The cycle path from Calalzo di Cadore to Cimabanche - Dobbiaco, known as the Dolomite Cycle Path or the Long Dolomite Road, runs between the provinces of Belluno and Bolzano. Most of the route runs along the old railway and partly along the old strada regia (royal road) in the section between San Vito di Cadore and Cortina d'Ampezzo. This route, called the Via delle Dolomiti (Dolomites Route), allows you to admire some of the most breathtaking and enchanting Dolomite panoramas, beautiful Dolomite peaks such as the Pelmo, the Cinque Torri, the Tofane, and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, and to cross the Natural Park of the Ampezzo Dolomites. The route, of medium difficulty and mostly on asphalt, is 47.5 km long and can be covered in about 4 hours.
The start of the cycle path is the Calalzo di Cadore railway station, which can also be reached by trains with bike transport from Venice or Padua. Proceeding you arrive in Pieve di Cadore, after crossing the village, you will find the first extraordinary scenery, the characteristic bridge over the state road. With well-placed signposts you continue towards Valle di Cadore and, travelling through historic but well-lit tunnels and occasionally encountering the typical structures of the former stations, you reach Borca di Cadore, from where an extensive clearing opens up and you can see the splendid rocky peaks of Mounts Antelao and Pelmo.
Arriving in San Vito di Cadore, we follow the course of the Boite river on the tracks of the strada regia (royal road), immersed in a spectacular landscape, to climb back up to the beginning of Cortina and arrive at the bus station where we resume the cycle path.
Departing from Cortina, the asphalt road soon becomes a dirt track; you ride through a wooded area and pass the small station of Fiames, from where you can see Mount Punta Fiames, and then reach the village of Cimabanche.
Up to here, the route of the 'Long Dolomite Road' cycle path is closed to traffic and mostly runs on asphalt. For the part of the route that connects San Vito di Cadore to Cortina, however, a route has been created on a dirt road that descends along the Boite, with curves and steeper stretches that deserve greater attention. Arriving at the bus station in Cortina, the cycle path is again paved at least as far as the hospital crossroads. From here the road becomes unpaved and crosses a wooded area, passing by the small station of Fiames, from where the Punta Fiames mountain can be seen. After passing through some tunnels and the spectacular iron bridge, you arrive at Ospitale and from here at Cimabanche (1550 m).
Continuing on there is the transition into South Tyrol, where the village of Carbonin, a large tourist complex, is encountered, then along Lake Landro with a fantastic view of the north-western slope of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo to finally arrive at Cimabanche - Dobbiaco.
The cycle path is passable in both directions, and for the return journey it is possible to use the TrenoBus delle Dolomiti service.
Departure: Calalzo di Cadore
Finish: Cimabanche - Toblach
Type of terrain: Mixed
Average slope: 1.3
Max. slope: 23
Type of track: Cyclo-pedestrian
Traffic: largely protected and closed to motorised traffic
