Monte Grappa & Southern Dolomites

Classic, flexible pace cycling holiday with daily route options
  • Fully supported road cycling holiday exploring the sublime Southern Dolomites and Monte Grappa region of Italy
  • Cycle the majestic Passo Manghen, Passo di Pampeago, Passo Rolle and Croce d’Aune
  • Be spoilt for choice with two-to four routes each day including optional extra climbs for those wanting more of a challenge
  • Opportunity to tackle up to four of the different ascents of Monte Grappa
  • Enjoy a warm welcome in wonderful hotels experienced at looking after hungry cyclists
  • Convenient, short transfers from/to Venice Marco Polo Airport, with many European and transcontinental flights
  • Ride at your own pace with exceptional support from two of our fun, expert and proactive guides focused on making your holiday the very best it can be, along with two of our customised support vans

Days on the bike

6 days
Cyclist climbing manghen pass on Marmot Tours road cycling holiday surrounded by pastures valleys and mountain peaks

Quote

Excellent - I've been on a few cycling holidays. I can confidently say Marmot is the best cycling holiday provider I have used. I hope to be back!

Introduction

Monte Grappa is one of Italy's greatest road cycling climbs and is a stalwart of the Giro d’Italia, featuring most recently in 2024. There are several ascents, all of them great climbs. Adorned with a vast memorial to the soldiers who lost their lives on the mountain during the Great War, Monte Grappa is also a place of historical significance and an Italian national treasure. Slightly isolated from the rest of the Dolomites with forested slopes, an exposed summit, and several routes to the top, it is often likened to Mt Ventoux in France. Certainly, the views across the Massif Grappa over the Prosecco hills towards the Venetian lagoon are breathtaking.

We have meticulously crafted a circular route for this holiday, starting and finishing at the same hotel located near the base of the mighty mountain. This is a great week, including some of the lesser-known, but incredibly worthwhile climbs of the southern Dolomites. You can enjoy the magnificent limestone scenery the Dolomites are renowned for, without the crowds found elsewhere. If you enjoy cycling through stunning mountain vistas, generally quiet roads, and are up for a challenge, then this holiday is for you! Due to the nature and length of the climbs, the Classic route averages out at 74 km with 1750 m of ascent per day, but with some tactical lifts in our support vehicles, this can be reduced.  The daily Challenge route averages 100 km, with 2570 m of ascent.

As with all our flexible pace road cycling tours, this is your holiday, and we’re here to support you as an individual. We don’t insist that everyone rides as a group; you’re free to cycle at your preferred speed – solo, or with other riders at a similar pace to yourself. You’re welcome to stop when you want, and to make the day your own. With our expert support team in customised vehicles (along with our Route Buddy App), we’ll provide you with all the moral, nutritional, and mechanical support you require to achieve your cycling holiday goals. All you have to do is eat, sleep, cycle, and enjoy the impressive scenery – we’ll take care of the rest!

It's important to us that you book the right holiday for you, so please click on the What’s Included, Essential Information, and Travel & Transfers buttons on this page for all you need to know about how this holiday works, including food, accommodation, travel and transfers etc. If you have any questions, you can get in touch using the Enquire Now button.

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

black and white image of cyclist climbing winding road on passo manghen with forested slopes on marmot tours guided road cycling holiday monte grappa
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Departure Dates & Prices

20th Sep - 27th Sep
Amount
£1,820.00
Single Room Supplement
£420.00
19th Sep - 26th Sep
Amount
£2,090.00
Single Room Supplement
£490.00

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 transfers from Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE), with a journey time of 1 hr. It’s also possible to travel independently by train as our hotel is a 15 min taxi ride from Bassano del Grappa railway station. Comprehensive travel advice (essential reading before booking your flights or trains) can be found in our Travel & Transfers section.

Your cycling holiday starts and finishes in the idyllic Garden Relais Hotel, which is located in the countryside between Semonzo and Borso del Grappa. If you arrive in the morning, there’s possibly time for an unsupported ride up Monte Grappa (1738m) from Romano d'Ezzelino, which is the easier of the climbs.

Once hire bikes have been set up or you’ve assembled your own bike, you’ll be able to meet your fellow riders and guides over dinner in the hotel’s popular restaurant.

Day 1: Borso del Grappa to Levico Terme via Asiago

Your destination today is the town of Levico Terme, popular with tourists and made famous due to its thermal baths and lakes, which are both within walking distance of our hotel.

Today's ride is delightfully varied and is the perfect way to warm up your legs for the more challenging days ahead. We start by passing through the centre of the historic town of Bassano del Grappa, riding over its Ponte Degli Alpini, the beautiful covered wooden bridge. From here, we follow the River Brenta for 15 km before climbing out of the valley on a series of tight switchbacks to Foza (1080m). For the next 35 km, you undulate over the high Asiago plateau, which is dominated by a memorial to the soldiers who lost their lives in the Great War. You'll climb gently over the Passo di Vezzena (1402m) to Menador (1267m), where you descend on a narrow road with spectacular views.

For those wanting a bit more cycling, there is the option of taking in a lovely tour of Lago di Lévico and Lago di Caldonazzo, or tackling the Passo del Compet (1382m) for some stunning views of the Stelvio mountain range in the distance (which we explore on our Stelvio & Eastern Switzerland holiday).

Classic : 91 KM with 1610m ascent [ride profile]

Harder : 112 KM with 1780m ascent [ride profile]

Challenge : 121 KM with 2600m ascent [ride profile]

Group of cyclists climbing passo manghen Italian dolomites passing river and mountain peaks

Day 2: Levico Terme to Val di Fiemme via Passo Manghen

The Passo Manghen (2047m) is, in our opinion, the most beautiful alpine pass in eastern Trentino and another favourite of the Giro d’Italia. With 23 km of unspoilt mountain scenery, this relatively quiet mountain pass is a highlight of this holiday.

Our route starts by descending to Castelnuovo through the orchards on the well-surfaced Valsugana cycle path. Here we turn north and climb through the forest to the high pastures, with views of rugged peaks providing a sense of isolation - and adventure ahead! The descent from Passo Manghen to Molina is equally impressive, where we join the Val di Fiemme cycle path for the first time to climb gently to our hotel in Panchià, where we spend the next two nights.

As always, we give you the opportunity to extend your ride and today, you can do so by detouring up the Castello Tesino (863m) from Grigno. You'll be rewarded with even more switchbacks and glorious views!

Classic : 71 KM with 1870m ascent [ride profile]

Challenge : 113 KM with 2510m ascent [ride profile]

Pair of cyclists climbing passo lavaze Italian dolomites peaks background with marmot tours

Day 3: Passo di Pampeago from Panchià

One look at today's ride stats and you'd be forgiven for thinking this was a relatively easy day. However, they don't take into account the gradients! First up is the Passo di Lavazè (1808m), with its views of the towering peaks of the Dolomites. Then you've got the big ride of the day, the Passo di Pampeago: a seriously challenging, but truly fantastic climb.It is effectively an access track for the ski lifts, which has been recently surfaced for cyclists. In this way, it could be compared to the Col de la Loze in the Northern French Alps - virtually traffic-free with fluctuating gradients and mega views!

We take on the climb from the Obereggen side, which has two approaches: the longer, steeper Passo di Pampeago (1996m) from Hotel Mondschein and the more manageable Passo di Pampeago (1996m) from Novale.

The afternoon can be spent recovering in the hotel garden with its swimming pool and spa (with sauna, Turkish bath, and relaxation area), or you can explore a bit more of the beautiful Val di Fiemme cycle path.

Classic : 46 KM with 1660m ascent [ride profile]

Challenge : 54 KM with 2000m ascent [ride profile]

Cyclist descending on hairpin ben on monte grappa southern dolomites cycling holiday with marmot tours

Day 4: Val di Fiemme to Feltre via the Southern Dolomites

Today is going to be off-the-charts amazing! Your destination is the medieval town of Feltre, which has a wealth of historic sights and is often overlooked by tourists heading for the higher Dolomites.

You begin the day climbing gently on the Val di Fiemme cycle path to Predazzo, which is the start of the engineering masterpiece of the Passo Rolle (1984m). It is a long climb, but jaw-dropping views of the surrounding limestone peaks will be a welcome distraction as you turn the pedals. Part way up, there is the option of detouring up the glorious Passo di Valles (2032m).

What goes up must come down, and the 22 km descent to Fiera di Primiero is mind-blowing. From here, we take on the challenging gradients of the Passo di Cereda (1369m). This winding road leads to a remote rural area rarely visited by tourists, and takes you through a spectacular gorge to the Lago del Mis. The ride ends with an undulating ride through villages and farmland to Feltre.

This ride from hotel to hotel is quite a challenge, so our Classic route involves a lift to the Lago di Paneveggio first thing in the morning to make it more manageable.

**Tonight's dinner is not included in the cost of your holiday so you can enjoy exploring the town and choose dinner in one of the many fine restaurants on offer.**

Classic : 96 KM with 1500m ascent [ride profile]

Harder : 117 KM with 2200m ascent [ride profile]

Challenge : 130 KM with 2500m ascent [ride profile]

Group of cyclists climbing mountain pass on monetary grappa cycling holiday southern dolomites mountain peaks background with marmot tours

Day 5: Feltre to Borso del Grappa via Monte Grappa

Monte Grappa (1738m) dominates the final two days of this road cycling holiday, and the northern ascent from Caupo is a wonderful, undulating climb.

The mountain was the site of several bloody battles in the First World War and when you reach Cima Grappa (the summit), you'll be struck by the immense war memorial and ossuary. Trenches and tunnels cover the mountainside, and the Sanctuary of the Madonnina del Grappa is a stark reminder of the horrors of war. It is a spectacular viewpoint overlooking the Prosecco hills, and the plains towards Venice.

Today's optional extra is the Croce d'Aune (1015m). It's not the highest or steepest climb of the holiday, but it's pretty significant in cycling history! It was on this climb in 1924, when Tullio Campagnolo got a puncture and was so frustrated by how long it took to fix, that it led to him inventing the quick-release skewer and the Campagnolo brand.

Classic : 66 KM with 1850m ascent [ride profile]

Challenge : 95 KM with 2550m ascent [ride profile]

Cyclist climbing monte grappa on marmot tours road cycling holiday

Day 6: Monte Grappa

The tricky decision today is which ascent to do, as they are all epic! Monte Grappa (1738m) from Semonzo is the most popular route, known for its tight hairpin bends and steep sections (up to 14%). However, over the 19.5 km climb, the average is 8%, so that gives you some perspective! If you're not keen on the sound of these gradients, then Monte Grappa (1738m) from Romano d'Ezzelino is a slightly easier option (and favoured by the Giro), with an average of 5.9% over the 26 km climb, the steepest sections being 10%.

From Cima Grappa, there's a great, narrow, undulating road that follows the ridge to the east. It links the important military sites and commands breathtaking views towards the Dolomites in the east and the Alps in the west. Descending on this road is a fantastic way to end your week of road cycling in Italy.

Relaxing by the hotel pool is an excellent way to spend the afternoon, but Monte Grappa has another treat for those wanting even more of a serious cycling challenge. The Salto della Capra (1390m), (literally 'Goat's Leap' climb) is up there with the Alto de l’Angliru, Passo di Mortirolo and Monte Zoncolan in terms of brutality! With 30 hairpin bends carved out of the mountainside and gradients of up to 20%, you'll be elated to see the iconic goat weathervane waiting for you after 10 km. This climb will certainly test your mettle!

Easier : 50 KM with 1600m ascent [ride profile]

Classic : 72 KM with 1980m ascent [ride profile]

Harder : 64 KM with 1970m ascent [ride profile]

Challenge : 93 KM with 3280m ascent [ride profile]

Group of cyclists waving with bikes with lake in background on cycling holiday southern dolomites monte grappa with marmot tours

Day 7: Departure day

After six days of wonderful cycling, exploring this beautiful part of Italy, and making memories, it's home time, which we're sure your legs will be pleased to hear! We offer transfers from the hotel to Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) at specified times.

Full travel advice and our group airport transfer arrangements (essential reading before booking your flights) can be found in our Trip Notes.

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