One of the most scenic riding routes in all of Europe is the Grande Strada Delle Dolomiti also known as the Great Dolomite Road. It is a breathtaking scenic drive that crosses three alpine passes (Falzarego, Pordoi and Karerpass, at the renowned Rosengarten), connecting the Bozen and Bolzano regions.
The road is well maintained and reaches a maximum gradient of 12 percent. It twists and turns, traversing around some of the highest peaks in the range, and passing through ski resorts and mountain villages along the way. This breathtaking scenic ride is open year-round for you to explore.
How many kilometres is it / How long does it take to ride the Great Dolomite Road? It runs for about 140 kilometres (86 miles) and carries the road numbers SS241 (Bolzano to Val di Fassa) and SS48 (Val di Fassa to Cortina d’Ampezzo). It can be ridden in three hours although to really appreciate the scenic beauty, it is recommended that you stop off and take a detour and complete the drive in two days.
Are there any accommodation or camping options along the way? There are hundreds of biker-friendly accommodations in the Dolomites area but nearest to the Great Dolomite Road can be found in the towns/villages of Laives, Olang, Obereggen, Steinegg, Arabba, Taormina, Kiens, Cortina Sulla Strada del Vino. Neareby campsite is in the town of Leifers.
Interesting sights on the route? You can see the majority of the main Dolomite peaks from the Great Dolomite Road. Some of the interesting sights to see are South Tyrol Archaeological Museum, Tyrolean Village of San Genesio, Lake Carezza, Gardena Valley, Grand Hotel Carezza and Buchenstein Castle
What is the best time of year to travel the route? It can be very congested in peak season – July/August – and the best time to ride the Great DOlomite Road is in June, or Sept/Oct when it is quieter and snow-free.
Where are people able to get fuel when they are riding the route? Along the roads of SS241 and SS48, you can find some stations to refuel. Nearest petrol stations along the route can be found in the villages of Predazzo, Moena Vigo di Fassa and Prato Allo Stelvio.
Photo credit: Bryan Sereny / CC BY Photo credit: Navin Rajagopalan on CC BY Photo credit: traveljunction on CC BY