Road Cycling from Bolzano to Alta Badia through Alpe di Siusi (South Tyrol)
Here we are, friends I’m back on the bike The occasion was a bit of work to do in Bolzano I had my wife drop me off in town so she could enjoy some shopping and I’m on the bike heading toward Badia, so it’s a B2B not a bed and breakfast nor a business-to-business, it’s a Bolzano-to-Badia From Bolzano to Badia, there are five possible routes, the one I usually take is the classic one that follows the bike path to San Lorenzo di Sebato just before Brunico about 110 km, then there are various alternatives like the one over Passo Costalunga or the climb from Fié allo Sciliar, then the ascent from Ponte Gardena the climb from Chiusa, and there’s also the Passo delle Erbe route that you can do from Chiusa or Bressanone Today, I want to try a variant that I was told is much less trafficked, but when I mentioned it, everyone went wide-eyed so I think it’s steep, but who said the shorter routes are easier? So you can join me in my suffering on this autumn ride This is the bike path that runs along the old train route That’s why there are these nice tunnels, which are still Look, back there is the village of Campodazzo and here we turn right toward Fié allo Sciliar You see how the road climbs with gusto already I finished the gears Fié allo Sciliar, the signs are there so we haven’t gotten lost yet The Wahoo scares me, it’s showing everything in red, so over 10%. Incredible, just three kilometers ago, I was down there. The valley floor below the Brennero highway and now I’m up here As you can see, I’m dripping with sweat. From here, we have a stunning view of all the vineyards. Look at the hillside ahead of us. What a sight I keep sweating I’m looking for shorter gears, but they’re gone. When the vineyards end the apple orchards begin Those beautiful red apples I wonder if they’re juicy If I show the salt dripping off me someone might come lick it off Do you see it up there? The Sciliar I could’ve chosen the easy route following the Val Isarco Val Pusteria, and Val Badia but it’s not the season, it’s the opposite now of spring, down in the valley there’s already a lot more shade and it’s much cooler, while at altitude the sun lingers a bit longer and there’s a kind of temperature inversion, and it’s warmer not to mention perhaps the most important thing, the colors the autumn colors In spring, at altitude, everything’s brown, and we can’t wait to see some green down in the valley In autumn, at high altitude, those golden colors start to appear that make you dream After seven and a half kilometers of climbing, we hit the main road that goes to Siusi There’s the Sciliar ahead of us Down there is the village of Siusi Here’s a little church You know what, I really liked this stretch of road so much from Campodazzo to Siusi off the beaten path, I’m heading to Alpe di Siusi period. So, nine and a half kilometers of climbing to Alpe di Siusi Otherwise, I could’ve taken Passo Pinei descended to Ortisei and then Passo Gardena This way, okay, there’s Alpe di Siusi in between, but then I descend directly to Selva di Val Gardena then Passo Gardena again Yes, I could’ve taken the cable car Now you can recognize the Sciliar a bit better Remnants of the stage, or rather stages of the Giro d’Italia with the finish at Alpe di Siusi And yeah, I’m on a road bike and some of you, maybe knowing the area, might wonder if it’s really possible to cross Alpe di Siusi and reach Selva in a road bike. The answer is that, in my own way, it can be done Follow the instructions. Here we are at Compatsch. End of the climb, Alpe di Siusi is beautiful, beautiful but tough, always a steady 8-9% In the background, you can see Sassolungo and Sasso Piatto Here in winter, it’s teeming with skiers Check out one of the winter videos of how we ski from Badia to Alpe di Siusi and back to see what it’s like in winter. Meanwhile, we’re crossing the alpe. View of Sassolungo… in three, two, one… Worth the sweat, right? By the way, did you notice this junction? We took the right toward Saltria. What you can also see in the background is none other than Passo Gardena. Is it even possible to take a bad photo here? Let the bus go, it’s slow anyway. Anyway, we’re arriving at Saltria, and from there we’ll start on a dirt road, yes, a dirt road, even on a road bike, but it’s nice and it takes us to Monte Pana. Interesting modes of transportation. Some gravel roads As you can see, it’s still a good dirt road. Once we get to Saltria, there are only two short ramps and then it’s all downhill. Normally in summer, these forest roads would be packed with people In late autumn, look at the difference The Sciliar, we passed by there earlier, we crossed all of Alpe di Siusi and now we’re heading toward Monte Pana. Anyway, tourism has this kind of curse. See, now in October there’s hardly anyone around. The best time is when you can really enjoy nature and there’s incredible tranquility. But what’s the deal? Too many follow fake influencers those paid by who-knows-who, where few mention October. Instead, they say everything’s closed, in October and that there’s no one around and I believe it, there’s no one around. It’s the best time in the end, and the “everything’s closed” is relative Okay, if you want chairlifts left and right to take you up to the lodge, yeah, those are closed because they’re preparing for the winter season. But October is for the true nature lovers. Those who want real tranquility. Let’s enjoy this moment of tranquility before starting the descent toward Monte Pana. Which is also the stretch done with the bus, the ski bus, during our trip to Alpe di Siusi with skis Or you can check out the videos of the Alta Via Amelia done with a gravel bike, where we passed right through this amazing place. I can’t turn around, but you… And here we are at Monte Pana Look at Sassolungo from this side here Now you can take this road and descend all the way down to Santa Cristina di Val Gardena It’s simple, then climb back up toward Selva But if you want to get directly to Selva saving yourself a small climb do what I do at the first hairpin Here it is, right and then here we go left Yes, obviously on a dirt path, but don’t worry, it’s easy This trail takes you to the legendary Ciaslat bumps section World Cup downhill ski run in Val Gardena Here they enter the final chute We leave behind the cold shadows of Selva and now it’s a race to catch the sun and I should reach the sun right here at the junction Passo Sella, Passo Gardena Passo Gardena Val Badia Sassolungo A wise man once said: “If paradise is like this, I’m staying right here, no need to bother going anywhere!” A bit boring as a view, but we’ll make it work Passo Gardena, we’ve done about 2400 meters of elevation gain, and by the end with the descent home we’ll have 80 km A glimpse of Val Badia Photo without the crane And now the descent to Ustaria Posta in Badia, see you next time I’ll leave you with a few glimpses before the battery dies
Cycling across Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm) with a road bike was the last thing I expected to do on my way back home from Bolzano to Badia, at Ustaria Posta 📯
👉 www.ustariaposta.it
There were much easier options… no doubt!
But the desire to escape traffic, enjoy the autumn colors and catch the golden evening sun took over.
So here we are — in this video I’ll take you across Europe’s highest alpine plateau, entirely on a road bike, right in the heart of the Dolomites in South Tyrol 🚴♂️
👉 Yes, it’s possible!
There’s just a short section of gravel / forest road… but you can ride it all without any problem.
So listen to the advice of this self-proclaimed local expert — and give it a try yourself!
STRAVA route of the ride:
www.strava.com/activities/16129531998
And you?
Have you ever crossed Alpe di Siusi with a road bike?
Or did this video make you want to try it? Let me know in the comments! 👇
▶ Video Chapters
2:54 · Climb from Campodazzo to Siusi
8:27 · Final ascent to Alpe di Siusi
10:55 · Europe’s highest alpine plateau
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▶ 📹 Gear I used for this video:
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GoPro13: https://amzn.to/4gNMXgD
23 Comments
Spettacolo! Bravo Igor un giro veramente entusiasmante!
Anch’io ho attraversato l’alpe di Siusi… andata e ritorno da Selva ma in mtb, la discesa in bici da corsa è un azzardo 😂😂👏👏
Bellissimissimo ❤
Ciao Igor, si vede che eri cintura nera di ciclocross da come vai in discesa con la bici da strada 😅🏆
Scusa, sbaglio o monti dei tubolari?
Ciao, anzi, mandi,
Roberto dal Friuli 👋🏻
Igor, siamo fortunati che tu, con la tua passione per lo sci, il ciclismo e persino il turismo, sia ancora in paradiso, perché il paradiso è tutto intorno a te. Grazie mille per la tua stimolante performance autunnale. Oggi bravo e grande ! Super.
P.S. … quando un professionista cerca rapporti più facili, la salita è ripida.
P.S. 2: … cambia il colore nella navigazione in modo da non farti spaventare dai puntini rossi – salita + 10%!! – ad esempio, rosa – fa meno paura!!!
Thank you Igor, enjoyed seeing some of the autumn colour and the shadow puppets…
Wonderful, beautiful, words cannot do it justice. I've loved riding all those roads and tracks you did except I haven't done Saltria to Monte Pane but I did do Jender. But I don't have your energy, I ride there on an EMTB. Mainly doing the off road. Great video fantastic clear views of the incredible mountains and can't wait to return to the area ❤❤
Che video ! ESALTANTE !!! Se potessi venire domani 😢
Really beautiful 👌👌 Thanks for the video. You made my day 🤩
Che bello! 😍 Queste montagne non hanno segreti per te! 👍
Ciao Igor. I colori autunnali sono molto belli ed il primo tratto che hai percorso assomiglia alle nostre zone dell'appennino, per poi passare ai larici che in questo periodo arricchiscono i boschi con colori unici. Sempre un piacere vederti. Un caro saluto dal Molise.
Oh mein Gott Igor!!!!! Was hast du getan????? Du mist mit einem Rennrad auf Schotter gefahren. Da wirst Prügel bekommen!!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Landschaftlich ist es für mich das schönste Bikevideo, das du gefahren bist…..
Buonasera Igor, video molto bello anche per la giornata meravigliosa che hai trovato , mi dispiace per la fatica che hai fatto ma forse meno che a fare acquisti per Bolzano , però la soddisfazione per noi a vedere posti meravigliosi . Buona serata. Francesco
Panorami epici, qualità eccellente: absolute cinema
Thank you Igor for capturing the autumn colors in South Tyrol! Since I moved back from Bruneck / Brunico to my home town I miss especially the fall and winter there.But I am so glad I can enjoy it now virtually in the most entertaining fashion thanks to your beautiful content. I hope to return soon and in the meantime sending my best regards to Badia and to the Usteria. Grazie mille!
As always: Igor at his best!
Wonderful pictures, wonderful trip! Can't wait to come back…
Mitico come al solito, caspita che gamba, bravissimo. Non capisco come fa poi tutto sudato a non avere freddo, senza un giacchino o un gilet per coprirsi. Ha la pelle mista goretex, Igor? Per favore ci dica cosa ha mangiato la sera dopo questo giro, chissà…
Che belo!
Da compaccio a saltria…mai vista cosi poca gente …ha ragione il saggio a preferire october
Complimenti per le gambe. Conosco perfettamente tutta la zona da Siusi all'Alpe di Siusi, ero li la scorsa estate. Non sapevo della strada dal Saltria, buono a sapersi anche per una bella passeggiata. Sempre bellissimi video !!
Tolles Video und beeindruckende Landschaften, ich freue mich schon auf Deine Winter-Videos, bald geht es los!
Posti top
Telecronaca top
Salite top
Sudore 😂 top
respect
Bellissimo video come al solito!
La salita dell’Alpe di Siusi era la cronoscalata del Giro 2016 vero ?!
Quanti km di sterrato da fine asfalto Siusi al Monte Pana ? 💪👍👏👏👏❤️ Sono appena tornato dal Passo delle Erbe e già ho la nostalgia!😫😢