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E-Biking in Val Gardena

This was my first time in Val Gardena, but I'm certain it won't be the last. With 300 days a year of sunshine, happy and helpful locals, the most incredible food, activities for all requirements and abilities. Oh and the scenery, wow...

By Hazel ButterfieldPublished 7 years ago 3 min read
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Our trip started out at our hotel, Hotel Gran Baita, with their signature cocktail, the 'Hugo', as we got to know the rest of our team for our e-biking tour e-powered by Bosc, where we also got to find out a bit more about this deliciously beautiful part of the Dolomites.

The villages of Santa Christina, Selva and Ortesei make up this region with altitude levels ranging between 1236m-1563m. While it's landmark, Sassolungo towers above at an impressive 3181m. There are 3 main languages used here; Italian, German and Ladin. One of the few areas still keeping Ladin alive.

We start the next day nice and early for our intro to our bikes and we embark on our 40k warm-up session through the mountains. E-biking is a first for me, I was very keen to get cracking and I was not disappointed. A fabulous mixture of a workout surrounded by the most breathtaking surroundings.

All of which would be impossible without the e-bike. I'm not unfit, but those mountainous hills and terrain would be untenable without the propulsion provided by the motor. You have a choice of help ranging from Eco/Tour/Sport & Turbo, dependant on what you see fit!

Choose wisely as you don't want to run out of juice on the especially challenging gradients!

Do not get me wrong, it is still hard work. But the areas that would have been unreachable (unless you are one of those crazy cyclists who see an IronMan tournament as a fun short workout), provide you with the ability to see vistas that should not be missed and no longer need to be.

Trust me, Instagram will get a hammering.

Looking down on the beautiful Santa Christina

But then, we also got to throw into the mix the lunch destinations en-route.

Lunch during our first full day was at Val D'Anna and was truly surpassing any visions of a pretty mountainous pit stop location. Stop for food, a refreshing drinkie, paddle, sunbathe or let the kids let off some steam.

It was all followed by dessert 10 kilometers later at Maso Paratoni, an unassuming location that provided us with incredible Frittelle di Miele and coffee ice-cream followed by their specialty — a selection of their homemade Grappa (A Grappa stop is always recommended).

Then we very wisely traveled a direct route back to the village and left our bikes to be charged ready for the next day. It was time to enjoy the hotel's facilities (of which they are everything you could need) before dinner in their restaurant where the views equal the delicious food.

The next day we got to experience what the warm-up was all about: the Sellaronda. A 70-kilometer route that covers four mountain passes and rewards all your effort with spectacular views.

On special event days, the roads are closed to general traffic to ensure a better ride experience between 8.30am and 3.30pm. We liked that perk.

Towards the end of our cycle, we stopped off at Chalet Gerard for a spot of lunch and the most incredible Amaretto Parfait, including a glass of celebratory wine to mark our achievement (it would be rude not to). The journey back to Selva is all down hill, so we parted with our bikes then go and enjoy the hotel's spa.

Hotel Gran Baita

The spa was set in the most idyllic location, with both indoor and outdoor pools, separated by a nifty little automatic swim-through door for an easy transition, including saunas and jacuzzis, with an excellent outdoor lounging space for the afternoon sun after earning your relaxation in the mountains. It was in the Hotel Gran Baita.

The Hotel Grain Baita also offers dog-friendly and varied accommodation for all requirements.

Other activities available are; Hiking for all levels of fitness dolomitesalpine.it, Climbing/Bouldering colderflam.com, Hang Gliding www.fly2.com and Slack-lining.

The kids' facilities at most places we passed or visited were unique and adventurous as well, not to mention the kids' e-biking options, too.

For further details of biking events in the unmistakably awe-inspiring burning Dolomites see Mtb-dolomites.com.

A few notes for this trip:

  • Remember that the brakes are opposite!
  • This will not be a romantic getaway if you're not used to hard saddles.
  • The weather in the mountains can be extremely interchangeable, so pack for all occasions.
  • I also highly recommend the Endura Luminate Cycle Helmet.

The Mountains are calling...

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About the Creator

Hazel Butterfield

I'm a Presenter @RiversideRadio @WomensRadioStn & Blogger - talking about food, music, fitness & randomness with a special love for #Books

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