FROM THE PEAKS TO THE VALLEYS

This is a route through the Dolomites, a cycling and walking path which links Oberdrauburg, east of Lienz, to the cycle lane at Primolano.

It runs partly along existing cycle paths, partly along paths which have yet to be marked out as such; the stretch alongside the banks of the Piave runs along minor roads which are now closed to vehicular traffic.

The route starts out from Oberdrauburg [1], and wends its way through woodland and picturesque little Austrian villages to Lienz [2];  from here a gentle climb up along the flow of the Drava River - from which the cycle path takes its name - will take you to Sillian [3], a delightful tourist resort, and then on to San Candido and Dobbiaco. On the northern part of the route, from Dobbiaco to Calalzo, you will for the most part be following the ex-Dolomiti railway line, which gives you the opportunity to enjoy downhill stretches, fairly easy climbs and spectacular views. 

From the little Austrian towns, take the Landro Valley until the fork for Carbonin and continue on to the  Cimabanche Pass [4], which leads to Cortina d’Ampezzo, the Pearl of the Dolomites, with the chance to admire the Nasswald War Cemetery, the Tre Cime di Lavaredo and the Lakes of Dobbiaco and Landro on the way. Here you will be pedalling through a veritable paradise: the Dolomiti d’Ampezzo, Dolomiti di Fanes and Sesto Natural Parks. From Cortina d’Ampezzo [5], continue along the ex-railway line to Calalzo di Cadore [6], where you can head towards either Comelico-Sappada or Pieve di Cadore [7],  following the old trunk road which goes to Longarone [8].

Continue from here to Ponte nelle Alpi, and then, cycling in the direction of Belluno [9], take the road for Safforze, which leads to Cavarzano, near the centre of the city. From here you can choose from the routes on the right bank of the Piave, skirting around the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park, and those on the left side of the river, which offer fine views of the gentle contours of the Pre-Alps. The roads through the little hamlets and villages of the Piave Valley offer a host of options, all of them running through superb landscape.

When you reach Feltre [10],  you can avoid the flow of traffic by going through Farra, Mugnai,  Artén and Fonzaso, and from the banks of Corlo Lake you can get to Arsiè along the old road to the Scale di Primolano [11],  thrilling to cycle down.

From here you can get on to the Brenta cycling path. [T.S.]