Tour of the Dolomites: Trento - Cortina - Val Pusteria

Route details

A 345 km Round trip through the heart of the Dolomites. The route connects the Fiemme Valley, Cortina d'Ampezzo and the Puster Valley over several Alpine passes and offers panoramic views of the Dolomites at UNESCO World Heritage level.

This round trip starts in Trento and first leads north-east through the Fiemme Valley to Predazzo, which is the highest municipality in the valley at the confluence of the Avisio and Travignolo rivers and is also known as the 'Geological Garden of the Alps'. From there, the Route continues along well-maintained state roads towards Cortina d'Ampezzo.

The section between Predazzo and Cortina leads through varied terrain with forests and open plateaus. The roads are mainly two-lane with an asphalt surface in good condition. Some sections are slightly uneven. The route offers numerous medium-radius bends and moderate gradients.

Cortina d'Ampezzo, at an altitude of 1,211 meters, lies in the Ampezzo Dolomites and is known as the venue of the 1956 Winter Olympics. The town is ideal for a break. The ascent to Passo Falzarego at 2,105 meters begins to the west of Cortina. The Pass road is part of the Great Dolomites Road and is around 9 km long with a maximum gradient of 11 percent on the eastern ramp. The route is winding, but without extreme Hairpins, and offers views of the Lagazuoi and the Tofane group. There is a mountain hut and the valley station of the Lagazuoi cable car at the Pass summit. The history of the First World War is present here - positions and tunnels can be visited.

From Cortina, the route leads north via the SS 51 to Dobbiaco in Alta Pusteria, known as the 'gateway to the Dolomites'. The municipality lies at 1,256 meters and borders the Fanes-Sennes-Prags and Three Peaks nature parks. The road through the Höhlenstein Valley has no major inclines and is well maintained.

From Toblach, the route heads west through the Pustertal valley. The main road leads relatively straight through the valley floor via Bruneck to Vahrn near Brixen. The character of the route here is less winding, but smooth. From Bressanone/Brixen, the return journey follows through the Isarco/Eisacktal valley to the south and finally back to Trento/Trient.

Traffic is likely to be heavier in the high season (July/August), especially around Cortina and on the Pass roads. An early start reduces the load. The Pass summits are over 2,000 meters; even in summer it can be cool, weather changes are possible. Rainwear and layers are recommended.

The Tour is suitable for riders with Alpine experience. It is not extremely demanding in terms of riding, but requires attention on the more winding pass sections.