Ultimate Dolomites
The Most Spectacular Scenery Of All The Mountains Across Europe
Five irresistible Dolomites trip highlights.
- Ride the iconic climbs of the Dolomites including the Giau, Pordoi, Tre Cime di Lavaredo and Gardena.
- Imagine the Giro d’Italia as you discover some of the best mountain scenery you’ll ever see from your bike.
- Experience the Maratona dles Dolomites course with a flexible itinerary.
- Benefit from experienced guides, coaches and vehicle support every day.
- Stay, relax & refuel in one great traditional hotel perfectly located for the climbs.
I have to say that the trip was of the highest standard in every department.
Dolomites Cycling Trip
Dolomites Cycling Holiday Overview:
Dolomites cycling provides some of the most spectacular scenery of all the mountains across Europe, with its unmistakable peaks and amazing lighting that illuminates the landscape it’s much deserving of its UNESCO world heritage site status.
During our Ultimate Dolomites cycling holiday, you’ll take on challenging climbs such as the Passo Giau, Pordoi, Gardena, Fedai and Passo delle Erbe along with the unforgettable climb to the Refuge Auronzo and views of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo following in the footsteps of the Giro d’Italia.
The finale of the week-long trip is to ride the course of the Maratona dles Dolomites, one of the most stunning bike sportives in the world. Follow in the tracks of some legendary cyclists over these iconic climbs via the long or medium course.
Every aspect of our Dolomites Cycling Challenge is hand-picked by the team at Colconquerors to ensure your time with us on and off the bike is memorable and rewarding. You can enjoy the local Ladin experience and really connect with the area, relaxing for the night in a stylish, family-run hotel.
It’s not all hard work either, we encourage you to utilise the spa and wellness centre throughout the week to unwind and relax.
Dolomites Cycling Itinerary:
Day 1 – Sella Ronda Tour
Four iconic passes & breath taking scenery
We use the first day to let you get the lay of the land and guide you through four classic passes in the Sella Ronda loop. Bask in the shadows of iconic mountains, luscious firs and ride alongside streams over the Campolongo, Pordoi, Sella and Gardena passes.
Day 2 – Tour of the Marmolada
Ride around the Marmolada, the highest peak in the Dolomites.
Today we first climb from Corvara to the beautiful Passo Gardena as we navigate our way around the Marmolada, the highest peak in the Dolomites. The second challenge of the day is the Passo Fedaia which has been climbed many times by the Giro d’Italia. It’s a climb that presents a real challenge and the stunning scenery and glacial views across the lake to the Marmolada Glacier at the summit are rewarding indeed.
Day 3 – Cortina and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo
High Mountain Passes and superlative views.
The first climb of the day, the Passo Valparola at 2200 meters takes us away from Badia in the direction of Cortina d’Ampezzo. The views along the climb, especially on the long descent to Cortina, are glorious but the best is yet to come.
After the short climb to the Passo Tre Croci and the lake at Misurina, the climb to the Refuge Auronzo with its summit at 2320 meters presents a magnificent challenge with views to match. The day is rounded off with the climb back to the Passo Valporola from Cortina before a sweeping descent back to the hotel.
Day 4 – Recovery Day
A recovery ride or take time to enjoy the local area.
For your day of rest, our team will be available to organise massages and give advice on the best wellness and recovery routines. We always encourage you to get out and experience the local area. We have been coming to this area for a long time and can always advise you on local cafes and where to go for lunch.
If you prefer a recovery ride, we usually head out on a less demanding morning ride and will give you some tips on recovery ready for your next big day of Dolomites cycling.
Day 5 – Passo delle Erbe & Val Gardena
One of the finest climbs in the Dolomites
On our fifth day of Dolomites cycling, we start with a descent from Badia to the foot of the Passo delle Erbe, a climb of just under 15km in length. A steep first couple of kilometres propels you to an altitude that provides spectacular vistas of snow-capped peaks in the distance, even in mid-summer.
Our route over the Passo delle Erbe passes pastures and farms and features lots of changes in scenery, including forests, high peaks and stunning panoramas. Once over the summit mid-way through the descent, it’s as if time has stood still as you pass through the Funes valley. It’s virtually impossible not to want to pause to take in the backdrop of high peaks and amazing illumination of the pastures below.
Day 6 – Maratona dles Dolomites (Long or Medium)
Be a part of Cycling History
On the final day we have the fantastic opportunity to ride the Maratona dles Dolomites long or medium course, fully supported and on quiet roads.
We love concluding the Dolomites cycling trip with this final, amazing ride. You can choose the route depending on your personal goals; The medium course follows the path of the full course but cuts out the Passo Giau and instead climbs the equally spectacular Falzarego pass to reduce the distance and altitude gain for the day.
Dolomites Cycling Accommodation:
Hotel Gran Ander
Rating: S
We have selected the perfect base for our week of Dolomites cycling, steeped in Ladin culture, our hotel is ideally located in Badia with stunning views of the surrounding peaks.
Throughout your stay, we are confident you will love the Ladin culture and hospitality. Rooms at the hotel are comfortable, spacious and furnished in the traditional style of the Valley. Each room is individually styled and perfect for a great night’s sleep after a hard day of Dolomites cycling.
We have carefully designed every aspect of our Dolomites cycling week and we know that the trip wouldn’t be complete without a spa and wellness centre. Equipped with a Finish sauna, hydro-massage pool, massage shower, herb sauna, Turkish bath and relaxation area that includes water and hay-beds to promote relaxation after a challenging ride, it really does hit the spot. Massages are also available in the dedicated massage room.
Another highlight during the Dolomites cycling trip is the locally sourced, traditional cuisine. The relaxed, modern dining room is the perfect setting to sit down for a fantastic evening meal prepared by chef and hotelier, Andrea.
The stylish wine cellar is well-stocked with over 300 wines from both the local region and the best labels from further afield. A room is set aside for tasting some of the fine regional wines.
The Holiday Includes
Not Included
Trip Cost
| Double Occupancy | Single Supplement | Deposit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd June 2023 | 2150.00€ | 550.00€ | 400.00€ |
| 16th September 2023 | 2150.00€ | 550.00€ | 400.00€ |
Bike Rental
Prices from : 40.000€ / per day
Bike hire is available for this trip from our local partner in the Badia valley. A wide variety of models and specifications are available depending on your needs. Bikes always have a set up suitable to the terrain you'll find when riding in the Dolomites.
On arrival we’ll accompany you to the shop in either Badia or Corvara to collect your bike and make sure it’s set up perfectly. If you've had a recent bike fit bring this details along as well to make the fit even better.
If you would like to rent a bike in the Dolomites just let us know and we’ll make sure the right bike is waiting for you on arrival.
3 Month Pre Trip
Prices from : 180.00€ / per month
Investing time and energy in a private cycling coach for 3 months is a great way to tune your fitness and gain all of the one to one coaching benefits ahead of your holiday. There’s still time for performance gains even if you’ve had to leave things late because life’s taken over.
The British Cycling Level 3 coaching qualification is the highest recognised coaching certification in UK cycling and working with a Level 3 coach will:
- Optimise performance gains from the realistic time you have available to train ahead of your holiday
- Ensure you focus on areas that will really improve your cycling in the build up to your trip.
- Improve not only physical but also tactical and psychological awareness & strength all of which contribute to you having a fantastic holiday.
6 Month Pre Trip
Prices from : 180.00€ / per month
If you are serious about making significant long term improvements to your on bike performance, investing time and energy in a private coach for 6 months is one of the most effective ways to increase your cycling performance, stay motivated and achieve your goals.
The British Cycling Level 3 coaching qualification is the highest recognised coaching certification in UK cycling and working with a Level 3 coach will:
- Maximise performance benefits from the realistic time you have available to train
- Ensure you focus on areas that will really improve your cycling and allow you to realise (often exceed) your goals
Before Trip
Venice - Extend your stay
St Mark’s Square, the Doge’s Palace, the Basilica di San Marco, the Grand Canal and the many famous bridges including the Bridge of Sighs and the Rialto Bridge are just some of the reasons to visit Venice, the floating city. Take a leisurely ride in a gondola through the quaint canals passing many historical sights.
Ride the water bus from St Mark’s Square and visit Burano Island, a small colourful fishing village located in the Venetian lagoon.
After Trip
Venice - Extend your stay
St Mark’s Square, the Doge’s Palace, the Basilica di San Marco, the Grand Canal and the many famous bridges including the Bridge of Sighs and the Rialto Bridge are just some of the reasons to visit Venice, the floating city. Take a leisurely ride in a gondola through the quaint canals passing many historical sights.
Ride the water bus from St Mark’s Square and visit Burano Island, a small colourful fishing village located in the Venetian lagoon.
Ultimate Dolomites FAQ's
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How do you provide support?
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Our guides and support vehicle will be with you every day that you ride to ensure that you just have to focus on your riding. Staff to guest ratio is 1:4 to ensure a very personal experience especially when you need help or advice about any aspect of the ride. Full GPX routes and high quality daily road books are provided for every day.
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What type of fitness do I need for a Dolomites cycling trip?
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The Dolomites are a challenging and fun environment to ride your bike and are accessible to most keen riders with some good preparation before arrival, the training is part of the fun of a holiday after all. You don’t have to be cycling a hundred plus miles per week but consistently following a good training programme that includes plenty of intensity and variety will ensure you’re on the right track for one of our Dolomites cycling trips. Fitness gained from other sports quite often crosses over as well from our experience.
We always have British Cycling Level 3 coaches available during this holiday putting us in a good position to assist you with fitness or riding questions you might have. We also offer coaching packages that will help you prepare for this Dolomites Cycling holiday and future trips
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Can the itinerary flex if I want to do more or less?
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The itinerary is designed to allow some flexibility by either adding more or less challenge into a day. The support vehicle ensures that you can always cycle with knowledge that help is never far away. We are always happy for you to ask us for options on any given day.
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What type of weather can I expect in the Dolomites?
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We run our trips at the times of year when we feel you will have the best experience. The weather is usually good (it’s summer after all) but the mountains can always throw up surprises so it’s always best to come equipped with a selection of kit to cover most eventualities. Temperatures in the Dolomites as with all major mountain ranges vary from the valley floor to the summits of the climbs, typically we find this to be a decrease of around 1 degree for every 100 meters gained. If you are unsure of what to bring you can always talk to us before you arrive, we’re always here to help.
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What if there are others faster than me?
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Our best advice is not to worry about this. There will always be people slower and faster than you during a trip and we have years of experience in managing diverse groups. We go to great lengths to make sure everyone in the group gets exactly what they need from each and every day.
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Can I join the Dolomites cycling trip solo?
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You are more than welcome to come on the Ultiamte Dolomites cycling trip alone. There are several options available to you; You can either share a twin room with another rider or where one is available pay an additional single supplement for sole occupancy.
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How do the Dolomites differ from the main Alpine ranges?
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Typically the climbs are shorter than those found in the French or Italian Alps and due to the nature of the roads in the region it’s possible to climb more passes each day. Gradients vary as always in the mountains but in general are a notch below those found in the main Italian Alps.
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Is more information available to help me plan my trip?
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Help is always on hand. We have tried to answer many questions on our FAQ page but are always around pre, during or post trip to help with any questions.