Italy: The Dolomites, Bolzano to Ora

6 days
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Self-Guided / Independent Tour
If you've ever dreamed of cycling the Giro d’Italia’s Pordoi Pass, this is your chance! Of course, we’ve planned it so you won’t have to do all the work: a shuttle to the top lets you coast down, navigating the switchbacks that have thrilled Giro d’Italia fans for years. Here, you’ll feel the awe-inspiring presence of the Queen of the Dolomites—the mountain’s...
From$3,795
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Overview

Trip type
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Cycle from one small alpine city to another, taking in rich cultures steeped in remarkable histories.
    • Ride the diverse landscapes of the Dolomites, from vineyard-blanketed hills, emerald-green valleys, and sylvan forests to dramatic foothills and a 7,000-foot mountain pass.
    • Coast down a mountainside from Pordoi Pass, navigating 33 switchbacks as you descend for six miles along roads made famous by Italian cyclist Fausto Coppi.
    • Revel in some of Europe’s best-maintained bike paths, stellar routes that comprise 90% of this itinerary.
    • Sample the culinary delights of South Tyrol, from alpine cheeses and speck (cured ham) to pinot noirs along the Wine Route.

What's this trip about?

    If you've ever dreamed of cycling the Giro d’Italia’s Pordoi Pass, this is your chance! Of course, we’ve planned it so you won’t have to do all the work: a shuttle to the top lets you coast down, navigating the switchbacks that have thrilled Giro d’Italia fans for years. Here, you’ll feel the awe-inspiring presence of the Queen of the Dolomites—the mountain’s highest peak. During your orientation meeting, your VBT Local host sets you up for independent exploration, fitting you with a well-maintained bike, a navigation app with route notes, and a number you can call 24/7 if you need support. Along the way, you’ll spin along quiet bike paths through the high mountain valleys of Val di Fassa and Val di Fiemme—staying at quaint local hotels suffused with South Tyrol’s famous culture, cuisine, and cycling. 

Details

Itinerary focusActive and Outdoor Sports
Group sizeIndependent
Age range13 to 80 years
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityBolzano
End CityBolzano

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Cycling & Biking
  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Italy

Attractions

  • Bolzano
  • Innsbruck
  • Verona

Activities

  • Culture
  • Cycling
  • History
  • Nature
  • Photography
  • Self-Guided & Independent

Trip includes

    • Transportation from Brunico to Pordoi pass (one-hour drive)
    • Train tickets from Brunico to San Candido and from Ora to Bolzano
    • Puncture-protected tires
    • Custom VBT Bike and Helmet
    • Two Local, Bilingual Trip Leaders
    • Support Vehicle
    • Luggage Transportation
    • Ride with GPS and Daily Route Notes
    • Welcome Reception
    • Facilitated Cultural Experiences
    • Your Choice of VBT Branded Gear for Your Adventure

Itinerary

Travel Map
DAY 1: VBT Self-Guided Bicycle Vacation begins / Bolzano to Bressanone / Move on Day

Make your own independent travel arrangements from Innsbruck to Bolzano, where you will begin your Self-Guided Bicycle Vacation.

If you arrive in Bolzano early, take a stroll downtown and admire the interesting architecture of the city. In the beautiful Old Tow...

DAY 2: Cycle to Brunico on bike paths / Move on Day

Linger over breakfast as long as you’d like. At your leisure, cycle out of Bressanone on a paved bike path, heading toward Brunico. You leave the vineyard-draped valleys and approach the foothills of the Alps. Short after Bressanone, you hit the impressive Abbey of No...

DAY 3: San Candido to Brunico / Stay Put Day

After breakfast, ride to the nearby railway station and board a local train to San Candido in the Pusteria Valley. Your ticket is included, and the trains runs every 30 minutes from early morning. This ancient city on the doorstep of Austria rose up around its abbey, ...

DAY 4: Pordoi Pass to Cavalese / Move on Day

After breakfast, depart at 8:00 a.m. for a 60-minute drive up to one of the four most famous passes of the Dolomites. The scenic Badia Valley leads you to the heart of the Sella Group, where the Campolongo, Pordoi, Sella and Gardena passes sprawl between majestic peak...

DAY 5: Cavalese to Ora and Bolzano / Move on Day

Savor an excellent buffet breakfast on the hotel terrace, with sweeping views of the Lagorai group. Then head out to enjoy a beautiful new bike path to the Sanlugano Pass. This is a small pass that connects the Fiemme Valley with the Adige River Valley. Your route fol...

DAY 6: VBT Self-Guided Bicycle Vacation ends

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. Check-out is at 10:00 a.m. Depending upon your final destination, it may not be possible to depart for the U.S. on the last day of the tour. Please check airline schedules carefully.

Included Meals: Breakfast

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,795
Price per day$633
Last Updated: 12/8/2023

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with VBT Bicycling Vacations.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

VBT Bicycling Vacations Reviews & Ratings

4.9/5  Excellent
Excellent
579
Great
42
Average
11
Disappointing
4
Terrible
3
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Other VBT Bicycling Vacations Reviews

G

Ginger

Nov 2023

Written on

The best vacation ever

This was the first organized tour my husband and I have ever joined, so we were not sure what to expect , but it turned out to be the best vacation we've ever had. T...

C

Corvette01

Nov 2023

Written on

Spectacular, Cycling the Dolomite Valleys

This trip is unbelievably fantastic. Two of the best rides of my life, were on this tour. The guides were very good and this was just the start, when we met them, at...

D

DonaandConnie

Nov 2023

Written on

Absolutely stunning scenery with relatively easy cycling.

This tour was one of our favorites. The tour leaders (Claudio and Tiziana) were great. The Dolomites and Italian Alps were breathtaking and the bike paths and towns ...

Write a Review

Tour Operator

VBT Bicycling Vacations

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Since 1971, VBT has crafted immersive and authentic biking vacations for active travelers. When you travel with VBT, you’re not just another tourist—you’re a traveler. With us, you’ll experience your destination with the help of a local, bilingual trip leader with a passion for sharing their home with you. You’ll eat in local restaurants, stay in accommodations that have been family-owned for generations and cycle through vineyards, olive groves, and medieval villages. 


With VBT, you won’t just visit a place—you’ll immerse yourself in it. You might follow a centuries-old pasta recipe while taking a cooking class in Rome—or learn a folk dance in Croatia, followed by sharing a bottle of locally-produced Grk wine with your new friends. Exploring the world on two wheels lets you experience your surroundings on a deeper level.

 

VBT offers exceptional value without compromising on quality. Simply put, no other US-based active travel company offers an experience this rich for such a reasonable price. On our tours, you can see more sights, have more local experiences, and enjoy more delicious, authentic meals—all while staying in high-quality, boutique hotels and charming, family-run inns.

 

All you have to do is show up at the airport—we’ll handle the rest! From tour consultants who help you find the perfect vacation to expert local trip leaders who show you the best place for gelato, we take care of all the little details that make your trip memorable. We book your flights, arrange all your transportation and accommodations, and move your luggage between hotels. Our support vans are available to give you a lift up a hill or quickly fix a flat tire. VBT takes care of your travel details and creates unique itineraries so you can relax and enjoy your small-group vacation from start to finish.

 

Friendly camaraderie, cultural immersion, and casual comforts are the hallmarks of our vacations. Discover delightful people, beautiful hotels, foreign cultures, and fascinating lifestyles that will enrich your life and provide memories for years to come.

What they’re known for
VBT Cycling are renowned for offering exceptional guided and self-guided bicycle tours worldwide.

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Logistics

Accommodation

,5 nights in town-center boutique hotels and one spa hotel
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

5 meals: 5 breakfasts

Age Requirements
13 to 80 years
Additional Information

What to Expect This tour offers a combination of easy terrain and moderate hills and is ideal for beginner and experienced cyclists. Rides are mostly on well-paved dedicated bike paths that are well maintained, well-marked, and very scenic. Expect riding gradually uphill for the first three days. On the day you bike down the mountain pass, expect 10 km (6.2 miles) of downhill on a large road that can be busy with cars in the summer. Please verify your bike selection for this tour as it is not always possible to change bikes once you arrive on tour. Travel with your friends and family—we can accommodate multiple guests on this self-guided vacation. Our 24/7 support system is available if needed.

Daily Mileage: 27 - 46 miles| Biking: 3 - 5 hours

Trip ID
vbt-vbt-ItDoBo

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