Self-guided Dolomites to Venice Bike Tour

Welcome to the breathtaking Alta Pusteria or Hochpustertal valley, your gateway to the Dolomites! The Dolomites are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, noted for their exceptional natural beauty and geological significance.

Your tour begins in the charming little village of Toblach, accessible from Venice by the Cortina Express.

After checking in to your hotel, take a stroll through the charming village or relax with a coffee while admiring the surrounding peaks.

Your bikes will be delivered to your hotel either by the end of the day, or early tomorrow morning.

Today, you ride into history and stunning alpine beauty. Follow the well-marked bike path into the Höhlenstein Valley, passing Lake Dobbiaco and the somber WWI cemetery—silent reminders of the past.

Pedal gently uphill toward Lake Dürrensee, where the dramatic peaks of the Drei Zinnen (Three Peaks) rise before you like stone giants.

As you cross Cimabanche Pass, you leave South Tyrol behind and enter the Veneto region. A gentle descent leads you into the glitz of Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy’s chic ski resort.

Unwind in this elegant mountain town, perhaps with a spritz on a sunlit terrace.

Stay for the night is in the charming family-run Menardi hotel that has been welcoming visitors for well over a hundred years now.

Get ready for a day of thrilling downhill riding and scenic immersion. Leaving Cortina, you continue on the old Dolomite railway route, gliding past towering cliffs and alpine streams.

To your left, catch views of the majestic Sorapis mountains, and to your right, the striking Cinque Torri. Descend through the Boite Valley to Calalzo di Cadore, the hometown of Renaissance master painter Titian.

From here, pedal along newly developed bike paths through forested slopes to Longarone—rebuilt after a tragic dam disaster in 1963. The final stretch to Belluno offers some rolling hills, scenic bridges, and views of the Southern Dolomites.

Stay tonight is in a special hotel —The Villa Carpenada — a villa dating back to 1675 AD when it was built as the summer residence of a Venetian bishop. Through the 18th and 19th centuries, the villa changed several owners, all members of the aristocracy, until it was converted into a hotel in the 1960s.

Today’s ride is a peaceful escape into small-town Italy. Leaving Belluno behind, you cycle along tree-lined roads, gently rolling past vineyards, meadows, and traditional villages nestled against a backdrop of Dolomite peaks.

This stage is more relaxed, allowing time to soak up the atmosphere of the countryside.

Take a detour to explore a local chapel or stop for a cappuccino in a sleepy piazza.

As you approach Feltre, the old town rises like a crown on its hilltop. Wander through its cobbled streets and Renaissance squares before settling in for a well-deserved rest.

Prepare for a scenic and cultural delight! Today you ride from the rolling foothills down into the Brenta Valley.

The journey begins with an easy cruise through rural landscapes until the terrain dips and opens into panoramic views of the valley.

Your destination is Bassano del Grappa, a town famous for its namesake spirit and medieval wooden bridge—the Ponte degli Alpini.

Grappa is grape-based pomace brandy that is a protected name in the EU. While in town, make sure to taste a glass or two.

Bassano del Grappa is also famous as a town of writers, artists, and fashionistas. Ernest Hemingway settled in Bassano del Grappa while writing A Farewell to Arms, while F. Scott Fitzgerald and Dos Passos also spent considerable time here. The town has also been a long-time residence of Renzo Rosso, the founder of the luxury clothing brand Diesel.

Explore artisan grappa distilleries, the historic Piazza della Libertà, and perhaps the Civic Museum. Don't miss tasting the local white asparagus if it's in season! This town is where alpine charm meets Italian elegance.

Today, wave goodbye to the Dolomites as you roll into the plains of Veneto.

Today’s route weaves through exquisite countryside dotted with Palladian villas and quiet farm roads. Stop in Asolo, dubbed the “city of a hundred horizons,” a hilltop jewel with breathtaking views and timeless charm.

From here, continue to Treviso, a stylish town where cobbled streets line narrow canals and boutiques boast some of Italy’s best fashion labels.

Enjoy an aperitivo in one of Treviso’s lively piazzas before a relaxing night in this delightful city.

Your final cycling day is flat and full of anticipation. Follow the winding River Sile, a ribbon of blue that guides you toward the Adriatic.

Pass tranquil wetlands, sleepy villages, and peaceful parks along this protected natural corridor. As you near Mestre, the excitement builds—Venice is just across the water!

Although bikes aren’t allowed on the main islands, the mainland offers easy access to the lagoon city.

In the evening, take a short train or bus ride to explore the magic of Venice: gondolas, grand canals, and timeless beauty await.

After a hearty Venetian breakfast, your Dolomites-to-Venice adventure comes to a fitting end.

If you’re not ready to say goodbye, consider extending your stay to explore Venice in depth or take a ferry to the nearby islands of Murano and Burano.

You can also consider extending your cycling vacation in the region by combining this trip with our Trieste to Pula bike tour.

Trieste is a little under 2 hours by road from Venice.

Otherwise, it's time to pack up your memories, legs stronger, spirit refreshed, and heart full of Italian charm. Until next time—arrivederci!