Would you like to go gravel biking in Italy? Think about the mountains around Bolzano in South Tyrol. Where the Dolomites are known for their beautiful climbs on the road, There is much more to discover beyond the well-trodden paths. From base camp Bolzano, for example, you can head to the Jenesienpass that leads to the Stoanerne Mandln. This crazy route can only be reached by bike or on foot and is for many an undiscovered gem. We can rightly say: Bolzano is your gravel basecamp in the Dolomites.
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Basecamp Bolzano
From the city of Bolzano, the Dolomites are at your feet. The reason to book a hotel or accommodation here is simple: all the benefits of a city (including a new direct flight from Antwerp or Dusseldorf via Skyalps) But you’re completely on your own in nature within 10 minutes. You have several options to discover the gravel roads directly as well. If you don’t drive to Ritten/Renon towards Oberbozen, you can really let loose on a stretch of 20% km of air. It’s also great and fun to go up in the gondola towards Kohlern. But the icing on the cake for us is the amazing climb towards The Stoanerne Mandln (Ometti di Pietra). There are just too many choices, because you also have plenty of options to the south. Again: Bolzano is your gravel basecamp in the Dolomites.
Lake of Caldaro
Along the Adige River we drive towards the Kalterer See, or Lago di Caldaro. That is truly a beautiful place to have a drink after a nice ride. From there we drive towards the start of the climb towards the stone men. The ascent is relatively flat in that respect and we can really get into our rhythm. That’s nice, because the climb up is a long, steep slog. If we include Bolzano, you first have a stretch of asphalt, but after about 40-50 kilometers it becomes off-road and you really have to be prepared for that. Before that, we’ll take the ‘seilbahn’ up there for a while.
Stone males
As soon as we start climbing, it’s a slight uphill stretch and we keep pedaling. In advance, it’s already made clear that the last stretch won’t necessarily be easy. We are prepared. We slowly climb above the tree line and in the meantime the views become increasingly amazing. We can see the entire Dolomites in front of us and it’s pure enjoyment. The higher we go, the worse the road surface gets. It becomes a bit of a roller coaster and you really have to keep pressing down on the pedals to stay upright.
That brings us to the first kind of plateau. After that, we have to go another few hundred meters, but what a beautiful place. It’s so peaceful there. Just us, a few hikers, and no one else. Once we’re at the bottom of the last 100 meters, we see the stone men already standing there. Just a little ‘clunk’ and we’re up there. Meanwhile, we’ve had to overcome high percentages: 15% is no exception.
Amazing place
That the stone men are an amazing place, that should now be clear. You stand in a kind of ‘on top of the world’. All around you are only mountains, no matter how far you look. Meanwhile, you are standing in a place that is different every time. The stone men (storneren mandln) are actually small pebbles that are stacked over and over again. The weather changes the structure of these men, and so this place is different every time. It is also not a protected area, so you could also build your own mannequin. Unique!
Descending to the city
The descent to Bolzano starts as a real, challenging gravel descent. I must say, I also slip down the descent. Shit happens. But the views remain amazing. In the middle, we stop for a delicious coffee and apple pie, but in the meantime, we keep on going. Bolzano and the stoanerne mandln are places that you don’t want to forget soon. Once we’re down, we go for the ‘aperitivo’ and the three-course meal. That’s also the advantage of finishing in the city: you can have a drink somewhere and relax in the meantime. Plenty of choice of restaurants and bars.
Gravel route Stoanerne Mandln
This route takes you up the cable car to the Jenesienpass and the stone men. It’s a challenging route, but one of the most beautiful I’ve ever ridden.
Our tips
- Hotel Figl has a good spacious bike storage with tools
- Also Hotel Scala Stiegl is perfect
- You can get a real local beer at Hopfen or at Batzen Hausl
- Do as the locals do and let Bolzano pass you by on the terrace Stadt hotel Citta. Stay for lunch or dinner and you won't be disappointed.
- The wines of the city vineyard Schmid-Oberrautner They might be the best in the region. It is truly a special place.
- When creating routes in Komoot, be careful not to take an MTB route up if there are unpaved sections. They are extremely challenging.
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Questions & tips
Do you have any questions about this route, or have you been there yourself? Share them here. We read everything and usually respond within a few days.