Dolomiten
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29.09. - 01.10.2023
Day 1
Start - Walchensee - Innsbruck - Brenner - Penserjoch - Ritten
--> 267 km
On the first day, we traveled along the Walchensee to Innsbruck to the Brenner Pass (not the highway). From there, we navigated the smallest roads to the Penserjoch. The Penserjoch remains one of my favorite passes to this day, if not my absolute favorite.
Passo di Pennes
The Passo di Pennes is 64 kilometers long and connects Sterzing and Bozen. The highest accessible point is at 2,211 meters above sea level.
Day 2
Ritten - Tiers- Sellaronda - Marmolata - Alleghe
--> 169 km
Early in the morning, we started in Ritten. Our first stop was in San Cipriano - Tiers, where I tried the South Tyrolean drinking water, which tasted wonderfully refreshing.
We continued through Welschnofen, which features an exciting mountain biking trail, among other attractions.
Sellaronda
The Sellaronda is an impressive route that takes you over four remarkable mountain passes: the Sellajoch, Grödnerjoch, Campolongo Pass, and Pordoi Pass. This scenic journey offers breathtaking views and an unparalleled driving experience through the majestic Dolomites. Whether you're exploring by bicycle, motorcycle, or car, the Sellaronda promises an unforgettable adventure filled with natural beauty and cultural highlights.
We spent our lunch break in Canazei, at the cozy Ristorante Apartments-B&B Pian Schiavaneis.
Despite the heavy traffic being a bit exhausting, we still enjoyed the impressive drive through the picturesque landscape.
Our next stop was Lago Artificiale di Fedaia. From here, you get an impressive view of Marmolata, the highest mountain in the Dolomites at 3,343 meters, and part of the Marmolata group.
I would also like to issue a warning about the mountain goats in this area. One of these well-camouflaged creatures gave me quite a scare when it appeared at the end of a tunnel right by the roadside. My father felt practically deaf afterward, so startled was I by the unexpected encounter.
We spent the night in Alleghe, surrounded by picturesque mountains. For me, this is one of the most beautiful places I have visited so far. Although Alleghe is relatively small, there is much to discover and explore.
Day 3
Alleghe - Cortina d’Ampezzo - Drei Zinnen - Home
--> 350 km
We were awakened in Alleghe by beautiful sun rays stretching over the mountains. After a delicious breakfast, we set off for Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Passo di Giau
First stop at Passo di Giau: The atmosphere was incredible. The view was quite clear but somewhat hazy.
Passo di Giau, at an elevation of 2236 meters above sea level, is a stunning mountain pass in the Ampezzo Dolomites of the Italian Alps. Located in Cadore, in the Province of Belluno, it connects Cortina d'Ampezzo in the Valle del Boite with Selva di Cadore. The pass stretches over 21 kilometers and features a total of 55 hairpin turns.
We spent our lunch break in Misurina, a place that seems very popular for a break – even among sports car drivers.
Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Highlight of our vacation: The Tre Cime di Lavaredo.
After getting stuck in traffic trying to reach the Tre Cime, we decided to find another spot from where we could also see them. This led us to discover Punto Panoramico delle Tre Cime. From here, we could not only admire the Tre Cime but also learn more about them.
The Tre Cime di Lavaredo are a distinctive mountain group in the Sexten Dolomites, located on the border between the Italian provinces of Belluno to the south and South Tyrol to the north. The highest peak in the group is the 2999-meter-high Cima Grande.
The rest of the drive home was supposed to be relatively relaxed – but not really.
First, we unintentionally drove over the Staller Sattel. I saw my life flash before my eyes – just kidding, it was awesome. So many motorcyclists were waiting with us at the start. When the traffic light turned green, it felt like a race. As a beginner rider, it was pure stress but also a lot of fun. I had to watch out for so many people, some of whom drove like complete idiots, far beyond their capabilities. One rider didn't make the curve and went a bit off-road. Others tried to overtake when there wasn’t even space, or they overtook on the straights only to be slower in the curves.
Then we drove through the Felbertauerntunnel. It was really boring.
Near Ellmau, we hit traffic and decided to take a break at a petrol station. We met two other bikers; one had unfortunately crashed a few hours earlier, but she was still in good spirits.
Bayrischzell bid us farewell with beautiful colors and fog.
After a short vacation that went by far too quickly, I can only say that visiting the Dolomites is an absolute must. Three days are definitely not enough. You'll be overwhelmed by a multitude of breathtaking views and experiences. Maybe next time I'll come for hiking. One thing is certain: I will be back.
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