Gravel Bike cycling in the Dolomites
A severe terrain awaits you
We offer off-road itineraries specifically designed for gravel bikes. In the Dolomites you will not find the Strade Bianche of Tuscany.
Dolomites are one of the most challenging off-road cycling terrain on earth. If you meet a 10° gradient slope you can consider yourself lucky. Off-road driving skills are highly recommended.
All our routes are made roughly 70% of gravel roads, 20% of mule-paths and singletracks, 10% of paved roads.
Some itineraries - rated as
demanding - have some non-cycleable sections and for a short while you will have to
walk your bike. Sometimes this is really necessary to pass from one valley to the next without loose all you have gained climbing. The higher, the better: you will fully enjoy the drama of Dolomite's peaks.
Use proper shoes, with a stiff sole but good for walking in off-the-bike sections (also useful for going to get beers at the mountain refugio too!).
Which gravel tire to cycle the Dolomites?
Your wheels will taste all sorts of things.
Our rental gravel bikes comes with the widest section and most aggressive tread pattern possible. 700x45C & 650B/27.5x2.1 are both great solutions on tubeless set up.
Among our favourite, WTB, Maxxis, Panaracer and Continental
Go Mullet!
Extreme slope's gradient, endless climbs, uneven surfaces: the ideal gearing for gravel biking in the Dolomites is a mullet transmission.
All our rental gravel bikes have a mixed drivetrain, with a single chainring in front and a rear derailleur that can fit a mtb cassette.
A 36 or 38-tooth chainring and a 12- or 11-speed mtb cassette will give you the granny gear to make you ride better especially if carrying gear for a multi-day tour.
A gravel bike in perfect shape
The Dolomites are a very severe test for gravel bikes. Materials and components are put to the limit.
It is essential that the bike is in perfect condition, that's why all our rental gravel bikes are delivered to you with new brake pads, brake bleed done, tires with intact tread, chain and transmission checked by our experienced mechanics.
If you are considering to travel with your own bike, carry spare brake pads, repair kit, pump and tubes. Remember that bike shops are only found in the valley floors.
Shoes
We recommend to use mtb shoes, with a stiff sole but good for walking: you can go cuddling a cow, to take a beautiful photo or... to get beers at the mountain refugio too!
Have fun!
You are on holiday! Take it easy, enjoy the outdoors, stop and try the local food, take photos and no risks! If you crash you can get hurt or you can damage the gravel bike: if you will be in need of medical care, a mountain rescue helicopter will be above you in a few minutes (dial 112). If your gravel bike will need to be replaced, please consider that motorhized vehicles are not allowed to drive off-road so we will get it to you... cycling with your new bike. And this will takes hours.
Water
The Dolomites are not a land rich in water: the calcareous nature makes it porous and the water often finds sunlight only in the valley bottoms, when it forms streams of a certain flow.
Summer in the Dolomites can be very hot and it is important to pedal with at least 700cc of water.
In the high mountains there are springs and small seasonal streams fed by melting snow from where you can drink without fear, without filtering or boiling the water.
During the gravel bike tours in the Dolomites you will always find water re-suppy opportunities several time per day. All the refuges and huts touched by the tours serve excellent draft beer while the towns in the valley floor have fountains (with water) where you can refuel.
Food
During your gravel tours in the Dolomites you will always find opportunities to stop and buy (great) food (krapfen included!)
There are numerous huts and refugios that offer delicious homemade food, while each town has its own supermarket, bakery, bars and restaurants.
In South Tyrol the presence of these re-supply points is widespread, it is less so in Veneto and in Friuli Venezia-Giulia.
Always carry your favorite snacks, dried fruit, honey with you during your gravel bike day and refuel when you can so to never pedal without.
When
The season for gravel biking in the Dolomites is conditioned by the opening period of huts, refugios and hotels. The opening period varies from early May to the beginning of June and the season ends around mid of October.
Late April and May as well as the whole month of October and the beginning of November are ideal periods for cycling: just keep in mind that the only open restaurant services are located in the valley floors
Weather
Planning a gravel bike trip in the Dolomites means considering that you will be pedaling in a mountain environment at altitudes between 800 and 2400m. Snow can persist in the northern stretches until the beginning of June. From May to the whole month of July, short but violent thunderstorms are frequent in the second part of the day. Summer nights in the Dolomites are cool (10-15 degrees) and the days are hot and characterized by stable weather (25-30 degrees).
Consult the weather forecast on: www.meteo.provincia.bz.it when in South Tyrol wwwold.arpa.veneto.it/previsioni/it/html/meteo_dolomiti.php when in Veneto
www.arpa.fvg.it when in Friuli
Safety
Wear proper outdoor gear.
You’ll often cycle well above 2000mt
and a summer storm can turn into hailstorm or snow.
Ride safe. Remember that mobile phone signal is not always available while cycling up on the mountains.
Plan your day, bring food and drink with you.
Respect the environment, respect pedestrian and cattle along the trails.
Lodging
We mainly work with mountain huts but also inns and small family-run hotels. We offer to you accomodation facilities with the best quality-price ratio where you can enjoy authentic experiences in a surprising environmental context.
If you have a tent on your gravel bike, we will tell you where to position yourself or in which cavity to sleep in the rock. We remind you that camping in the Dolomites is forbidden and Dolomiti Gravel does not encourage this wonderful expression of individual freedom. The use of open flames is absolutely prohibited.
Info & booking
Do you want more information about our gravel bike tours in the Dolomites? Email us!
We will be happy to answer your questions and help you organize your next epic pedal adventure!
Prices may vary according to the type of tour and the services requested.
We can't wait to hear from you and to have you here with us to grind the gravel of the Dolomites!