Raid Dolomites (Lake Geneva to Venice)
- 9-day cycling challenge in the mountains of France, Switzerland and Italy
- 1,193 km route encompassing 32 passes and 27,050 m of climbing
- Infamous Giro d’Italia passes, including the Stelvio, Giau & Zoncolan
- Climb the spectacular Furka, Gotthard, and Splügen passes in Switzerland
- Test your cycling strength by climbing Monte Zoncolan
- Medal for successful finishers
- Comfortable 3 & 4* hotels with local cuisine geared to cyclists
- Evening meals with wine included
- Two customised support vans with peerless support from our two expert, attentive and fun guides
Days on the bike
Quote
Great service from arrival at Geneva Airport until our departure from Venice Airport. Great guides, exceptional support, a fantastic group of like-minded participants, outstanding scenery and favourable weather. The memories at the top of our final climb, Mont Zoncolan, will stay with me forever.
Introduction
Home to the world's highest concentration of road cycling climbs, the Alpine Massif stretches from the Mediterranean to the Adriatic and is the most extensive and varied mountain range in Europe. Our Raid Alpine allows you to cycle from Nice to Lake Geneva, and this Raid Dolomites tour continues the journey through Switzerland and Italy, finishing close to the border with Austria and Slovenia. It is arguably one of the toughest cycling challenges.
We've crafted our Raid Dolomites itinerary to include as many iconic cycling climbs as possible, as the route crisscrosses the mountain range in an easterly direction. Taking nine days, it is probably one of our most challenging cycling holidays. However, taken at a modest pace and with the exceptional support you'll receive from our expert guides, it's a manageable challenge for cyclists experienced in riding in the mountains. Equally, if you've ridden any of our other raid cycling challenges successfully, then this tour is for you!
During this incredible journey, you'll not only experience remarkable mountain vistas, but also different cultures, architecture, and cuisine. It is your holiday after all, so our energetic guides keep it fun - their mission is to help you achieve your goals as an individual and to have a truly unforgettable experience!
To find out more about what it takes to cycle a raid, as well as the history and format, you can read our blogs RAIDS: A complete guide. All you need to know and more! and also Your Qs and As on Raid Cycling Challenges. If you want to go cycling in the Dolomites, but don't have eleven days to spare, then our flexible pace Best of the Dolomites mini-break, Italian Dolomites & Stelvio and Monte Grappa & Southern Dolomites tours are great, alternative options.
For the latest travel advice from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
✓ Included in your Holiday cost:
- 9 days of stunning cycling, with detailed GPS route files provided
- On-the-road support from two friendly and knowledgable guides both in customised support vehicles
- Water and unlimited snacks (fruit, cake, nuts, snack bars etc) at support stops
- 10 nights twin-share hotel accommodation including breakfasts
- 9 three-course evening meals, with wine, beer or soft drinks included (evening meals on all nights for 2026)
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure days at specified times
- Raid registration and carnet. Plus medal/certificate for successful finishers
- Our photos of you and your holiday, shared with you after the trip
- Tips paid to evening meal restaurant staff on behalf of the group
- Your money financially protected by ABTOT
- Added consumer confidence and support via our ABTA membership
+ Optional extras subject to availability for a supplementary cost:
- BOOKED IN ADVANCE: Your own single-occupancy hotel room for the whole trip
- BOOKED IN ADVANCE: Hire bike - titanium frame with hi spec components, safety checked by your guides each day
- ON-TRIP: Spare bike tyres, tubes and components in case you need them in an emergency
- ON-TRIP: CO2 canisters to borrow (and pay for if you use them)
- Marmot Tours x Stolen Goat cycling kit available exclusively from our online shop
×Not included in your Holiday cost:
- Flights to and from the destination airport
- Insurance for you and your own bike. See FAQs for details
- Spending money for lunches and cafe drinks during the day. We encourage you to support local businesses
- Dinner on one night Bormio (from 2027), so that you are free to explore the local restaurants
- Tips for your guides
- Energy gels, powders, or recovery drinks/snacks (please bring your personal favourites with you)
- Spare parts specific to your own bike, definitely bring your own spare hanger! See Essential Info
- GPS navigation device and handlebar mount
- Bike lights (whether hiring or bringing your own bike)
- HIRING A BIKE: Bring your own pedals (saddles are provided but we recommend you bring your own to be comfortable)
Weather
We hope you’ll have sunshine and perfect cycling temperatures during your holiday, but obviously it’s the one aspect of your trip over which we have no control! Weather in the mountains can be highly changeable, and sometimes extreme. You’re likely to encounter a range of conditions and temperatures during your trip. You should bring warm and waterproof layers to protect you from the cold and rain. This is particularly important for the long descents that you’ll encounter on this trip.
Fitness
The Raid Dolomites route is an extremely long and challenging ride, and you need to be a fit and experienced road cyclist to enjoy and get the most out of this trip. You should look carefully at the daily stats of distance and climbing on the trip webpage to make sure this itinerary is right for you before you book. See our blog about Raids, and please get in touch if you’d like further guidance.
Hotels
We stay in comfortable mostly 3* hotels with ensuite facilities. We have selected the hotels for their location and for their customer service towards cyclists. You will be sharing a twin room with another client (of the same gender) unless you book a single room for a supplement (contact [email protected] for availability). Each hotel has a garage/locked room to ensure that your bike has a comfortable night too. All the hotels have WiFi but it is not always reliable! Some only have WiFi in reception as opposed to in individual rooms. Also, WiFi can be slower in the evenings when many riders choose to upload their routes to Strava, stretching the bandwidth. We move on all but one night of this trip, so opportunities to use hotel laundry facilities (where they exist) are limited. However, we can help dry your hand-washed kit, so consider bringing some hand-wash detergent with you.
Dietary requirements
The hotels and restaurants we use can cater for most dietary needs and allergies if we know what these are well in advance. Each day, your guides will also double-check with the kitchen, to ensure they have something suitable planned for you.
You can let us know about any special dietary requirements on the booking form or via email. Please note that we request you stick to your dietary preference for the entire trip, as it’s very complicated for the hotels (and guides) if an individual has dietary requirements for some meals and not for others.
Timings
Your day will typically start with breakfast from 07:00. Your set-off time will vary according to your riding pace and will usually be between 07:45 and 08:45 - your guides will advise you on a departure time that works for you and for the support of the group as a whole. Lunch is typically served in restaurants and cafes from 12:00 to 14:00. Arrival time at the hotel at the end of the riding day is usually between 17:00 and 20:00, depending on riding pace as well as on the weather, and any unforeseen problems. Dinner is usually served at 19:30 (the guides will arrange a later dinner for anyone getting in after this time). Your guides may adjust these timings depending on the needs of the group or the weather conditions.
Lifts in the van
This trip is all about completing the cycling challenge! You are of course welcome to have a lift in our vans if you need one, for example if you’re injured or exhausted. A lift in the van (unless it is downhill in bad weather conditions) will invalidate your Raid completion.
Carbon wheels
If you have rim brakes on your carbon wheels then we definitely do NOT recommend you bring them on this holiday - this is because we have witnessed several cases of sudden and catastrophic delamination of these wheels on descents. Take a look at our blog about this issue.
Bike spares
If you’re bringing your own bike, then please also bring:
-
bike lights
-
a pump
-
tyre levers
-
inner tubes
-
brake pads
-
a chain link
-
a spare rear derailleur hanger.
Tools for bike assembly are not required as Marmot Tours has them available for you to use on arrival (including a torque wrench). See FAQS for more detail.
Travel documents
If you are a non-EU national, to enter the EU you will need a passport issued within the last 10 years, that is also valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave the EU.
Residents of many countries can enter the EU for short stays without a visa. From 2027, all non-EU visitors to the EU will require an ETIAS electronic travel authorisation.
Travel insurance is essential for all Marmot Tours holidays and anyone without insurance is not able to take part in the tour.
Departure Dates & Prices
We are pleased to offer some tempting discounts off the basic trip cost (not including extras such as single rooms or bike hire):
- Book & pay your deposit more than 6 months in advance of the start of your holiday for our 5% early bookers discount
- Get a group of 10+ people together for a 7.5% group discount and, as the group organiser, receive a £150 voucher for your next holiday
- Be rewarded for your loyalty by receiving a 10% discount from your third Marmot Tours road cycling holiday onwards
Please note that there is a maximum 10% discount on any holiday.
Map
Itinerary
Day 0: Arrival day
We offer included transfers at specified times from Geneva Airport (GVA) to Thonon-les-Bains. The journey time is approx. 1 hr.
Meet your guides, assemble your bike, gather with your fellow riders for the welcome briefing, and then enjoy a great dinner.
Day 1: Thonon-les-Bains to Spiez
Here we go! Following the customary photo overlooking Lake Geneva, your challenge starts with a gentle climb over the Pas de Morgins (1369m) and into Switzerland. The next HC climb, the Col de la Croix (1778m), is no stranger to the Tour de Suisse. It starts with a series of steep switchbacks that quickly take you through sun-drenched vineyards high up above the Rhône valley, but be warned - it has a bit of a sting in the tail! This leads you to the Col du Pillon (1546m) and Saanenmöser Pass (1279m). From here, you can enjoy 49 km of (mostly) downhill to your hotel on the edge of Lake Thun. Day one done!
Challenge : 172 KM with 3070m ascent [ride profile]
Day 2: Spiez to Furka Pass
You start the day with a delightful section of flat road following the shore of Lake Thun to Interlaken. From here, you take on the spectacular Grosse Scheidegg (1962m) - arguably the best road cycling climb in Switzerland. The road is closed to vehicles (including our support vans), making this a very pleasurable climb, and the view up the glaciers to the north face of the Eiger is quite breathtaking.
Next up is the beautiful Grimsel Pass (2165m), which leads into the infamous Furka Pass (2429m). The views from here will be etched on your brain forever! Our destination is a hotel at 2100 m, affording us unrivalled views for our second night in Switzerland.
Challenge : 114 KM with 3730m ascent [ride profile]
Day 3: Furka Pass to Chiavenna
Amonst other things, the Swiss are famous for their cheese and road building - fueled by the former, you'll experience the latter today! The St Gotthard Pass (2107m) is a road that defies gravity as it snakes through some of the most magnificent scenery in the Swiss Alps. The road was a feat of engineering only to be surpassed by the construction of a new road and tunnel, which now takes most of the traffic. The pass marks the start of a 70 km descent, the first 5 km of which are on smooth, well-maintained cobbles, also known as the Tremola road.
Starting at 250 m ASL, the Passo di San Bernardino (2065m) is a significant challenge. However, as on the Gotthard, we use the old road, making it a delightful climb. The day's final challenge is the Splügen Pass (2114m) with its field of hairpins and abundance of marmots. Your destination is Chiavenna down in Italy, so we'd advise you celebrate this challenging but remarkable ride with a gelato at the end of this epic day!
Challenge : 199 KM with 3250m ascent [ride profile]
Day 4: Chiavenna to Bormio
The stunning climb to the Passo del Maloja (1815m) takes you back into Switzerland and onto the Engadine Plateau and the stylish resort of St Moritz. Staying high and enjoying breathtaking scenery for the rest of the day, we link four great climbs - Bernina Pass (2328m), Forcola di Livigno (2315m), Passo del Foscagno (2291m) and Passo d'Eira (2210m). This spectacular ride is rounded off with a great descent to your hotel in Bormio, where we spend the next two nights.
Challenge : 130 KM with 3280m ascent [ride profile]
Day 5: The Stelvio and back to Bormio
The Passo dello Stelvio (2758m) needs little introduction. It's a bit of a beast with many 8.5% sections and a few at 9%, so you'll be pleased to get to the top, and maybe enjoy a well-earned Bratwurst! Despite the challenges and infamous hairpins, it's one of the world's most iconic and enjoyable road-cycling climbs. It's also the highest pass on our journey, making it our Cima Coppi.
Once at the top, all you need to do is roll back to the hotel for a relaxing afternoon mooching around Bormio. You're now at the midpoint of your cycling challenge, so it would be appropriate to have some recovery time, if you wish.
**NEW FOR 2027 TOURS:** Tonight's evening meal is not included, so you are free to enjoy one of the many fine restaurants in town.
Challenge : 43 KM with 1550m ascent [ride profile]
Day 6: Bormio to Bolzano
The narrow mountain road over the Passo Gavia (2621m) has been stirring things up in the Giro d'Italia since the 1960s. It's also a fantastic climb with striking views over the glaciers of the Stelvio National Park. After quite a technical descent, you nip up the Passo del Tonale (1883m) into the Val di Sole. Here you join a surfaced cycle path that takes you through lush meadows and pretty villages.
Next up is the Passo della Mendola (1363m), which lines you up for a roller-coaster descent into the Adige Valley and onto your hotel on the outskirts of Bolzano.
Challenge : 148 KM with 3230m ascent [ride profile]
Day 7: Bolzano to Cortina (Pocol)
There may be an uphill bias for most of the day, but you're in for another spectacular ride! Your day starts traversing Bolzano on a great, traffic-free cycle path before climbing (steeply) out of the deep valley towards the Alpe di Siusi and onto the Passo di Pinei (1437m).
The towering limestone peaks, green fields, and picture-perfect villages welcome you to the Dolomites, and the climb to the Passo di Gardena (2121m) is an excellent introduction. We then descend through Corvara and take on the northern side of the Passo di Valparola (2192m). The landscape is idyllic, but there are still plenty of ruined buildings and trenches to remind us that this was the front line in the First World War, and the scene of a brutal battle. A fantastic descent over the Passo di Falzarego (2105m) takes you to your hotel above Cortina, where we spend two nights.
Challenge : 102 KM with 3070m ascent [ride profile]
Day 8: Highlights of the Dolomites
Raids are generally point-to-point cycling challenges. However, the original idea when they were devised was to 'go and ride it all', so we think that including a loop over some of the most iconic climbs in the Dolomites is justified, if not essential!
Riding the eastern side of the Passo di Giau (2236m) first thing in the morning is magical, and the 360-degree panorama from the top is mind-blowing. This leads nicely into the Passo di Fedaia (2057m) at the foot of the Marmolada glacier. This climb includes an 18% section, which is a good warm-up for tomorrow!
Heading back over to the Sella Massif, our route continues over the Passo Pordoi (2239m) and the Passo di Falzarego (2105m). Road cycling does not get better than this!
Challenge : 107 KM with 3310m ascent [ride profile]
Day 9: Cortina (Pocol) to Arta Terme
Today's destination is a cosy family run hotel nestled in the corner of Italy. Austria and Slovenia are just a stone's throw away. Here the mighty rivers that originated in the Dolomites and the Julian Alps merge and fan out onto the plain of Friuli - this is a fabulous place to end your epic cycling traverse of the Swiss and Italian Alps.
However, that much-deserved, cold beer is 100 miles away, and there is more magnificent cycling to be enjoyed before then. Starting with a descent to Cortina, we then tour Monte Cristallo over the Passo di Cimabanche (1530m) and Col Sant Angelo (1768m) to Misurina, for some breathtaking views of the towering rock pillars of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. The Sella Ciampigotto (1790m) marks the end of the Dolomites and the start of our grand finale - Monte Zoncolan (1735m). It's a 10.1 km climb averaging 11.9% (including 6km at 15%), so this is an incredible climax and one you'll never forget! Enjoy celebrating on your final evening of the tour - you'll definitely deserve it!
Challenge : 140 KM with 3150m ascent [ride profile]
Avoiding Zoncolan : 129 KM with 2370m ascent [ride profile]
Day 10: Departure day
Your legs will no doubt be relieved that it's hometime today. We offer transfers from the hotel to Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) at specified times (a journey time of approx. 2 hr).
✓ Included in your Holiday cost:
- 9 days of stunning cycling, with detailed GPS route files provided
- On-the-road support from two friendly and knowledgable guides both in customised support vehicles
- Water and unlimited snacks (fruit, cake, nuts, snack bars etc) at support stops
- 10 nights twin-share hotel accommodation including breakfasts
- 9 three-course evening meals, with wine, beer or soft drinks included (evening meals on all nights for 2026)
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure days at specified times
- Raid registration and carnet. Plus medal/certificate for successful finishers
- Our photos of you and your holiday, shared with you after the trip
- Tips paid to evening meal restaurant staff on behalf of the group
- Your money financially protected by ABTOT
- Added consumer confidence and support via our ABTA membership
+ Optional extras subject to availability for a supplementary cost:
- BOOKED IN ADVANCE: Your own single-occupancy hotel room for the whole trip
- BOOKED IN ADVANCE: Hire bike - titanium frame with hi spec components, safety checked by your guides each day
- ON-TRIP: Spare bike tyres, tubes and components in case you need them in an emergency
- ON-TRIP: CO2 canisters to borrow (and pay for if you use them)
- Marmot Tours x Stolen Goat cycling kit available exclusively from our online shop
×Not included in your Holiday cost:
- Flights to and from the destination airport
- Insurance for you and your own bike. See FAQs for details
- Spending money for lunches and cafe drinks during the day. We encourage you to support local businesses
- Dinner on one night Bormio (from 2027), so that you are free to explore the local restaurants
- Tips for your guides
- Energy gels, powders, or recovery drinks/snacks (please bring your personal favourites with you)
- Spare parts specific to your own bike, definitely bring your own spare hanger! See Essential Info
- GPS navigation device and handlebar mount
- Bike lights (whether hiring or bringing your own bike)
- HIRING A BIKE: Bring your own pedals (saddles are provided but we recommend you bring your own to be comfortable)
Weather
We hope you’ll have sunshine and perfect cycling temperatures during your holiday, but obviously it’s the one aspect of your trip over which we have no control! Weather in the mountains can be highly changeable, and sometimes extreme. You’re likely to encounter a range of conditions and temperatures during your trip. You should bring warm and waterproof layers to protect you from the cold and rain. This is particularly important for the long descents that you’ll encounter on this trip.
Fitness
The Raid Dolomites route is an extremely long and challenging ride, and you need to be a fit and experienced road cyclist to enjoy and get the most out of this trip. You should look carefully at the daily stats of distance and climbing on the trip webpage to make sure this itinerary is right for you before you book. See our blog about Raids, and please get in touch if you’d like further guidance.
Hotels
We stay in comfortable mostly 3* hotels with ensuite facilities. We have selected the hotels for their location and for their customer service towards cyclists. You will be sharing a twin room with another client (of the same gender) unless you book a single room for a supplement (contact [email protected] for availability). Each hotel has a garage/locked room to ensure that your bike has a comfortable night too. All the hotels have WiFi but it is not always reliable! Some only have WiFi in reception as opposed to in individual rooms. Also, WiFi can be slower in the evenings when many riders choose to upload their routes to Strava, stretching the bandwidth. We move on all but one night of this trip, so opportunities to use hotel laundry facilities (where they exist) are limited. However, we can help dry your hand-washed kit, so consider bringing some hand-wash detergent with you.
Dietary requirements
The hotels and restaurants we use can cater for most dietary needs and allergies if we know what these are well in advance. Each day, your guides will also double-check with the kitchen, to ensure they have something suitable planned for you.
You can let us know about any special dietary requirements on the booking form or via email. Please note that we request you stick to your dietary preference for the entire trip, as it’s very complicated for the hotels (and guides) if an individual has dietary requirements for some meals and not for others.
Timings
Your day will typically start with breakfast from 07:00. Your set-off time will vary according to your riding pace and will usually be between 07:45 and 08:45 - your guides will advise you on a departure time that works for you and for the support of the group as a whole. Lunch is typically served in restaurants and cafes from 12:00 to 14:00. Arrival time at the hotel at the end of the riding day is usually between 17:00 and 20:00, depending on riding pace as well as on the weather, and any unforeseen problems. Dinner is usually served at 19:30 (the guides will arrange a later dinner for anyone getting in after this time). Your guides may adjust these timings depending on the needs of the group or the weather conditions.
Lifts in the van
This trip is all about completing the cycling challenge! You are of course welcome to have a lift in our vans if you need one, for example if you’re injured or exhausted. A lift in the van (unless it is downhill in bad weather conditions) will invalidate your Raid completion.
Carbon wheels
If you have rim brakes on your carbon wheels then we definitely do NOT recommend you bring them on this holiday - this is because we have witnessed several cases of sudden and catastrophic delamination of these wheels on descents. Take a look at our blog about this issue.
Bike spares
If you’re bringing your own bike, then please also bring:
-
bike lights
-
a pump
-
tyre levers
-
inner tubes
-
brake pads
-
a chain link
-
a spare rear derailleur hanger.
Tools for bike assembly are not required as Marmot Tours has them available for you to use on arrival (including a torque wrench). See FAQS for more detail.
Travel documents
If you are a non-EU national, to enter the EU you will need a passport issued within the last 10 years, that is also valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave the EU.
Residents of many countries can enter the EU for short stays without a visa. From 2027, all non-EU visitors to the EU will require an ETIAS electronic travel authorisation.
Travel insurance is essential for all Marmot Tours holidays and anyone without insurance is not able to take part in the tour.
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![[ride profile]](https://marmot-tours.co.uk/storage/media/images/general/raid-dolomites-road-cycling-challenge-ride-profile-giau-fedaia-pordoi-falzarego-rrd-d8-web-26-6a331996c08e3.gif){kind=link}
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