The Haute Route worldwide gran fondo race series has announced the 2021 Haute Route Dolomites route includes almost 14,000 metres of climbing while traversing 450 kilometres in the northern heights of Italy from 31 August to 4 September.

Starting in Cortina d’Ampezzo, site of 2026 Winter Olympics, and ending in Bormio, the new five stage point-to-point course will give riders the chance to cross a few bucket list climbs of their list, including the legendary Passo Stelvio, the infamous Tre Cime di Lavaredo and the mighty Passo Giau.

Riders will spend two nights in Cortina d’Ampezzo, one in Trento and two in Bormi with stage routes taking riders from one host city to the next.

Stage 1 is set to be a huge day.  Riders will head out of the beautiful mountain-resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo to tackle four iconic climbs with 3400m vertical over only 95km. Climbs include Giro d’Italia favorites Passo Giau, Passo Falzarego, Cimabanche and lastly, Tre Cime di Lavaredo with its 19% pitches.

Covering 135km and 2350m vertical from Cortina d’Ampezzo to Trento, Stage 2 includes two massive passes, Falzarego (again) and Passo Valles near San Pellegrino, known for its world famous natural sparkling mineral water.

Stage 3 heads into the Italian Alps with an uphill drag race to the top of legendary Passo Gavia.  After warming up on Passo Tonale, riders will try to climb like Italian great Marco Pantani for 17 kilometres on an average grade of 8% to top of Gavia.  Amazing snow-capped mountain views will great riders at the summit before descending to Bormio.

After three days on the bike, Passo Stelvio will push riders to their limit on Stage 4.  This epic 24.3km climb rises over 1,808m from Bormio to finish on a 2761m summit.  It will be a great battle between mind and body to successfully conquer Stelvio’s 48 legendary hairpin turns.

Haute Route Dolomites wraps up on Stage 5 with a 15km 750m+ time trial to Laghi di Cancano.  The 2020 Giro d’Italia included the climb and for good reason. The steep uphill time trial will see riders struggle to wind up a series of switchbacks to a stunning lake filled with turquoise blue glacial water and nestled against 4000m Alpine peaks.

Worldwide Gran Fondo and Gravel Fondo Calendar