Dolomites Bike Day 2026

Dolomites Bike Day 2026: the day the Dolomites belonged only to cyclists

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The ninth edition turned the Campolongo, Falzarego, and Valparola passes into one legendary, traffic-free cycling route. This year's event has already made history — but the next one is already on the calendar. And in the meantime, the September Sellaronda Bike Day is still ahead of us.

by Dolomites Bike Guides Editorial Team · Arabba, June 2026

There are mornings in the Dolomites when the asphalt belongs only to those on two wheels. No engine noise, no exhaust fumes, no impatient traffic: just the laboured breath of cyclists, the whistle of wind between the dolomitic towers, and the absolute silence of a UNESCO World Heritage landscape transformed, for one day, into a vast private cycling arena.

That is exactly what happened on Saturday, 20 June 2026, when the ninth edition of the Dolomites Bike Day reopened the books on the finest tradition of Alpine cycling. The Falzarego, Valparola, and Campolongo passes — the very same passes that have decided memorable editions of the Giro d'Italia — were closed to motorised traffic from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, offering a 51-kilometre loop with 1,290 metres of elevation gain to anyone willing to get in the saddle.

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An event for everyone — no exceptions

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The Dolomites Bike Day is not a race. There are no race numbers, no timers, no podiums. It is something rarer and more valuable: a free, open, registration-free event that welcomes absolutely everyone. Families with children in bike trailers, trained athletes pushing hard up every switchback, e-bike tourers stopping to photograph every bend, vintage cycling enthusiasts who seem to belong to another era — all sharing the same roads, all with the same freedom.

The recommended counterclockwise route connects the Ladin valleys of Alta Badia, Livinallongo, and Ampezzo through three of the most iconic mountain passes in the Eastern Alps. Riders starting from Arabba climb toward Passo Campolongo, descend to Corvara and La Villa, then tackle Passo Valparola and Falzarego before returning to the valley through Andraz. On a normal day, this requires nerves of steel and constant attention to traffic. On Dolomites Bike Day, it is pure, uninterrupted joy.

"Riding freely over the Dolomite passes with no cars around is an experience unlike anything else. It's why we come back every year."

— Jonathan Harrison, international participant

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The ninth edition: behind us now, but far from forgotten

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The 2026 edition is over. Those who were there know it well: the early morning light on the Pale di San Martino, the descent toward Arabba with the wind in your face, the coffee at the Falzarego refuge without a queue of trucks on the hairpin below. Those who missed it already have a date to mark in next year's calendar: future editions of the Dolomites Bike Day will take place every June, and the formula will not change. Free. Open. Legendary.

To stay updated on upcoming dates, we invite you to follow the official event website and keep an eye on us: we are the official bike guides of Arabba and among the first to share every update on the Dolomitic cycling season.

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Can't wait until 2027? The Sellaronda Bike Day is still to come

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For those who already miss the feel of open asphalt under their wheels, the 2026 season is not over yet. The Sellaronda Bike Day — the twin event that closes the four passes of the famous loop around the Sella Massif to all motorised traffic — already celebrated its summer edition on 6 June, but returns for a second, autumn appointment: Saturday, 12 September 2026.

The Sellaronda Bike Day route takes in the Sella, Gardena, Campolongo, and Pordoi passes, winding through Val Gardena, Alta Badia, Arabba, and Val di Fassa. Same rules as always: no registration, no entry fee, no engines. Just bikes, panoramas, and the deep satisfaction of riding one of Europe's most celebrated routes in total freedom. Roads are closed from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

It is an opportunity not to be missed — especially in September, when the larch trees begin to turn gold and the crisp air at altitude transforms every pedal stroke into something almost otherworldly.

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Riding the passes all year round: that's where we come in

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The Dolomites Bike Day and the Sellaronda Bike Day are the days when anyone can get on a bike and feel part of something truly special. But the Dolomites do not exist only on those Saturdays in June and September. They exist every single day, in all their complexity and beauty, with climbs that demand respect and descents you will never forget.

We are Dolomites Bike Guides, the official bike guides of Arabba, in the heart of Livinallongo, just a few switchbacks from the Campolongo and Pordoi passes. We accompany cyclists of every level — from those riding the mountain roads for the very first time to seasoned riders finally tackling the grand loop — with tailor-made itineraries, logistical support, bike rental, and the kind of local knowledge that only comes from riding these passes hundreds of times.

If the Dolomites Bike Day has sparked the urge to come back — or if you're heading here for the September Sellaronda and want to turn a weekend into a complete cycling experience — we are here to build it with you.

Plan your Dolomites cycling adventure with the official guides of Arabba.

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