In your pedals, get set, GO!

Taking a trip to the Val d'Ega cycling region means an obligatory stop at Obereggen! That's because the area around the Latemar is one of the best places to go mountain biking in the Dolomites. Put on your gear, fasten your helmet, swing into the saddle and you're away! Pedalling around the pale mountains. We've got the best tips:

The Santa Cruz of mountain biking: the tour to top all Obereggen tours! The Latemar circuit. A stretch that would be a marathon for runners may be done in 6.5 hours by mountain bike: the Latemar circuit over Passo Feudo runs for 42 kilometres covering 1,663 metres of ascent and descent. Without too much effort! But with a great backdrop.

The start is at Skicenter Latemar at Predazzo, which may be reached with the Predazzo-Gardonè cabin lift from Predazzo valley terminal. The best way to get there is by bike, of course! Just cycle from Obereggen via the Lago di Carezza and Passo Costalunga to Predazzo.

The cabin lift at Predazzo runs from 24th June to 9th September 2018. The circuit may be done without taking it, off course, but the time spent pedalling will be longer.

The classic

...or the Regglberg Classic, to be more precise! This not-too-challenging tour leads through the picturesque landscape beneath the twin mountains of the Corno Bianco and Corno Nero. Starting at Nova Ponente, it covers over 26 kilometres and 1,100 metres in altitude in around three hours via the pastures of Laabalm, Neuhütt-Alm, Auerleger-Alm, Jochgrimm pass, Schönrastalm pasture and Madonna di Pietralba pilgrimage site and back again to Nova Ponente. A popular circuit in every respect for those who wish to have good views as well as pedal! As well as going past Madonna di Pietralba, the tour also goes past the Bletterbach gorge near the Corno Bianco mountain. May be done as of May!

Not for the faint-hearted

From the province capital to the best-known place of pilgrimage far and wide. Anyone taking on this circular tour mustn't be out of practice, as it leads over 60 kilometres and involves an ascent of a total of 1,900 metres in 6.5 hours from Bolzano to Madonna di Pietralba and back again. Starting in Bolzano, it goes to Colle and some parts then lead along the European long-distance path, on forest trails and asphalted roads to Nova Ponente. It carries on to Pietralba and goes up to Petersberger Leger, which is a good spot to take a well-earned rest! The way back runs via Monte San Pietro and Brantental valley – including technical downhill! - to Laives and back to the capital.

If you're new to mountain biking or don't fancy overdoing it at the start of the season, you'll find the Regglberg tour of mountain pastures just the thing for you! There are a number of places to stop off on the way. Starting at Hotel Schwarzenbach on the main road through the Val d'Ega, it first involves an ascent to Liegalm pasture and then on through woodland to the Lavazé pass. It then leads in the direction of Jochgrimm pass and across Auerleger Alm and Neuhütt-Alm pastures to Pietralba. Following the sign to 'St. Leonhard', you reach the path to Nova Ponente. 3.5 hours should be long enough to complete this 30-km-long tour involving an altitude gain of 890 metres in total.

So, it's time to get on your bike – of course, you can simply hire bikes in the village! And pedal around the World Heritage Site!