The Marcialonga Gran Fondo Dolomites 2024 is a premier road cycling event held in Italy’s stunning Dolomites of the Fiemme and Fassa valleys. Scheduled for May 26, 2024, this event offers two challenging routes: a medium distance of 80 km with a 2448 m elevation gain and a long distance of 135 km with a 3900 m elevation gain. Both routes feature significant climbs and descents through iconic passes such as Passo Costalunga, Passo Pampeago, Passo San Pellegrino, and Passo Valles, each providing unique challenges and breathtaking views. Marcialonga is one of the stages of the main Italian long-distance cycling circuits: ALE’ CHALLENGE, NALINI ROAD SERIES, CYCLING ITALIA.
Route Details
Departure in Predazzo. You head towards Moena, the “Fairy of the Dolomites,” and continue until you reach Jen Jan di Fassa, where you take the first one, the Costalunga Pass. These first 16km are slightly uphill, although very pedalable. The climb to Costalunga is very regular, without excessive gradients. The last two kilometers before the pass, the road flattens out, allowing you to enjoy the view. From the Costalunga Pass, the long descent of about 10 km begins, which runs alongside Lake Carezza, passing the town of Nova Levante. After a short climb, the road descends again to Ponte Nova, the route’s lowest point. The ascent to the Pampeago Pass begins here: in the almost 14km of the climb, short pedaling sections alternate with sections with significant gradients. Overall, this is the hardest climb on the route. From Obereggen to the Pampeago Pass and downhill to Alpe Pampeago, the road is closed to vehicles, allowing you to pedal with peace of mind.
Once past the pass, you return to Predazzo, where you can choose whether to stop at the medium route or continue towards the San Pellegrino and Valles passes, thus completing the longer route.
The San Pellegrino Pass is certainly known as a destination much loved by professional cyclists and the scene of the sporting battles of the Giro d’Italia. Above all, the hairpin bends that the Marcialonga Craft granfondo tackles on the descent toward Falcade are epic. The last climb is that of Passo Valles, which is short but has steep slopes and leads to the imposing Pale di San Martino. Finally, we face the long and technical descent towards Predazzo, passing among the centuries-old trees of the Paneveggio Natural Park.
Marcialonga offers a race dedicated to children, Minicycling. The competition format is a gymkhana, and the location is the center of Predazzo. The difficulties and the number of laps to complete vary depending on age and category, starting from mice (children up to 6 years old) to 12-year-olds.
Cycling Holiday in Predazzo Italy
