South Tyrol & Dolomites Escape
- Moloko
- Sep 3
- 5 min read
New Escape? South Tyrol? Let's go!
We have just spent a week doing a recce of the routes and checking out accommodation, coffee stops, hiking trails... and oh my - we are SO excited to launch this new gem of a destination!
Arriving in Tyrol
It's 6am on Saturday and we set off on the 16 hour drive to South Tyrol - with lots of coffee, snacks & yap and of course some tunes, we are already buzzing for the holiday ahead. We cross France, Germany, then Austria where we get a sneak peak of the beauty of North Tyrol and its turquoise lakes. This could very well be a coming soon Moloko destination too 👀
Arriving in South Tyrol, we know straight away that we are going to have an amazing week: orchards full of red apples as far as the eye can see, cute villages with Tyrollean church steeples poking above the rooftops and of course majestic mountains are making us excited for the coming rides.
The hotel is incredible, with SEVEN pools, all at different temperatures. The wow moments keep coming...dinner is a six-course gastro dream with a salad bar and a 5 stars cheese board. Everything is super fresh, healthy, and just yummm. We're very happy!
The Stelvio
We treat ourselves to a 9am roll out so we're well rested, and use the leisurely start to make the most of the delicious buffet breakfast: there is even a special chef for all things eggs!
The first 40 km of flat is taking us through butter smooth cycling roads, apple-laden orchards, and alongside a milky blue river. Time for our first pit-stop before the big climb and we pick up our favourite snack whilst hyping each other up: Stelvio we're coming for you!
Some stats for this iconic climb: 25 km with 48 hairpins turn, averaging 7.4%, and a total ascent of 1,846 m
The first 15 km are pretty gentle, and soon the snowy peaks appear in the background - it's already beginning to feel like it could be one of my favourite climbs...
The last 10km of tight switchbacks are simply incredible with epic views: the classic Stelvio picture that made me dream about this climb for years.
At the top, we stop for a mandatory pic by the Stelvio sign and a quick snack, before the 20km descend down Umbrail Pass into Switzerland. I would really recommend descending this way as opposed to the way we climbed since it's way more quiet and with less switchbacks (not ideal for descending).
The way back through the orchards at golden hour is simply dreamy - what a day we had!
Hiking Day
You cannot be in South Tyrol without hiking, so this is our plan for today. We take the tiniest, cutest gondola up (definitely not for anyone with vertigo!) and soon the trails are winding along cliffs, giving us views of the whole valley. We can see the Stelvio in the distance and can still feel the buzz from cycling up it yesterday.
Halfway, we find a hut where we stop for beers and chips. The fog is now rolling in as we walk, making the mountains feel dramatic and almost magical. Now for another quick drink stop before hopping into another tiny two-person chairlift back down - definitely a highlight today!
Back at the hotel, we enjoy a cold plunge, jacuzzi, sauna, and infinity pool overlooking the mountains. Dinner is as always gorgeous - I could get used to those 6 courses daily...
Sella Ronda & the Dolomites
It's an early wake up for this one; 7am breakfast, then off to Selva di Val Gardena ready to tackle the big loop: 90 km and 2,800 m of climbing! There’s a shorter option too...but we want to see it all.
We attack the first 10 km climb to Passo Gardena and the views live up to every photo I’ve ever seen of the Dolomites! Traffic is busy at the start, but we think outside the box and switch to go anticlockwise around the loop and quickly calms down (my best tip would be to avoid weekends in July/August if possible). At the top, everyone agrees this is already the best ride of their lives!
We are then treated to a thrilling descent, before we tackle the 14 km climb to Passo Valparola. It's stunning with the blue lake and views, but the climbs are starting to hit our legs. Luckily here's another glorious 15 km descent...aaaaaaand we attack the third climb: another 15 km to Passo Pordoi. The legs are cooked, so when we spot a Gondola lift, it's an immediate yes! After all it's part of the Dolomites experience (and defo a good one to recce!)
At the top, we have another substantial lunch of chips and so many litres of coke, true happiness hits before the final climb of the day - 6 km to Passo Sella - and this goes straight onto the top 5 of the most beautiful climbs I've ridden.
There's a whole lot of emotion going around as we enjoy the view from the top, and can see how much we have achieved.
Absolutely buzzing once again from the day we've just had, and fully understand the hype - the Dolomites are a truly special place! I'm already dreaming of coming back to explore more of the mountains and possible hike more: Dolomites hiking escape anyone?
The Rest Day & e-MTB fun
Today it's like the weather knows that it's our rest day. A summer storm arrives, but we're very happy to chill in the hotel with some very cosy vibes.
We start the day with a yoga class, loving the soothing sound of rain against the windows. Breakfast is a full spread of fresh omelettes with local ham, homemade breads, avocado, smoked salmon… elite morning!
We have more time to make the most of the pools, soaking in the jacuzzi while watching the rain and fog fall over the mountains. It's lounge time now and I'm doing exactly what I love on a rest day; curling up with a steaming cup of tea and a good book. I think the wholesome vibes have officially peaked. 😊
Half of the crew heads for a MTB tour; the plan is up in the gondolas and just ride down - what's there not to like! They come back quite muddy but the hotel has warm showers to clean the bikes so it all works out perfectly.
To Lake Caldaro
It's our last full day and we opt for a relatively flat ride through the orchards to Lago di Caldaro. On the cards for us today; super cute Italian villages, affogato pit stop and a wholesome lunch on the lake shore... we would have gone for a swim but time is flying and we need to head back before dark.
We are then flying along the bike path on the way back. It's golden hour! The sun reflects off the river, and with the backdrop of the mountains, this view is everything. We never want to leave to be honest...
Our last dinner on the terrace is one of the tastiest we had all week; fresh fish, delicious pasta and of course a good bottle of red wine. What a life!
Last morning
We treat ourselves to a slow morning with breakfast in the jacuzzi before hitting the road - we feel so relaxed after such a gorgeous week and ready for the next part of the trip: another week of cycling in the mountains, this time in Chamonix.
2026 bookings for the South Tyrol are now open for 2 escapes (mixed and women's only) and we cannot wait to be back - there is so much to explore in this area!
Comments