You want to experience different charms of Italy? On this tour, you discover by gravel bike the mountains in South Tyrol, with breathtaking views to endless meadows, barren rocks, dense forests and crystal-clear lakes. And some days later, the landscape opens and you ride over hilly vineyards to the Adriatic coast. This cycle journey guides you on the greatest paths from the Dolomite Alps to Venice.
Dolomite Alps incl. Tre Cime di Lavaredo UNESCO Natural Heritage Site
Breathtaking views to the Alps
Crystal-clear mountain lakes
Wine and grappa region Veneto
Venice
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Niederdorf/Toblach
Individual arrival in Niederdorf/Toblach in Puster Valley (option: transfer from Venice/Mestre on Wednesdays and Saturdays, see “Extras”). The charming village has small and historically interesting churches and is located in a German-speaking area. Overnight in a comfortable South Tyrol hotel.
Day 2: Niederdorf/Toblach - Cortina d'Ampezzo (75 km)
Breakfast and start of your first day stage that is a promising one. Riding through Prags Valley, you reach the breathtaking Lake Prags. You keep on to the high plateau Plätzwiese from where you have an amazing view to the mountains Dürrenstein and Hohe Gaisl. Through and old military route you reach the Höhlenstein valley from where you can already see Tre Cime di Lavaredo – UNESCO Natural Heritage Site. Cycling up the world famous massif is tough and absolutely worth the effort because the landscape makes you feel like being on another planet. To go down after a break is a lot of fun, and at the end of the day, you reach the Olympic city of Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Altitude difference: 2.330 – Level of difficulty: 3/5
Day 3: Cortina d'Ampezzo - Belluno (100 km)
After breakfast, you follow the Dolomite Cycle Route across a former railroad line. Don’t forget looking around, because on your left and ride side you will see the climbing mountain Sorapiss and the Cinque Torri rock formation. Through Boîte Valley you reach Longarone. In 1963, this town was completely destroyed by a tidal wave provoked by a landslide from Monte Toc; afterwards, the town was rebuilt. You cycle around the popular Lago Santa Croce and finally reach Belluno, where you stay overnight.
Altitude difference: 1.170 – Level of difficulty: 3/5
Day 4: Belluno - Feltre (85 km)
For today, we recommend to have a hearty breakfast, because right at the beginning of the day’s stage, you follow the route of the cycling race Giro d’Italia cycling up to Nevegal mountain. On the Nevegal, you are rewarded with a beautiful view over the lakes Santa Croce and Morto. You continue on the ridge. Because of the 360° panorama on the ridge, you can slowly and appropriately say goodbye to the Dolomite Alps and see already the blue Mediterranean Sea in the South on clear days. You pass many alpine cabins inviting you to rest and enjoy. Today, your stage finish is the historical Feltre on the foothills of the Dolomites.
Altitude difference: 2.280 – Level of difficulty: 4/5
Day 5: Feltre - Bassano del Grappa (80 km)
Today, you cycle up Monte Grappa, the mountain that gave its name to the world famous pomace brandy. Nice to know: Monte Grappa is popular with racing bikers, but hardly known by cycle tourists. The mountain is historically known especially for the battles between thousands of Austro-Hungarian and Italian soldiers in World War I. A massive monument reminds on these battles on top of the mountain, and this area can be visited only by foot for respect reasons. The view to the Alps on one side and to the fertile plain of Veneto on the other side is beautiful. Over endless twisting roads you ride down to Bassano del Grappa where you can try some grappa because the next two day’s stages will be more relaxed.
Altitude difference: 2.120 – Level of difficulty: 3/5
Day 6: Bassano del Grappa - Treviso (80 km)
After breakfast, you cycle over hilly vineyards to Asolo. If you want, you can visit the historical palace or the castle that is above the town. Surely, you can also try the typical Asolo Prosecco. Afterwards, you ride over winding paths and small hills through the nature reserve of Montello. Finally, you reach Treviso, a city known for its diocese and cultural life.
Altitude difference: 700 – Level of difficulty: 2/5
Day 7: Treviso - Venice/Mestre (75 km)
Starting in Treviso, you follow Sie River through the Venetian plain. The natural reserve of Sile that you cross is characterized by small lakes, peatland and water courses. It’s a paradise for numerous bird species. Through the peninsula Cavallino Tre Porti you cycle towards the ferry. On one side of the peninsula, bathers scrimmage on the beaches. You, indeed, ride on the more calmer side that is characterized by the view to fishermen’s boats and the unique and natural lagoons of Venice. Today, your finish is Venice. Since this last day of your gravel bike tour is very easy-going, you reach Punta Sabbioni in good time, so you can take the ferry to Venice to drift along this legendary city.
Your last night, you spend on the mainland in Mestre which you can reach by bike through a bridge. Optionally, you can stay in Lido di Jesolo / on the peninsula Cavallino Tre Porti to bring your vacation to a close on the beach (see “Extras”).
Altitude difference: 80 – Level of difficulty: 1/5
Day 8: Departure Venice/Mestre
After breakfast you can check out and visit Venice again, if you have time before departure. Individual departure or extension of stay.
Services
ServicesExtrasAccommodation
Included services:
7 nights in a double room
7x breakfast
App for navigation
Local phone assistance 24/7
1x ferry (bike included) from Punta Sabbioni to Venice on Day 7
Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
Monitored parking in Niederdorf/Toblach for the duration of the stay
Tour documents
Single room (additional fee of 169 EUR); if available: discount for 3 or 4 occupancy
GPS data (at no charge)
Transfer from Venice/Mestre to Toblach/Niederdorf, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, incl. bike: 84,00 EUR p. p.
Rental bike: Gravel bike Bianchi Impulso Allroad Alu – Shimano GRX (limited availability) or other model: 170,00 EUR
Accommodation on Day 7 in Lido di Jesolo/Cavallino-Treporti instead of Mestre (additional fee from 48 EUR p. p.)
Extension of stay in Toblach/Niederdorf or Mestre/Venice or Lido di Jesolo/Cavallino-Treporti (price on request)
All partner accommodations are 3 or 4 star hotels. When we chose a partner accommodation, it’s important to us that they all have anything that is particular. If available, the accommodations’ specialties on our Northern Italy tour are:
Hotels in South Tyrol country style
Family owned
Local cuisine
Rooms covered with wood
Amazing view on the mountains
Quiet location
Hotel in the old town
Dates and prices 2022
Tour starts:
14 May 2022 to 1 October 2022 (Wednesdays and Saturdays)
Prices:
Start 14 May and 1 Oct: from 589 EUR per person in a double room
Start 18 May to 15 June, and 14 Sep to 28 Sep: from 719 EUR per person in a double room
Start 18 June to 10 Sep: from 809 EUR per person in a double room
General information
Tour characterArrival and departureTravel and safety notice
Nearest airports: Arrival: Innsbruck (A), Treviso, Venedig, München (D); Departure: Venedig, Treviso By train: Niederdorf or Toblach (arrival), Venezia Mestre (departure) By bus from Venice/Mestre to Toblach (Cortina Express): Daily departure from railroad station Mestre (pre-booking required: www.cortinaexpress.it; no carriage of bicycles) By car: Niederdorf/Toblach (About 2 weeks prior to your tour start, we’ll send you the address of your first hotel. The monitored parking is included. To get back to your car after finishing your tour, you can take the Cortina Express daily (see “By bus”), or our own transfer on Wednesdays and Saturdays (see “Extras”).)
Please take account of the travel and safety notice of your home country for Italy and the regions Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol and Veneto, as same applicable regulations in these areas.