The Dolomites and their mountain passes represent for the bike lovers one of the most spectacular sceneries along which to ride. Our valley is the perfect starting point for cyclists – the rise to the legendary Giau Pass begins right in this area. One of the most fascinating and historical passes of the Dolomites, reached numerous times by the Giro d’Italia and by the Maratona dles Dolomites. However, there are many other itineraries starting from Selva di Cadore that reach some of the well-known Dolomite passes such as Pordoi, Fedaia, Duran, San Pellegrino, Val Parola and Falzarego.
CIVETTA TOUR
Incredible tour around the majesty of Mount Pelmo and Civetta along the green and sunny Val Fiorentina and Val di Zoldo.
Starting in Selva di Cadore, the first part is quite easy with a descent that ends at Alleghe, situated at the foot of Mount Civetta, and continues along the Cordevole Valley until Agordo. After the centre of Agordo, turn left and start the first ascent to the Passo Duran (1,605 m), which, as suggested by its name, it is very demanding, but at the same time incredibly spectacular. Upon reaching the top of the pass, have a look at the Moiazza and then continue the tour following the technical and rapid descent towards the village of Dont. Arriving at Dont, turn left and start going upwards along the Zoldo Valley heading towards the Passo Staulanza (1,773 m). Ascending to the top of the pass you can admire the beauty of Civetta on your left and on your right that of Pelmo, also called “el Caregon del Padreterno” for its appearance that looks like a throne. Upon reaching the top of Staulanza the difficult part is over, you just have to descend to Pescul and then to Selva di Cadore.
Distance: 70,3 km Starting point altitude: 1,354 m a.s.l.
Staulanza Pass altitude: 1,773 m a.s.l. Duran Pass altitude: 1,605 m a.s.l.
THE QUEEN OF THE DOLOMITES TOUR: THE MARMOLADA
Let’s start in Selva di Cadore, the tour to conquer the “Queen of the Dolomites” – the Marmolada, with an itinerary of 70 km. Follow the road that descends to Caprile and turn right at the crossroads towards Sottoguda. Upon reaching this village, take the road that goes through the inspiring “Serrai di Sottoguda”, a canyon carved into the rock by the Pettorina stream for millennia and enjoy this natural landscape of rare beauty. Leaving the canyon behind, you arrive at Malga Ciapela. From here the difficulty rises – in front of you a long and endless straight road with extreme slopes, where even the more trained cyclists can sometimes face some problems. However, after this difficult ascent you arrive at the Passo Fedaia (2,057 m) where you can recover your strength. From here the itinerary continues on an almost flat ground. If you turn your gaze to your left, while riding along the Fedaia Lake, you can admire the white blanket of the glacier of Marmolada. After this part follow the descent to Canazei with caution. Once there, turn right and start the climb towards the Passo Pordoi (2,239 m), another legendary ascent. After overcoming this last difficulty, ride down enjoying the Dolomitic panorama until Arabba and then continue the gradual descent to Pieve di Livinallongo, Colle Santa Lucia and at last Selva di Cadore.
Distance: 71,8 km Starting point altitude: 1,354 m a.s.l.
Fedaia Pass altitude: 2,057 m a.s.l. Pordoi Pass altitude: 2,239 m a.s.l.
UPHILL TIME TRIAL OF PASSO GIAU
The Giau Pass, also called “The Giau King”, is one of the most demanding passes of the Dolomites, included in numerous editions of the Giro d’Italia and presented in the course of the Maratona dles Dolomites. Not far from the centre of Selva di Cadore there is the ascent to the pass. The first part is more demanding and mainly winds through a fir wood. Gone past some avalanche barriers first and then with Rifugio Fedare on your left, you begin the second and less difficult part of the ascension, which, however, is not to be underestimated. The view along the way is unique – in the north the Averau-Nuvolau group, in the south the Marmolada. Nevertheless, it is only at the top of the pass that the panorama widens incredibly on the Dolomites of Ampezzo, Croda da Lago, Lastoi de Formin and Civetta.
Distance: 10,1 km Starting point altitude: 1,354 m a.s.l.
Giau Pass altitude: 2,236 m a.s.l. Height variation: 922 m
Max slope: 16% Average slope: 9,1%
SELLA RONDA TOUR
From Selva di Cadore go to Arabba and from here start this highly spectacular tour that includes the climb of the following passes: Pordoi (2,239 m), Sella (2,240 m), Gardena (2,121 m) and Campolongo (1,875 m) – four authentic giants of the Dolomites with a unique fascination. The tour can be ridden in clockwise or counter clockwise direction by choice. The tour includes, in its 50 km of length and its 1,800 m of height variation, some difficult slopes. However, with just some training and without too much rushing, the entire tour can be completed without much difficulty also by the non-professional riders.
Distance: 75,2 km Starting point altitude: 1,354 m a.s.l.
Pordoi Pass altitude: 2,239 m a.s.l. Sella Pass altitude: 2,240 m a.s.l.
Gardena Pass altitude: 2,121 m a.s.l. Campolongo Pass altitude: 1,875 m a.s.l.
GIAU AND FALZAREGO PASS
Leaving the centre of Selva di Cadore, start the ascent to the Passo Giau (2,236 m). Hairpin turn after hairpin turn you reach the Rifugio Fedare and on the top Rifugio Passo Giau. Starting from here the slope becomes less sharp and the top of the pass starts to appear on the horizon. Passing the top, go down until Pocol and at the crossroads turn left towards the Passo Falzarego (2,109 m). Its slopes are less demanding than the Giau’s slopes, however they are not to be underestimated. Once at the top of Falzarego, on your right you can admire Lagazuoi, a mountain well-known for the sad battles of the First World War. From here onwards the efforts are almost over – start the descent towards Cernadoi and once there, at the crossroads, turn left to Colle Santa Lucia and then go back to the foot of Pelmo.
Distance: 49,4 km Starting point altitude: 1,354 m a.s.l.
Giau Pass altitude: 2,236 m a.s.l. Falzarego Pass altitude: 2,109 m a.s.l.
PELMO TOUR
This tour twists and turns through the passes and the mountain groups of Cadore and the Dolomites of Ampezzo. Ride to Passo Staulanza (1,773 m) reaching without many problems the top of this first pass, where you can admire, on your left, the majesty of Mount Pelmo. The following long descent leads you through all the Val Zoldana, just until the end of Forno di Zoldo. Here, at the crossroads, turn left towards the Cibiana Pass (1,530 m), go past the characteristic village of Fornesighe and reach the top of the pass. From here onwards you enter the Cadore area, along the road, which is not very wide, that leads to Cibiana di Cadore and then to Valle di Cadore. Once in Valle di Cadore continue on your left towards Cortina d’Ampezzo following the cycle way called: “la Lunga Via delle Dolomiti” (the Long Way of the Dolomites). Arriving in Cortina, continue your ride towards the Giau Pass (2,236 m), which represents the most demanding descent of the entire tour. The first part of the pass does not present high difficulties, however going on after some kilometres, the required effort begins to rise. Arriving at the top of the pass, in front of you is the descent to the starting point, the Fiorentina Valley.
Distance: 89,4 km Starting point altitude: 1,354 m a.s.l.
Staulanza Pass altitude: 1,773 m a.s.l. Cibiana Pass altitude: 1,530 m a.s.l. Giau Pass altitude: 2,236 m a.s.l.
SAN PELLEGRINO AND FEDAIA PASS
From Selva di Cadore ride before to Caprile, Alleghe and then to Cencenighe. Once you arrive in this last village, turn right at the crossroads to Falcade. Passing Falcade, ride through Falcade Alto, where you can admire on your left the mountain group of Focobon and enjoy behind you a wonderful view of the plain of Falcade. At the crossroads Valles Pass/San Pellegrino Pass, turn right and go up the San Pellegrino Pass (1,919 m) and then descend along some fir woods. Arriving in Moena, ride through the entire Val di Fassa until Canazei. From Canazei turn right and start the ascent to Fedaia Pass (2,057 m). Once at the top, go on with your itinerary before enjoying the view of the glacier of Marmolada on your right and then descending to Caprile. Here turn left and ride the last short incline to Selva di Cadore.
Distance: 100 km Starting point altitude: 1,354 m a.s.l.
San Pellegrino Pass altitude: 1,918 m a.s.l. Fedaia Pass altitude: 2,057 m a.s.l.
