Detailed directions about the route can be obtained from the altimetry (last figure of the gallery), from the captions of the individual photos and from the "Google Map" at the bottom right, which can be enlarged as desired. Double clicking on the photos you can view them at the highest resolution.
Description of the route
In May of 2015 this new bike route was opened which now connects the long route of the Dolomites, which goes from Calalzo to Cortina and Dobbiaco, with Belluno. The route is a segment of the Munich-Venice bike route. In reality the sections of dedicated bike path are rather limited, whereas the majority of the route follows along the former Alemagna state highway, which now has very little traffic since a superhighway was constructed.
The route begins at the train station of Calalzo-Pieve di Cadore; upon leaving the station head right and climb towards the center of the village where you will pass between two large supermarkets, useful to stock up on drinks and supplies if necessary; from here one follows the route that traces the old railway line to Cortina.
After about 3 km/2 miles one reaches an intersection; the path to the left goes to Belluno, the one in the middle goes to the long route of the Dolomites to Cortina, and to the right a side trip to Pieve; it is well worth the effort to take this, even if it is a rather steep climb, and then return to the main route.
Taking the bike route to Belluno, one descends very steeply at first, as far as Perarolo; from here the route continues along the old Alemagna highway, following along the Piave.
One finds a true dedicated bike path just before Longarone, then one continues on a road east of the Piave to a large bridge that leads to Ponte nelle Alpi [bridge of the Alps], where there is a train station that acts as a hub between the line from Conegliano to Belluno and that for Cortina.
To the west of the town one finds a bike route to Belluno; here again the section of dedicated bike path is limited and one continues on local roads with little traffic until arriving at Belluno and at the train station. Before getting on the train it is worthwhile to take a spin through the historic center.