Wk 9 – Lake Garda to the Dolomites

Monday 20th to Sunday 26th May

Mon 20th – Lake Garda

Today we did a ferry trip around the northern end of Lake Garda. It’s a popular thing to do. First stop; Malcesine to Limone Sul Garda where we spent an hour.

Before catching the next ferry to Riva del Garda.

We spent a leisurely couple of hours in Riva del Garda – it’s a pleasant place.

In the late afternoon we did it all in reverse back to Malcesine and took a long walk around the waterfront.

This is nice

Tues 21st – Malcesine & Castle

Today was miserable.
We took a look at Castello Scaligero di Malcesine, which, with its 13th-century fortifications and even older medieval tower, is Malcesine’s most prominent landmark.

Wed 22nd May – Cortina d’Ampezzo – 260k

1 Pass – Passo Tre Croci 1809m

Today we literally head for the hills.
But before we left Malcesine, and because the sun was shining, we caught the early Malcesine to Mont Baldo Cable Car, which took us 1760m above Lake Garda to some magnificent alpine views.

The traffic wasn’t too bad as we headed north, but the bikes were overtaking us in multiples – we ignored them.
Our first pic stop was Castel Toblino on Lago di Toblino.

We popped into Forte di Cadine. It was built in 1860 as part of the first group of permanent Austrian fortifications, with the purpose to block enemy access to Trento. There’s not much happening there nowadays.

We pushed on to Trento where Google Maps found us a convenient car park so we could wander around town. There was much activity happening in preparation for some economic festival.
We had Subway for lunch – the first one we’ve seen on this journey. Can’t beat a nice Subway.

We’d planned to stop for a look at Feltre, but it was bucketing down so we kept going and passed a few of those cheeky motorbike riders frantically pulling on wets. We laughed out loud as we sprayed on by in our Fiat 500 Panda Hybrid with heating and comfortable seats and window wipers slapping time.

By now we were climbing. I’ve no idea where this is but it’s just short of our only pass for the day, Passo De Troci at 1809mtrs.
We were now back on track to our original plan and it felt good, even if we weren’t enjoying the never ending bends and sweepers as we’d like to have been. Except when it’s raining; then we’re just total hypocrites.

You’d have to think this bridge is slowly being engulfed with limestone runoff with the snow thaw.

15 minutes after crossing Passo De Troci, we were in Cortina d’Ampezzo where we’ll prop for four nights.
Our ridiculously expensive budget priced accommodation did give us some pleasant views.

Now, before I continue, I must warn you that from now on there’s going to be lots of pics of lots of mountains, lots of snow, lots of rocks etc etc. I make no excuses for this tiresome practise because it’s why this trip is happening in the first place. And I do say that the actual experience far surpasses the amateur photography shown.
My high end photographic equipment consists of a 2018 Samsung Galaxy S9+, which primary function is to run TomTom Go Navigation. Why such an old phone? It’s complicated but there is a sound reason – PM me if you want to know any more.

Thurs 23rd May – Cortina SE Loop – 95klm

3 Passes – Passo Cibiana 1530m, Forcella Staulanza 1766m, Passo di Giau 2236m

Today was our first of 9 planned Loop days from various stays. From Cortina we did 2 of them. The intention had been to do as many of the alpine passes as we could, and experience them by motorbike. After this first loop we certainly know what we’ll be missing out on, but we’ll make the most of it in our dry, warm, comfortable, economical, gutless, safe automobile.

Todays pic fest.

Fri 24th May – Cortina SW Loop – 120klm

4 Passes – Passo di Giau 2236m, Passo di Fedaia 2057m, Passo Pordoi 2239m, Passo di Falzarego 2105m

We stopped here at the convergence of two valleys for a brew and late lunch on pilfered from breakfast hard boiled eggs, bread rolls and cake, just short of Passo di Falzarego. We watched a cold front come over as we retreated to our make-believe motorbike and drove the final 20klm home – in 2c and snow (ROFL)

And today is Friday, so snow or sunshine, it’s ice cream day – ask Norma.

Sun 26th May – Bolzano – 130k

7 passes – Passo Falzarego 2105m, Valparola Pass 2168m, Gardena Pass 2136m, Sela de Culac 2020m, Passo Sella 2218m, Karerpass 1745m, Nigerpass 1688m.

We woke to glorious sunshine today, and it was certainly an amazing day to be on the road for our final taste of the fabulous Dolomites. The views just kept on coming, the corners never ended, the push bike riders looked exhausted as usual, and the motorbikes were too numerous to count.

It really has been fabulous to experience the famous Dolomites over the last few days. The weather hasn’t always been kind, but the experience hasn’t disappointed.
So now we’re in Bolzano for 3 nights, then Bormio for 2 nights (alas, it appears the Gavia, Umbrail and Stelvio Passes are closed) then it’s Mandello Del Lario for 3 nights.
See you next week.