Extended Touring Center Dolomites
The weather was on our side, and the Dolomites showed themselves at their very best. After just a few kilometers, it was already clear: the days ahead are going to be fantastic! Of course, it seems we weren't the only ones who had the idea of exploring the Dolomites today. **Sunday is Sunday – and we definitely noticed it.** The normally fantastic winding mountain roads were quite busy. Time and again, we had to slow down and patiently follow camper vans and tour buses. Some of the famous motorcycle curves turned into an unplanned exercise in riding at walking pace. But hey – we weren't in a hurry. 😉 And when you're moving slowly, at least you have plenty of time to enjoy the scenery. And there was certainly plenty to enjoy today! Four passes and plenty of Dolomite magic Our route took us over some of the most famous roads in the region, including the **Gardena Pass**, the **Sella Pass** and **Passo Pordoi**. Each pass had its own character and offered its own spectacular views. And then there were the massive rock formations of the Dolomites, appearing around almost every corner. Even for riders who have already explored many mountain roads, it is hard not to be impressed by this scenery. So despite the Sunday traffic, our first day turned out to be a fantastic start to the tour. The motorcycles are now parked back at the hotel, the helmets are off, and we're slowly taking in everything we experienced today. And tomorrow, the next adventure is already waiting for us. 🏍️🇮🇹
Today, the Timmelsjoch—Passo Rombo—was the next classic on our itinerary. From Klobenstein, we first crossed the Penser Joch and then the Jaufen Pass. There, we took a short break for coffee before heading down into the Passeier Valley and continuing toward St. Leonhard. Then the actual climb up to the Timmelsjoch began. With every meter of elevation gain, the landscape became more impressive. Once we reached the top, a visit to the Timmelsjoch Experience Museum was, of course, a must. We headed back through the Passeier Valley and via Merano—unfortunately with a bit more traffic than we would have liked. But soon we were able to switch back to small side roads and ride back to Klobenstein via Völs and Jenesien. For me, it was another truly wonderful day of riding: great mountain passes, magnificent scenery, and above all, a group that just makes riding fun. The motorcycles are parked in front of the hotel again—and I think we’ll have plenty to talk about tonight.
Yesterday we headed north and crossed into Austria. Today, we were back right in the heart of the Dolomites. Our destination: beautiful Lake Misurina. Getting there meant another great selection of legendary mountain passes. We rode over the already familiar Sella Pass and Passo Pordoi, followed by Passo Falzarego and Tre Croci, before finally reaching the lake. Cortina d’Ampezzo, host of the upcoming Olympic Winter Games, was also on our route. Unfortunately, it was simply too busy to stop – so we kept riding! The return journey was just as spectacular, taking us over Passo Giau, Passo Fedaia and Karer Pass. Just before reaching the Karer Pass, we stopped to admire the impressive Rosengarten massif. Another fantastic day with everything a Dolomites motorcycle tour should have: legendary passes, spectacular scenery and plenty of curves. And I'm starting to wonder: can you ever get tired of these views? I don't think so.
Today was finally the day! The legendary Stelvio Pass was on our schedule – a pass that can be found on pretty much every motorcycle rider’s bucket list. The ride from Bolzano was a little challenging at first, with heavy traffic all the way into the Vinschgau Valley. So in Glurns, we stopped for a coffee and a short break before having our final briefing just before the climb to Stelvio. Because one thing was clear: we weren't going to be alone up there! Cyclists, camper vans, motorcycles – and pretty much anything with wheels – all seemed determined to make it to the top. Once we reached the summit, the first priority was, of course, buying the obligatory souvenir to prove we'd actually made it. And then there was no way we could leave without having the legendary hot dog at Bruno's. For the descent, we chose a slightly different route. We crossed the Umbrail Pass into Switzerland before heading back down into the valley. The final stretch towards Bolzano was, unfortunately, busy with traffic again. But once we were back in Klobenstein, that was quickly forgotten. We conquered Stelvio today – and I'm pretty sure this is a day we'll be talking about for a long time to come!
Today we headed south – to Lake Garda. To save some time on the way there, we took the motorway for the first part of the ride. Not exactly the most exciting part of a motorcycle tour, but today it was definitely worth it. As soon as we left the motorway, it was time for the curves again. We headed into the mountains, riding smaller roads and tackling countless bends – exactly what we came here for. Once we reached Lake Garda, we stopped for a relaxed lunch. Afterwards, we quickly left the hustle and bustle around the lake behind and headed back into the mountains. For the final stretch, we had to use the motorway again around Bolzano. Then came the climb back up to Renon and Klobenstein – by now, we could almost ride it with our eyes closed. At first, we had our doubts about whether taking the motorway was really worth it today. After this day, the answer is definitely yes! A fantastic route, countless curves and another day that we’ll be happy to remember. Tomorrow is our final riding day – hard to believe the week is almost over.
And just like that, a week is over. Six days of riding have simply flown by. For our final day, we once again immersed ourselves in the Dolomites. We rode through Kronplatz, Bruneck, Brixen and over Würzjoch – a little bit of everything one last time: great roads, beautiful scenery, mountain passes and, of course, plenty of curves. Most importantly, everyone made it back safely. What a great group! Nine friends, great riders and clearly a group that knows how to enjoy riding together. I really enjoyed sharing the roads with you and being your guide through the Dolomites. For me, the best part of guiding is not just the roads and the scenery – it’s the people you meet along the way. And I’m very happy that our paths crossed. I hope we’ll meet again somewhere down the road. Have a safe journey home, enjoy your next adventures, and keep riding! And to all of you: have fun on your future motorcycle tours back home in Mexico. 🇲🇽🏍️🇮🇹 It was a pleasure riding with you. Take care, my friends – and hopefully, see you again!