AT A GLANCE | DAY by DAY AGENDA | DINNER IN TRATTORIA | LIVING IN THE CHARME | WHAT INCLUDED
Dolomites Best Climbs
The Dolomites, the most famous mountains in the world, climbs and descents that have made the history of cycling. The victory of the Giro d’Italia has always been decided on these roads. You will go slower, but you will make the same famous climbs on the Falzarego, Giau, Gardena, Sella, Pordoi and other passes. Each climb is different, but always the pink rock cathedrals to keep you company. Busy but fulfilling week.
At a Glance
6 Days | 5 Nights | 5 Rides
Roads type: 100% Tarmac
Bike required: Road
Daily Itineraries
Every day 2 different itineraries to chose from.
You are free to mix them to create your personal vacation.
Regular itinerary:
RIDER LEVEL: Recreative/Intermediate
Total ride distance, 115 miles (185 km)
Total climbing, 17,800 feet (5.450 m)
Extended itinerary:
RIDER LEVEL: Intermediate/Advanced
Total ride distance, 157 miles (252 km)
Total climbing, 23,600 feet (7.200 m)
Day by Day agenda
Day 1 –Arrival in Italy, welcome and warm-up ride
Arrival in Italy. We pick you up at Verona Airport (VRN), approximately three hour van transfer to San Vigilio di Marebbe, Val Badia the heart of Dolomites. Hotel Check-in and after a light lunch you have two options: few hours to recover from the fatigues of the trip and relax in the hotel’s or setup the bike and go for a ride to try your bike.
At sunset we go to: MAREO RESTAURANT
Welcome aperitivo and dinner in hotel with a the “Ladin” diner, then to bed early to recover energy, tomorrow the Dolomites begin.
Regular: 23 miles – 1,500 feet
Extended: 25 miles – 2,300 feet
Day 2 – Valparola and Falzarego Passes, the mountain of Big War
Valparola and Falzarego, the mountains of the Big War (WW1 1915-1918), the hardest fighting in the high mountains took place here. Two quiet climbs, first through the coniferous woods and then in front of the rocks of the Dolomites. It’s always fascinating the first time you encounter the pink light of the reflection of these rocks
SUMMARY OF DAY FATIGUES:
Valparola Pass (2192 m.a.s.l.) was part of the Giro d’Italia 7 times, first time in 1976 à #2 climb of the Giro d’Italia. DONE
Falzarego Pass (2109 m.a.s.l.) was part of the Giro d’Italia 19 times, first time in 1940. à #2 climb of the Giro d’Italia. DONE
At sunset we go to: GASTHOF OBERRAUT.
Visit and aperitif in Brunico Town, dinner in an old “farm” in the mountains, with excellent South Tyrolean cuisine that follows the seasons.
Regular: 19 miles – 3,500 feet
Extended: 32 miles – 4,500 feet
Day 3 – Campolongo, Pordoi, Sella, Gardena, the legendary 4 passes
Big day in the Dolomites, the route of 4 passes is the most beloved route of European Cyclo Tourism, a sequence of 4 climbs and descents right in the center of the most amazing peaks of the world.
SUMMARY OF DAY FATIGUES:
Pordoi Pass (2239 m.a.s.l.) was part of the Giro d’Italia 35 times, first time in 1940 à #3 climb of the Giro d’Italia. DONE
Sella Pass (2240 m.a.s.l.) was part of the Giro d’Italia 17 times, first time in 1940 à #4 climb of the Giro d’Italia. DONE
Sella Gardena (2121 m.a.s.l.) was part of the Giro d’Italia 18 times, first time in 1949 à #5 climb of the Giro d’Italia. DONE
Sella Campolongo (1975 m.a.s.l.) was part of the Giro d’Italia 16 times, first time in 1949 à #6 climb of the Giro d’Italia. DONE
At sunset we go to: MASO RUNCH
Visit and aperitif in Corvara, dinner in an ancient Ladin farm (Maso), it will be an excellent and challenging dinner with the products grown and raised by the owners of the farm.
Regular: 24 miles – 4,200 feet
Extended: 32 miles – 5,500 feet
Day 4 – 3-Cime Lavaredo Pass, the rock kingdom
3 Cime di Lavaredo have witnessed the performances of the best Pros at Giro d’Italia with several stage finishes right on top of the pass. Once left Cortina the climb to the 3 Croci Pass displays the massive shape of Mount Cristallo right before the pass. Fast descent to the green pearl of Misurina Lake followed by a very challenging climb toward the 3 Cime di Lavaredo Pass located right in the middle of the most famous peaks of Dolomites.
SUMMARY OF DAY FATIGUES:
3 Croci Pass (1085 m.a.s.l.) was part of the Giro d’Italia 10 times, first time in 1966 à #7 climb of the Giro d’Italia. DONE
3 Cime Lavaredo Pass (2337 m.a.s.l.) was part of the Giro d’Italia 7 times, first time in 1967 à #8 climb of the Giro d’Italia. DONE
At sunset we go to: RESTAURANT DURNWALD
Dinner in one of the pearls of South Tyrolean gastronomy, in a small village between Italy and Austria.
Regular: 32 miles – 4,100 feet
Extended: 47 miles – 5,400 feet
Day 5 – Erbe Pass, the Plose Mountain
This itinerary is the most intimate of the Dolomites, it connects the Badia valley to the ‘Adige valley, a climb in the woods that trembles under the peaks of the Plose mountain. A splendid end to your holiday in the Dolomites
SUMMARY OF DAY FATIGUES:
Erbe Pass (1987 m.a.s.l.) was part of the Giro d’Italia 3 times, first time in 1993 à #9 climb of the Giro d’Italia. DONE
At sunset we go to: LERCHNERS RUNGGEN RESTAURANT.
Aperitif and farewell dinner in this restaurant with a farm, excellent cuisine and lots of bubbles for the final toast:
Regular: 19 miles – 3,200 feet
Extended: 25 miles – 4,900 feet
Day 6 – Greetings and see you soon with us on the Italian roads
After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye and start the journey back home.
If you come back home, we will take you to Verona (VRN) airport, or if you plan to stay longer to visit Italy, we will be happy to help you.
We hope to see you soon on one of our tours on the roads of Italy.
Dinner in the great Italian “Trattoria”
Contrary to popular belief, Italy does not have a single gastronomic tradition (Pizza, Pasta, Cannolo) but many traditions closely linked to their territory, which make up a very interesting mosaic. Our goal is to introduce you to it, to immerse you, every evening we take you to the “Great Italian Trattorias” where the Italian culinary heritage is preserved and perpetuated. We take you to the most beautiful valley in the Dolomites, Val Badia, one of the “Ladin” valleys where the population does not speak German and where there is its own cuisine. Alternatively we will let you taste Ladin cuisine and South Tyrolean cuisine which has references to Austrian tradition. Even with obvious differences, the two cuisines are a mix of unmistakable flavors and aromas, spicy and smoked hints that enrich many of the local specialties. Here the harsh climate is compensated with generous gastronomy on both the sweet and savory front.
Welcome to Val Badia (homeland of the elderly Ladin people) with a “Ladin” dinner. A special evening dedicated to Ladin gastronomy, traditional clothes, Alpine notes, ancient recipes and simple and authentic flavours. Culinary journey between tradition and creativity of «Ladin» cuisine, to discover the Ladin gastronomic heritage.
Highlights dishes:
Starter: Crafun môre, Savoury doughnut filled with minced meat sauce.
Pasta or Risotto: Cancì blanc, Ravioli filled with potatoes, spinach and ricotta cheese, served with poppy seeds.
Main course: Venison medallions with cranberry sauce.
Among soft meadows and pine woods, at 1,240 meters above sea level, stands this radiant family-run hotel restaurant, which has its point of honor in the vegetables from the garden and in the meats from its own farms, together with a welcome that immediately warms the heart. In the menu a lot of substance and simple but well cared for South Tyrolean dishes.
Highlights dishes:
Starter: Chanterelle soup.
Pasta or Risotto: Buckwheat tagliatelle with venison ragout.
Main course: Sliced local beef with Parmesan cheese crust.
Maso Runch is an ancient rural construction of wood and stone of the Ladin tradition (16th century) where there are stables and barns that house Noriker horses and dairy cows. The restaurant offers typical Ladin cuisine, a simple and authentic place where you are welcomed with the friendliness reserved for family members.
Highlights dishes:
Starter: Homemade panzerotti and ravioli, fried and stuffed with spinach and ricotta and poppy seeds and blueberry jam.
Pasta or Risotto: Homemade dumplings with goulash.
Main course: Pork shank with polenta and sauerkraut.
Gasthaus with family-run restaurant, where the owner Sylvia Mayr reinterprets the classics of the South Tyrolean gastronomic tradition every day, starting from ancient recipes, revised with taste and creativity, inspired by the flavors of the neighboring woods. In the dining room is the mother Barbara, who also takes care of the selection of wines.
Highlights dishes:
Starter: Smoked trout mousse with garlic croutons and braised cherry tomatoes.
Pasta or Risotto: Spinach “canederli” on mature mountain cheese.
Main course: Local beef fillet in chanterelle and porcini mushroom sauce.
As our farewell dinner we chose a restaurant dedicated to typical South Tyrolean cuisine. Not far from Brunico, in the midst of nature, Johannes Lerchner has added a restaurant offering traditional cuisine alongside his beef farm. Beautiful attention to detail and products from sustainable sources, here the most delicious recipes of the region are cooked in harmony with the rhythm of the seasons.
Highlights dishes:
Starter: Marinated alpine beef tartare and fried artichokes.
Pasta or Risotto: Grey cheese risotto.
Main course: “Geröstel” local beef, onions, potatoes, sauerkraut and bacon.
I’m not talking about the good food/wine that await you, but about the Stüa (dining rooms) where we can dine:
“Salf di pasć” – It is the main room of the House. It dates back to 1906
“Gran Mësa” – It is the large convivial wooden table with a large window overlooking the Sas dla Crusc massif
“Stüa nöia” – It is the new room in pine wood combined with precious walnut wood
“Stüa Herrenzimmer” – It is the oldest room dating back to 1895, dedicated to passing guests. WHICH ONE WILL WE CHOOSE?
Highlights dishes:
Starter: Smoked trout tartare in a phyllo pastry basket and liquorice reduction.
Pasta or Risotto: Homemade organic purple wheat tagliolini with red radicchio, speck and walnuts.
Main course: Roasted potatoes with pork fillet tips, apple cider vinegar roast sauce, fried onions and cabbage salad.
Living in the Charme
We have selected some beautiful hotels, historical houses and vineyard houses, where you will enjoy to stay in the total relaxation after your bike experience.
Most of them have SPA treatment available in a charming exclusive environment.
Our tours involve staying in a single hotel for the entire holiday, to have more time to immerse yourself in the culture of the area.
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Blessed with the fortune of a wonderful landscape and located in a privileged and evocative position, a stone’s throw from the center of San Vigilio di Marebbe, the Hotel Mareo is the ideal setting for a regenerating stay in the Dolomites. At the foot of Plan de Corones, surrounded by greenery and guarded by a crown of Dolomite peaks. it is the ideal place for a break in nature.
The scent of hospitality.
The Dolomites have a particular scent, in Ostaria Posta you have breathed this pure and beneficial air for over a century. We are in Piccolino along the road, because the ancient post stations were located along the main road. We are in the middle of a valley that holds ancient treasures made of spiers and rocks that arose from the sea of time like atolls of infinite beauty. Our name is Tolpeit, we are Ladin and the first thing we say to anyone who comes to visit us is Begn Odüs, welcome.
Whats’s included
ACCOMODATION
- 5 nights in Historical Mansions, Luxury Hotels or Villas located in special places
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Concierge service for additional vacation ticketing, booking
TRANSPORT
- Guest pick-up / drop-off in airport or other meeting point
- All-vacation long, guests, bikes and luggage transport
MEALS
- 5 daily breakfasts in hotel
- 5 lunches during the riding time
- 5 social hours aperitivo
- 5 dinners in 5 different GREAT ITALIAN TRATTORIA with the best Italian regional wines
WHEN YOU ARE RIDING YOUR BICYCLE
- 5 riding days, 2 daily itineraries with different grade of effort
- 2 expert local certified guides multilingual will ride with you and support all day
- 1 professional mechanic with support/SAG Van during the tour
- Energy bars and sports drink during pedaling
- Daily bike maintenance and daily laundry service for bike clothing
- GPX daily tours documentation
- Custom Hirides.com cycling kit
WHEN YOU ARE NOT RIDING YOUR BICYCLE
- Professional guides for visits to the tour cities, experts for visits to wineries and support in all not pedaling activities as described in the tour program
- Wine tasting/oil tasting at the producers’ premises. Visits to dairies with demonstration of cheese making, as described in the tour program
BICYCLE
- Rental of professional bicycle (e-bike or muscle) or transport of your beloved bicycle in Italy
PERSONAL INSURANCE
- Civil Liability Insurance and Italian health insurance for non European citizens
What’s not included
AIRFARE
- Uppone request we can arrange your flights throu our partners
BEFORE AND AFTER VACATION
- Meals, transportation, hotel costs or expenses in the days before and after the tour
HIRIDES.COM STAFF GRATUITIES
- Staff Hirides.com gratuities are not included but apreciated
TRAVEL PROTECTION
- Travel Protection Plan not included, but strongly suggested
LUGGAGE AND BIKE TRANSPORTATION SERVICE
- Luggage service, before/after tour days (add on-activities)
- Bike transport service, before/after tour days (add on-activities)
ADD ON ACTIVITIES
- Regional cuisine cooking class
- White Truffle tasting
- White Truffle hunting
PERSONAL EXPENSES
- Cost of passport and visas
- Personal expenses while on the vacation
- Personal transportation when not included on the Tour
- Select Beverages not specifically included
- Additional hotel expenses, mini-bar, wellness treatments
- Activities not included by Hirides.com
- All not explicitly declared in the vacation description