The route of the Dolomites Bike Day twists and turns through valleys full of history. This region of Italy, and its mountains, are a treasure recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Well, no, 16 hairpin bends are not enough to complete the entire loop. 16 are the hairpin bends to the Falzarego pass, 13 km of pure pleasure with spectacular panoramic points.
"Da pera a pera", from stone to stone: this is how the locals call the last, very tough, 100 meters to reach the top of the Valparola. Constant gradient between 12% and 15%.
Poets, writers, artists, and philosophers have all told of cycling's most incredible performances. But it's in the Dolomites that those achievements became epic tales. That is why so many cyclists love the Dolomites Bike Day: the event makes you feel part of something special.
The castle of Colz was built in 1536 and renovated in the 1980s after being passed from family to family for hundreds of years. The castle's history is intertwined with the Ladin hero 'Gran Bacun' – famous for his accomplishments.
Legend has it that the author of the paintings on the two panels of the main altar is none other than the famous Venetian Renaissance master Titian.
The ancient walls of Andraz Castle, immersed in the silence of the forests with great views over the Dolomites provide great moments for solitude and reflection.
Arabba, Livinallongo and the Civetta peak, followed by the junction towards the Falzarego (left) or the Giau (right).
The sky's the limit!
The last stretch of the Valparola is really tough. How hard it is to pedal the last few meters to the top. But once you arrive at the top, the reward is unmatched.
The stone fortress dating back to 1897 and restored in the 2000s houses a museum where weapons and equipment of WWI soldiers are exhibited.
The Mür dl Giat (which translates as the 'Wall of the Cat') is the climb that starts from the center of La Villa and leads to the upper part of the village. It is short but extremely demanding, with peaks of 19%.
The church of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria, which is referenced as early as 1347, was the first church of Corvara.
Several masterpieces are stored here, including 1500s frescoes and an altar.
It is claimed that two of the altar paintings were by the hand of Italian Renaissance painter Titian.
The ascent to the Falzarego is not one of the day's hardest, and it rewards travellers and cyclists with glimpses of pure beauty.
One of the most beautiful perspectives of this part of the Bike Day is that from the castle of Andraz. Its ancient walls, surrounded by forests, provide a moment for solitude and reflection in silence.
The last stretch of road before the Valparola col is incredibly tough.
The only way to survive is by focusing on each small step: one pedal stroke at a time, one breath after the other. But once you arrive at the top, the reward is unmatched.
The stone fortress, which was built in 1897 to protect the southern borders of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, blends into the rocky peaks of the surrounding Valparola.
In 1915 it was bombed and almost entirely destroyed. The fortress was renovated in 2000 and is now home to a WWI museum.
The Mür dl Giat (which translates as the 'Wall of the Cat') is the difficult final task that awaits the riders at the end of the Maratona dles Dolomites day.
This stretch of road is short but extremely steep: 400 metres that reach a maximum gradient of 19%. The lactate levels in the legs, already high, sky-rocket here.
The castle of Colz was built in 1536 and renovated in the 1980s after being passed from family to family for hundreds of years. The castle's history is intertwined with the Ladin hero 'Gran Bacun' – famous for his accomplishments. Today the castle is privately owned and cannot be visited. During the spring, when the vast fields around it blossom with flowers and the peaks are still capped with snow, this is one of the most breathtaking spots in the entire area.
Arabba, Livinallongo and the Civetta peak, followed by the junction towards the Falzarego (left) or the Giau (right). Then there are the switchbacks, turns and tunnels on the Livinallongo valley, and Fodom and the Marmolada Glacier.
