The routes are already on your list and the passes are printed out. But where do you sleep? That choice determines how much time you need to get ready every morning, and therefore how much you get out of your cycling week.
Of Classic Sellaronda route Our site starts in Corvara in Badia, And that is no coincidence. Bike Rebel Corvara is listed as one of the “designated common starting areas” on the circuit. However, it is not automatically the best choice for everyone. We put the three hubs side by side, based on the criteria that really matter.
The short answer: Corvara if you want to stack passes, Canazei if you're looking for more value for money, Ortisei if the village and off-road options are at least as important as the asphalt classics.
The comparison at a glance
- Corvara – Best for: pure road trips. Sellaronda access: direct, from the front door. Additional drive time: zero. Price point: mid-to-high. Village atmosphere: functional, no piazza. Bonus outside the box: limited.
- Canazei – Best for: value and flexibility. Sellaronda access: direct, to the circuit. Additional driving: minimal. Price feeling: most friendly. Village atmosphere: quiet, with an Italian and German influence in the food culture. Bonus outside the box: reasonable.
- Ortisei – Best for: overall experience and mixed groups. Sellaronda access: indirect, extra connectors needed. Additional driving: most route construction. Price: high. Village atmosphere: charming, walkable, full of restaurants. Bonus off the beaten path: strongest (gravel, MTB, Alpe di Siusi).
Corvara – everyone is here
Corvara is literally in the middle of the loop. From the village you start at the four bends without any detour. Bike Rebel gives the round from Corvara 51.6 km with approximately 1,670 meters of elevation gain, Both directions are possible. You can have breakfast in the morning, roll out of the village and be on the first climb within minutes.
Because of this, Corvara is ideal for short trips or first visits, when you want to make the most of every day. Multiple days? From Corvara, you can cycle the Sellaronda clockwise, counter-clockwise, or ride variants towards Arabba or Falzarego, and build up your days off without always starting from the same point.
Corvara is not a village to fall in love with. Not a cute central square, rather a main street with cafés and restaurants along the main road. Ladin culture, excellent food, but you come here for the routes, not for the kilometers of walking.
In terms of price, Corvara is in the mid-range segment. KAYAK shows 4-star hotels starting at around £80 per night, with a total of over 100 accommodations available. There is plenty of choice, but it is less extensive than Canazei.
Canazei – more hotels, more budget
Canazei is also a designated starting area on the Sellaronda. Fassa.com even gives an explicit recommendation: drive counter-clockwise from Canazei. According to Bike Rebel, the route from Canazei is the best way to get there. 62.6 km with 2,030 vertical meters, a little longer because you return more to your starting point.
The big difference with Corvara lies in the hotel offer and the price. KAYAK counts about 400 hotels in Canazei, with 3-star accommodation starting from £77 and 4-star accommodation starting from £109. That is a significantly wider range of options, especially useful if you’re booking with a group or are looking for availability later in the season.
The village itself is quiet, with a mix of Italian and German-inspired dining culture. Nice after the drive, although it’s less “postcard-worthy” than Ortisei.
Ortisei – the charm and off-road
Ortisei is the most beautiful of the three villages. Shops, restaurants, cafes, everything is within walking distance. Several sources describe it as a place where you quickly fall in love. If the stay is as important as the kilometers, then Ortisei becomes very attractive.
For the pure Sellaronda rider, there is a compromise here. Ortisei is not directly located on the circuit. You have to complete a few steps to get from Ortisei to the Sella Ronda; and for cyclists as well: you need extra driving kilometers towards Selva or Plan de Gralba before the real work begins.
Where Ortisei does offer an advantage: everything outside the classic lanes on the road. You will find more than 50 gravel routes around the village, you also have beautiful MTB and trailrunning options, and direct access to Alpe di Siusi opens up a completely new playing field. If you ride with a group that also includes gravel riders or other offroaders, Ortisei suddenly becomes the smartest choice.
In terms of price, Ortisei is the most expensive. You can get as crazy as you want. There is surely still a last-minute deal to be found. But it’s not budget-friendly. You get a lot of beautiful things for that price.
Where can we find you?
- First trip to the Dolomites, all asphalt, bucket list? Corvara. No uphill sections, direct access to the Sella Ronda, the classic variant, cycling every day is important.
- A larger group booked later, price-quality important? Canazei. More hotels, better for your budget, but still on the Sellaronda.
- Longer week, gravel included, the village has to be a hit? Ortisei. Best atmosphere, an off-road bonus, a little more options to the Sellaronda.
A note about distances: the Sellaronda route is 55km long. There are some different numbers being mentioned, but we like to stick to the 55km route. You can find the route in our article on cycling in the Dolomites.
Have you already chosen a base camp for your Dolomites week, or are you still undecided? We would love to hear which village has been chosen and why. You can read more about the region in our overview. Cycling in the Dolomites.
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.