The Dolomites Best Climbs
The Dolomites, the most famous mountains in the world, climbs and descents that have made history in cycling. The victory of the Giro d’Italia has always been decided on these roads. You will go slower, but you will cycle 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. It’s a dynamic and fulfilling week.
At a Glance
6 Days | 5 Nights | 5 Rides
Roads type: 100% Tarmac
Bike required: Road
Daily Itineraries
2 different itineraries to chose from every day.
You are free to mix them to create your personal vacation.
Regular itinerary:
Total distance: 115 miles (185 km)
Total climb: 17,800 feet (5,450 m)
Extended itinerary:
Total distance: 157 miles (250 km)
Total climb: 23,600 feet (7,200 m)
Daily Itineraries
Day 1 –Arrival in Italy, Welcome and Warm-up Ride
Arrival in Italy. We pick you up at Verona Airport (VRN). It’s approximately a three hour van transfer to San Vigilio di Marebbe, Val Badia the heart of the Dolomites. Upon hotel check-in and a light lunch you have two options: free time to relax at the hotel or bike setup to go for a ride and explore the area.
At sunset MAREO RESTAURANT welcomes you to an aperitivo and “Ladin” dinner.
Afterwards, you may retire early for your Dolomite experience the next day.
Regular: 23 miles – 1,500 feet
Extended: 25 miles – 2,300 feet
Day 2 – Valparola and Falzarego Passes – Historical Mountain of World War I
Valparola and Falzarego are two montain passes located in the historical mountains were the hardest fighting took place during the World War I (1915-1918). 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.
Valparola Pass (2192 m ASL) was part of the “Giro d’Italia” 7 times since 1976. ‘Climb 1’ COMPLETED
Falzarego Pass (2109 m ASL) was part of the “Giro d’Italia” 19 times, since 1940. ‘Climb 2’ COMPLETED
End Your Day at Gasthof Oberraut
Enjoy sunset views with a visit and aperitif in Brunico. Dine in an old “farm” in the mountains, with excellent South Tyrolean seasonal cuisine.
Regular: 19 miles – 3,500 feet
Extended: 32 miles – 4,500 feet
Day 3 – Campolongo, Pordoi, Sella, Gardena – The 4 Legendary Passes
Spend your entire day in the Dolomites. The 4 passes in this itinerary are the most beloved routes of the European cycling tours. It’s a sequence of 4 climbs and descents right in the center of the most amazing peaks of the world.
The Pordoi Pass (2239 m ASL) Giro d’Italia 35 times, since 1940. ‘Climb 3’ COMPLETED.
The Sella Pass (2240 m ASL) Giro d’Italia 17 times, since 1940. ‘Climb 4’ COMPLETED.
The Gardena Pass (2121 m ASL) Giro d’Italia 18 times, since. ‘Climb 5’ COMPLETED
The Campolongo Pass (1975 m ASL) Giro d’Italia 16 times, since 1949. ‘Climb 6’ COMPLETED
End Your Day at MASO RUNCH
Enjoy your visit and aperitif in Corvara. Dine in a historical Ladin farm (Maso). It’s an exellent and unique dinner with organic produce grown and raised by the owners of the farm.
Regular: 24 miles – 4,200 feet
Extended: 32 miles – 5,500 feet
Day 4 – The 3-Cime Lavaredo Pass – The Rock Kingdom
The 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. Upon leaving Cortina the climb to the 3 Croci Pass displays the massive shape of Mount Cristallo right before its. Experience the 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 the Dolomites.
The 3 Croci Pass (1085 m ASL) Giro d’Italia 10 times, since 1966. Climb 7′ COMPLETED.
The 3 Cime Lavaredo Pass (2337 m ASL) Giro d’Italia 7 times, since 1967. ‘Climb 8’ COMPLETED.
End Your Day at Restaurant Durnwald
Dine 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 – The Erbe Pass – The Plose Mountain
This itinerary is the most intimate of the Dolomites, it connects Val Badia to Val d’Adige, a climb in the woods that trembles under the peaks of the Plose mountain. A spectacular end to your holiday in the Dolomites !
The Erbe Pass (1987 m ASL) Giro d’Italia 3 times, since 1993. Climb 9′ COMPLETED.
End Your Day at Lerchners Runggen Restaurant.
Aperitif and farewell dinner at farm to table restaurant offering excellent cuisine and a final champagne 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 are returning home, we will accompany you to Valerio Catullo Airport (VRN) located in Verona.
If you plan to continue your stay in Italy, we will be happy to assist you.
We hope to see you soon on one of our next tours on the roads of Italy !
Dining in the great Italian “Trattoria”
Contrary to popular belief, Italy does not have a single gastronomic tradition like pizza, pasta and cannoli, but many traditions closely linked to their territory, which make up a very interesting mosaic. Our goal is to introduce you to it, and to immerse you in this culinary experiance. Every evening we take you to the “Great Italian Trattorias” where the Italian culinary heritage is preserved and celebrated. We take you to the most beautiful valley in the Dolomites, Val Badia, one of the “Ladin” valleys where the population speaks German and where you may find traditional cuisine. Alternatively you can explore the tastes of Ladin and South Tyrolean cuisine which has its roots in Austrian cuisine. Even with obvious differences, the two cuisines are a mix of unmistakable flavors, aromas and spicy and smoked hints that enrich many of the local specialties. Here the harsh climate inspires a generous gastronomy with sweet and savory flavors.
Welcome to Val Badia (homeland of the Ladin people) with a traditional dinner. A special evening dedicated to the Ladin gastronomy, traditional clothes, Alpine notes and simple and authentic flavours. It’s a culinary journey between tradition and creativity of the «Ladin» cuisine and an opportunity to discover its gastronomic heritage.
Specialty Dishes:
Starter: Crafun môre, a savory doughnut filled with minced meat sauce.
Pasta or Risotto: Cancì blanc, ravioli filled with potatoes, spinach and ricotta cheese, garnished 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, whose specialties are its own farrm raised organic vegetables and meats.
Receive a warm welcome in a beautiful rustic ambience and enjoy a menu of satisfying and well curated South Tyrolean dishes.
Specialty 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 in the Ladin tradition (16th century) where there are stables and barns that house Noriker horses and dairy cows. This family run restaurant offers typical Ladin cuisine. It’s a simple and authentic place where you are welcomed as part of the family.
Specialty dishes:
Starter: Homemade panzerotti and ravioli, fried and stuffed with spinach and ricotta, poppy seeds and blueberry jam.
Pasta or Risotto: Homemade dumplings with goulash.
Main course: Pork shank with polenta and sauerkraut.
A Gasthaus family run restaurant, where the owner Sylvia Mayr reinterprets the classics of the South Tyrolean gastronomic tradition every day with traditional recipes and a modern twist, inspired by the flavors of the neighboring woods. Sylvia’s mother Barbara, a certified sommelier, shares her extensive wine knowledge and can select the perfect wine pairings for you.
Specialty dishes:
Starter: Smoked trout mousse with garlic croutons and braised cherry tomatoes.
Pasta or Risotto: Spinach “canederli” served on aged mountain cheese.
Main course: Local beef fillet in chanterelle and porcini mushroom sauce.
As our farewell dinner we chose a special restaurant dedicated to typical South Tyrolean cuisine. In the midst of nature and near his farm, Johannes Lerchner owner of Lerchners Runggen Restaurant offers traditional cuisine. He pays beautiful attention to detail with organic ingredients. Here the most delicious recipes of the region are cooked in harmony with the rhythm of the seasons.
Specialty dishes:
Starter: Marinated alpine beef tartare and fried artichokes.
Pasta or Risotto: Tyrolean grey cheese risotto.
Main course: “Geröstel” local beef, onions, potatoes, sauerkraut and bacon.
We’re not talking about the good food and wine that await you, but about the Stüa (dining rooms) where we can dine:
“Salf di pasć” – The main room of the House that dates back to 1906
“Gran Mësa” – The large communal wooden table with a large window overlooking the Sas dla Crusc Massif
“Stüa nöia” – The new room in pinewood and precious walnut wood
“Stüa Herrenzimmer” – The oldest room dating back to 1895
Which one will you choose?
Specialty 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 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 treatments 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 impressive views of the Dolomite peaks. it is the ideal place for a break in nature.
The Dolomites have a particular pure and beneficial scent in the air for over a century. In Ostaria Posta you will be fully immersed in this experience.
We are in Piccolino along the road, because the historical horse post stations were located along the main road. We are in the middle of a valley that holds ancient treasures made of peaks 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
- Upon request we can arrange your flights throug 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