Self-guided: Grand tour of the Dolomites Plus! Garda and Verona
Length
12 days
From
USD$3450
Style/Level
Self-Guided 2.0
Countries
Italy
Begin/End
Cortina d’Ampezzo / Verona
Overview
The best of our Dolomites and Alpine Valleys itineraries combined into one perfect cycling tour!
Starting in Cortina d’Ampezzo, in the heart of the Italian Dolomites, the route heads north on gentle bike paths surrounded by verdant forests and incredible mountain scenery (with optional challenging rides available most days, including climbs to famous mountain passes.) Heading north towards the Austrian border, the itinerary enters the Sud Tyrol region – a unique corner of Italy where traditional culture is still preserved – eventually joining the ancient Roman Via Claudia Augusta, before entering the Trentino Alto-Adige region. After crossing Lake Garda, a grand ending awaits in Verona, one of Italy’s most famous art cities. End your tour here or add a few days to explore the Veneto region and nearby Venice.
Highlights
The Dolomites
Cortina d’Ampezzo – home of the 1956 Winter Olympics
Cycle to Austria
Brenner Pass
Bolzano
Gorgeous bike paths
Trento, and Verona
Sarco Valley and Arco
Boat ride on Lake Garda
Extra meals & activities: (please inquire for price and availability)
Cooking classes available in various tour locations! Organized by Le Cesarine, experts in Italian culinary experiences. You will be hosted by a local at their home – your “Cesarina” – in a class that lasts about three hours, during which you will help the Cesarina prepare three courses.
Includes
11 nights lodging in 3- and 4-star hotels
All breakfasts
Bike fitting and briefing in English by our professional staff at tour start
Access to smartphone app with tracks and digital roadbook
Private shuttle for people and bikes on day 9 (Trento to Cadine)
We work hard to maintain consistency across all of our tours, but some trips have unique differences. Here are some things to keep in mind about this tour.
The final itinerary, including hotels and/or activities described here, are subject to change according to availability.
City hotel taxes are not included.
The tour is rated level 2 with 9 cycling days, offering level 1 and level 2 rides. Choosing longer, more challenging rides makes it level 3. Some routes can be shortened by train. Gravel sections may be tough for road bikes; hybrid or e-bikes with thicker tires are recommended for less experienced cyclists.
Dates, prices & booking
From USD $3,450
PRICING: Based on double occupancy. $500 per-person deposit. Departures for one person only will require supplemental fees.
HIGH SEASON PRICING May 1 – June 15 and September 1 – October 15: USD $3,575 per person.
START DAYS: This tour departs any Saturday between May 1 and September 30. Other start days of the weeks may be available on request, for USD $360. Please note that changing the start day could make some cultural visits and activities impossible.
REQUEST YOUR DATE: Click the blue “Request a date” button to submit a tour inquiry.
If dates appear below, they reflect already requested departures. Multiple parties may join listed dates.
Download Itinerary
Pencil Me In
Penciling in on a tour is a great way to temporarily hold a space while you think about your travel logistics and find some friends to join you. We encourage you to book your space on the tour dates that interests you as soon as possible. Many departures are already sold out.
Average daily distance34-87 km (21-54 miles) * optional longer rides are available some days
Tour styleSelf-Guided
Tour level
2.0
Highlights: Welcome to Cortina; Bike fitting
Among the renowned ski resorts in the Italian Alps, Cortina is preparing to host its second Winter Olympics in 2026, and still draws big crowds in the winter seeking great snow. This beautiful town, with a stone church and pleasant piazzas, is also an outdoor paradise in the summertime, surrounded by mountains, forests and Alpine greenery.
After meeting our staff at the starting hotel for a tour briefing and bike fitting (normally in the early afternoon), you are ready to go! We recommend getting out to explore this afternoon and check out our suggested dinner locations!
Leave behind the “Queen of the Dolomites” today to climb a gently graded rails-to-trails bike path through lovely forests and along small mountain lakes, reaching the small pass of Cimabanche. From here, the same path takes you gently downhill to one of the quintessential views of the Dolomites, the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, before continuing to our destination in Dobbiaco or San Candido, in the Val Pusteria.
Daily distance: 35 km (22 miles) Elevation gain: + 372 m (1220 ft)
Accommodation: Hotel Garni Letizia, or similar. Upgrades available – please inquire for details
Meals : Breakfast
Highlights: San Candido, the Drau River bike path, Austria
Spend a relaxing day bicycling toward (or into!) Austria, along the wonderful Drau River bike path. A tributary of the Danube several hundred kilometers downriver, the Drau is born here and is the setting for one of Italy’s most well-traveled bike paths. You will be cycling alongside or near the train in the valley bottom, so pedal as far as you would like heading northeast into Austria before cycling back, or catch a train from one of the various stations along the way to return to Dobbiaco/San Candido (local trains are designed for cyclists to very easily board and use the train with bikes).
Two options for today’s ride to and back from Lienz:
Short option (cycle to Lienz and return on train to Dobbiaco) 43 km (27 miles), with + 145 m (475 ft) elevation gain. Long option (cycling to Lienz and back to Dobbiaco): 87 km (54 miles), with + 830 m (2722 ft) elevation gain.
Extra ride to Val Fiscalina: 24 km (15 miles), with + 382 m (1253 ft) elevation gain.
Highlights: Spectacular views of the Pusteria Valley; Brunico
Pedal along one of the Dolomites’ most important valleys into the heart of Trentino Alto Adige, one of Italy’s few autonomous regions. A gentle bike path takes you to Brunico (Bruneck), a delightful city and worth the visit with its two castles, city gates and Alpine architecture.
Daily distance: 50 km (31 miles) Elevation gain: + 575 m (1886 ft)
Today we offer an extra ride to Campo Tures from Brunico: 30 km (18.5 miles), with + 168 m (551 ft) elevation gain.
Accommodation: Hotel Corso, or similar. Upgrades available – please inquire for details
Meals : Breakfast
Highlights: Brenner Pass bike path; Novacella abbey
Continue west today to then veer due south along the Brenner Pass bike path (heading down valley!), once one of the most important passes crossing into southern Europe and a long-time trading route down the Eisack Valley. We highly recommend stopping to visit the 12th century Novacella Monastery, which was the largest monastery in all of Tyrol and is still in function today – you can even visit their vineyards and sample their wine. Enter the small and vibrant town of Bressanone (Brixen) – as the oldest town of the province there are plenty of interesting sights in this picturesque city.
Daily distance: 46 km (29 miles) Elevation gain: +576 m (1890 ft)
Accommodation: Hotel Traube, or similar. Upgrades available – please inquire for details
Meals : Breakfast
Highlights: The Eisack Valley; Bolzano
Continue pedaling south along the Eisack Valley, stopping for a break in the town centre of medieval Chiusa and enjoying the cycling through chestnut forests and the first vineyards which will accompany you today and tomorrow on your rides. Pause to admire Castel Forte (Trostburg Castle in German), one of the most striking castles of all of Sud Tyrol, as it dominates the valley from its rocky promontory. Once in Bolzano, the largest city of Sud Tyrol region and the capital of the namesake province, you can explore the lively centre and town market where Italian daily life naturally flows. We highly recommend visiting the archaeological museum with the famous Otzi the Iceman, a Neolithic mummy found in the nearby peaks and one of the most important archaeological finds to understand this region’s prehistory.
Daily distance: 43 km (27 miles) Elevation gain: + 236 m (774 ft)
Accommodation: Hotel Figl, or similar. Upgrades available – please inquire for details
Meals : Breakfast
Highlights: Caldaro lake and wine region
We recommend this lovely loop ride into the wine region of Caldaro, a great place to relax and enjoy the scenery (and perhaps a wine tasting in one of the many family-run wineries along the way!).
If you prefer a day off the saddle today, enjoy Bolzano and the many sights and activities the city has to offer. Or, take the train into the Venosta Valley (just west) to see some of the towns and sights along that valley, or take a taxi into the nearby Caldaro wine region to enjoy wine tastings and lovely scenery (we are happy to provide recommendations).
Daily distance: 38 km (24 miles) Elevation gain: +445 m (1460 ft)
Highlights: Adige River Valley, Mezzocorona, Trento
You keep on cycling South today, enjoy a clear view of the Alps all around you. Our itinerary moves away from the main cycle path on occasion, giving you the opportunity to visit the small town of Neumarkt-Egna, Salorno, Mezzocorona, and San Michele all’Adige. In San Michele you can visit an interesting ethnographic museum about life in the Alps. Continuing on, you will cycle the remaining route to Trento on the familiar bike path next to the Adige River (with various nearby train stations, allowing cyclists to hop in with bikes for a shorter ride). A rich cultural center, Trento boasts a fascinating history and has enough monuments, castles, frescoed palaces, and stately promenades to prove it.
If you skipped visting the Caldaro wine region yesterday, or if you’d like to cycle through this valley again today, this ride is available as an optional, longer ride.
Short option: Daily distance 74 km (46 miles); Elevation gain + 334 m (1214 ft) Longer option: Daily distance 82 km (51 miles); Elevation gain + 535 m (1755 ft)
Accommodation: Hotel America , or similar. Upgrades available – please inquire for details
Meals : Breakfast
Highlights: The Sarca Valley and Arco; Riva del Garda and lake Garda
A shuttle this morning takes you and your bicycle to Cadine, up above Trento where you’ll begin a stunning ride through the Sarca Valley, winding through the Arco area and its dramatic peaks (world-famous among climbers), eventually reaching Riva del Garda, on the northern shore of the majestic Garda Lake. Also known as the pearl of Lake Garda, Riva is a picturesque city that offers a great base from which to explore this naturally blessed region and its Mediterranean micro-climate. Having left behind the German region of Italy, you’ll want to explore and find that perfect restaurant or trattoria along a pretty alley or on a beautiful piazza.
Daily distance: 45 km (28 miles) Elevation gain: +294 m (964 ft)
Accommodation: Hotel Vittoria, or similar. Upgrades available – please inquire for details
Meals : Breakfast
Highlights: Lake Garda swimming; optional loop ride
Enjoy a rest day in Riva! If you want to pedal we suggest a short ride to the impressive Varone waterfalls. Alternatively we suggest a walk to the Ponale Road for stunning views over the lake and surrounding cliffs. Or, you might prefer to hang out and enjoy the resort town of Riva with its beaches and water sport activities (wind-surfing anyone?).
Optional short ride: distance 10km (6 miles); elevation gain +119 m (390 ft).
Accommodation: Hotel Vittoria, or similar. Upgrades available – please inquire for details.
A wonderful way to experience Lake Garda today, you’ll get on a ferry boat from the boat dock at Riva (with your bikes at hand) for a lovely 3-hour cruise crossing the stretch of upper Lake Garda. The views of the bright blue and magenta waters, surrounded by mountains and lush forests in this Mediterranean clime, are a visual delight. The boat lands in the southeastern shore of the lake, with its picturesque fishermen villages Garda and Bardolino. From here, you’ll cycle through vineyards and olive trees over gentle rolling hills to the grand city of Verona.
Garda to Verona – Total distance: 34 km (21 miles), with +223 m (730 ft) elevation gain
If skipping the boat ride, cycle from Riva del Garda to Verona – Total distance: 90 km (55 miles), with +709 m (2326 ft) elevation gain
Accommodation: Pepita Lodge, or similar. Upgrades available – please inquire for details
Meals : Breakfast
Highlights: Arrivederci!
Tour ends in Verona.
PLEASE NOTE: The final itinerary, including hotels and/or activities described here, are subject to change according to availability. City hotel taxes are not included.
Meals : Breakfast
Visit our Tour Level page to learn more about terrain levels and how we determine day and tour levels.
Surcharge: $300 for 6-8 days; $375 for 9-15 days; $600 for 16+ days
Frame : Carbon frame with carbon fork
Type : E-Road
Plan your trip
Final arrival and departure instructions along with other detailed pre-travel documents, will be e-mailed prior to your travel, with information specific to your departure (including the actual hotels used on your tour dates, which may vary from the hotels listed above.)
Meeting time – on Day 1, meet our professional English-speaking staff at the meeting place specified on your tour packet. Typically, meeting time is either in the afternoon of Day 1 between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., or in the morning of Day 2 at 8:30 or 9 a.m.
The below information will help you plan your departure. For more tips or other routes, you might like Rome2Rio.
Airports: Venice Marco Polo (VCE) or Treviso Airport (TSF)
Getting from the Venice Airport to Cortina d’Ampezzo
ATVO Shuttle from Venice airport to Corina d’Ampezzo (2 hours)
OR
Taxi from the Venice Airport to Cortina d’Ampezzo (40 min/EUR 80)
Getting from the Treviso Airport to Cortina d’Ampezzo
Bus or 10-minute taxi from Treviso Airport to Treviso station
Train from Treviso to Cortina d’Ampezzo (4-5 hours)
Walk 5 min or take a taxi from Cortina d’Ampezzo train station to your starting hotel
OR
Taxi from Treviso airport to your starting hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo (2 hours)