Dolomites Journey Bike Tour

Your guides will pick you up in Tirano for a quick transfer to Aprica where your Cannondales await. Enjoy a cup of coffee before we start climbing the backside of the Mortirolo, a ride that Lance called the hardest climb he ever did. After our descent, rest your legs at the hotel, or take a more epic route and throw in a detour over the Passo di Gavia, a legendary 17 kilometers at an average of 7.9% with some 16% ramps. Tonight, regroup in Bormio where the chef is cooking for us with ingredients fresh from the garden.

Meals: Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Aprica, Tirano
Accomplished: 41 miles / 66 km, elevation gain: 5,461 feet / 1,665 meters
Longer Option: 61 miles / 99 km, elevation gain: 9,596 feet / 2,925 meters
Accommodations: Hotel Funivia Bormio

Arguably Italy’s most famous climb, the Stelvio is also the country’s highest pass. Leave our country hotel behind as you settle in to tackle this 21-kilometer climb at a respectable 7.1%, powering yourself with our homemade energy snacks along the way. Fly down the 48 switchbacks on our descent into the valley on roads lined with apple orchards. Follow the Adige towards Naturno where we will be staying the night. Our dinner is a country affair as we take the road up to Juval. Enjoy hearty, typical Dolomite cuisine at your guides’ favorite restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Bormio, Rabla
Accomplished: 56 miles / 90 km, elevation gain: 5,665 feet / 1,727 meters
Accommodations: Hotel Therme Merano or Hotel Botango

Have oats and eggs for breakfast as we get ready for one of our toughest days. Today we conquer two mountains on tiny roads so unknown that the passes are nameless. But that doesn’t mean they’re forgettable. Your legs will still twitch tonight as they remember the 18% sections. This is the day to win your Strava segments and upset the locals. In between our two nameless mountains, we enter civilization to visit and have lunch in the beautiful town of Bolzano. Our hotel is situated in a stunning Alpine paradise, and tonight a carnivorous feast awaits us at dinner.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Merano, Bolzano
Accomplished: 60 miles / 96 km, elevation gain: 11,293 feet / 3,443 meters
Accommodations: Ganischgerhof Mountain Resort or Hotel Adler

Today’s passes are well-known warhorses, frequented in the Giro. First up is the Costalunga; at only 10 kilometers, we’ll call it a “warm-up” climb. Up next is the more famous Passo Pordoi, in the middle of Sella Group with a statue dedicated to Coppi on top. This climb boasts an average of 6.1% over a span of 9 kilometers. Last but not least we cross the Passo Falzarego. The name Falza Rego means false king in Ladin and refers to a king of the Fanes, who was supposedly turned to stone for betraying his people. For those that would like more of a challenge, Passo Giau is Falzarego’s bigger, tougher neighbor. The cold beer awaiting you in Cortina will make it all worthwhile. Tonight is a free night in this ritzy mountain town.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Destinations: Canazei, Arabba, Cortina
Accomplished: 62 miles / 100 km, elevation gain: 8,840 feet / 2,695 meters
Longer Option: 69 miles / 111 km, elevation gain: 10,699 feet / 3,262 meters (Passo Giau)
Accommodations: Hotel Ambra Cortina

Wake up and slip into your favorite kit, freshly laundered by your guides, and get ready to leave the “known” parts of the Dolomites behind for the wilder eastern region. Start your day up the 8.1-kilometer Tre Croci at 7.1% before taking on Sella Ciampigotto. Wash down lunch in the mountain baita with an incredible strudel and descend to our next hotel in Ovaro in the shadow of Mount Zoncolan. At 10 kilometers and 11%, it’s the steepest climb in Italy. Admire it from the windows of your hotel or sprint up to the top to claim the Col sign. Tonight we feast on some typical cuisine.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Auronzo di Cadore, Ovaro
Accomplished: 55 miles / 89 km, elevation gain: 5,842 feet / 1,781 meters
Longer Option: 67 miles / 108 km, elevation gain: 9,542 feet / 2,909 meters
Accommodations: Hotel Aplis

Our route profile looks like a crooked king’s crown today as we lose 400 meters of elevation. It’s one of your “easiest” days, as you pedal where few cyclists have gone before on both flat and steep roads. (Strava segments are up for the taking.) Mountains give way to vineyards and low hills as we cross the border into Slovenia. Enjoy a stunning view from your hotel room tonight and raise a glass of wine to toast to an unforgettable week in the Dolomites.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Tolmezzo, Medana (Slovenia)
Accomplished: 73 miles / 118 km, elevation gain: 5,632 feet / 1,717 meters
Longer Option: 86 miles / 138 km, elevation gain: 10,296 feet / 3,139 meters (Zoncolan)
Accommodations: Castello di Spessa

Zigzag your way through the Slovenian countryside and into Italy as we head for the little seaport of Duino. The roads are winding, small, and gently rolling: perfect for cycling. It’s our version of the Champs d’Elysees, as we wrap up an incredible week on the bike. Crest the last ridge and admire the Mediterranean sparkling below. Get ready to spray Prosecco and enjoy a celebratory lunch in Duino. Afterwards, we’ll say goodbye as your guides see you off at the train station.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Accomplished: 37 miles / 59 km, elevation gain: 2,312 feet / 705 meters