The Belluno-Cortina cycle path is a truly exciting route that takes us from Belluno train station to the center of Cortina, all while passing through cycle paths or otherwise very lightly trafficked roads.
Just before reaching our destination, there is a stretch of a few kilometers of gravel that we can replace with the main road, in the case of road bikes (I always do this).
It’s a slightly downhill section, so it will fly by quickly.
| Surface | 95% asfalto (the gravel part can be replaced with the main road) |
| Lenght | 74 km |
| Dislivello | 1370 m |
| Pros | Almost all cycle path, incredible views |
| Cons | Some sections on the main road, a few kilometers of cycle path still under construction |
Physical condition must be very good, as we will go from 370 meters at the start to 1220 meters where the Pearl of the Dolomites (Cortina) is located.
From the very first pedal stroke, it must be clear that moments of rest will be few, and from Longarone onwards, we will start to climb more and more.
So, we use the first 20km to warm up our legs and find a suitable pace for us, and then start pushing really hard.
From Belluno to Villa Montalban
From Belluno train station, we proceed towards Ponte Nelle Alpi, immediately turning left at the first small road and take the cycle path.
At the end of this short stretch, do not continue on the road but go straight. This way, you will reach the main road that you can cross at the pedestrian crossings.
Continue to the left and cross the Alpini Bridge. I recommend stopping halfway to admire the landscape that you can see all around you.
And this is just a taste of what awaits us!
At the end of the bridge, we use the traffic light to cross, go up on the sidewalk, and follow the main road which slightly turns to the right until we reach a very small roundabout.
We take the second exit, and we will see a bike lane appear on the left side of the road and follow it.
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We continue until we pass under a small bridge, cross the road shortly after, and take this entire side road with an attached cycle path.
Always admiring the panoramas, which are really beautiful here.
We continue straight until we find a Euro Spin supermarket on the left. Now, at the next intersection, we turn left uphill, cross a level crossing, and then, at the top, we turn right.
Some ups and downs, we pass another level crossing, and downhill, we will glide to Villa Montalban.
From Villa Montalban to Ponte nelle Alpi
After passing Villa Montalban, at the stop sign, we turn left and the cycle path will continue. After about a hundred meters, we find a fountain that we can use to refresh ourselves.
When we are ready, let’s get back on our bikes to cross another level crossing (actually, the tracks we cross are always the same, we are zigzagging).
Now let’s enjoy this stretch of path (called the New Erto-Safforze cycle path), because it’s beautiful, well-made, and far from the main road (which we will see anyway).
Be careful, because at a certain point there is an uphill stretch that leads to crossing a small stream (always dry, hence its name Rio Secco), and immediately after, there is a challenging 10-meter ramp. So, prepare with the right gear.
Continue straight ahead, then at the fork, turn left and leave the bocciodromo on the right. Keep pedaling.
Shortly after, take the uphill left turn, leaving the little church on the right.
We continue until we reach a fork that can take us to Ponte nelle Alpi on the Roman road, just as you see here below.
In fact, if we went left, we would take this road, while we will continue right to stay on the paved cycle paths.
The Roman road of Ponte nelle Alpi
This stretch is a gravel road immersed in greenery, so much so that sometimes I have seen deer along the roadside. It’s beautiful, and I recommend it to you, but since it’s all gravel, I won’t include it in this article; I’ll talk about it in detail another time.
We continue on the cycle path
We continue straight until we reach the center of Polpet, and at the stop sign, we turn left.
Shortly after the speed bump, we turn right onto the main road, so we do NOT continue straight.
Immediately after the overpass, we turn left to stay on the side roads.
From Ponte nelle Alpi to Longarone
Now, after going through all that stretch of side road, it will seem like we have to get back onto the main road.
Actually, it’s not like that, as we only need to go a few meters against the traffic in the parking lot of the Cima i Prà hotel and then turn left towards Soverzene/Pian di Vedoia.
We stay on the main road and we will arrive at a roundabout (huge), from which we need to take the first exit towards Soverzene.
We continue until the traffic light that regulates the alternating one-way traffic on the Soverzene dam, used by the nearby Achille Gaggia hydroelectric power plant.
Now continue straight through various ups and downs that pass through this very beautiful village until we see the cycle path again, which will resume on the left side of the road.
If we want to add kilometers and elevation gain, you can continue straight for a few meters and take the climb to Val Gallina, which leads to the homonymous dam (once at the top, we will have to turn back and continue).
Let’s take the cycle path and enjoy the view because it’s really beautiful.
We continue until the point you see below, where we will have to leave it to get back onto the main road.
We face a short steep slope, and on the road, we turn left to climb again.
We pass through the villages of Provagna and Dogna, and then downhill until the fork that can take us to the top of the Vajont dam or to Longarone.
We turn left and head to Longarone.
La Cavallera (from Longarone to Pieve)
After crossing the bridge (be careful, as there is often strong wind), we turn right to re-enter the cycle path.
Here is where we encounter a problem, as the previous cycle path has collapsed and as of now (early 2024), work is still underway to build the new one.
So, be prepared because we will have to ride a few kilometers on a busy main road, but it is recently constructed and therefore very wide with a perfect road surface.
We pass through the village of Castellavazzo, and on a slight descent, we turn right following the signs for Davestra/Termine di Cadore.
From now on, you won’t encounter any problems at all, as the traffic is really limited, the road is beautiful, and the views are excellent.
From this point onwards, the Belluno-Cortina cycle path becomes a pleasure to be enjoyed.
You will pass through the villages of Termine di Cadore, Davestra Ospitale, and Perarolo in sequence.
Right after Perarolo, the Cavallera begins, which is a very beautiful climb that I often do and have talked about in a dedicated article.
We pedal following the signs for Pieve di Cadore, being careful to take the cycle path just before returning to the main road (which is very busy and very dangerous).
In a few kilometers, we will reach the center of Pieve, where we will finally take a 100% cycle path that will lead us to Cortina.
Cycle path from Pieve to Cortina
What is about to begin now is the Dolomites cycle path, which from here can take us (if we wish) to Cimabanche.
From Pieve, we continue for a few kilometers towards Valle di Cadore, and on Via Cortina, we turn right towards Nebbiù and take the cycle path.
From this point onwards, the only problem will be with your legs, as fatigue will begin to be felt for these last 20 kilometers or so.
There are 380 meters of elevation gain left, but the beauty of the landscapes and the ease of pedaling on the cycle path will make time pass very quickly.
And in the blink of an eye… you will have arrived at your destination!
Now we have finally arrived in Cortina, congratulations! And now, but it doesn’t even need to be specified, it’s time to have a few beers in the center to regain your energy!
And now, to go back, read this article in reverse and you’ll be back at Belluno station. It’s (almost) all downhill, so go full throttle!
Did you enjoy this guide? Let me know in the comments! And also, let me know what the next tour you want to do is!
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