Dolomites Cycling Tour

Introduction
Northern Italy Italy
The Dolomites are your constant companion during this biking trip at the foot of the legendary “Pale Mountains”, on the list of UNESCO world heritage due to their “unique monumental beauty”.

The start point of the progressive version of this tour is the Pustertal, demarcating the Dolomites towards the North. Then you continue along the Eisack and Etsch valleys, forming the west border, passing South Tyrol’s capital Bolzano and reaching Trento. On the southern part of the Dolomites, you will cycle through the Valsugana valley to Feltre. The former Dolomites railway track will lead you into the direction of the Olympic town Cortina d’Ampezzo. Finally you will greet the famous Drei Zinnen (Three Peaks) from the Höhlensteintal before you head back to Hochpustertal.
This cycling tour has been designed especially for e-bikers. Most of the route follows cycling paths, sometimes quiet side roads. Although you always have an eye on the Dolomites, you cycle comfortably at their feet along cycle paths and quiet side roads. For sporty cyclists this route can be done also with a trekking bike.

For the stationary version of this tour, you are based in Hochpustertal. The program gives you space for an individual organisation of the stages and guarantees fun for all cyclists. The bicycle tour leads you into side valleys of the Hochpustertal to Sesto and Casies and on the old Dolomites railway track from Cortina d’Ampezzo to Dobbiaco.
Ideal for families; it runs consistently on valley cycle paths without steep inclines. On most days there is the possibility to choose independently the desired length of route and to adapt according to this the transfer by minibus or train. In addition for convenience you can take a day of rest. There are more demanding routes for experienced bikers.

Accomodation

Accommodations
During the point to point program, nights are spent in different locations.
During the hotel based program, all nights are spent at the same location.

Description
All accommodations offer private bedrooms with ensuite facilities.

During the point to point program you sleep in 3-star hotels.
During the hotel based program, you are accommodated in a superior 3-star hotel or a 4-star hotel.

Local tax
Some cities charge a tourist tax. These taxes are not included in the sale price of the tour and must be paid directly by you at check-in or check-out at the hotels.
This fee varies depending on the hotel category, the season and the number of days of stay. It is usually between 1 and 5 € per person per night.


Meals
During the point to point program, all breakfasts are included.
During the hotel based program, all breakfasts and dinners are included.

Meals included in the program are eaten at the accommodations.

Riding

Progressive Tour: approx. 400km total
Hotel Based Tour: approx. 200km total

Rental bikes:
21-gears women‘s or men‘s bicycle
TOP bike (unisex model - male model on request)
E-bike (unisex bike, 500 W battery, range up to 100 km)

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary: Progressive option - subject to changes

Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival in Hochpustertal (Niederdorf/Villabassa or Toblach/Dobbiaco)
Individual arrival at the hotel in Hochpustertal. Free, unguarded public car park near the hotel.
Meals included: none
Overnight in Niederdorf/Villabassa or Toblach/Dobbiaco

Day 2 (Monday): Hochpustertal – Rio di Pusteria
On the first section of the day, the Pustertal Cycle Path gives you the direction. The river Rienz leads you to the Michael-Pacher town of Bruneck, which invites you for a first rest and a stroll. Back in the saddle, you roll through the ruins of the Mühlbacher Klause towards your destination for today‘s stage, Rio di Pusteria.
Biking approx. 55 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Rio di Pusteria

Day 3 (Tuesday): Rio di Pusteria – Bolzano
Today, shortly before Brixen, you cycle past the monastery complex of Neustift or the Franzensfeste fortress, both of which invite you to visit. In Bressanone, it is worth taking a walk through the well-kept old town with its arcades and cathedral. From afar you are greeted by the Säben monastery, which stands high above Klausen and you cycle along the Eisack river to Waidbruck, where the view of the Trostburg castle opens up to you. Here the valley narrows and leads you into the Bolzano basin and your destination for the day, the provincial capital of Bolzano, the city where two cultures meet.
There are numerous possibilities for spending the afternoon: a leisurely stroll under the arcades of Bolzano or on the meadows of the valley, a visit to „Ötzi“, the „oldest Tyrolean“ in the archaeological museum, simply enjoying a cappuccino in one of the numerous cafés on Waltherplatz.
Biking approx. 55 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Bolzano

Day 4 (Wednesday): Bolzano – Trento
Today you follow the Etsch river and leave South Tyrol at the Salurner Klause, the border between German-speaking South Tyrol and Italian-speaking Trentino. Fruit trees and grapevines line your path to the former former bishop‘s town of Trento, which will delight you with its inviting old town and Buonconsiglio Castle.
Biking approx. 65 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Trento

Day 5 (Thursday): Trento – Feltre
You cycle past Lake Caldonazzo, which also invites you to stay for a while. The first section to Caldonazzo is relatively steep and can also be shortened by train. The trail continues through the impressive Valsugana valley to Feltre, a small town on the former „Via Claudia Augusta“, an important Roman road from Aquileia to Augsburg.
Biking approx. 70 km if taking the train / otherwise, 90 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Feltre

Day 6 (Friday): Feltre – Pieve di Cadore
Through leafy forest avenues you reach Belluno, the small capital of the province of the same name. Today‘s route is lined with picturesque little villages that invite you to stop for a while. In the north, your gaze falls back to the mighty southern Dolomites, your companions on your first stages. You continue your way north past Longarone. This village was rebuilt in a very short time after it was flooded by a tidal wave in 1963 following a rock fall at the former Vajont dam. The newly built cycle path leads from Longarone to Pieve di Cadore, today‘s destination.
Biking approx. 75 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Pieve di Cadore

Day 7 (Saturday): Pieve di Cadore - Hochpustertal
Pure nature, that is the motto for today. The most important and largest stopover of the railway was the famous winter sports and Olympic town of Cortina d‘Ampezzo, where you will also cycle past today - surrounded by some of the most famous Dolomite peaks. Continue along the route of the Dolomite railway to the provincial border of the province of Belluno and finally return to South Tyrol. Enjoy the panoramic view of the rock formation of the „Three Peaks“.
Biking approx. 65 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Niederdorf/Villabassa or Toblach/Dobbiaco

Day 8 (Sunday): Departure
Individual departure or possibility to extend your stay.
Meals included: Breakfast

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Sample Itinerary: Hotel based option - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival in Hochpustertal (Niederdorf/Villabassa or Toblach/Dobbiaco)
Individual arrival at the hotel in Hochpustertal. Free, unguarded public car park near the hotel.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight in Niederdorf/Villabassa or Toblach/Dobbiaco

Day 2: Along the Pustertal cycle path and the river Rienz
Starting from the highest point the cycle path is wriggling along the river Rienz through the villages of the valley to Bruneck/Brunico. Visit the castle with its Messner Mountain Museum or the open-air museum of Dietenheim. Ambitious cyclists have the possibility to continue the cycling path to the valley Tauferer Ahrntal and to visit castle Taufers.
Return transfer from Bruneck/Brunico to your hotel in the afternoon.
Biking approx. 25-30 km to Bruneck (approx. 55-60km if going to Sand)
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight in Niederdorf/Villabassa or Toblach/Dobbiaco

Day 3: Sextner Valley
The cycle path will bring you into he valley Fischleintal. From above some famous peaks of the Dolomites are greeting while you stroll through the Sextner valley. Out of the valley you cycle to San Candido (famous Romanic dome). After a refreshment at the source of the river Drava you return to the hotel.
Biking approx. 40 km
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight in Niederdorf/Villabassa or Toblach/Dobbiaco

Day 4: Drava cycle path
You arrive to San Candido, before you overstep the nearby Italian-Austrian border right after Prato Drava. Then, you cycle to Lienz, which is located on the confluence of Isel and Drava. Worth seeing are the historic centre and the castle Schloss Bruck. Return transfer to your hotel in the afternoon.
Biking approx. 50-55 km
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight in Niederdorf/Villabassa or Toblach/Dobbiaco

Day 5: Along the Dolomites railway track
Transfer to Cortina d`Ampezzo. On the unique road, with - especially for cyclists - illuminated tunnels of the erst-while track, the path leads you from Cortina d’Ampezzo to Cimabanche, the highest point of the tour. Following the cycle path you pass lake Dürrensee, don`t forget to look over your shoulder and enjoy the view of the massif of Cristallo. Shortly afterwards you will see the world famous Drei Zinnen (Three Peaks). Passing by lake Toblachersee you reach your hotel. Ambitious bikers can cycle both ways instead of taking the shuttle in the morning (approx. 60-70 km).
Biking approx. 30-35 km
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight in Niederdorf/Villabassa or Toblach/Dobbiaco

Day 6: Gsiesertal Valley
This valley is characterised by traditional farms and a big calmness and tranquillity. In Monguelfo there is the possibility to visit the castle or you have a break in Villabassa for searching refreshment in the Kneipp facility.
Biking approx. 55 km
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight in Niederdorf/Villabassa or Toblach/Dobbiaco

Day 7: Departure
Indivdiual departure or possibility to extend your stay.
Meals included: Breakfast

Rates and Dates for Dolomites Cycling Tour

Dates Note: Custom dates possible for groups of 5+ pax
In 2024, the stationary option is available daily from May 25 to September 21 (no departures between Augut 3-24)

Other Info
Meeting: Niederdorf/Villabassa or Toblach/Dobbiaco
Airport: Innsbruck
Transfer:

Climate:
                            Villabassa/Niederdorf area