The dolomites

[STe_rsv4]

Would appreciate if anyone could recommend a good central location to stay in the dolomites for our euro motorbike trip next year and the best roads to ride in that area.
We've done the alps 3 times now so are looking to try the roads around the dolomites. Mostly Sports bikes and 1 GS going. Well probably be going September 2021 and will be getting the obb nightjet to innsbruck from dusseldorf.
Thanks in advance.

[mr pg]

Bolzano is pretty central, and the roads east and west from there you can't go wrong with. Stelvio everyone does, and although it's far from the best to drive/ride, it's spectacular to look at. Anything starting with the word Passo (too numerous to mention) is going to be good in that area! The Grossglockner in Austria (not far from Cortina, another place worth considering to stay) is worth a shout if you can make it.

[STe_rsv4]

mr pg said:

Bolzano is pretty central, and the roads east and west from there you can't go wrong with. Stelvio everyone does, and although it's far from the best to drive/ride, it's spectacular to look at. Anything starting with the word Passo (too numerous to mention) is going to be good in that area! The Grossglockner in Austria (not far from Cortina, another place worth considering to stay) is worth a shout if you can make it.

Thanks. We've done the stelvio numerous times and aren't that fussed tbh. We were based in landeck in Austria last time so have done most of the Swiss / Austrian passes. Bolzano is maybe a little further north west than I'd have preferred as we maybe want to dip into South Eastern regions of the dolomites and maybe even Slovenia. The grossglockner we will probably want to tick off the list, but isn't it an expensive toll?

[mr pg]

From memory toll is about 36eu, but for me worth it. It's a day pass so you can do it in both directions, and also the limb that goes up to the glacier. Was due to have done it again this summer.

[Hubcap]

I've done a few cycling trips around the Dolomites, I would recommend La Villa, Corvara or Arraba (Alta Badia region) as they are very central to the most beautiful parts such as the SellaRonda (Passo Sella, Passo Pordoi, Passo Gardena) as well as other greats such as Passo Giau, the Valparola and Falzarego.

All the above are easily accessible from Cortina too if you want a slightly larger town, to be honest you can't really go wrong in this region.

I've ridden the mountains further west too, starting from Tolmezzo and heading towards Cortina and ridden Stelvio, but personally I didn't find it as special as the SellaRonda area and that is definitely where I would be drawn back to (for a 4th time) if I was heading to the Dolomites any time soon (or not!!). Hope that helps.

[skidskid]

STe_rsv4 said:

Thanks. We've done the stelvio numerous times and aren't that fussed tbh. We were based in landeck in Austria last time so have done most of the Swiss / Austrian passes. Bolzano is maybe a little further north west than I'd have preferred as we maybe want to dip into South Eastern regions of the dolomites and maybe even Slovenia. The grossglockner we will probably want to tick off the list, but isn't it an expensive toll?

Grossglockner is a more expensive toll road but worth it. I live in Tirol and head down to the Dolomites regularly (well, until corona) and anywhere around Cortina is good to stay. Bolzano is a bit industrial once out of the city center but the Cortina area is great. Loads of good roads, loads of places to stay, loads of great places to eat and lots of non car stuff too if you get some downtime.

Its worth a day out over to Bolzano or Merano as the roads through there are good and a bit quieter. Its a good route to take home, Cortina to there, then over the Timmelsjoch pass to get home.

[4pot]

In my experience of travelling in that area often on road trips, Merano is an absolute nightmare, as there is effectively 1 road in and out, and the fruit tractors, which are small and slow, create a proper issue in the summer.

I'd highly recommend avoiding it.

Dolomites however are fantastic, if a little busy in the summer. Corvara is great, with some nice passes in the region. I'd also suggest Austria too, as it some driving gems, but you do need to mindful of plod,

[davidgt4]

Strongly recommend Arabba as a base for motorcycling in the Dolomites. The hotel in the centre (Pordoi) is well set-up and when we were last there had garaging and tools!

[LondonHP]

Arabba is the place to be, surrounded by epic driving roads, it’s on the base of the Passo Pordoi and you have amazing roads every which way. Passes can get busy but if you’re on a bike you won’t be held up too much.

You won’t be disappointed.