Alta Badia/South Tyrolean Dolomites: Where Cycling Reigns Supreme

Cycling, in all its forms, constitutes the ideal way to enjoy tourism in the most eco-sustainable way. That’s why in Alta Badia pedalling is on a par with walking: the clean, fresh air, the breath-taking landscapes, the spectacular peaks all encourage cyclists to approach nature with joy and respect. In this mountain setting, sustainability is a concrete concept, which you can see for yourselves, day-in day-out.

Alta Badia is situated in the heart of the Dolomites a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it has been a beacon for cycling enthusiasts for years. Its strategic position, the possibility of organising all kinds of bike tours of all difficulty levels, the dream of following itineraries which have made cycling history make Alta Badia both a departure point and a destination at the same time. From here, visitors can reach and climb the famous passes of Pordoi, Sella, Gardena, Fedaia, Valparola, Falzarego, Giau and even the Tre Cime di Lavaredo: every cyclist’s dream.

SELLARONDA BIKE DAY, DOLOMITES BIKE DAY, MARATONA DLES DOLOMITES – ENEL:
THREE EVENTS WHICH BRING TOGETHER BEAUTY AND SUSTAINABILITY

The months of June and July are packed with events which are now unmissable dates in any cyclist’s diary. Starting on Saturday 11th June with the Sellaronda Bike Day which is also replicated on Saturday 17th September. Then Saturday 25th June is Dolomites Bike Day, followed by the Maratona dles Dolomites-Enel which is held on Sunday 3rd July.
What these three extremely popular events have in common is that the Dolomite Passes are closed to traffic for the occasion. This confirms how important sustainability is to Alta Badia.

The first two cycling events are non-competitive and accessible to all, and no registration is required. The respective trails weave across the Maratona dles Dolomites-Enel track and on other legendary trails, which are all closed to motorised traffic

On 11th June, it’s time for the now-traditional Sellaronda Bike Day. On this occasion, transit on the passes of the Sella Group is closed to vehicles. The event is replicated on Saturday 17th September. Cycling enthusiasts can take part in the non-competitive event from 08:30 am to 3 pm. www.sellarondabikeday.com

The stars of the Dolomites Bike Day are on the other hand the Dolomite passes of Campolongo, Falzarego and Valparola, the backdrop of epic feats which have made cycling history. The trail is a loop which begins in Alta Badia, reaches Arabba and the valley of Livinallongo, across the Campolongo Pass, then continues towards the Falzarego Pass, subsequently heading to the Valparola Pass, before reaching the towns of La Villa and Corvara to complete the itinerary. The trail, which is closed to traffic from 8:30 am to 2 pm, is 51 km long and has a total difference in altitude of 1,290 metres

SUNDAY 3rd JULY: THE MARATONA DLES DOLOMITES-ENEL IN FULL BLOOM

This Marathon draws cyclists from all four corners of the globe and is considered to be the queen of the European Granfondos. As usual there is a distinctive underlying theme for the event: whereas art was the leitmotif last year, the 35th edition is dedicated to Ciüf, i.e. flowers, which will be welcoming participants. The event brings together 8,000 cyclists and has over 30,000 participation requests from all continents. As usual and this edition more than ever before, the Dolomite Passes will draw the most attention: Campolongo, Sella, Pordoi, Gardena, Giau, Falzarego and Valparola. The three routes will remain the same, all closed to traffic: the real “Maratona” is 138 km long with a 4,230 m difference in altitude, the “Medium” route is 106 km long with a 3,130 m difference in altitude and the “Sella Ronda” route is 55 km long with a 1,780 m difference in altitude.

Those who are not lucky enough to participate have the chance to purchase on-line the 194 higher-priced registrations whose proceeds will go to charity, by visiting the website: www.maratona.it on 23rd March 2022.

JUNE AND JULY WITH BIKE GUIDED TOURS: WHEN PEDALLING IS ON THE CARDS

Those long summer days are the perfect opportunity for cycling enthusiasts to go on a bike tour to create unforgettable memories. For this reason, throughout the months of June and July, Alta Badia offers its Bike Guided Tours with five weekly appointments. The schedule envisages a calendar packed with guided tours to discover the most bewitching trails up and down the Dolomites: from Monday to Friday, there is a daily trip that takes cyclists to the most iconic places and passes in the Dolomites, accompanied by expert local guides. Iconic destinations include the classic Sellaronda trail, the Fedaia Pass, the Giau Pass or Pederü at the foot of the Fanes-Senes-Braies Natural Park. Excursions cost € 35 and can be booked at the tourist offices in Alta Badia.

ON GRAVEL BIKES ALONG THE WHITE ROADS OF ALTA BADIA

In recent years, gravel has won over thousands of cyclists, who were quite happy to abandon asphalt surfaces to tackle gravel trails without losing out on the joy of pedalling on a race bike. It goes without saying that Alta Badia has also become a very appealing destination for cyclists wishing to ride through the woods to reach mountain huts and large expanses of prairies at the foot of the Dolomites a UNESCO World Heritage Site, remote from motorised traffic and from the stresses of everyday life. Alta Badia offers countless ‘white roads’, much to the joy of gravel bike riders. These include an itinerary to discover the Ladin farmhouses and the local architecture, which is also accessible to untrained cyclists, or the medium-difficulty tour departing from the small town of La Val, which winds its way along asphalt surfaced and gravel roads. This particular trail is a gem, and it is not well known, at the foot of the two Fanes-Senes-Braies and Puez-Odle Nature Parks. The array of trails is completed by the medium-difficulty trail leading from Badia to the prairies of Armentara, passing under the iconic massif of Santa Croce.

E-BIKE SHARING: ELECTRIC THRILLS AT AN ALTITUDE OF OVER 2,000 METRES

Thanks to E-Bike Sharing, you can pedal with ease and reach the most scenic spots of the area and the three parks in the Area Movimënt at an altitude of 2,000 m. Thanks to electric bikes which provide assisted pedalling, even the most challenging climbs can be tackled effortlessly. Therefore, this outdoor activity is also suitable for those who are less sporty, but still wish to experience the Dolomites on two wheels. The stations where bikes can be dropped off and picked up are located above the Col Alto, Piz La Ila and Piz Sorega cable cars. You can even book state-of-the-art e-bikes from one of the sports shops and rental shops in the area. You can even take your e-bike onto some of the cable cars and chair lifts: a fun way to move from one place to another without having to drive.

ALTA BADIA ALL ROAD: EXPERIENCE THE BIKE BEATS MOVIMËNT AND LA SELLARONDA ON YOUR MOUNTAIN BIKE

Alta Badia is also the ideal destination for mountain bike enthusiasts, with its wide dirt roads nestled in rich and diverse vegetation. For cyclists who enjoy endurance, free-riding and touring, there are many options along incredibly beautiful trails of varying degrees of difficulty.

For the most adventurous cyclists who are all about the adrenaline rush, there's the Bike Beats Movimënt, downhill trails dedicated to cyclists. These are smooth flow country trails with containment banks and jumps with varying levels of difficulty. The trails are accessible to mountain bikes or e-bikes, at Piz Sorega, at Pralongiá and in the La Fraina area. The latter, which is blue/easy, is 2,000 m long and has a difference in altitude of 193m. Thanks to the opening of the La Fraina and Bamby chairlifts, Piz Sorega and Piz La Villa can be connected to the cable cars. Bikes and prams can be loaded on both chairlifts. This is a way to incentivise sustainable mobility through ski lifts and cable cars so people can easily access the villages of La Villa and San Cassiano without having to drive there. There is a new trail that leads from La Marmotta refuge to Planac, with a deviation via Campolongo Pass.

Alta Badia is also the perfect starting point to tackle the Sellaronda on your mountain bike. Here, you can take your bike on the cable cars, meaning you can effortlessly reach the mountain peaks and then put yourself to the test down breathtaking descents and single trails dedicated to mountain bikes. The loop can be done clockwise and anti-clockwise; we advise tackling it with an expert mountain-bike guide.

LA PEDALATA: FROM BORMIO TO ALTA BADIA AND BACK, CLIMBING UP THE PASSES WHICH HAVE MADE CYCLING HISTORY

Stelvio, Gavia and the Dolomites, eternal legends which rule undisputed among the deepest desires of every cyclist, from professionals to amateurs on their first trails. In addition to representing magnificent peaks, they are icons of epic places, lands whose cultures and histories mark the lives of sincere and authentic mountain men, with the common denominator of love and respect for nature. Bormio, with its harsh brown peaks, and Alta Badia surrounded by the soft allure of the Dolomites, set the stage for La Pedalata.

La Pedalata TOSTA

Bormio to Alta Badia and back, all in one go. Setting off early in the morning towards Gavia (2,642 m a.s.l.), down to Ponte di Legno, followed by Tonale, Mendola Pass and the panoramic nose-dive towards the Strada del Vino (wine route) and a ride through Bolzano. Then it’s back up towards Val Gardena, the namesake pass and the last descent towards the destination, i.e. Badia town. The route covers 220km and a difference in altitude of 5,500 metres. The return leg, after a well-earned rest, features Alpe di Siusi, Bolzano, Merano and its Majesty Stelvio Pass, covering the same mileage as the outward journey, but with a difference in altitude of just 4,199m.

La Pedalata LIEVE

The routes are similar to those of «La Pedalata Tosta», but the rides are at the more relaxed pace of bikepacking. The bikes are equipped with bikepacking bags provided by hotels so that cyclists can carry their essentials and tackle the roads between the Dolomites and the Valtellina. The key word is to explore these enchanting locations freely, thanks to a programme designed specifically so that cyclists will enjoy stops and overnight stays in the charming typical towns that are dotted along the way. The package includes rental bikes, bikepacking bags, GPX tracks and expert advice for an unforgettable adventure.

Both these experiences can be customised and tailored to the individual interests and abilities of each cyclist. This adventure stems from an idea from Klaus Irsara, a bike enthusiast who runs Hotel Melodia del Bosco.

BIKE FRIENDLY: THE PERFECT CYCLING HOLIDAY

In summer, the tourist offer for cyclists in Alta Badia www.altabadia.org/bike< is called Bike Friendly and is for both on-road and mountain-biking cyclists. Tourist information bureaus provide road maps with recommended trails, while local guides provide the opportunity to organise guided excursions every day.

There are many agreements in place with accommodation facilities, bicycle rental shops, spare parts and technical clothing shops, restaurants and specialised shelters to meet the needs of everyone who enjoys practising this sport. The "Bike Expert" and "Bike Friendly" hotels provide everything cyclists need: a space where they can clean and mend their bikes, bicycle storage, a bike tool box, a laundry, a balanced breakfast, and cold dishes or cakes in the afternoon, for an energy boost. Cable cars and chair lifts transport bikes at no additional cost.

CASTELLI AND CICLI PINARELLO, PARTNERS OF EXCELLENCE OF ALTA BADIA

This agreement between Alta Badia and the Castelli brand (Manifattura Valcismon S.p.A), the official partner of the tourist resort, represents an incredible opportunity for both parties to develop future projects aimed at creating cycle tourism with an increasing focus on sustainability. These two entities fully share the positive values that cycling stands for, and they focus on product quality and environmental friendliness. Castelli has also put its name to the new Alta Badia branded kit, which is available for purchase at the Alta Badia information bureaus and specialist stores.

Furthermore, the partnership between Alta Badia and Cicli Pinarello is also growing stronger. Alta Badia offers excellent standards of hospitality with over 300 5-, 4- and 3-star hotels which, when combined with Cicli Pinarello, the bicycle brand par excellence, really guarantees a top-quality holiday.