Randonnée dolomiti

Randonnée Dolomiti

Saturday 2nd to Saturday 9th June 2012

  • Price £2800
  • Key Climbs Giau, Falzarego, Pordoi, Gavia, Stelvio.
  • Distance 765km
  • Elevation 18,300m

Please note: Due to the unique nature of Venice, transfer from Venice Airport to our hotel for the first night is not included in the price.

Day 1 VENICE - BELLUNO 140km
A spectacular start to our first day of riding as we leave the bustling waterways of Venice and head north towards our first appointment with the mountains. Early kilometres are spent negotiating the charming villages of the Venetian plain.

The ground starts to rise up as we climb over Montello, an area popular with local riders and head through Prosecco wine country. The abrupt hairpins of the Zuel di La present the first challenge of the day, followed by the tough Passo San Boldo. From the top of San Boldo we have our first glimpse of the Dolomites proper and a downhill run to our overnight stay in Belluno at a 17th century property built by Guilio Berlindis.

  • Distance 140km
  • Climbing 2000m
  • Key Climbs Zuel di La, San Boldo (706m)
  • Hotel Park Hotel Villa Carpenada

Day 2 BELLUNO - CORVARA
Day Two promises to be a very demanding day in the saddle. We head due north from Belluno and immediately start climbing. First up is the Forcella Franche rising alongside the shore of Lago del Mis with a sting in the tail towards the top.

Then immediately it's onto the Passo Duran. It's lack of hairpins offer little respite from the severe gradient. After a short descent we're climbing again, this time the Passo Staulanza climbs up through ski chalets to a beautiful summit.

Probably the toughest climb is yet to come; the Passo Giau. With the summit at 2233m, this is the high point of the day. The final climb of the Falzarego is gentle by comparison with what has already been accomplished. A final 15km descent is the reward for a long day in the saddle.

  • Distance 125km
  • Climbing 4600m
  • Key Climbs Giau (2233m)
  • Hotel Posta Zirm

Day 3 CORVARA - MERANO
Yet more climbing as the route heads to the beautiful spa town of Merano. We depart Corvara via the gentle Passo Campolongo and then tackle the fantastic Passo Pordoi, a climb regularly featured in the Giro d'Italia.

The summit of the Pordoi offers fantastic views. After the climb of the Costalunga (10km at 4%), the remainder of the day is generally descending as we head to the Adige Valley and the lush apple orchards around Bolzano and Merano.

  • Distance 115km
  • Climbing 4600m
  • Key Climbs Pordoi (2239m)
  • Hotel Meranerhof

Day 4 MERANO - BORMINO
Today's stage has one focus - the awesome Passo dello Stelvio, the second highest road pass in Europe at 2757m. We climb it from the classic Prato dello Stelvio side and ahead is 24.3km of ascent to the rifugio at the summit.

Nestled on the Southern side of the Stelvio is our hotel for the night, the Bagni di Bormio. If you need any incentive to climb the Stelvio in record time, it's the not-to-be-missed outdoor plunge pools and jacuzzis found at this resort's wonderful spa.

  • Distance 100km
  • Climbing 2800m
  • Key Climbs Stelvio (2757m)
  • Hotel Bagni di Bormio

Day 5 BORMIO - LOVERE
Day Five immediately starts with the climb of the Passo di Gavia. From the Bormio side we've 25.6km of climbing to the top at over 2600m. The desolate summit of the Gavia is one of the most evocative points on the whole route and will bring to life Andy Hampsten's epic ascent and descent in blizzard conditions to win the 1988 Giro d'Italia.

Our finish line is the elegant lake side resort of Lovere where we can dip a toe in the clear waters of Lake Iseo.

  • Distance 145km
  • Climbing 3500m
  • Key Climbs Gavia (2600m),
  • Hotel Lovere

Day 6 LOVERE - BELLAGIO
Our final day is spent in the beautiful foothills to the north of Bergamo and Lake Como. Despite our proximity to the millionaire playground of the Italian Lakes, we spend the day on tiny backroads as we experience the training roads of 2004 Giro winner and multiple Giro di Lombardy winner, Damiano Cunego.

After this we can enjoy a rapid descent to Varenna followed by a ferry journey across Lake Como to start the final climb of the trip, the famous Madonna del Ghisallo. After a 10km ascent you'll enjoy a glorious view across Lake Como and have time to spend in the Museo del Ciclismo and Madonna del Ghisallo chapel - the patron saint of cyclists. With six days of unforgettable riding under the belt our accommodation is at the suitably grand Belvedere di Bellagio.

  • Distance 140km
  • Climbing 3500m
  • Key Climbs Ghisallo (754m),
  • Hotel Belvedere di Bellagio