Maratona dles Dolomites – Enel
Riding Days
5
Number of Nights
4
Total Distance
216km
Total Climbing
6150 metres
Difficulty
4/5
At a Glance
The Dolomites lay a claim to being the most beautiful mountains in Europe that the Alps and Pyrenees find hard to refute. The golden rockfaces, hewn into bizarre and beautiful contours, strike skywards from lush valleys and dark forests, whilst the many passes in the area are some of the most brilliantly designed mountain roads in the world, using incredibly consistent gradients to conquer the forbidding terrain. The Maratona dles Dolomites - Enel is renowned for its fantastic yet unfussy organisation, a perfect blend of relaxed and generous Italian hospitality with the efficiency of the strong German influence in the Sudtirol region. Maratona’s editions have seen it grow into an internationally renowned event that visitors return to year after year.
Even though there are three different route choices at the Maratona dles Dolomites - Enel, each of them can call themselves epic with some justification. Even the 55km Sellaronda course clambers over four high passes, whilst the full Maratona distance takes you over no fewer than seven Dolomitian legends. La Fuga’s base in Corvara itself places us at the heart of affairs. This small, relaxed mountain town, towered over by the iconic Sassongher peak, is noticeably more affable than its too-cool-for-school neighbour, Cortina. We’re lucky enough at La Fuga to travel far and wide, but we can promise you few cuisines anywhere as delicious as the Tyrolean cooking… you’ll enjoy it all the more after topping the beautiful passes this region has to offer.
A pilgrimage for sportive riders to some of the greatest climbs in the region. Started in 1987, the event has grown to over 8500 riders. The popularity of the event is such that even getting a place in the Maratona is a feat in itself! La Fuga, as an official tour partner to Maratona, has reserved entries, guaranteeing you a place on the start line.
Tour Highlights
The Maratona’s thirty-three editions have seen it grow into an internationally renowned event that keep visitors returning year after year.
Tour Highlights:
Book Tour
€995.00 – €4,800.00
Overview
Maratona dles Dolomites - Enel - Overview about the Dolomites and event
What more can be said of the Dolomites? That one word sends the shivers down the spine of any cycling aficionado. The unique rock pinnacles of the Val Gardena, the Sellaronda loop, the hairpins of the Passo Pordoi, the epic battles of the Giro d’Italia that have been fought out on the Marmolada and Passo Giau. The Dolomites have been the backdrop for some epic clashes between the legends of cycling.
Equally legendary is the Maratona dles Dolomites, a pilgrimage for sportive riders to some of the greatest climbs in the region. Started in 1987, the event has grown to over 9000 riders and now in its 35 years.
The classic route comprises a lap of the Sellaronda, taking in the Passo Campolongo (twice!), Passo Pordoi, Passo Sella and Passo Gardena, followed by a second loop taking in the Passo Giau and Passo Falzarego. It’s a welcome relief that the event is ‘only’ 138 km, but what a lot of climbing it packs in! It’s a truly stunning event set against a backdrop of jaw-dropping beauty!
Not only has cycling history been carved from these mountains but European history has also been played out in the jagged rocks of these spectacular peaks. During the First World War the Dolomites peaks were a horrific battlefield between the Austro-Hungarians and the Italian armies. Relics from that period are still being uncovered all the time as different seasons reveal more artefacts from beneath the snow.
This rich history and the spectacular beauty of the Dolomites resulted in it being awarded UNESCO World Heritage status almost exactly 10 years ago.
Details
What's Included
*Meals are included up to a specific budget after which a supplement will be applied
Please note that Italian nationals living in Italy are not eligible to register for the 'Maratona dles Dolomites' with La Fuga.
What's not Included
Itinerary
You will be met at the airport by our La Fuga guides who will transfer you to the hotel. The journey time is around 3hrs.
On arrival at the hotel your bike will be unpacked and ready to go. Our mechanic will be on hand to make sure your bikes are in tip-top condition for the riding ahead. Depending on arrival time there meybe enough time to jump on the bikes for a quick spin ahead of dinner. We suggest a short ride part the way up the Passo Val Parola before enjoying the descent back to the hotel.
Your tour guide will brief you over dinner about the riding to come over the next few days.
Today will be the relatively easy ride in the anticipation of the Maratona dles Dolomites on Sunday.
Even short rides in the heart of the Dolomites mean at least a couple of mountain passes will be summited. If you’re planning on riding the long course of the Maratona dles Dolomites then this loop allows you to ride the second loop on the medium course in reverse. It includes the climb of the Valparola which will be the way you descend back into the valley during the event. You’ll enjoy the amazing descent of the Passo Falzarego then a short section of flat before taking in the short 5 km climb of Passo Campolongo.
This will take you back to Corvara then to La Villa before an uphill ride back to the hotel. On returning to the hotel we will enjoy a late lunch with the rest of the afternoon to spend as you wish.
The aim of today is to not load the body but take in some more spectacular scenery which you won’t ride during the Maratona dles Dolomites long course.
Today’s ride is just a short ride out to spin the legs to have a coffee and then head back via the Maratona expo to pick up the number and check out what goodies are available to buy before heading back to the hotel for a relaxing time.
Your guide will give you a briefing regarding the Maratona event covering the difficult climbs, how to ride the event and what tricky bits to watch out for. Your number will be fitted to your bike and it will be an early night to prepare for your final day’s ride in the Dolomites.
The Big Day! The hotel will serve a breakfast suitable for the day’s activities with generous helpings of pasta. We will then make our way to the race start and arrive with enough time to grab a pre-race espresso or two.
An early start will mean that we’ll make our way to the race start and you’ll be tucked in the grid by 5:30 am in anticipation of the 6:30 am start. Your guide will be on hand to pass on some last-minute words of wisdom and escort you to the starting pen.
You’ll have the opportunity to decide which of the three courses you would like to tackle whilst you are out on the course. La Fuga will be waiting for you on your second time through Corvara to replenish your bottles or allow you to take on energy bars. Then it’s off on the second circuit to either tackle the almighty Passo Giau or the slightly tamer Passo Falzarego.
After a tough and hopefully enjoyable race, we’ll meet you at the finish with some cold drinks and congratulations. Then we’ll hit the pasta party for some serious refuelling and a chance to check the results board. A refreshing shower and perhaps a power nap await you back at the hotel. The rest of the evening will be spent toasting our success and enjoying some great food and drink in the hotel restaurant.
This is the day to relax and enjoy your last few hours in Italy. Enjoy your coffee overlooking the amazing mountain scenery before the journey back through the jagged high Dolomite peaks to Venice for your flight home.
Your bike will be packed up by your La Fuga guide ready for your flight home.
Accommodation
Rental Bike Option
2023 Rental Bike – Basso Diamante di2 R8070 disc
Maratona dles Dolomites – Enel
