Lienz Dolomites Ride

This ride takes its inspiration from the Dolomites Cycling Tour, one of the most popular mass-participation events in Tirol, and comprises 122 kilometres, 3,760 vertical metres and three mountain passes. The first, albeit small, challenge of the day is the short and easy climb onto the Gailbergsattel. This is followed by a descent to Kötschach before it is time to take on the toughest and most technical climb of the ride up onto the Kartitscher Sattel. Although the gradient is never extremely steep, it is hard for riders to find a rythmn. The long climb to Kartitsch concludes with a descent all the way down into the Pustertal Valley, where a final section with gradients of up to 17% awaits. All that then remains is the descent back down into the pretty town of Lienz at the foot of the Dolomites.
Starting in Lienz, the first 20km are flat along the B100 to Oberdrauburg. It is there that the first climb of the day begins onto the Gailbergsattel at 981 metres above sea level. With a steady gradient of no more than 10%, the well-maintained road winds its way up into the mountains via ten switchback corners. With the first 350 vertical metres of the day completed, it is time for the 5km descent down to Kötschach. Here it is worth pulling on the brakes every now and then and stopping to enjoy the great views. Kötschach-Mauthen is on the border between Tirol and the neighbouring province of Carinthia, giving riders access to the pretty Lesachtal Valley.