Discover the cycle path of the Lunga Via delle Dolomiti
The cycle path of the Lunga Via delle Dolomiti is one of the most breathtaking cycling routes in the entire Alpine region, cutting through the heart of a landscape that has earned its place as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stretching for approximately 60 kilometres, this iconic route connects the town of Dobbiaco to Calalzo di Cadore, weaving through dense forests, crystal-clear lakes, rushing mountain streams and charming Dolomite villages.
The path follows the old narrow-gauge railway built during the Great War, offering a unique blend of natural beauty and historical significance at every turn. Towering above the route, legendary peaks such as the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, the Marmolada and the Tofane create a dramatic backdrop that no photograph can fully capture. Whether you are an experienced cyclist or a leisure rider, this route offers an unforgettable way to explore the raw, majestic soul of the Dolomites.
From Dobbiaco to Cortina d'Ampezzo: the first leg of the journey
The cycle path of the Lunga Via delle Dolomiti begins its story in Dobbiaco, a charming town nestled in the Alta Pusteria valley. Before clipping into your pedals, it is worth pausing to explore the town itself. The Church of San Giovanni Battista houses the remarkable Zeiller altars, masterpieces of baroque craftsmanship, while the imposing Herbstenburg Castle stands as a silent witness to centuries of Alpine history.
Once you set off, the path unfolds with a rhythm that feels almost cinematic. You ride past the serene waters of Lake Dobbiaco and Lake Landro, where the reflections of the surrounding peaks shimmer on the surface with an almost surreal clarity. The route then climbs gently towards Carbonin, a village that once welcomed European royalty as a prestigious mountain retreat.
The Cimabanche pass marks a natural and symbolic turning point on this first leg. From here, the landscape shifts subtly — the valleys widen, the light changes and the iconic silhouettes of the Dolomite peaks begin to assert themselves with greater authority. The Lago Nero and Lago Bianco, two small but evocative mountain lakes, appear along the way like jewels hidden in the rock.
Further along, the village of Ospitale carries centuries of human history within its stone walls. Once a resting place for pilgrims and travellers crossing the mountains, it still retains the quiet solemnity of a waypoint between worlds. Its church, dedicated to Saints Nicolò and Biagio, dates back to the thirteenth century and offers a moment of cool, contemplative stillness before the final push towards Cortina.
The approach to Cortina d'Ampezzo is nothing short of theatrical. The path passes through tunnels carved directly into the rock face, crosses iron bridges suspended above gurgling torrents and glides past old railway stations like Fiames, where the ghosts of steam engines seem to linger in the mountain air. This section of the route follows the old narrow-gauge railway that once connected these isolated communities during and after the Great War, a fact that lends every kilometre a quiet sense of weight and meaning.
Arriving in Cortina d'Ampezzo, known as the Pearl of the Dolomites, feels like a reward well earned. The town is a fascinating contradiction — glamorous and rugged, cosmopolitan and deeply rooted in Alpine tradition. A visit to the Basilica, home to a stunning Brustolon altar, and the Rinaldo Zardini Paleontological Museum, with its extraordinary fossil collection spanning hundreds of millions of years, transforms a simple rest stop into a genuine cultural experience.
Riding through the Valle del Boite to Calalzo di Cadore
Leaving Cortina behind, the second stage of the cycle path of the Lunga Via delle Dolomiti descends into the Valle del Boite, following the course of the Boite river as it winds its way southward through a landscape of extraordinary variety. This stretch of the route is more demanding than the first — there are steeper gradients, sharper bends and moments where the path narrows and the mountains press in from both sides. But it is precisely this intensity that makes it so rewarding.
The first significant stop is S. Vito di Cadore, a village with roots that stretch back to the Mesolithic period. Archaeological evidence suggests that humans have been drawn to this valley for thousands of years, and it is easy to understand why — the surrounding peaks of Antelao and Sorapiss create a natural amphitheatre of breathtaking proportions. The late Gothic church of the Madonna della Difesa, with its elegant fifteenth-century architecture, is well worth a visit before continuing south.
The route then passes through Borca di Cadore, a village tucked between Antelao and Monte Pelmo. Inside the Parish Church, a rare Callido organ has been preserved — an instrument of exceptional historical and musical value that speaks to the deep cultural ambitions of these mountain communities. Further along, the hamlet of Vinigo, part of Vodo di Cadore, appears perched dramatically on a rocky spur, resembling a living nativity scene carved into the cliff face.
One of the most visually striking stops on this leg is Cibiana di Cadore, a village that has transformed its stone walls into an open-air gallery. International artists have painted large-scale murals across the buildings, creating a dialogue between contemporary art and ancient Alpine architecture. Nearby, on the summit of Monte Rite, the legendary mountaineer Reinhold Messner built his extraordinary "Museum in the Clouds" — a place where art, history and altitude converge in a way that is genuinely unlike anything else in the Alps.
As the path continues, it passes through Valle di Cadore, with its elegant Venetian-influenced buildings and the twelfth-century Church of San Martino, before reaching Pieve di Cadore, the birthplace of Titian. The Renaissance master's home can still be visited today, and the sixteenth-century palace that houses the Magnifica Comunità di Cadore — an institution with centuries of local governance behind it — offers a fascinating window into the political and social history of this region. The Eyewear Museum, a tribute to the area's longstanding tradition of optical craftsmanship, adds an unexpected and delightful final note.
The cycle path of the Lunga Via delle Dolomiti reaches its conclusion in Calalzo di Cadore, where the spectacular Cascata delle Pile waterfall provides a fittingly dramatic finale. Standing at the end of the route, with the mountains behind you and the sound of falling water ahead, the journey feels complete.
The cycle path of the Lunga Via delle Dolomiti is far more than a cycling route — it is a journey through time, culture and some of the most dramatic mountain scenery on the planet. From the tranquil lakes of Dobbiaco to the artistic streets of Cibiana, from the grandeur of Cortina d'Ampezzo to the thundering waters of the Cascata delle Pile, every kilometre reveals something unexpected and genuinely moving.
