Dolomites Magic
Dolomites & Italian Alps Tour
Embark on an Italian adventure with us for a week of epic climbs, spectacular scenery and panoramic viewpoints through the magical Dolomites and over the iconic Stelvio and Gavia mountain passes in the Italian Alps. You’ll have 2 different bases during your trip – Corvara in the Dolomites and Bormio in the Italian Alps. With its pristine beauty, rich cultural heritage, and charming mountain villages, the Dolomites offer something for everyone – on and off the bikes. Bormio is known for its thermal springs and ancient Alpine history, and is at the foot of the Stelvio Pass with its iconic serpentine switchbacks and majestic summit at 2757 meters altitude. 8/4/25 – 8/11/25
Mountain Magic
An Overview
Here is an overview of our August Dolomites Magic tour. In the coming months, more details will be provided about your itinerary, rental bikes, and activities for non-cycling companions.
- Premium 4 star accommodations
- 2 locations: Corvara & Bormio
- Difficulty: Levels 2/3/4
- Climbing: 500m+ - 3500m+ max
- Cols: Sella, Pordoi, Giau, Gardena, Valparola, Stelvio, Gavia
- Long rides: 70 - 100 km
- Short rides: 40 - 50 km
- 8/4/25 - 8/11/25
- Rental bikes: TBA
- Non-cycling partners: activities
- Tier 2 Pricing: see details below
Your Hotels
Please click on the links below to find out more about our hotels in the Dolomites and Italian Alps. Kindly let us know if you’d like to book any extra nights in either hotel before or after the tour.
Corvara
Bormio
Your Cycling Itinerary
We’ve put together a cycling itinerary with suggested routes for each day, featuring the most iconic climbs of the Dolomites and Italian Alps. Please note that the routes may be modified as needed to best meet the needs of the group, or adapt to weather conditions.
Day 1 - Welcome to the Dolomites!
Welcome to the Dolomites!
Day 3 - Valparola & Giau
Valparola & Giau
Day 4 - Reverse Sella Ronda
Reverse Sella Ronda
Day 8 - Ciao Italia!
Ciao Italia et Bon Voyage!
Non-Cycling Activities
The Dolomites and Italian Alps offer many activities besides cycling in a truly spectacular setting. Here are some different local activities for non-cycling companions, or to enjoy after riding on shorter days:
- Spa services (our hotels will have spas)
- Lake excursion: swim, canoe, lunch, hike
- Day trip to Ortisei: guided or self-guided
- Hiking: different options depending on level
- Museum visit: several local options
- Golf with a panoramic view
- Wine tasting: Participate in scenic outdoor tasting
- Gondola to the mountain summit
- Thermal springs in Bormio
- Request an activity you don't see on the list
Your Team
Tour Host - Mike Cotty
There are few that know the mountains of Europe better than your ride guide Michael Cotty. As founder of The Col Collective, Mike has made a career out of riding, filming and telling the story of epic rides and mountains across the continent. Mike has ridden the iconic passes of the Dolomites and Italian Alps, raced them, hosted cycling tours on them, and has captured them on video with The Col Collective – so he is truly the perfect guide to help you make the most of your Italian cycling adventure!
Watch The Col Collective’s videos about the mountain passes featured in our tour to get a better idea about the epic climbs that await!
Diana Panchyk
A native New Yorker and a lifelong athlete, Diana spent 14 years racing road and mountain bikes, making her way to the elite/pro women’s team Advil-Chapstick in 2005, and rode for the US Women's Cycling Development Program. She is a certified cycling coach and continues to compete occasionally. A frequent traveler inspired by the beauty of the Italian mountains, Diana is hosting the tour along with Mike Cotty. You'll find her on the road enjoying the mountains with everyone, or behind the scenes making sure your cycling holiday runs smoothly.
Julian Ripoll
Julian is an avid cyclist and an accomplished downhill skier, spending the summer season with Azur Vélo and the winter months as a ski instructor at the prestigious Courchevel resort. With a background in photography, Julian loves capturing inspiring moments in the great outdoors on camera and video. Julian will be running the tour's support out of the assistance van to ensure everyone is looked after on the roads and at rest stops. You'll also see him behind his camera, capturing the group on tour.
Ross Crook
Ross has been Scottish Champion at running and cycling and in June became British Champion at the masters track champs. He has toured across Europe and spends much of the winter riding in the Spanish mountains. Ross is an advocate for cycling's positive impact on society and started a business 13 years ago teaching children how to explore Edinburgh and beyond safely…..and how to do wheelies too! He will be joining us in Italy to reinforce our guiding staff (and entertain us with the occasional wheelie 🙂
The Col Collective
The Col Collective is an online resource dedicated to providing cyclists with the inspiration, education and support needed to reach the summit of the greatest mountain passes in the world. Through the years, Mike has created captivating videos in some of the world’s most incredible cycling destinations. Here are a few of his videos that feature climbs on our tour. You can visit Mike’s YouTube channel for the complete Dolomites and Italian Alps playlists, and for more mountain inspiration in other destinations.
What Should I Bring?
Your cycling tour is one month away, so we would like to give you some information to help you prepare for your trip and pack. The average temperature in August in the Dolomites and Italian Alps ranges from to 11 to 23 degrees Celsius. However, the average temperature in the high mountains can be significantly cooler (for example ranging from 2 to 12 degrees Celsius at Stelvio Pass in August), and the weather can be changeable – so we advise bringing warm and waterproof clothing just in case it is needed. We will provide small bags to keep in the assistance vehicle for easy access to your extra cycling clothing during rest and support stops.
General Packing List
This is a general checklist to help you pack for your upcoming trip to the Dolomites and Italian Alps.
- Comfortable clothing for after rides
- Warm jacket for mountains, sweater, hat, gloves
- Clothing for sightseeing and dining
- Pool/spa attire
- Sneakers/casual footwear, flip-flops or sliders
- Glasses/sunglasses
- Passport, other ID card(s), insurance information
- Cash, credit cards, payment apps
- Mobile phone, GPS device, computer if needed
- Camera and/or phone camera, GoPro, etc.
- Charger for phone, computer, camera, GPS device, and adapters
- Toiletries, chamois cream, etc.
- Medication, insect repellant, etc.
- Any vitamins/supplements you take
Cycling Clothing/Gear
Please keep in mind that it can be significantly cooler in the mountains, so it is a good idea to bring warmer gear for high altitude mountains and descents.
- Bike if applicable, with pedals and shoes in your carry-on luggage if possible
- Everyday gear: shorts, base layers, jerseys, socks, half-fingered gloves, arm warmers, gilet, lightweight wind jacket
- Warmer gear for mountains/descents: warm jacket, rain jacket, long-sleeved jersey, base layer, leggings and/or leg warmers, full-fingered gloves, hat, neck warmer
- Cycling Shoes, shoe/toe covers
- Helmet, water bottles
- Cycling sunglasses
- Sunscreen, lip balm
- Any prescription medications, inhalers, etc.
- Rear safety light for your bike
Included:
The following services and amenities are included in your tour. Please note that your flight and transportation to the tour start and finish is not included. However, we are happy to assist with the arrangement of your airport transfers. Please let us know at the time of reservation if you would like assistance.
- 7 nights at 4* premium accommodations
- 2 locations: Corvara & Bormio
- Cycling guide: Mike Cotty from The Col Collective
- 7 days guided rides
- GPX files & ride information
- Welcome meet and greet
- Mechanical assistance / bike set-up
- Private vehicle assistance
- All breakfasts
- All lunches (for cycling participants)
- 5-7 dinners
- Snacks and ride nutrition
- Activity suggestions for non-cycling guests
- Transfer to Bormio
- Complimentary Azur Vélo jersey
- Complimentary travel bag
- Digital photos from your tour
