Lunga Via delle Dolomiti

With bike

The Lunga Via delle Dolomiti is one of the most rewarding two-wheeled journeys in the entire Alpine region: you pedal surrounded by some of the peaks recognised by Unesco as World Heritage Sites. The route faithfully follows the route of the railway built during the First World War and decommissioned in 1964.

On the Italian side, Calalzo di Cadore had already been connected to Belluno by the national railway since 1912, but a ‘Decauville’ track was mounted on the roadway of the Alemagna state road from Peaio, where war material was transported by cableway from Perarolo, creating a precarious and not entirely complete connection as far as Zuel, for the support of the Italian troops that soon invaded the Cortina basin.
The events that followed the defeat at Caporetto left the entire Belluno area in Austrian hands. The section between Cortina and Calalzo was completed by the Austrians with the adaptation to a stable railway on its own track, narrow gauge and steam traction. Borca is located at the foot of Mount Antelao, the King of the Dolomites, and is one of the Cadore villages from which one can enjoy the most rewarding and complete view of Mount Pelmo, which, due to its chair-like shape, is also called el Caregón de ‘l Padreterno (the Throne of the Fatherland). The town is made up of villages, including Villanova, a splendid holiday resort on the right bank of the Boite river, immersed in the tranquillity of meadows and woods.

After the railway was abandoned in 1964, the tracks were also removed and so it was transformed into today’s cycle path, called ‘La Lunga via delle Dolomiti’. Along the way, one encounters bridges and famous tunnels. You can also admire the old stations, now converted into bars or museums, such as the one in San Vito di Cadore. Here, you can admire the famous blue tramway that is in perfect working order, complete with bridges and tunnels. A real jewel that fascinates young and old alike.
In addition to the small train, there are fossils and ancient artefacts. Next to the station is a beautiful botanical garden with signs indicating the type of plant.
The cycle path can be travelled on foot as well as on two wheels and is also suitable for children due to the easy gradients it presents with its mostly asphalted surface.

The starting point is the Cimabanche Pass, the watershed between the Ampezzo Valley and the Pusteria Valley. The route crosses the Boite Valley, whose waters flow into the bottom and feed picturesque alpine lakes, all around are coniferous forests overlooked by the Tofane, Monte Pelmo, and Monte Antelao. The cycle path keeps at high altitude and crosses Cortina D’Ampezzo and all the Cadore villages: San Vito, Borca, Vodo, Venas, Valle and Tai. An easy diversions leads to Pieve di Cadore, the last stop before arriving in Calalzo, the arrival point of the beautiful cycle path.

The route and information refers from Cimabanche to Calalzo.
An itinerary within everyone’s reach, connected to the north with the major centres of the Pusteria region and towards Austria, and south towards Venice. From the Dolomites to the sea to discover the most spectacular and precious jewels of the province of Belluno.

HOW TO REACH THE CYCLE PATH

By train: arriving in Calalzo di Cadore. The Calalzo railway station is a destination for direct trains from Padua, Venice and Mestre.
By Car: A27 Venezia / Ponte nelle Alpi – SS 51 in the direction of Longarone and Tai di Cadore. At the Tai junction turn right towards Calalzo di Cadore and left towards Valle del Boite and Cortina.
By plane: the nearest airports are Venice “Marco Polo” (135 km) and Treviso “S. Angelo” (100 km).

CYCLE DISTANCES
Cimabanche – Cortina km 13.5 / Cortina – Calalzo di Cadore km 34

CYCLE PATH CHARACTERISTICS
Total length: km 47.5 / Duration h 3.00 / 4.00
Type of terrain: gravel 30% | asphalt 70%

TRANSPORT:
Taxi Cortina d’Ampezzo and Cadore, Venice, the Tre Cime di Lavaredo… transfers to airports, FS stations. (autonoleggiotiziano.it)
Dolomitibus seasonal lines: Trenobus delle Dolomiti bike transport (operating only in summer): Timetable | Dolomiti Bus

PAPIN RENTAL: possibility to rent bikes at one Papin Sport point and return them at another for €6.

San Vito di Cadore

San Vito Ski School Hire, Corso Italia 102, 0436 9205

Ski & bike Hire Via Nazionale 10, 328 8899772

Valle di Cadore

Bar 851 Via Mario Olivo, 24 0435 431926

Calalzo di Cadore
Rental, Marmarole tennis courts, Via E. Toffoli, from 300 m railway station, 338 723 6982
OTHER RENTALS, E-BIKE CHARGING POINTS, ASSISTANCE AND REFRESHMENTS, BIKE-FRIENDLY HOTELS:
SIGNS:

Currently CLOSED THE CYCLE PATH AT THE VENAS UNDERpass (direction Cortina).

Diversions due to work in progress in the Tai di Cadore area from Ski Bar restaurant, indicated on site by road signs, resume after Ice Bar.

http://www.ciclabiledolomiti.com/percorso-completo/
https://www.veneto.eu/IT/Lunga_Via_Dolomiti/