Ode to climbing in the mighty Dolomites
Challenging cycling in a postcard environment
Put the Dolomites at the top of your bucket list: perhaps the most beautiful part of Europe. And what do you want to do in beautiful mountainous locations? Cycling of course! If you go that way, which steps should you take? We help you.
The passes of the Marathon
The Giro always visits the Dolomites and Italy's largest Granfondo takes place here. In this way, cycling tourism is stimulated and for good reason. The passes of the route sound like the lyrics of a song: Passo Campolongo, Passo, Gardena, Passo Pordoi, Passo Sella, Passo Giau and Passo Valparola.
Also read: The unique one Sella Ronda
North of the Sella Ronda: Passo delle Erbe and Krohnplatz
Besides the passes of the Maratona, there is much more to experience in this part of Italy. Take the Passo delle Erbe for example, which you can officially enter in 5 directions. The west side via Millan or the east side from San Martin de Tor are recommended. The road surface is good here, it will certainly be challenging. The west side is 28 km long, where the last 10 km you feel like you are in a kind of no man's land. The east side is considerably shorter with almost 14 km of climbing, so you will often find gradients in the double figures here. The views along the way and especially at the top make it more than worth the challenge!
The Krohnplatz is a well-known ski resort, but can of course also be explored by bike. To get to the real top, you still have 5.5 km of unpaved roads with serious gradients. If this is too much for you, stay on the asphalt of the Passo Furcia. An irregular climb from both sides with often enough double figures. So take heed.
Also read: Maratona dles Dolomietes, the complete routes
South of the Sella Ronda: Passo Fedaia and Passo San Pellegrino
If you stay south of the Sella Ronda there is also plenty of beautiful things to see. For example, the Passo Fedaia and Passo San Pellegrino are known for their mountain lakes at the top. They sailed around the Marmolada massif, an impressive mass of rock. It was on the Passo Fedaia where a few years ago Jai Hindley defeated the Ecuadorian Carapaz. It is a typical Dolomite pass, with calf-consuming percentages at the end. The west side is a lot better. Unique for the Dolomites: there is 2.5 km of flat road. Be careful at the top of the Passo Fedaia…
While the Fedaia is traffic-calmed, it is a bit busier on the Passo San Pellegrino. That doesn't get in the way of the fun. This pass is longer, less steep and simply enjoyable. Those few cars aren't going to change that!
Also read: Gravel Experience Dolomites
Around Cortina d'Ampezzo: Passo Tre Croci and Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Continue to the famous ski village of Cortina d'Ampezzo, located in a beautiful valley surrounded by various massifs. Worth a visit in itself, but of course you have to climb. To the west of the village is the Passo Falzarego which turns into the Passo Valparola. Even more beautiful: the east side. First comes the difficult Passo Tre Croci. With 8km at 7.5% it seems doable, but it is a treacherous climb due to the irregularity.
Above all, keep enough energy in the tank. You continue charging along the beautiful Lago di Misurina for the big challenge. The pass with the most beautiful name of all: Tre Cime di Lavaredo. At the top (walk 200 meters of gravel further) you will find three pointed stone massifs and a breathtaking view. However, before you get there, you can conquer 7.5km a 8.7%. This seems doable, but remember that there is a flat kilometer and a descending kilometer in between. This means that the remaining 5.5km are 12-13% on average. So toil!
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