Short description
If you have experience cycling in the mountains and maybe a Raid or two under your belt, then the natural progression of things should lead you to the pinnacle of your Raid career: the Raid Dolomites, also known as the Randone Alpine Lman-Adriatique.
Starting in Thonon-les-Bains, France, you face an epic journey over the Alps through Italy and Switzerland, taking in some awe-inspiring cols. The Simplon, San Bernardino (over 31km of climbing but at a lovely average of 5.4%) and Splgen are the first ones topping 2000m. The Stelvio features later (do all these big cols begin with S?), which at 2758m is infamous as the highest paved mountain pass in Europe, frequently featuring in the Giro dItalia. The descent around 48 hairpins on the eastern side is something truly memorable. Col after col tops the 2000m mark: Sella, Pordoi, Valparola, Giau and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo (3 peaks of Lavaredo), from the summit of which you have a magnificent panoramic view of the Dolomites.
We have been supporting cyclists in achieving their goals for more than 15 years. We are passionate about our product being the best it can be and the expertise and experience of our team really shows. We provide two highly customised support vans per group, our guides are attentive and energetic and we know that this is not just a cycling challenge it is also a holiday, so we keep it fun.
If you want to visit the Dolomites, but do not have 10 days to spare, then our Dolomites Minibreak or Classic Cols of the Dolomites with their flexible itinerary may be the cycling holiday for you.
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
The itinerary
Day 0: Travel Out
We offer included transfers at specific times from Geneva Airport to Thonon-les-Bains (1hr). Meet your guides, assemble your bikes and come to the welcome briefing followed by a great dinner. Full travel advice and group airport transfer arrangements (essential reading before booking your flights) can be found in our Trip Notes.
Day 1: Thonon-les-Bains to Simplon (199km with 2600m ascent)
Kick off from Lake Genevas shores on quiet roads with classic Alpine scenery. The gradients of the first col, Pas de Morgins (1371m) are pleasant and give you a nice holiday feel by the time you get your first carnet stamp. Descending into Switzerlands Rhone Valley you pass the 2000yr old towns of Martigny, Sion & Sierre. This section is flat(ish) so its worth working in a group before the break is over at Brig with the start of the Simplon Pass (2006m). Apart from a rude start, it gains height gracefully and you will love the climb. After a photo at the top you descend to the village of Simplon for some Swiss hospitality.
Day 2: Simplon to San Bernardino (157km with 2240m ascent)
Digest breakfast on the 35km descent into Italy (already 3 countries in as many days!). Its a beautiful road to Masera where you climb Druogno (831m) to warm up the climbing legs and get your carnet stamped. The Sella Piano di Sale (941m) lies between you and Lake Locarno, cycling around which is very pleasant indeed! You pass through Bellinzona with its UNESCO heritage hill top chateau before the last significant climb today: the Passo de San Bernardino (2065m). We aptly stay in the mountain village of San Bernardino.
Day 3: San Bernardino to Saint Moritz (118km with 2600m ascent)
Finish the Passo di San Bernardino (2065m) in the cool of the morning before a wonderful 18km descent to Splgen. The infamous Splgen Pass beckons you with its incredible views and cafe at the top. It is all downhill to Chiavenna (30km!) but it is not over yet as you still have the Passo del Maloja (1815m) to conquer before reaching the well-known destination of Saint Moritz.
Day 4: Saint Moritz to Coldrano (143km with 2900m ascent)
Staying high for a while the route undulates over 5 massive cols, just dipping down 3/400m in between each. Fabulous mountain riding. The largest is the last in line, the Passo dello Stelvio (2758m) which needs little introduction. Its a bit of a beast with many 8.5% sections and a few at 9% so youll be pleased to get to the top! Refuel at the top and put on all your layers for an epic descent all the way to our hotel in Coldrano enjoy!
Day 5: Coldrano to Selva Val Gardena (148km with 3260m ascent)
You descend for 30+km to start today, so wont be too tempted to take the short cut to Bolzano, instead heading into the hills to climb the Passo dello Palade (1512m) and the Passo della Mendola (1363m) for a carnet stamp. A wicked descent to Bolzano (we avoid the busy roads by using the cycle paths here) before finally climbing into the Dolomites and being rewarded with breathtaking views of the towering limestone peaks. This will hopefully distract you from the upsettingly steep Passo del Pinei (1437m), still to be climbed before our hotel in Selva Val Gardena!
Day 6: Selva Val Gardena to Pocol (102km with 3100m ascent)
On todays route youll discover why the Dolomites have become a cycling Mecca as you take on many of the climbs made famous by the Maratona Sportive. The Passo Sella (2244m) comes first with 10 11% sections, so you will be nicely warmed up for the classic climbs to follow: Passo Pordoi (2239m), Passo di Campolongo (1875m) and the Passo di Valparola (2198m). Youll hardly notice the Colle di Santa Lucia (1435m) before the final climb of the day. The Passo di Giau (2233m) is a sting in the tail: generally 10% with a couple of 12.5% sections to get you truly grimacing. Enjoy the ambience of this truly stunning place from the terrace of the cafe before descending to our hotel in the alpine hamlet of Pocol, where we spend two nights.
Day 7: Cortina & Tre Cime Lavaredo (66km with 1880m ascent)
Almost a rest day today, so you can enjoy a bit of the Dolomites off the bike and recuperate slightly! The scenery is just stunning and you will love climbing the Passo Tre Croci (1805m) before descending to the beautifully tranquil Lago di Misurina aka Pearl of the Dolomites. Between you and your next carnet stamp lies a cheeky ascent (some would say brutal climb) up the Tre Cime di Lavaredo to the Refuge Auronzo, with 4km of 11.5% (did we really say rest day!?). Head back to Cortina via the Passo di Cimabanche (1530m) and up to our hotel for a relaxing afternoon unless you would rather climb the Passo Falzarego (2105m)
Day 8: Pocol to Tolmezzo (162km with 2700m ascent)
Enjoy stunning views of the Tre Cime from the other side today. The gentle gradients of the Passo di Cimabanche take you back up to the Raid route and a roll-down to Dobbiaco with a distinctly Austrian feel. The Passo Monte Croce di Comelico (1626m) is very enjoyable but the significant climbs are the Sella Ciampigotto (1790m) and Sella di Razzo (1760m), interspersed with descents to picturesque mountain lake resorts. The last proper col of your Raid is the Passo del Pura (1428m) from where you descend to Tolmezzo.
Day 9: Tolmezzo to Trieste (134km with 650m ascent)
It feels like you are nearly there but there is still some distance and three little pimples between you and a BIG, very well deserved celebration in Trieste!
Day 10: Travel Back
We offer transfers from the hotel to Venice Airport (2hrs) at specific times. Full travel advice and our group airport transfer arrangements (essential reading before booking your flights) can be found in our Trip Notes.
Key information
- Highlights
- Awe-inspiring 9 day journey across 3 countries
- 1230km route encompassing 40 cols and 20,900m ascent
- Infamous Giro passes including highlights like the Stelvio and Giau
- Official route including registration plus certificate & medal for successful finishers
- Comfortable 2 and 3* hotels with local cuisine geared to cyclists
- Evening meals with wine included
- 2 customised support vans with attentive, fun and proactive guides
- Experienced and passionate service from Marmot Tours
