I love the Dolomites

May 7, 2023

Brunico to Cortina

It was a slightly soggy ride back to our campsite from last nights restaurant but it was at least downhill. The rain kept up most of the night and my tent had a micro leak. Every time I fell asleep I got 1 drop on my head. Then nothing for an hour then 1 more drop. My tent is so small I couldn’t really move as I had all my gear in with me. Packing up a wet tent is one of life’s great joys, along with a 2 hour Oom Pah Pah band recital and root canal surgery.

By morning it had cleared and despite the ominous forecast of rain and snow we managed the entire day with neither. It was a big climbing day today, not helped by a 150 metre descent in a lift to take us from the village we camped near down to the track on the valley floor. It’s a ski town and the chairlift and gondola start from there as well.

The split timber stacks are a work of art.

It took us until 2.45 to get to the top but we did stop for 2 breakfasts and morning tea and lunch. All the places we stopped at the staff were still speaking German and it wasn’t until we got to Cortina that it felt like Italy. It’s Sunday so there’s not many places open but the ones that are are full. There’s all ages present, all having a good old chin wag and not a mobile phone to be seen (except ours) They seem to be partaking in conversation. How weird.

The Feuerwehr festival is on today with a 2 hour Oom Pah Pah band recital. Luckily we got there for the last tune.

We seem to be heading towards an impossibly thin canyon with dramatic cliffs and snowdrifts that seem not much higher than us. It’s still warm and the track is as always wide and in great condition.

That peak in the distance is slowly getting closer.

Having finally reached the top of the pass there’s about 15 kilometres down to Cortina. With some dark snow laden clouds looming we’re pretty keen to get there as soon as possible. The track crosses numerous avalanche screes which my tyres definitely aren’t designed for but with a bit of sliding and gentle nursing I got down without any mishaps.

The first fort built entirely of concrete in Europe except for Greece where they’ve been doing that for ages.

Cortina is a pretty cool town. It hosted the 2006 Winter Olympics so we book into the Olimpia Hotel because it seemed like the right thing to do and it was the closest hotel to the bar that we collapsed into upon reaching Cortina.

After 5 days of riding in the mountains they are still as mesmerising as the first day. I’m not sure if the locals just take it for granted but they are just amazing. And today was probably the best day of the lot.

Tomorrow we head further downhill and leave the Dolomites behind as we head south .

Today's ride: 56 km (35 miles)
Total: 996 km (619 miles)

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Kirsten KaarsooWe really enjoyed that ride too but we weren’t being chased my snow clouds. The Dolomites are very impressive mountains. Enjoy Cortina.
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1 year ago

Matthew HealeyTruly amazing scenery. Shame about the rain and cold, but you seem to be making the most of it anyway. Cathie xx
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1 year ago

Dennis LangleyOn the flat lands of The Veneto now. It’s warm and sunny. Dolomites we’re fantastic despite the weather
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1 year ago