Sellaronda Bike Day

As every year, it's that time again: on two summer days, once in June and once in September, the four mountain passes around the Sella massif are closed to motorized vehicles and reserved exclusively for cyclists.

We can't miss an opportunity like this! We start in Selva di Val Gardena and ride - counterclockwise - via Plan de Gralba towards the Sella Pass. We have to overcome about 660 meters of altitude difference and 9 km. Breathtaking is the view on the Sassolungo and the Sella Towers. Past the former Sella Mountain Hut we reach the highest point at the pass (2,244 m a.s.l.). The view of the Marmolada glacier is simply amazing.

A 5 km descent towards Canazei (Trentino), in the presence of the imposing walls of Piz Ciavazes and Sass Pordoi, on the Fassa Valley side of the Sella, now leads us to the junction for the Pordoi Pass. We climb again, between the lift facilities of the winter Sellaronda, and in 6.5 km we also reach the second of the four passes. Looking back, we can see many colorful dots slowly moving upwards, pedaling along the hairpin turns. From the 2,239 m high pass we roll down to Arabba (Belluno), where cyclists can find anything they might need, from a service station to lunch and entertainment.

This is where the shortest ascent of the Sellaronda Bike Day begins (4 km), leading to Passo Campolongo (1,875 m), between the eastern side of the Sella and the Pralongià. From here we ride downhill towards Corvara in Alta Badia. From Corvara we cycle up towards Passo Gardena (2,121 m), where we take the obligatory picture at the pass road sign, before we return to our starting point in Selva di Val Gardena.

Important: During the Sellaronda Bike Days, it is strongly recommended to ride the route counterclockwise. The closure to motorized vehicles does not suspend the Italian Traffic Code, which must still be respected. This includes the obligations to keep to the right and maintain a safe speed for people and things.