Dolomites

Monday, August 30– Corvara

Transfer to our Dolomite base

It’s a half day drive to the our lovely accommodations. We will check-in and get acclimated to the altitude the first day. One of the best ways to see the area is to take a ski lift up to the top for the breathtaking scenery.

Corvara, at 1,522 m (4,993 ft), is situated in the northeast corner of the Sella Ronda, a ‘Round Saddle’, creating one of the most spectacular geological formations in the high Dolomites. For cyclists, it’s an ideal starting location for a legendary circuit that serpentines down through open valleys, up into high green pastures, through the cool, dark pine and larch forests, ascending to finally reach barren rocks soaring above. This loop is the highlight of our stay and probably the most memorable sequence of climbs in the Alps. Early to bed in order to be well rested for the following day’s adventure!

The magnificent lofty peaks of the Sella group are like an iceberg, visible partially above the waterline, the surface of an immense grandiose structure. Four passes: Gardena, Sella, Pordoi and Campolongo create a ring around towering terraces of dolomite stone joining towns and mountain rifugio. It has historically been the heart of the Ladino culture, with its ancient language and gastronomic specialties. During the WWI the Austrian and Italian Alpine troops battled ferociously from trenches, caverns and forts, steadfastly holding their front line. Currently Corvara’s strategic location makes it a crossroads among Austria, the Venetian Dolomites and the valleys leading to Cortina d’Empezzo. Despite tourism, local traditions maintain a hardy connection with the land.

Tuesday, August 31–Sella Ronda

Early departure!

After a healthy, abundant breakfast we start out. From Corvara the logical way to do the 4 passes is in the clockwise direction. Passo Campolongo offers dramatic mountainscapes above the shell-shaped valley of Alta Badia! The second pass, looming above Arabba, consists of 33 switchbacks, stacked turns that wind through cattle pastures and high alpine meadows to Passo Pordoi—the summit amidst wind-carved bluffs and sand castle pinnacles. This is the longest stretch of climbing, but not nearly as steep as Sella, which is next. The grand finale of Passo Gardena has been described as dolce , switchbacks that ascend ‘sweetly’ with an average grade of 4.3% to the lofty peaks before coasting back through Corvara.

The details

• Passo Campologo, 5.8 km/3.6 mi, 8.1%
• Passo Pordoi, 9.2 km/5.7 mi, 6.9%
• Passo Sella, 5.5 km/3.4 mi, 7.9%
• Passo Gardena, 5.8 km/3.6 mi, 4.3%

The total distance is approximately 52 kilometers/32 miles

Wednesday, September 1–Peaks and Passes

More mountain passes

There are many options to choose from for the second day of climbing. The long climb to Passo Valparola culminates with 6 km of relentless climbing. At the top are outstanding views of the Marmolada, the Dolomites’ biggest glacier and ‘Queen of the Mountains’. It’s no easy coast down: there are 23 numbered switchbacks down and a considerable amount of climbing before arriving at Arabba to do Passo Campolongo for the last memorable descent into Corvara.

Some background

During WWI the Austrian and Italian Alpine troops battled ferociously from trenches, caverns and forts, steadfastly holding their front line. Currently Corvara’s strategic location makes it a crossroads among Austria, the Venetian Dolomites and the valleys leading to Cortina d’Ampezzo. The area has become world renowned for its outstanding ski resorts, hiking and climbing centers.

A couple of options

Head out for another extraordinary day, choose either a short or long loop that includes Passo Valparola (13.3 km/8.3 mi, 5.4%). For the very ambitious cyclist, with enough training, it’s possible to continue on to take on legendary Passo Giau (9.9 km/6 mi, 9.3%). Climbing Passo Giau is a formidable undertaking, the rewards include such a lovely stretch of road that the entire area has been set aside for preservation in the Parco Nazionale di Cortina. You’ll pass through alpine forests, meadows with colorful wildflowers, the rushing mountain stream ‘Rio Costeana’ crisscrossing your path numerous times during the ascent.