Dolomites to Venice

This self-guided hotel-to-hotel tour follows the route of the former Dolomites railway south from the Hochpustertal, then continues through the foothills and along the River Sile to the lagoon city of Venice, a magnificent finale to an exploration of northern Italy. The first two days mainly follow the old railway track, after which gentle ascents and descents on quiet side roads lead through idyllic countryside and typical Italian villages to the plains.

From Niederdorf or Toblach the cycle path climbs gently through the Höhlenstein Valley past Lake Toblach, a First World War cemetery and Lake Dürrensee, with views of the Three Peaks, before crossing into the Veneto at Cimabanche and descending to Cortina d'Ampezzo, the Olympic town. The next day continues mostly downhill on the railway trail between the Sorapis and Cinque Torri to Pieve di Cadore, birthplace of Titian, then via Longarone, rebuilt after the 1963 Vajont disaster, through the valley of the gelato makers to Belluno.

Tree-lined avenues lead past scenic villages to Feltre, before the route descends into the Brenta Valley to Bassano del Grappa, with its covered wooden bridge and namesake spirit. Passing Palladian villas and Asolo, the "city of a hundred horizons", riders reach Treviso, a canal-side centre of Italian fashion, before following the Sile to Venice's mainland at Mestre. Nights are in 3 and 4-star hotels, with luggage transferred daily.

Highlights:

• The Höhlenstein Valley and views of the Three Peaks
• The former Dolomites railway trail to Cortina d'Ampezzo and Pieve di Cadore
• Belluno and Feltre beneath the southern Dolomites
• Bassano del Grappa's covered wooden bridge
• Asolo and Palladio's Villa Barbaro at Maser
• Treviso's canals and the River Sile to Venice

Surface and terrain:
Mainly the old Dolomites railway cycle path for the first two days, then quiet side roads with gentle ascents and descents, finishing flat on the plains. Net downhill overall, with daily ascent of 0 to 350 m.

Weather:
Expect cooler conditions in the Dolomites early in the tour and warm to hot weather on the Venetian plain, particularly in summer.

Suitable for:
Leisure riders comfortable with 30 to 75 km days on largely downhill or gently rolling terrain. Rated Easy by the operator; minimum age 14.