina d’Ampezzo which has preserved the atmosphere that the first English tourists found almost two centuries ago and the South Tyrolean town of Corvara at the foot of the impressive Sella rock-walls. All along the way we’ll enjoy hearty meals that are representative of the incredible diversity of this region and will provide fuel for our next ascent!

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 our high definition videos in: SUMMER VIDEO GALLERY!

TRIP DETAILS

Length: 6n / 7d

Start / Finish:  Alta Badia / Cortina d'Ampezzo

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.

Cost: Custom trip starting at €1960 with minimum 4 members

Includes: Accommodation in “bike friendly” 3-star hotels, meals as noted, professional mountain bike guide, mountain bikes, luggage transfer, medical and evacuation insurance

• 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!
  
  

  Dolomites Biking

  
  
  

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

Day 1 ~ Arrive in San Cassiano, Dolomites
Arrive in Corvara in Alta Badia in the afternoon.
 Meet your mountain bike guide for a trip briefing and equipment check.
D… 3-star Hotel in Alta Badia

Day 2 ~ Corvara – Passo Incisa – Cherz – Alfauro – Varda – Passo Campolongo – Campo di Golf – Corvara
Depart from Corvara and bike on a wide gravel road to the Passo Incisa (2,034m / 6,673'), from where we’ll have a fantastic view of the Sella Massif and the Marmolada Glacier.  Descend to the charming Ladino villages of Cherz, Alfauro, and Varda in the Livinallongo Valley. Continue up to Campolongo Pass (1,874m / 6,148'), riding the last 6km on an asphalt zig-zag road. Descend to Corvara on a gravel road. (5-6 hours biking, 25km / 16 miles, 457m / 1,499' ascent.)
B,D… Hotel in Alta Badia (3-Star)

Day 3 ~ Santa Croce Sanctuary
Today we’ll bike to the Santa Croce Sanctuary at the base of the Sasso della Croce. 
From Corvara (1,568m / 5,144') bike on a wide gravel road along the river and up to San Leonardo, Armentara (1,859m / 6,099'), Arciara, Fornacia, passing through a number of closely knit hamlets. 

Midday we arrive at the church and sanctuary of Ospizio Santa Croce (2045m / 6,709'), where we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch, along with views of Puez-Odle Nature Park and the Sass de Putia spread out across the valley.  Return to Corvara down a long, rather technical hill via San Leonardo.  (5-6 hours biking, 30km / 19 miles, 658m
/ 2,159' ascent.)
B,D… Hotel in Alta Badia (3-Star)

Day 4 ~ Fanes-Sennes-Braies Natural Park
Today we’ll face challenging terrain, but undoubtedly one of the most panoramic trips that the Dolomites has to offer.
 Bicycle from Corvara to the Capanna Alpina at Armentarola, up to the Col’Locia, and on to Malga Fanes (2,100m / 6,890'). This area, called the Altiplano di Fanes, is also very well known for backcountry skiing.
 From here it’s just another 20-minutes cycling to a rifugio where we’ll stop for lunch.
After lunch we descend on a mule track to the location of Fiames, and from there to Cortina d’Ampezzo following the old railway track.
 (6-7 hours biking, 45km / 28 miles, 1890m / 6,201' ascent.)
B,D… Hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo (3-Star)

Day 5 ~ Col Rosà Mountain Loop
Today we cycle north towards the elegant Col Rosà mountain. Its name Rosà (red) comes from the beautiful reddish colors it displays during the sunrise. This superb peak can be biked up and down and around on small trails that zig-zag the mountain, surrounded by views of the other mountains like the Tofane.

From Cortina d’Ampezzo we cycle to Fiames, to Camping Fiammes, and up a path to Cianderoun at  1,711m (5,614'). Climb up to the Passo Posporcora (1,730m / 5,676') and head west on a quiet technical descent to the Ponte Dei Cadoris. From here we take a wider trail to Ponte Alto, down to the Boite River, and back to town. (5-1/2 hours biking, 37km / 23 miles, 480m
/ 1,575' ascent.)
B,D… Hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo (3-Star)

Day 6 ~ Under the Tofane Mountain Group
Today we catch Cortina d’Ampezzo's bike path heading north up to Ospitale and San Biagio’s church where there is a small lake. Head into the forest toward Val Gotres, where we’ll start climbing a wonderful track underneath the Colfreddo peaks. Following the Rio Gotres, we reach the pass Forcella Lerosa at 2016m (6,614'), with a nice view of Valbones and Croda Rossa (Col Rosà).

From here, we take an old military road to the rifugio at Ra Stua. Once at the bottom, we follow the Rio Boite and take the bike path back to Cortina d’Ampezzo. 
(5-6 hours biking, 30km / 19 miles, 690m / 2,264' ascent.)
B,D… Hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo (3-Star)

Day 7 ~ Depart
Breakfast and departure.
B…