Enjoy your day – Alta Badia, a bridge between the Dolomite valleys

Cycling in the presence of the Dolomites is like playing football in Milan’s San Siro stadium or singing opera at Verona’s Arena. If there’s an ideal basecamp for such an experience, that place is Alta Badia. The valley is narrow at first, but it opens up into a panoramic Y shape after several kilometres. Alta Badia is the natural hinge that unites and connects the Dolomite valleys. This two-day cycling adventure starts and ends here.

These routes are two loops, each around 100 kilometres (62 mi) long and with over 3,000 metres (9,842 ft) of elevation gain. The first day circles around the Puez Odle nature park and descends through the Funes Valley to the Isarco river. You climb along the Gardena Valley to its pass, before descending again to Colfosco and Corvara. The second route takes in Campolongo, Pordoi, Fedaia, Falzarego and Valparola, some of the greatest Dolomite passes that have made cycling history. You’ll find incredible views and new discoveries.

Each of these routes are quite long, with a lot of climbing. Using the complete itinerary above, you can divide them up into as many stages as you like – they’ll still be just as beautiful.

(Adapted for komoot from 'Alvento Destinations', a book of 13 travel ideas that every cyclist should do at least once: alvento.cc/prodotto/alvento-destinations-italy-unknown/)