To speak of the Dolomites is to speak of cycling, beauty, epic feats and mysticism. These unique rock walls and winding roads have witnessed the history of cycling. The feared ascents, or "Passos" as the Italians call them, will make you feel small on their slopes and giant on their summits.
From Gobik, we propose this small guide to help you choose the best locations and routes and enjoy with your bike climbing the most magical passes in the world.
Cortina d'Ampezzo
Cortina d'Ampezzo is one of the jewels of the Dolomites and an ideal starting point for climbing passes on your bike. This picturesque village is known for its elegant alpine atmosphere and its proximity to some of the most emblematic mountain passes.
Routes from Cortina d'Ampezzo:
Route 1: Passo Giau and Passo Falzarego
Two of the most famous passes in the Dolomites: First we will ascend Passo Giau, a 10 km pass with a gradient of 900 meters and an average gradient of 9-10%, reaching peaks of 14%. Its 29 hairpin bends and spectacular views will not leave you indifferent. A famous port among Spaniards since the 2012 Giro d'Italia, where Joaquim "Purito" Rodriguez attacked to wear the maglia rosa in a Giro that he would end up losing by 16 seconds.
Next, we come across the Passo Falzarego, with 10.5 km and a gradient of 640 meters, with an average gradient of 6.1%. It is a more gradual ascent, with quite a few bends and stunning views of the rocky Monte Lagazuoi.
-
Distance: 68 km
-
Accumulated elevation gain: 2,300 m
Route 2: Passo Tre Croci and Lake Misurina
A shorter but equally impressive route. You will have to overcome the 8km at 7.5% average gradient of the ascent to Passo Tre Croci, known in the history of the Giro for the 1968 stage where the legendary cyclist Eddy Merckx won a legendary breakaway, to reach the beautiful Lago di Misurina. After enjoying the views of the lake, we return to Cortina d'Ampezzo on a very fast descent with good asphalt.
-
Distance: 55 km
-
Accumulated elevation gain: 1,500 m
Cafeterias and Restaurants:
Coffee: Caffè La Suite - A modern and cozy place, perfect for an espresso before or after your outing.
Restaurant: Ristorante Al Camin - Known for its traditional mountain cuisine, it is ideal for enjoying local dishes such as roast lamb and gnocchi.
Arabba
Arabba is a small but strategic village located at the foot of the Passo Pordoi, one of the most iconic passes of the Dolomites. Its location makes it an excellent starting point for several classic routes.
Routes from Arabba:
Route 1: Sella Ronda
The Sella Ronda is an iconic circular route in the Dolomites that runs through four of the most famous mountain passes: Passo Campolongo, Passo Pordoi, Passo Sella and Passo Gardena.
Starting with the ascent of Passo Campolongo, a 6 km long pass with an average gradient of 6%. Although this is a milder ascent compared to the others, the route offers spectacular views that will give us the first contact with the dolomitic landscapes.
Next on the route is the Passo Pordoi, one of the most legendary passes in the history of cycling, especially in the Giro d'Italia. With its 9.4 km ascent and an average gradient of 6.9%, this pass is known for its hairpin bends and commanding views of the Sella Group and the Marmolada. It is here that Marco Pantani, "Il Pirata", made one of his most memorable attacks in 1990.
Next, the route takes us to the Passo Sella, a 5.5 km pass with an average gradient of 7%. This climb traverses a breathtaking rocky landscape, dominated by the majestic Sella massif and the Sassolungo, making each pedal stroke both a physical challenge and an unforgettable visual experience.
Finally, the route culminates at Passo Gardena, a 9.3 km climb with an average gradient of 6%. This pass offers extraordinary panoramic views that encompass the peaks of the area. Undoubtedly a spectacular way to finish a dolomitic route that will not leave you indifferent.
-
Distance: 51km
-
Accumulated elevation gain: 1700 m
Route 2: Passo Fedaia
A very demanding route that features the dreaded Passo Fedaia.
The Passo Fedaia is remembered for the 2008 stage of the Giro, where the cyclist Emanuele Sella performed an epic feat crowning solo this pass under terrible weather conditions. It is one of the most demanding and spectacular climbs in the Dolomites, known for its toughness and breathtaking views of the Marmolada massif.
The main ascent from Caprile is 14 km long with an average gradient of 7.6%, but with sections reaching up to 18%. The road is narrow and winds through an alpine landscape, quickly gaining altitude and offering increasingly impressive views of the mountainous surroundings.
-
Distance: 80 km
-
Accumulated elevation gain: 2700 m
Cafeterias and Restaurants:
Coffee: Pasticceria Gelateria Arabba Bar - An excellent place to enjoy a coffee and pastries after a day on the bike.
Restaurant: Ristorante Miky's Grill - Specializing in grilled meats and local cuisine, it is ideal to recharge your batteries after an intense day.
Livigno
Livigno is a charming alpine village in the Italian Alps, known for its incredible mountains that attract skiers and bikers from all over the world. Surrounded by majestic mountains, it is an excellent starting point to explore epic cycling routes and enjoy nature.
Routes from Livigno:
Route 1: Passo dello Stelvio
The Passo dello Stelvio is one of the most iconic passes in world cycling. Leaving from Livigno, we can climb up the Bormio slope with its iconic horseshoe bends. With a distance of 21.5 km and an average gradient of 7.1%, the climb reaches an altitude of 2,757 meters, offering breathtaking scenery with spectacular views of the Italian Alps and nearby glaciers.
Stelvio is an iconic climb in cycling and a dream destination for cyclists from all over the world. One of the most memorable ephemeris of that pass occurred in 1953, when Fausto Coppi, "Il Campionissimo", made a legendary attack during the penultimate stage of the Giro. His effort allowed him to distance himself from Hugo Koblet and secure the maglia rosa, becoming the winner of that year's Giro.
-
Distance: 116km
-
Accumulated elevation gain: 2700
Route 2: Passo di Gavia and Passo Foscano
The Passo di Gavia is another legendary pass in cycling, famous for its long straights with double-digit gradients. From Livigno we can climb via Ponte di Legno, a slope particularly known for its difficulty and its history in the Giro d'Italia, where it has been the scene of epic moments, as in the 1988 edition, when the race took place under a snowstorm, creating one of the hardest and most remembered stages in the history of cycling.
This pass is one of the highest in the Italian Alps, reaching an altitude of 2,621 meters. The road, often lonely and surrounded by spectacular scenery, has very steep sections that can reach a gradient of 16%.
To return to Livigno, we will have to climb another mythical pass, the Passo Foscano with its 13 km at an average gradient of 6%. Undoubtedly a very demanding route that requires good preparation.
-
Distance: 130 km
-
Accumulated elevation gain: 2500 m
Cafes and Restaurants in Livigno:
Coffee: Pasticceria Svizzera - A very cozy cafe - pastry shop with traditional products.
Restaurant: Ristorante La Piöda - Typical Italian mountain restaurant with traditional products.
We hope this guide will help you to dare to discover the Dolomites on your bike, and if you have any questions, you can contact us and we will be happy to help you.
See you on the roads!
