Dolomites Explorer

After we meet you at Venice Airport, a two-hour drive will take us to our hotel in Cortina d'Ampezzo.

Located in the heart of the Dolomites, the town is famous for its winter sports; hosting the 1956 Winter Olympics and will be co-hosting it's second for the 2026 Winter Olympics with Milan. Cortina is a beautiful town surrounded by incredible Dolomiti and is popular in the summer with outdoor sports lovers. Upon arrival, our team will help you unpack and build your bike, you are free to visit the town, have an apple strudel or join us for a short ride and stretch your legs. In the evening we will enjoy a traditional Sud Tyrolean dinner.

Forget those Monday blues... this is hands down one of Italy's most spectacular climbs... Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Why? The last 4km are very steep, with an average of 11% and a maximum of 19%! The great Eddie Merckx called it one of the hardest climbs he had ever done AND he won the Giro stage there in 1968. More recently, Nibali rode out of the snow in his pink jersey to win the 96th Giro in 2013.

Tre Cime means Three Peaks and until 1919 they formed part of the border between Italy and Austria. Now they lie on the border between the Italian provinces and still are a part of the linguistic boundary.

A long descent will take us to the second and final climb of the day; Passo Falzarego. On the other side of the climb is Badia, where we will check into our favourite bike hotel - the Melodia del Bosco!

Today's ride is only 65km. We climb 4 prestigious passes: Passo Campolongo (1,875m), Passo Pordoi (2,239m), Passo Sella (2,244m) and Passo Gardena (2,136m). This is THE famous Sella Ronda Loop, and which is also part of all three Maratona dles Dolomites courses.

On Passo Pordoi, we will ride by the memorial to Fausto Coppi, the legendary Italian champion who won some of his most famous victories in the Dolomites.

We'll return to the hotel, enjoy an après velo pasta and then you are free to relax at the spa, book a massage or have a look around the pretty nearby town, Corvara.

Today we will all ride the Passo Falzarego (2’105m), one of the legendary climbs of the Dolomites. If you are up to a bigger challenge may want to extend the loop and test your legs on Passo Giau (2’236m), 9km at 9.3%). This pass is amazing and the last Giro Edition just went through it.

After the ride, we will take you to Corvara to explore the old town, where you will have time to waner and enjoy a post-ride gelato!

This challenging loop is just stunning and you will easily understand why. After climbing Passo Gardena (2,136m), we descend almost all the way down to the Sarco Valley above Bressanone. This is where the climb starts. Then we will ride Val di Funes to Alta Badia. At the top (2,006m), you will discover the typical Dolomites landscapes: green and gently undulating pastures suddenly giving way to imposing rock formations. Another day in paradise.

Special dinner at "Ranch da Andrè", located on top of one of the beautiful Dolomites in La Val.

Your last day of the holiday must be a memorable one! And after five epic days in the Dolomites, this is no mean feat! Today we will ride Passo allo Stelvio. Probably the most legendary climb in cycling where history has been written. First a beautiful morning transfer to Merano. You will then follow the "pista ciclabile" a bike path to Prato Allo Stelvio. This is the start of the classic 48 switchbacks climb...but who's counting! Stelvio is the second-highest paved pass in the Alps, so reaching the pass is a huge achievement. A long fast descent to Bormio for lunch if your legs are up for it. You can also extend your ride with a ride into Switzerland and climb back the Umbrial Pass before descending to Bormio. A superb celebratory dinner will wrap up this amazing week!

All good things have an end. After your final apple strudel and espresso (or cappuccino, or macchiato), the shuttle will take you to Milan Malpensa airport (under request we can take you back to Venice Marco Polo Airport). Time to go home and share stories from your Dolomites adventure (and photos) with your family and envious cycling friends!

We trust the Dolomites has impressed you and you will return for more cycle climbs with Grand Tours Project.