This 4th route from the "Alps and Dolomites 2020" route collection is definitely one of the queen rides of the route collection. It takes you over a total of 7 different passes, of which the Stelvio and the Gavia are perhaps the best known, but perhaps not even the most beautiful. As far as I am concerned, that honor is reserved for the passes in the Dolomites. And that's where this route takes you. Another suitable name for this route could therefore be: 'From the Alps to the Dolomites in 7 passes'. Enjoy it, but in moderation; this 6-hour route (without breaks) over 7 mountain passes is not for faint-hearted ...

The moment you leave in Trafoi you are immediately in the right place, at 1 kilometer from the start you will find the first Stelvio pin. Only 44 to go and you are at the top of 2758 meters, one of the highest rideable peaks in Europe. The Col de l'Iseran in France is higher and the Col de la Bonette, also in France, also wants to take the honor, but that's a bit cheating. On the Bonette they have actually added a top to make it the highest road in Europe that can be driven on. The Stelvio (rp2) is in any case also one of the oldest. In 1825 the original road was completed and it was also kept open all year round as it was the main link between Vienna and Milan. Today that is no longer the case and the Stelvio only closes between October and May. Very often also in June, given the snowfall at this height. Even in summer, snow can fall and the pass closes inexorably. Do not underestimate the Stelvio and the rapid follow-up of the hairpin bends.

Fun fact, if you want to refuel at the highest cash machine in Europe, then the top of the Stelvio is also the 'place to be…'.

30 pins in the descent later, you end up in Bormio where you pass on the way to the Gavia. The first petrol station on the route can also be found in Bormio (rp3), if necessary.

The Gavia pass (rp 4) is a fairly long pass that reaches 2621 meters at the top. It is also a fairly steep pass that is sometimes barely 3 meters wide. Immediately in addition, sometimes depths of 500 meters yawn. All this together makes the Gavia actually quite a dangerous pass that must be taken with the necessary caution.

The descent to Ponte di Legno is a nice playground. After Ponto di Legno, it turns in the direction of the Dolomites while the Passo del Tonale (rp 5) and the Passo dela Mendola (rp 7) (Mendelpass) slide under the wheels in the transition from the Alps to the Dolomites.

The Passo del Tonale is normally open all year round. It lies in the middle of a turbulent war zone and the war memorial at the top reminds you of it.

The Mendel Pass, on the other hand, is a bit more touristy and could already receive several famous guests in the past; Gandhi, Röntgen, Franz Joseph I of Austria…, they have all stayed here.
When the weather is clear, the Latemar massif of the Dolomites mountain range can be seen for the first time on the top of the Mendel Pass, but first you descend to the valley of the Adige and then make the winding climb to the Passo di San Lugano. the first Dolomites pass on the route.

The Dolomites basically consist of four massifs which we list in order of arrival on this (and the next) route: The Latemar massif is the first on your right, while the Rosengarten remains on your left. The Marmolada and the Sella are next in the list, but we just don't pass them on this route, since we first visit the sleeping mat in Vigo di Fassa. But before arriving there, a very pleasant course awaits us, which, as already mentioned, starts at the Passo di San Lugano.

The Passo di San Lugano (rp9) is fairly easy to drive. A few pins in the row, but then it goes nice and loose. It is nice to know that the pass, with which you actually enter the massifs of the Dolomites, is named after the holy apostle of the Dolomites, a good, safe and protected start to a stay in the Dolomites.

After Cavalese you start the climb of the Passo di Lavazè. From the entrance of this pass you get a view of the Latemar massif of the Dolomites on your right. The pass is easy to ride with a stronger gradient (12%) at the end. As you drive through the valley, think for a moment of the 20 victims who fell when in 1998 a jet fighter cut the cables of a cable car in its flight through the valley.

The descent of the Lavazèpass not only offers you a view of the Latemar massif, but from now on you also get to see parts of the Rosengarten massif.

After about 15 kilometers in the descent, at San Valentino (rp14), you will find 11 very fast consecutive and very nice pins that take you to the valley that forms the approach to the Karerpass or the Passo di Costalunga (rp18). Here you will see both the Latemar on the right and the Rosengarten on your left. A strongly recommended rest point is certainly route point 17 where you can admire both massifs extensively while enjoying a nice break.

Fun fact is that the Karerpass runs along the Karersee (marked on the map). The very large Latemar massif owes its name to this relatively small lake. After all, Latemar comes from the old Ladin name 'Cresta-de Lac-te-mara', which means 'Mountain ridge above the Karermeer'.

The Rosengarten massif then takes its name from the legend of the dwarf king Laurin. Legend has it that it had a rose garden high up on the mountain that became visible every evening with the last rays of the sun caressing the ridge ...

From the Karer Pass it is then only 9 kilometers to the final destination in Vigo di Fassa, where hotel 'Carpe Diem' (what's in a name?) Awaits you at rp 20. On the way there you are occasionally already a look at the Marmolada, the playground that opens tomorrow.

Despite the transition road between Alps and Dolomites (rp 5 to 6) the route definitely deserves a 5 star rating, and even the transition road is beautiful in itself, although there are few opportunities for a break. But otherwise, the route is sublime in terms of views and technicality. Don't underestimate this route! The Stelvio has very quick successive pins that many a rider has already choked on. And the Gavia is rightly called a dangerous pass because of its very narrow road and deep precipices immediately adjacent to it.
But once you have passed Scanna in the queue to the Mendel, the headline feast really starts! Nice curves, nice climbs, silly long stretches of asphalt and the occasional nasty little squeeze to keep you focused. You don't need more to arrive with a blissful smile in 'Carpe Diem', where you will undoubtedly enjoy a blissful night's sleep. Don't forget to stop on rp 17 to take in the beauty of the Dolomites. And then you have to realize that you have actually only half seen it ... the 'special attractions' of the playground have yet to open ...