Rapha Randonnée Dolomiti

An unforgettable six day ride from the ancient mercantile capital of Venice to the glorious natural beauty of Lake Como. On the way you'll tackle the infamous climbs of the Giro d'Italia, sample sensational Italian mountain cuisine and all with the indispensable support of La Fuga!

  * Distance: 765km
  * Climbing: 18,200m

Key climbs: Stelvio, Gavia, Sella Ronda, Staulanza, Giau, Duran

Day One: Venice Lido to Belluno - 140km - 2000m
Day Two: Belluno to Colfosco - 120km - 4600m
Day Three: Colfosco to Merano - 120km - 2000m
Day Four: Merano to Bormio - 110km - 2800m
Day Five: Bormio to Lovere - 140km - 3500m
Day Five: Lovere to Bellagio - 130km - 3300m

Click on the itinerary tab for more details

What’s Included?

Seven nights accommodation (Single occupancy double room)
All breakfasts and evening meals at the hotels and restaurants
Airport transfer to Milan Airports
Lunches on riding days
Experienced guide and dedicated support car on each ride
Complimentary energy drink, bars and gels
Specially prepared Rapha Randonnée Guide Book

What’s Not?

Flights
Airport transfer from Venice Marco Polo Airport to Venice Lido
Travel Insurance
Drinks with evening meals
Incidental Expenses
Tips and gratuities

The Knowledge

• Group Size: 12 riders max.
• Airport: Venice Marco Polo (in) / Milan Linate (out)
• Accommodation: 7 nights at 3 / 4 / 5* hotels
• Price: £2800 (single occupancy)

Rapha Randonnée Dolomiti

Day One - Venice Lido to Belluno

Distance: 140km
Total climbing: 2000m
Featured climbs: Zuel di La, San Boldo (706m)

We have 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. Built by Austrian troops in the First World War, the hairpins of San Boldo are hewn into the rock as tunnels, allowing the climb to ascend a seemingly impassable cliff face. 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. Our stop for the night is Park Hotel Villa Carpenada, a 17th century property built by Guilio Berlindis which has been home to the nobility, German Army and Cathlic Church over its eventful 300 year life. 

Day Two - Belluno to Colfosco

Distance: 125km
Total climbing: 4600m
Featured climbs: Franche (992m), Duran (1601m), Staulanza (1773m), Giau (2233m), Falzarego (2105m)

After yesterday's gentle introduction, 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; a gradual start alongside the shore of Lago del Mis with a sting in the tail towards the top. Then immediately onto the fearsome 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 framed by the inimtable frost shattered Dolomitic rock face of Monte Pelmo. Probably the toughest climb is yet to come; the Passo Giau. With the summit at 2233m, this is the high point of the day. It's another unrelenting climb that seems to go on for longer than it's 10km. The final climb of the Falzarego is gentle by comparison with what has come before, with the treat of a 15km descent as reward for long day in the saddle.

Day Three - Colfosco to Merano

Distance: 120km
Total climbing: 2000m
Featured climbs: Campolongo (1975m), Pordoi (2239m)

The legs will definitely be heavy after yesterdays epic outing but there is still have some climbing to do today as we head to the beautiful spa town of Merano. We depart Corvara via the gentle Passo Campolongo and then tackle the fantastic Passo Pordoi with it's sinuous hairpins like a serpent reclining in the sun, a climb regularly featured in the Giro d'Italia. The summit of the Pordoi offers fantastic views back from where we've come the day before. From the Pordoi, the remainder of the day is generally descending as we head to the Adige Valley and the lush apple orchards around Bolzano and Merano. Our resting point in Merano is at the luxurious Hotel Meranerhof, a family run establishment with wellness centre and relaxing gardens for some post ride recuperation.

Day Four - Merano to Bormio

Distance: 110km
Total climbing: 2800m
Featured climbs: Stelvio (2757m)

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. The early part of the day is a very gradual ascent as we meander through apple orchards on traffic-free cycle paths. 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 that comprise the Bagni di Bormio's wonderful spa.

Day Five - Bormio to Lovere

Distance: 140km
Total climbing: 3500km
Featured climbs: Gavia (2600m), Vivione (1828m), Presolana (1297m)

Day Five has a cruel start as we depart Bormio and immediately start the climb of the fearsome 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. The Gavia is our last flirtation with the high mountains as we head south towards the magnificence of the Italian Lakes. The hard work isn't completely finished though as we still have the 20km ascent of the Vivione (allbeit at a relatively gently 6% average) and 8km of the Presolana to come. Both featured on stage 19 of the 2008 Giro d'Italia, a memorable day for British cycling fans as Steve Cummings, riding for Team Barloworld, came close to a memorable stage win after a day-long breakaway. Our finish line is the elegant lake side resort of Lovere where we can dip a toe in the clear waters of Lake Iseo.

Day Six - Lovere to Bellagio

Distance: 130km
Total climbing: 3300m
Featured climbs: Ghisallo (754m)

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

Rapha Randonnée Dolomiti