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Top-notch active tours for small groups of friends
Cycling the Auronzo Loop, Cortina, Italy
Cortina - The heart of the Dolomites
Cortina d'Ampezzo, long famous for its hiking and climbing, became world famous by hosting the 1956 Winter Olympics.
Today, wonderful road cycling and mountain biking make Cortina a "must go" destination for active sports enthusiasts.
Picture yourself riding, hiking, and mountain biking among the Dolomites' shear rock faces!
Bormio - Big Giro d'Italia Passes
The Mortirolo, Gavia, & Stelvio–These famous Giro passes challenge you with their long climbs and fast descents!
Bormio's picturesque alpine setting is perfect for tackling these passes, and its quiet old town center provides a true "Italian" experience!
Less famous, Bormio's hiking and MTB are equally world class!
Bellagio - Lakes and Mountains
There's nothing like the water, sky, and mountains of Lago di Como!
Popular with Italians for their summer vacations, countless boats of all varieties dot the deep blue water.
After cycling and hiking among the lakeside villas and gardens, we "get out on the water," with a ferry ride back to our hotel!
Massa/Carrara - The Italian Riviera
Wonderful biking and hiking around the Apli Apuane marble quarries of Michelangelo fame!
Appearing snow-capped in summer, due to the bright-white marble, we hike and bike trails and roads built over 2000 years!
With a scant 5 Km between alpi and mare–and the beach–our apres sport is a nap in the sun, and a dip in the Mediterranean!
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Giro d'Italia Big Pass Challenge

  
A cyclists dream in the Dolomites & Italian Alps!
(See also our Italian Lake & Alps Ramble)
 
Executive Summary:

10 days of big Giro d'Italia passes and plenty of miles in Cortina d'Ampezzo and Bormio, Italy. A perfect summer break from your ordinary riding and a chance to test yourself on roads and passes you've only seen on TV–spectacular scenery in the beautiful Dolomites and Italian Alps on every ride!
How tough is it?
Overall: 4 out of 5 – It's tough and sustained, but it's not a race!
Mileage: 35 to 80 miles – "Bonus" miles are usually unnecessary!
Climbing: Both Cortina and Bormio offer classic sustained climbs!
(8000-11000' per ride, some shorter options available)
Activities: 10/10? – Eat, drink, sleep, ride...is there anything else?
Read Allan's Blogs about our Big Pass Challenge tours!

Cycling in the Dolomites – Climb & scenic wonders list
"If you want to shop for beautiful ceramics, go to Tuscany. If you want challenging riding and incredible scenery, go to the Dolomites."

Undiscovered Dolomites – Auronzo Loop
"The descent of Passo San Antonio was really fun with numerous very tight switchbacks. I'd love to climb that side one day."

Classic Dolomites Climbs – Falzarego, Valparola, Campolongo
"The top of the climb is very dramatic. First, we climb up a steep set of switchbacks which includes one switchback that goes through a tunnel."

Tre Cime di Lavaredo – Festival of Steepness
"Most of the road is just straight up, without any switchbacks to give you a rest."

Passo Giau – Magnificent!
"I had forgotten just how beautiful Passo Giau is. Or perhaps I never knew."

Sella Ronda – Disneyland for Cyclists
"The Gruppo Sella is a monolith of coral and the most iconic feature of the landscape of the Dolomites."

Cortina d'Ampezzo – Jewel of the Dolomites
"Gentlemen, you could take your wives here. If you don't, you might miss her terribly."

Transfer day: Cortina to Bormio – Preview of Passo Stelvio
"After six straight days of good weather and great riding, we lucked out by planning our transfer on the day that it would be raining."

Passo Stelvio and Cima Coppi – Both sides in one day
"While the Stelvio is only one of europe's biggest climbs, it stands alone in terms of the challenge and mountain experience."

Mortirolo e Gavia – An Epic Day
"During the 1988 Giro Italia Andy Hampsten climbed this savage pass (Gavia) in deep snow to become the first (and only) American winner of the Giro d'Italia."

Bormio – Extreme Mountain Town
"Bormio might just be my favorite town in all of Europe."

Join Altaquota Adventures for 10 days enjoying the best climbing, descending, and awe inspiring scenery that the Dolomites and Italian Alps have to offer!
Challenge yourself with more than 15 passes made famous over the years by the Giro d'Italia bike race. Conquer as many or as few as you wish–we'll find more for you should you run out, as there are plenty of less notable–but not less challenging passes nearby for your riding pleasure!
And what a list of passes: Near Cortina we'll climb Passo Falzarego, Passo Valparola, Passo Giau, Passo Tre Croci, Passo Pordoi, Passo Sella, Passo Gardena, Passo Campolungo, Passo Fedaia, and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo!
Near Bormio we'll challenge ourselves with Passo Stelvio, Passo Gavia, Passo Mortirolo, Passo Umbrail, Forcella di Livigno, Passo Foscagno, Passo Eira, and Ofenpass.
Of course, while this is an "active tour" with a cycling focus, you won't miss out on all the culture, beauty, and wonderful cuisine that Italy has to offer, as we'll base for a week each in Cortina d'Ampezzo and Bormio. You'll avoid that annoying daily packing on point to point tours, and spend your non-biking time experiencing the cultural extravaganza that is Italy!
After all, what's more important than finding the best gelato in Cortina?
Altaquota Adventures takes pride in its inclusive pricing, and while not quite at the "leave your wallet at home" level you'll find on our "small groups of friends tours," almost everything is included!
Cortina d'Ampezzo, Queen of the Dolomites
Cortina is one of a very few towns in the Alps or Dolomites that has more than a weeks worth of great road biking, plus it is a picturesque and lively mountain town, bursting with Italian culture and flair!
Yes, you are here to climb those big Giro d'Italia passes and zoom down the matching monster descents, but there are plenty of hours each day when you aren't in the saddle, and Cortina is a great place to enjoy them.
Cortina is well known to the rich and famous, having a St. Moritz like flavor–particularly in winter–ever since hosting the Winter Olympics in 1956. However, Cortina is much less snooty, has infinitely more road biking, has a wider variety of activities and culture, and is just more fun!
Easily living up to its name as "Queen (or Jewel) of the Dolomites," Cortina is gem of an Italian village located in a beautiful mountain valley in the center of the dolomites.
Evening passeggiata in Cortina, Italy
Evening passeggiata in Cortina's pedestrian-only town center.
Neither too ancient nor overly modern, Cortina's stylish pedestrian-only main street is lined with a wonderful mix of hotels, shops, bars, and restaurants which provide an instant Italian immersion during the evening passeggiata!
Stroll through Cortina's town center and window shop Milanese Italian fashion, browse the latest biking, hiking, and skiing gear, then stop for a aperitivo, panino, or gelato!
Just outside town, Cortina is surrounded by green pastures dotted with shepherd's huts and drying barns which attest to its not too distant pastoral roots. As the hillsides pitch up more steeply and the altitude increases, the pastures and meadow give way to conifer forests which cover the shoulders of the mountains and rise in a dense green carpet until the shear cliffs of dolomite emerge and soar to the peaks–several rising to more than 3000 meters (10,000'). (Note: Dolomite is a rock similar to calcite and limestone).
Cycling toward Passo di Campolongo near Cortina, Italy
Climbing out of Corvara toward Passo di Campolongo (1875m) on the La Villa Loop.
Wedged in between many of these peaks are the mountain passes with their winding ribbons of road that draw us to Cortina–so that we can face the same cycling challenges faced by the Giro d'Italia champions!
On the "dance list" for our Cortina week of cycling challenges, we'll plan to give everyone the chance to climb the four passes ridden during the 17th stage of the 2012 Giro d'Italia. In this tough stage, which starts near Brunico, the pros will climb Passo Valparola, Passo Duran, Focella Staulanza, and Passo Giau before a long, fast, and at times cliff-side descent toward a finish in Cortina!
Riding up the switchbacks toward Passo Gardena, Cortina, Italy
Riding the green and winding switchbacks above Corvara towards Passo Gardena (2136m) on the Sellaronda Loop. From Covara (1568m), Passo Gardena is the longest climb of the four on the Sellaronda Loop with a total of 568m.
Should one wish a break from these beautiful roads and inspiring rides, Cortina has plenty to offer. Already popular with mountain climbing tourists by the late 1800's, the heavy mountain top fighting of the First World War added many supply roads and trails, which today provide excellent hiking and mountain biking.
Remnants of this terrible conflict can be seen while hiking many of the trails, and in several places "outdoor museums" of restored trenches, barbed wire, and barracks help tell the story of a war fought above 2000 meters, in very difficult conditions, particularly in winter.
An interesting and enjoyable extension to hiking–the via ferrata–also owes its existence to the First World War, to prevent troop from falling off steep and exposed trails. Today, modern cables have been affixed to popular routes, and with the proper self-arrest climbing gear, hikers can explore extremely exposed and dramatic routes with reasonable safety.
Cortina's skating rink constructed for the 1956 Olympics has been completely remodeled, and is open all year for public ice skating, which can provide a pleasant diversion either after a ride or should we have a rain day.
Passo San Antonio near Cortina, Italy
Pausing at the summit of Passo San Antonio on the Auronzo Loop ride.
Passo Pordoi near Cortina, Italy
Celebrating at Passo Pordoi on the Sellaronda Loop ride.
Passo Giau near Cortina, Italy
Enjoying the summit of Passo Giao on the Zoldo Loop ride.
Passo Falzarego near Cortina, Italy
Passo Falzarego on the La Villa Loop ride.
Passo Sella near Cortina, Italy
On top of Passo Sella on the Sellaronda Loop ride.
Tre Cime di Lavaredo, near Cortina, Italy
Short, sweet, and steep! The climb up to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo is challenging, but well worth the effort!
 
Bormio – Less flash more soul
While Cortina sits amidst the soaring Dolomites and exudes flashy style of the rich and famous, Bormio has a subtle, quiet personality–but Bormio is anything but tame!
Sure, the mountains surrounding Bormio lack the shear dolomite cliffs of Cortina, but they are no less spectacular, equally beautiful, and often higher with huge glacial crowns.
Picnic lunch while hiking M
About 2/3 the way up the Passo Mortirolo from Mazzo (the hard way), at one of the easier spots–Only 10%! And no, we aren't on a bike path, that's really the road.
Long famous for its skiing, Bormio's Monte Vallecetta (3142m) offers huge vertical from the top of the tram (3012m) all the way to town (1224m).
A regular stop on the World Cup circuit, Bormio has also hosted the FIS Alpine World Championships twice, most recently in 2005.
In summer, the glacier skiing above Passo Stelvio sees hundreds of Italian skiers every day, as the local and not so local ski teams train year around!
Then there is Bormio's cycling, which brings us to town, so that we can enjoy tackling those legendary Giro d'Italia passes. And no matter what your ability as a cyclist–whether you choose an out-and-back or epic loop–climbing Passo Stelvio, Passo Gavia, and Passo Mortirolo will be a challenge!
On Passo Stelvio, Italy, after climbing 48 switchbacks
The Stelvio pass road from the Seconda Cantoniera (an old building that housed the men who cleared snow by shovel), looking downhill toward Bormio. This is a great section to ride in either direction!
Passo Stelvio at 2758m is 1534m higher than our hotel in Bormio–that's almost a mile–and that's the "easy" west side! The Stelvio has been climbed 9 times by the Giro d'Italia beginning in 1953 when Fausto Coppi beat Hugo Koblet.
Passo Stelvio with Mt. Ortles in the background, above Bormio, Italy
The Ortles (3905m), with its amazing bulk and dramatic hanging glaciers dominates your view as you climb the last 26 of 48 switchbacks on Passo Stelvio's east side.
Bormio's heart and soul are found in its historic town center, where narrow cobbled streets separate nicely maintained buildings dating back more than 600 years! Not lacking for interesting shops, bars, and restaurants, Bormio's traditional and lively "old town" combines the cozy slow paced feel of a bygone era with the energy of today's 4 season mountain resorts!
Make the most of each day with whichever sport suits your fancy, be it road cycling, mountain biking, skiing, or hiking, then unwind with a trip to Bagni Vecchi, the famous natural hot springs baths–in use since Roman times!
For those who prefer a more modern setting–with water from the same natural hot springs–Bormio has two other thoroughly enjoyable baths, Bagni Nuovi ("the New Baths") and Bormio Terme. For first time visitors to Bormio's baths, Bagni Vecchi is the preferred choice for its history and more intimate style, while Bagni Nuovi provides a stylish and equally enjoyable alternative for later in the week or a rainy day!
Bagni Vecchi Bormio, Italy
The toughest pass of them all. Your "hall pass" to Bormio's Bagni Vecchi natural hotsprings baths!
After a challanging ride, or an afternoon in the baths, take a stroll downtown for some window shopping, and refueling before dinner. A stop at Bar Bormio for their wonderful happy hour buffet–and your favorite "recovery" drink is always a pleasure!
Passo Umbrail near Bormio, Italy
Posing at Passo Umbrail, our first pass on the Stelvio Loop ride.
Passo Stelvio near Bormio, Italy
On top of Passo Stelvio after riding the 48 switchback east side.
Passo Mortirolo near Bormio, Italy
Passo Mortirolo–the hard way from Mazzo!
Passo Gavia near Bormio, Italy
Our support vehicle provides for a short break on the Gavia climb.
Passo Gavia near Bormio, Italy
On top of Passo Gavia after first climbing Passo Mortirolo. It's a fast and fun descent back to Bormio!
Passo Gavia near Bormio, Italy
The climbs are a challenge, and the awesome descents well earned!
 
So what's a typical day?
This tour is entirely at higher elevations in the Dolomites and the Italian Alps–typically 1200m to 2500m (4000' to 8200')–so "mountain weather" with rain is always possible.
Since the likelihood of thunderstorms is greater in the afternoon, we'll minimize the risk of getting soaked by starting fairly early and meeting for breakfast by 7:30 or 8:00 AM. We'll plan on starting to ride about an hour after breakfast, with the slower riders leaving earlier that the fast riders, so that everyone is on the road by 9:00 AM.
When we ride, no formal lunch stop is planned, and with differences in riding and climbing speeds, our rides tend to break into smaller groups. So you can choose to replenish from the support vehicle, stop at a local bar or restaurant, or ride straight through and enjoy lunch back in town after the ride!
On all but the longest rides, figure 5 – 6 hours on the road, thus most everyone will be back at the hotel between 2 and 3 PM, which gives plenty of time for a shower, nap, snack, and poking around town before dinner.
We regroup for dinner at 8 PM, rehash the day's ride, and plan our activities for the next day!
 
Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy Forecast
Tuesday

60°F / 15°C
44°F / 7°C
Wednesday

51°F / 11°C
33°F / 0°C
Thursday

52°F / 11°C
29°F / -2°C
Tuesday

59°F / 15°C
44°F / 7°C
Wednesday

53°F / 11°C
33°F / 1°C
Powered by WeatherAPI.com
Bormio, Italy Forecast
Tuesday

51°F / 10°C
37°F / 3°C
Wednesday

43°F / 6°C
34°F / 1°C
Thursday

40°F / 4°C
32°F / 0°C
Tuesday

50°F / 10°C
37°F / 3°C
Wednesday

44°F / 7°C
34°F / 1°C
Powered by WeatherAPI.com
Cortina Bike Rides
Cortina is blessed with an abundance of excellent cycling roads, all of which can be ridden from our hotel–but we'll shuttle occasionally to avoid repeating Passo Falzarego!
There is no shortage of Giro famous passes around Cortina, as you'll find Passo Tre Croci, Passo Falzarego, Passo Pordoi, Passo Sella, Passo Gardena, Passo Fedaia, Passo Duran, Passo Giau ready and waiting–plus there are many other!
Here are some of my favorite Cortina road rides.
Small map of the Auronzo Loop road bike ride, Cortina d'Ampezzo Italy
118 Km, 2814 meters
73 miles, 9258 feet
Auronzo Loop:
Ridden counter clockwise, this one or two pass loop starts with a gradual power descent that provides a good warm-up before any significant climbs.
An optional jaunt along the old road to Santo Stefano di Cadore adds about 20 miles and Passo del Zovo (1476m), before a fast, moderately technical descent into Auronzo.
From Auronzo, it's a scenic climb–steep at times–to passo Tre Corci (1805m), followed by a nice descent to Cortina.
Small map of the Zoldo Loop road bike ride, Cortina d'Ampezzo Italy
88 Km, 2662 meters
55 miles, 8757 feet
Zoldo Loop:
idden clockwise, this stair-step loop starts with a power descent toward Pieve di Cadore, before climbing east toward Passo Cibiana (1530m).
After descending into the village of Forno di Zoldo (810m) we tackle a scenic climb flanked by mountains Pelmo and Civetta to Forcella Staulanza (1773m).
Our descent is on open road and fast, but levels off before we climb the 29 switchbacks to Passo Giau (2233m)!
Small map of the Sellaronda Loop road bike ride, Cortina d'Ampezzo Italy
66 Km, 1922 meters
41 miles, 6323 feet
Sellaronda Loop:
Ridden counter clockwise, circling the stunning Gruppo Sella massif is, as Allan says, "Disneyland for cyclists!"
From Arabba (1602m) we climb Passo Campolongo (1875m), descend to Corvara (1555m), then climb Passo Gardena (2121m).
The road stays high on the shoulder of the Gruppo di Sella and we bypass the towns on our way to Passo Sella (2240m) and Passo Pordoi (2239m).
The Passo Pordoi descent to Arabba is technical & fun with many switchbacks!
Small map of the Alleghe Loop road bike ride, Cortina d'Ampezzo Italy
116 Km, 3827 meters
72 miles, 12590 feet
Alleghe Loop:
Ridden clockwise we climb to Pocol and turn southwest to climb Passo Giau 's (2233m) northeast side. We descend 29 switchbacks from Passo Giau, face a short climb over Forcella Staulanza (1773m), then descend to Villa (935m).
From Villa our climb to Passo Duran (1601m) involves several steep, wooded, and narrow sections of road, while the descent to Agordo is more open and flows nicely.
Our long, gradual climb through Alleghe to Passo Falzarego (2105m) is followed by the enjoyable descent into Cortina.
Small map of the La Villa Loop road bike ride, Cortina d'Ampezzo Italy
80 Km, 2277 meters
49 miles, 7491 feet
La Villa Loop:
This is the classic Cortina road bike ride, combining 4 passes and dramatic dolomite scenery into 54 miles!
A gradual climb from Cortina (1225m) over Passo Falzarego (2105m) and Valparola (2192m) warms us up for a long, fast descent to La Villa (1395m), then a false flat into Corvara (1555m).
A short climb to Passo Campolongo (1875m) and short descent to Arabba lead to descending rollers to Cernadoi. Then up and over Passo Falzarego's south side, and our descent to Cortina.
Small map of the Misurina Loop road bike ride, Cortina d'Ampezzo Italy
40 Km, 1043 meters
24 miles, 3431 feet
Misurina Loop:
This route is the shortest ride we list in the Cortina d'Ampezzo area, but doesn't lack for beautiful scenery, or for the effort needed on the initial climb out of Cortina to Passo Tre Croci (1805m).
After descending from Passo Tre Croci we'll take a left at the junction (1644m) then climb slightly to reach the beautiful Lago di Misurina (1750m).
There are two small passes to climb returning to Cortina, Col Saint Angelo (1756m), and Passo Cimabanche (1529m), but it's mostly fast and fun descending.
Bormio Bike Rides
Bormio is home to three of the most famous road cycling passes from Italy's Giro d'Italia bike race: Passo Gavia (2621m), Passo Mortirolo (1852m) and Passo Stelvio (2758m).
While we won't attempt these passes as part of 100+ mile race pace rides, they are challenging goals for most avid cyclists.
Manageable for most amateur cyclists, we'll tackle these passes as part of epic loops or out-and-back.
Small map of the Stelvio Pass Loop road bike ride, Bormio Italy
100 Km, 3177 meters
62 miles, 10452 feet
Stelvio Pass Loop:
Climbing Passo Stelvio (2758m) from both sides in one day is daunting but manageable on this epic loop ride which adds stunning mountain scenery to these tough climbs.
We depart Bormio (1225m), head up Passo Stelvio, then over Passo Umbrail (2503m) for a fast descent into Switzerland.
We continue our rolling descent and re-enter Italy, stop briefly for lunch near Prato allo Stelvio, then face our final climb of the day–Passo Stelvio's 48 switchback east side!
Small map of the Mortirolo/Gavia Loop road bike ride, Bormio Italy
103 Km, 3203 meters
64 miles, 10537 feet
Mortirolo/Gavia Loop:
EPIC, EPIC, EPIC! This ride is a challenge, as facing both Passo Mortirolo (1852m) and Passo Gavia (2621m) on the same ride is major commitment!
Our warm-up out of Bormio is a fast, rolling descent to Mazzo, where we'll begin the Mortirolo. A short (annoying) 200m climb midway gives our climbing legs their first test.
After lunch in Ponte di Legno we head up the Gavia, then enjoy my favorite descent back to Bormio–it is truly a "must do descent!"
Small map of the Bernina Loop road bike ride, Bormio Italy
118 Km, 2814 meters
73 miles, 9258 feet
Bernina Loop:
This ride shows you one reason why Italy is so great for cycling–in that most Italian climbs are around 7% pitch, but in Switzerland, 10 - 15% might well be the norm.
Truthfully, this is a great ride, but every time I've done it the temperature has soared over 100, and I've cooked on the climb out of Tirano!
This summer, we'll choose a cooler day for this ride.
Small map of the Ofenpass Loop road bike ride, Bormio Italy
100 Km, 3431 meters
62 miles, 11287 feet
Ofenpass Loop:
Dip into Switzerland and climb 4 passes on this up-and-down extravaganza!
We climb Passo Foscagno and Passo Eira after leaving Bormio, then descend into Livigno for a lake-tour!
An interesting 4km long tunnel takes us into Switzerland where we'll face the Ofenpass and Passo Umbrail (with its 2 miles of dirt), before we re-enter Italy for our fast and fun descent back to Bormio!
Small map of the Stelvio Pass Out And Back road bike ride, Bormio Italy
43 Km, 1533 meters
26 miles, 5043 feet
Stelvio Pass Out And Back:
An out-and-back alternative to the Stelvio Pass Loop, this ride remains a challenge with more than 5000' of climbing over 13 miles (7.1% average) to Passo Stelvio (2758m).
Of course, you also get 13 miles of fast and enjoyable descending back to Bormio after you finish your climb.
Several short and sometimes damp tunnels about midway up provide an interesting break from the beautiful scenery.
Small map of the Gavia Pass Out And Back road bike ride, Bormio Italy
53 Km, 1397 meters
32 miles, 4596 feet
Gavia Pass Out And Back:
A less strenuous but still challenging Passo Gavia (2621m) option is ridden as an out-and-back from our hotel. Without the extra miles and 2 pass commitment of the loop ride, this ride is within range of most amateur cyclists, or can be used as an "off-day" ride by stronger riders.
On top of the pass, we'll have the traditional photo opportunity, plus a snack in Rifugio Bonetta, which has lots of photos from historic Giro d'Italia Passo Gavia climbs!
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