Beyond the Climb
A Ride Your Life cycling retreat in the Dolomites
€ 3.890
Difficulty Level
Road Surface
Asphalt
A brief introduction to your bike tour
When you bike in the Dolomites, you become part of a unique and spectacular
landscape, a dramatic harmony of 3,000-meter peaks, deep winding valleys, and
rocky cliffs rising from dense forests like sharp fangs, glowing pink at sunrise and
sunset.
It’s hard to believe that 250 million years ago this landscape was once an underwater
coral reef. Today, it’s a perfect ecosystem, almost as if it were designed specifically
for cyclists and lovers of long climbs.
You’ll find yourself pedaling in near silence along these ascents, surrounded by
breathtaking scenery.
You’ll ride - and suffer - on some of the most iconic climbs and beautiful cycling
routes in the world.
The combination with the Alps, and the Stelvio Pass, makes this an epic journey
you’ll be proud to share this with your friends.
After the Congress of Vienna in 1815, the Lombard-Venetian Kingdom was
established as part of the Austrian Empire. It became necessary to build a road
connecting Milan and Vienna without crossing Switzerland. From 1820 to 1825,
Engineer Carlo Donegani, working from an earlier Napoleonic-era plan, designed and
built what would become.
We like to believe that anyone who pushes the bicycle along the climbs of the myth
becomes part of the mountains and their nature.
What is included
EXTRA SERVICES
BIKE RENTAL
Each bike is rented with the following equipment
Helmets: one size fits all
Road Bikes: 1 saddlebag
Hybrid Bikes: 1 rear bag or handlebar bag
E-bikes: 1 rear bag
Most bikes have 1 water bottle cage, some have 2
*Brand and models may vary in year or color, and an alternative bike of equal value may be provided if the preferred model is unavailable
TOUR ITINERARY
DAY BY DAY
Day 1Welcome to the Dolomites
Arrival at Venice airport and group transfer to a comfortable accommodation in Corvara, your base for the first three nights of your Dolomites and Alps bike trip.
Nestled in the Alta Badia valley at 1568 m, Corvara is one of the most iconic mountain villages in the Dolomites, elegant yet authentic, surrounded by some of the world’s most spectacular alpine scenery. It sits right at the foot of the Sella massif, making it the perfect base for cyclists tackling legendary climbs like Passo Gardena, Passo Campolongo, and Passo Pordoi, the famous Sella Ronda loop.
Beyond the rides, Corvara offers a warm Ladin hospitality, excellent cuisine blending Italian and Alpine traditions, and cozy hotels with wellness areas perfect for recovery after a long day on the bike. In summer, its lively yet peaceful atmosphere makes it a place where nature, sport, and relaxation meet in perfect balance.
In the afternoon, we’ll set up the bikes and, depending on the timing, go for a short warm-up ride. Before dinner, we’ll also have a group meeting to introduce the trip.
Dinner: Group dinner is included this night.
Accommodation: Sporthotel Panorama CorvaraDay 2Giau Pass
DISTANCE: 49,80 miles (83 km)
ELEVATION GAIN: 8180 ft (2494 m)
The Giro d’Italia included the ascent to the Passo Giau for the first time in 1973, when much of the route was still unpaved gravel. Since then, it has become one of the race’s most iconic climbs a symbol of both beauty and difficulty in the Dolomites.
The road rises steadily through alpine pastures and dense forests before opening onto breathtaking views of the Sella Group and the majestic Marmolada. Each turn brings a new perspective on the Dolomitic landscape, reminding you why this climb is considered one of the most beautiful in the world.
Dinner: Breakfast and dinner are included
Accommodation: Sporthotel Panorama CorvaraDay 3Loop ride around Sella Group
DISTANCE: 40,20 miles (67 km)
ELEVATION GAIN: 6356 ft (1938 m)
Today is the Sella group loop ride, a beautiful loop that allows you to ride the Gardena, Sella, Pordoi, and Campolongo pass. Four steps, four peaks. We will leave directly from the hotel and go around counter-clockwise. Which coffee bars at the four peaks have the best coffee?
Dinner: Breakfast and dinner are included
Accommodation: Sporthotel Panorama CorvaraDay 4Merano
DISTANCE: 72 miles (120 km)
ELEVATION GAIN: 2558 ft (780 m)
This is a transition ride, taking us from the heart of the Dolomites in Corvara to the elegant alpine town of Merano. The only real climb of the day is Passo Gardena — a spectacular ascent surrounded by dramatic Dolomitic peaks and lush alpine meadows. After the summit, the landscape opens up as we leave the Dolomites behind and begin a long, exhilarating descent through Val Gardena and Val d’Isarco, riding along gentle valley roads toward Merano.
The rest of the route is mostly flat or downhill, allowing you to enjoy the changing scenery - from rugged mountains to vineyards and orchards - before reaching Merano, known for its Mediterranean flair, palm trees, and thermal spas.
Dinner: Breakfast is included
Accommodation: Flora Hotel MeranoDay 5Stelvio Pass
DISTANCE: 33 miles (55 km)
ELEVATION GAIN: 6193 ft (1888 m)
What a ride!
This morning you’ll ride one of the most iconic ride in the world and probably one of the most aspected highlights of this tour. Forty-two switchbacks, 21 kilometers of solid climb, 1500 mt elevation gain, 7% gradient average: this is the Stelvio, the highest paved mountain pass in the Eastern Alps. Enjoy it!
A group transfer will take the group to Glorenza from where we’ll start our ride to the Stelvio.
Dinner: Breakfast is included
Accommodation: Miramonti Park HotelDay 6Gavia Pass
DISTANCE: 31 miles (52 km)
ELEVATION GAIN: 5743 ft (1568 m)
Optional ride for today is the climb at one of the most famous and spectacular Passes: Gavia! This is a "must" for each cyclist climb's lover. We may define it as challenging, stunning, tranquil, and rewarding at the same time. You get the immense scenery and grandeur of the Stelvio but less traffic. At 2,621m. it's not quite as high as the Stelvio, but it's still the tenth highest paved mountain pass in Europe, and with testing 8% average gradients, the Gavia Pass profile is undoubtedly challenging.
We'll start with a private shuttle to approach the climb from the South.
Dinner: Breakfast and farewell dinner are included
Accommodation: Miramonti Park HotelDay 6Cancano Lakes
DISTANCE: 19,80miles (33 km)
ELEVATION GAIN: 3411 ft (1040 m)
The secon optional ride for today is about Cancano Lake; the 2020 Giro d'Italia included this climb. The climb starts just a few kilometers north of Bormio and has a relatively accessible 7% average gradient, climbing just under 700m over 9km. The road takes us up a spectacular ladder of switchbacks guarded by the imposing Fraele towers. Beyond is the Cancano plateau and the Lago di Cancano and Lago di San Giacomo, two artificial lakes separated by a dam you can ride over.
Dinner: Breakfast and farewell dinner are included
Accommodation: Miramonti Park HotelDay 7Departure
End of the trip and departure
Meals: Breakfast is included
