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Maratona dles Dolomites

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Maratona dles Dolomites

Space is limited to a specific number of entries, so be sure to save your space and join "Team Ciclismo" in Italy's premier Gran Fondo! THIS TOUR WILL SELL OUT.

Highlights

  • Best of mountain culture
  • Stay in great mountain villages: Canazei and Corvara
  • Daily backdrop of soaring spires, waterfalls, and cool forests
  • Ride some of the world’s most spectacular mountains
  • Gourmet dinners
  • Race for “Ciclismo Classico” on Italy’s main cycling amateur event

Description

Celebrate the joy and challenge of cycling on the most important Italian "Gran Fondo": the "Maratona dles Dolomites," a timed cycling event attracting nearly 10,000 cycling enthusiasts from all around the world. Filled by a lottery with over 20,000 applicants, this Gran Fondo is also among the most popular in Italy!

Participants may choose from three timed routes: the "Sellaronda course" (55km), the "Middle course" (106km), and the "Maratona course" (138km)

To read a first-hand account from one of our guests, click on one of the following links:

Day 0 | Day 1Day 2Day 3Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Journey Home

About the Maratona dles Dolomites

The first and magnificent Maratona dles Dolomites took place in July 1987, when 166 courageous cyclists banded together to conquer a spectacular cycling route and challenge, crossing seven Dolomite passes to reach the finish line. The event has taken place every year since and has amassed thousands of participants and fans to become one of the most important amateur cycling events in Europe.

Conceived as part of the tenth anniversary celebrations of the Alta Badia-Raiffeisen Cycling Club, its organizers certainly never dreamed that they had created an event which in such a short period of time would have become one of the most important annual events in the Alta Badia valley.

The great success of the Maratona dles Dolomites is root itself in its stunning setting, where great champions have pedaled a rich page in the history of cycling.

Nearly ten thousand cyclists have taken part in recent years, divided into the various categories and routes offered. The Maratona is not merely a competition, but a celebration of the cycling sport.

For more on the Maratona dles Dolomites, visit the official web site .

Day 1: Upper Venosta Valley
Upper Venosta Valley

After a light lunch and introductions, we begin the tour with a warm-up ride through the towns of Clusio, Laudes, and the small, fortified village of Glorenza.

Day 2: Passo Stelvio
Passo Stelvio

Today we ride the famous Stelvio pass, known as "The King." This road has a lot of history as a trading route between Austria and Italy during the Bronze Age. It's located less than 1 mile from the southeast border of Switzerland.

Day 3: Bolzano
Bolzano

En route to the lively city of Bolzano, you'll ride two more spectacular passes: the "Palade" and the "Mendola." Bolzano is a rich center for arts, history, and shopping.

Day 4: Canazei
Canazei

The first ride will lead us to one of the lesser-known valleys of Sud Tyrol - the Sciliar highplan - where Austrian language and culture are still dominant among the locals. In the afternoon, after having climbed two passes, we’ll reach Canazei, popular ski resort, base for cyclists wishing to explore the Dolomites.

     
Day 5–7: Corvara, Val Badia and the Maratona dles Dolomites
Corvara, Val Badia and the Maratona dles Dolomites

Day 5: Our first long climb faces the gorgeous “Marmolada,” then rises above the Passo Falzarego, an area where major battles of WW I were fought. On the other side of the pass lies Corvara, homebase of the famous Maratona dles Dolomites.
Day 6: We'll handle some pre-race housekeeping before we warm up for the big event of day 7. Our route is a beautiful and renown ride around the four passes of the "Sellaronda," one of the Alps' most beautiful circuits. A dream for skiers, and a challenge for cyclists, this is an 50-mile ride around the majestic Sella Massif, up and down the passes of Sella, Gardena, Campolongo and Pordoi.
Day 7: The Maratona starts at 6:30am, with the choice of 3 routes: short, medium and long, ranging from 40 miles with 4 passes to 88 miles with 8 passes. Not only will you earn a finisher certificate on the best ride of your life, you will also have access to all the racer-only benefits including the huge post-event celebration. Meet people from around the world! Plus, you'll get your own race stats immediately after completion simply by providing your cell phone number and email address.

Day 8: Arrivederci!

After breakfast, take a shuttle to the Bolzano train station to make connections throughout Italy.

Related Testimonials

  • David C., Orlando FL had this to say about The Maratona:

    There's nothing like the feeling of riding in a peloton of 9000 Italians!
  • Gemma C., St. Louis MO had this to say about Maratona:

    The Maratona is AWESOME! The ride itself was fun and challenging, but the time we spent riding with our guides beforehand was also fantastic.
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Easy

You’re new to biking, or you just want to take it easy with lots of stops to take pictures and explore and no one hurrying you along. Expect a leisurely pace over generally flat terrain.

Average distance per day: 18-35 miles.

Athletic Beginner

You’re not a fanatical rider, but you exercise regularly and enjoy a leisurely day’s spin on your bike. You might want to graduate to “intermediate” one day, or not. The pace is relaxed but the terrain gently rolling, more ups and downs, more vistas and valleys than Easy tours.

Average distance per day: 35-45 miles.

Intermediate

You’re active on your days off, and recreational biking is most likely your weekend sport of choice. You love to ride and it shows in your endurance and strength. A steady but active pace, with opportunities to push yourself and some challenging climbs, with great descents over rolling terrain. (These folks ARE cyclists, they are usually pretty serious cyclists but do not train at the expert level.)

Average distance per day: 40-50 miles.

Expert

You crave vigorous pacing, challenging climbs and thrilling descents. You crave longer mileage with lots of hills and descents, varying terrain, and a mountain pass or two only makes it better.

Average distance per day: 45+ miles.

Family

If you have kids under 16, we have great options for you! With fewer hotel changes, easier biking and wheels for all ages, we've got your ideal active family holiday.

Average distance per day: 20–30 miles.