Cycling in the Dolomites

This is one of the great road-cycling addresses in Europe — and one legendary climb starts on the doorstep. From the house you can ride the passes made famous by the Giro d'Italia and the Maratona dles Dolomites, or take the traffic-free cycle path that runs right past the door, with Cortina d'Ampezzo fifteen minutes up the valley.

Road cycling: the legendary passes

One iconic climb begins in San Vito's own backyard: the Passo Giau (2,236 m) sits partly within San Vito's territory, climbing 29 hairpin bends from the Selva di Cadore side — one of the Giro d'Italia's most legendary ascents, and the race's Cima Coppi (highest point) again in 2026. Within reach are the other great passes — the Falzarego, the Valparola and the Tre Croci — many linked by the historic Great Dolomites Road (SS48) that threads between the peaks.

The area is home to the Maratona dles Dolomites, one of Europe's most prestigious gran fondos: roughly 9,000 riders selected by ballot each year ride 138 km over seven passes with the roads closed to traffic, on the first Sunday of July. Free to join is the Sellaronda Bike Day in June, when the pass roads around the Sella massif are closed to cars and reserved for cyclists. There's e-bike charging at the house.

The Lunga Via delle Dolomiti cycle path (and gravel & MTB)

For traffic-free riding, the house is right beside one of Europe's most scenic cycleways. The Lunga Via delle Dolomiti follows the old narrow-gauge railway through the Boite valley, passing directly through San Vito, Cortina and the Cadore villages, framed by the Tofane, Pelmo and Antelao. Built during the First World War and closed in 1964, the line reopened as a cycle path — mostly tarmac from Cortina down to Calalzo, and running north over Passo Cimabanche (1,529 m) toward Dobbiaco. It's almost entirely car-free and forms part of the Munich–Venice cycle route.

It suits everyone: smooth and family- and e-bike-friendly, with the Cortina-to-Calalzo direction running mostly downhill. The gravel stretch toward Dobbiaco and the trails fanning out from the valley make it strong mountain-bike and gravel terrain too. A bike-bus lets you load your bike and shuttle back up the valley for the return.

Cycling FAQ

Can I cycle the famous Dolomite passes from here? Yes. The Passo Giau starts partly in San Vito's own territory, and the Falzarego, Valparola and Tre Croci are all within a day's ride, along with the traffic-free Lunga Via delle Dolomiti cycle path that runs right past the house.

Is there a traffic-free cycle path for families and e-bikes? Yes — the Lunga Via delle Dolomiti follows the old railway through San Vito and Cortina, is almost entirely car-free, and runs mostly downhill toward Calalzo, with a bike-bus for the return.

What is the Maratona dles Dolomites? One of Europe's most prestigious gran fondos: roughly 9,000 riders are selected by ballot each year to ride 138 km over seven passes with the roads closed to traffic, on the first Sunday of July.

Is there gravel and mountain biking too? Yes — the gravel stretch of the cycle path toward Dobbiaco and the trails fanning out from the valley make strong mountain-bike and gravel terrain, and there is e-bike charging at the house.