Trans Dolomites Challenge

Scheduled

7 nights

Epic

507 km

15271 m

Trans Dolomites Challenge
ItalyTrans Dolomites Challenge

Summary

Welcome to the beautiful Dolomites. The tour begins in the charming village of Ravascletto and takes you in a western direction towards the epic mountains known as the Dolomites. This is an extraordinary tour for the cyclist who loves to challenge themselves. Three of the seven nights are point to point and in Colfosco and Bormio, we stay two nights at each hotel. This gives riders a chance to take a rest day if needed and to explore the respective villages a little bit more.

The tour offers excellent hotels, most of which include massage and spa services that can be booked as an addition to the tour. Each hotel offers something special about it’s region and are well equipped to take care of cyclists.

Dine out each evening at local restaurants and at your hotel on the more challenging ride days. For lunch, there will either be a time-efficient picnic set up with plenty of carbs and fuel to keep the legs pedalling. On quieter days or in case of poor weather, cafe alternatives will be used. Breakfast is provided each morning at the hotel.

DURATION

8 days / 7 nights

DISTANCE

507 km

HOTELS
★★★★★
REGION

Italy

Terrain

Road

LEVEL

Epic

Average Distance X DAY

72 km

Average Time X DAY

3 h 37 min

PRICE PER PERSON FROM€ 4.499
Book now with a 30% DEPOSITfrom € 1350

TOUR highlights

Zoncolan

Sella Campigotto & Passso Tre Croci

Passo Giau, Passo Falzarego & Valparola & Mur di Giat

Passo Campolongo, Pordoi, Sella & Gardena

Passo Stelvio

Passo Mortirolo & Gavia

IS THIS TOUR FOR ME?

Epic

Rated 4 out of 4 our Epic tours are designed for people who train 3 or 4 times a week and are looking to push themselves on back to back challenging days on the bike. Riders should be confident riding in a small group, comfortable on extended climbs (at your own pace) and have good bike handling skills on corners and descents. E-bikes are available on all of our tours.

ITINERARY

Day 1

Welcome to the Dolomites!

Welcome to the Italy! The tour kicks off at the forst hotel with a light lunch. After getting sorted, riders head out on a warm up ride to ensure everytihing is ready for the week ahead. The Zoncolan is an epic climb The climb lasting 10.8 km & has an average gradient of 11.7% with a max of 23.3%! Fortunately, this is only optional. For riders who want to take the tour at a more relaxed pace, there is a beautiful alternative spin up and down the valley.

EAT

Light lunch upon arrival at the hotel, welcome evennig meal hosted by the hotel

SLEEP

La Perla

CYCLE

The Zoncolan, 41 km, 1702

Day 1

Ravascletto to Cortina

Ride point to point from Ravascletto to Cortina & the Italian Dolomites. The ride begins with a short descent before tackling the first climb of the day, the Sella Campigotto, a 29 km climb with an average gradient of 4.3%! After reaching the summit enjoy the descent before tackling your second climb of the day, the Passo Tre Croci. Enjoy stunning views of this unique rock formation before descending home to the ski town of Cortina.

EAT

Breakfast, lunch en route, evening meal

SLEEP

Hotel Villa Alpina

CYCLE

Ravascletto to Cortina d'Ampezzo 94,9 2602 m

Day 1

Cortina to Corvara

A spectacular point to point ride which pays homage to the iconic route of the Maratona. Climb from Cortina up the Passo Giau a viciously steep climb with sublime views of the Ampezzo basin at the top. Descend & reach the bottom of the second climb of the day, the passes of Falzarego & Valparola. Enjoy a fabulous & fast 14 km downhill to la Villa Stern. One final sting comes in the shape of the Mur dl Giat (wall of the cat!), the traditional finish of the Maratona sportive. It’s a 400 m, 12% wall (max gradient of 19%), sure to hurt after 3 days of riding - a great finish to today’s mountain epic!

EAT

Breakfast, lunch en route, evening meal

SLEEP

Hotel Gran Ciasa

CYCLE

Cortina d'Ampezzo to Corvara 69,1 km, 2463 m

Day 1

The Sella Ronda

Today’s ride is a showstopper & features on the bucket list of cyclists from all over the world. The Sella Ronda is a string of 4 passes starting and finishing in Corvara. Warm-up for the ride on the Passo Campolongo, descend and climb again to the Passo Pordoi. Next up is the Passo Sella & finish with the gorgeous Passo Gardena & a spectacular descent back to Corvara. Enjoy steady gradients, well surfaced roads and switchbacks constructed by the god’s of cycling.

EAT

Breakfast, lunch en route, free evening in Corvara

SLEEP

Hotel Gran Ciasa

CYCLE

Sella Ronda 51,7 km, 685 m

Day 1

Corvara to Bolzano via Passo Gardena

It's time to say farewell to the Dolomites & Corvara & continue our journey east to the Italian Alps. Start the day with the long climb to the summit of Passo Gardena (10 kms @ 7%). After warming up the legs a glorious 35 km spin downhill is your reward. The village of Ponte Gardena marks the end of the downhill road. From here you will begin another long climb of 16.5km and an average gradient of 4.7% Finish the day with a 15 km descent into the buzzing city of Bolzano

EAT

Breakfast, lunch en route, evening meal

SLEEP

Hotel Magdalener Hof

CYCLE

Corvara to Bolzano 81,5 km, 1681 m

Day 1

Bolzano to Bormio

The Queen Stage! Start the day with a short transfer to the village of Lasa, where we begin our ride. From Lasa ride 10 kms along the valley to Prato Allo Stelvio, the village at the base of the mighty Stelvio. The Stelvio itself needs little introduction. Over 25 km climb to an altitude of 2,760 m. The average gradient is 7.4%, the maximum gradient is 11% and the vertical drop is more than 1800 m. There are 48 hairpin bends on the way up! Enjoy hot food at the top and cheer your fellow cyclists over the summit. Enjoy a breathtaking descent to the ski town of Bormio where a warm welcome awaits.

EAT

Breakfast, lunch en route, evening meal

SLEEP

Hotel San Lorenzo

CYCLE

Laas to Stelvio 56,9 km, 1945 m

Day 1

Giants of the Giro

The last ride of our adventure tackles two giants of the Giro D’Italia, Passo Mortirolo & Passo Gavia. Ride south & downhill for the first 30 kms to the base of the Mortirolo & the village of Mazzo de Valtellina. The Mortirolo lasts for 12 kms and is incredibly steep, averaging over 10%. Descend to Monno and enjoy a flat(ish) valley road the the final challenge of the tour. The Passo Gavia stretches over 18 kms from Ponte di Legno. The climb averages 8% and has a max gradient of 12%. Expect beautiful views as you near the top. From the top descend to Bormio and enjoy a very well earned rest!

EAT

Breakfast, lunch en route, farewell evening meal

SLEEP

Hotel San Lorenzo

CYCLE

Mortirolo & Gavia 112 km, 3193 m

Day 1

Departures

Sadly, the tour has come to a close. Let us know your departure plans and we will organsie any necessary transfers for you.

EAT

Breakfast

SLEEP

CYCLE

THE TOUR
IN DETAIL

RIDE SUPPORT

Full Support

Enjoy full ride support from our professional guide team & support vehicle.

The ride support vehicle is stocked with natural ride nutrition, electrolytes and water, as well as a full set of tools to resolve any mechanicals. On selected days the support crew will serve a delicious picnic lunch in a scenic location en route. Enjoy local foods chosen to keep you feeling energized and healthy.

Eat Sleep Cycle guides are experienced riders from all walks of life united by a love of cycling who’ll help to keep the group safe, motivated and savouring the trip of a lifetime.

All guests will receive access to our digital Road Book and routes, giving everyone the flexibility to ride at their own pace.

HOTELS

Hotels shown are examples and are subject to change

BIKE HIRE

Not included
Bike hire is not included in the tour. Add bike rental to the trip from €40 per day

Basso Astra

The best all-rounder for long-distance comfort, the Basso Astra as a Campagnolo 12spd Wireless Groupset (48-32 || 10-29) and a Microtech RE38 Wheelset

Basso Diamante

The ulitmate Italian climbing bike from Basso. Equipped with Campagnolo 12spd Wireless Groupset (48-32 || 10-29) and Campagnolo WTO Wheelset

Premium Upgrade

THE GUIDES

Gethyn

Gethyn is from Wales but has been living in Catalonia for 14 years, and having found a quiet spot in the forest not far from Girona, he has no intention of leaving. Gethyn's been a part of the ESC team since the early days and loves the job. He rides road and gravel with friends and MTB with his dog.

Gethyn
Mario

During the past 10 years, Mario has lived in different countries, but now he's back home in Conegliano to ride every steep hill in the area! Despite his focus on road cycling, he's had some amazing moments with his beloved steel gravel bike! Mario has been a member of the ESC Team since 2019 and couldn't be happier! He looks forward to seeing you on the road soon!

Details

LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORTATION

HOW TO GET HERE

Travel to Venice

MEETING POINT

Venice Mestre Train Station

TIME

10:00

DEPARTURE

Transfer to Tirano Train Station arriving at 11:00 AM

WHAT THE TOUR INCLUDES

CYCLING

Full Support

ACCOMMODATION

4*

FOOD

Full board - breakfast, picnic lunches & evening meals

TRANSFERS

Group transfers included

BIKE RENTAL

Available on request

EAT SLEEP CYCLE LOCATION

ESC Italy

Italia! Pizza! Pasta! The Giro! Italy is a classic cycling destination with a huge variety of landscapes to explore & a history steeped in cycling culture. Italy is best enjoyed from April through to June and in the Autumn months.

View our Italy YouTube video

Ready
to ride?

RESERVATION
& PAYMENT

If you have any questions about our tours, dates, or anything else, contact us here
/1
DEPOSIT

A 30% deposit will secure your place on the tour

/2
FINAL BALANCE

The final balance is due 90 days before the tour departs

Single Occupancy:  PLUS €799
Monday

23 June 2025

Monday

30 June 2025

€4.499Book now
Monday

7 July 2025

Monday

14 July 2025

€4.499Book now
Monday

21 July 2025

Monday

28 July 2025

€4.499Book now
Monday

8 September 2025

Monday

15 September 2025

€4.499Book now
Monday

22 September 2025

Monday

29 September 2025

€4.499Book now
Start

Custom

Finish

Custom

€ Custom
MORE INFO

Any Questions?CONTACT US

FAQs

1

What happens if I need to cancel the trip?

We have a flexible cancelation policy – please take a look at our cancellation policy at the time of booking. If you have any doubts please reach out and we’re happy to help.

1

Is the tour the right level for me?

We rate our tours from Level 1 (Leisure) to Level 4 (Epic). Each tour contains a description of the level, expected daily ride time, distance and elevation. If you have any doubts we’re more that happy to speak to you on the phone and help to find you the perfect trip!

1

What about bikes? Can I hire one or should I bring my own?

We recommend that you hire a bike for your tour and will work with you after you book to help you to choose the best size and model for your ride style. If you prefer to bring your bike, it’s no problem. Please be aware that on some of our epic trips we charge a supplement to transport your bike box to our finishing location. If you have any doubts, please ask!

1

Is insurance included?

Insurance is not included in our tour packages. We highly recommend contracting travel insurance at the time of reservation with a company from where you are from.

Health insurance which covers you for illness or injury whilst cycling in your chosen destination is mandatory, we’ll ask you for details of your insurance providor before you travel.

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