The Cadore is the eastern Dolomites' working region — the part of the mountains that makes timber, eyewear frames, and athletic champions rather than luxury hotels. Titian was born here. The Piave rises here. The road from Longarone to the Comelico valley carries more Giro history per kilometre than most athletes can read while climbing it.
Stage 5 of the 2026 Giro d'Italia Women traces the route today: 146 kilometres from Longarone northeast through the Boite valley, up through Cortina d'Ampezzo, over the Passo Tre Croci, across the Passo Sant'Antonio, and into the Comelico valley finishing circuit above Santo Stefano di Cadore. For cyclists who want to ride these roads themselves, the Cadore is accessible, well-surfaced, and undervisited by the non-Italian cycling world.
The Passes
Passo Tre Croci (1,809m) is the classic climb out of Cortina d'Ampezzo toward Misurina and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. From the Cortina side the approach is 7.9 kilometres at 7.2 percent average — longer and more consistent than the other Cortina passes, with the Tofane massif rising to the southwest throughout the ascent. The pass summit is well-signed and has a rifugio open in season. The descent toward Misurina is among the most photographed descent roads in the Dolomites.
The climb from Misurina on the reverse is slightly shorter and steeper — a useful option for athletes building loops rather than out-and-back routes.
Passo Sant'Antonio sits east of the main Cortina basin, accessed from the Cadore villages below. The 8.3-kilometre climb at 7.5 percent average features a sustained steep section through the middle kilometres that breaks rhythm and requires careful pacing. The pass itself is quiet — far fewer recreational vehicles than the Tre Croci — with larch forest closing in on both sides in the upper kilometres. The summit view opens northeast toward the Comelico.
The Costalissoio ascent above Santo Stefano di Cadore is a local climb used repeatedly in regional races: 2.7 kilometres at 10%, short enough to hurt badly, and often the spot where breakaway riders are caught or extended in the final kilometres before descending to the Comelico valley floor.
Recommended Loops
Full Cadore loop from Longarone (approx. 140km, 3,200m): Follow the Giro Donne route essentially as raced — up the Piave valley, Boite valley to Cortina, Tre Croci over, Misurina basin, south through Auronzo, Sant'Antonio, Comelico. Return via the SP52bis or backtrack to Longarone on the SS52. A full day's objective for a strong rider; split into two days with a base in Santo Stefano for a more relaxed version.
Cortina passes loop (approx. 70km, 2,100m): Based in Cortina. Tre Croci east, descend to Misurina, loop back via the Cimabanche pass (SS51), return to Cortina. A classic half-day loop that manages to combine three distinct pass characters and some of the Dolomites' most iconic skylines.
Comelico valley focus (approx. 50km, 1,400m): Based in Santo Stefano di Cadore. Climb the Costalissoio twice (as the Giro Donne finishes stage 5), extend north toward the Passo di Monte Croce Comelico at the Austrian border, return down the Piave. A shorter, quieter option that keeps you on the valley's own roads rather than the main Dolomite tourist routes.
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June through September is the practical window. The passes hold snow into May most years, and October brings early closures on the upper roads. June is ideal: temperatures in the high teens on the passes, the alpine flowers at peak bloom, and the tourist traffic still a month away from its summer peak.
July and August see heavier recreational vehicle traffic on the Tre Croci — the combination of Cortina tourism and Misurina day-trippers makes the climb busy between 09:00 and 17:00. Start early or plan an afternoon ascent.
September is the local cyclist's month: cool temperatures, foliage beginning to turn on the larch slopes, and quieter roads as the summer hotels close.
Where to Base
Cortina d'Ampezzo is the obvious choice for access to the Tre Croci and the western passes. Infrastructure is good, accommodation ranges from rifugio-style to boutique alpine hotel, and bike rental and service shops are available. The town is expensive by Dolomites standards and extremely busy in peak summer — book early or arrive in June.
Santo Stefano di Cadore in the Comelico valley is the quieter option. A small town without Cortina's tourist density; closer to the Passo Sant'Antonio, the Comelico climbs, and the Austrian border crossing. Practical for the eastern half of the stage 5 route.
Longarone as a base is less scenic but more practical for driving access — direct access from the A27 Belluno motorway, with a fast road north to either Cortina or the Comelico. Useful if you're staging a multi-day trip and want to stage gear between valley and mountain.
Getting There
From Venice: The A27 motorway runs north from Venice to Belluno in about 90 minutes, and from Belluno the SS51 climbs directly to Cortina in another 60 minutes. Total from Venice Marco Polo: approximately 2.5 hours by car. No useful direct rail service above Belluno exists for cyclists with bikes — drive or hire a van.
From Innsbruck (Austria): Over the Brenner and south through the Puster valley to the Cimabanche crossing, or east over the Plöcken Pass into the Comelico. Either route is scenic and takes 2–3 hours depending on the crossing.
Bike hire in the region: Cortina has multiple shops. For a serious road bike (carbon, fitted), book ahead — summer stock deploys quickly.
What Else to Do
Tre Cime di Lavaredo hike. The three-spire Lavaredo circuit above Misurina is one of the Dolomites' defining walks — a 10-kilometre loop from the rifugio car park that circles the three peaks. Do it as a rest-day activity after the Sant'Antonio or Tre Croci.
Cortina's town circuit. The Strade Bianche of the Cadore it is not, but Cortina's pedestrianised Corso Italia is a good evening recovery option — the aperitivo culture is working.
Swimming in the Piave. The upper Piave near Santo Stefano di Cadore runs clear and cold through summer; swimming holes exist at several points along the SP52.
Cycling the Lunga Via delle Dolomiti. The 83-kilometre cycle path converted from an abandoned 1964 railway traces the Boite valley from Calalzo di Cadore to Cortina. Flat, paved, family-accessible — a different kind of Cadore cycling day that uses some of the same valley roads the Giro Donne traverses at speed.
Frequently Asked
Do I need a gravel bike for any of the stage 5 roads? No. The Tre Croci, Sant'Antonio, and Costalissoio are all tarmac, well-surfaced, and rideable on standard road bikes. The Lunga Via delle Dolomiti cycle path is also paved.
Are there any entry fees for the passes? No road tolls on cycling climbs. The Misurina lake area charges a vehicle access fee during peak summer, but cyclists are exempt.
How does this area compare to the more famous Dolomite routes (Sella Ronda, Stelvio)? The Cadore passes are quieter, technically varied, and serve a very different character from the Sella Ronda circuit. Less tourist infrastructure at the summit, more authentic local use, and the Tre Croci in particular has visual drama that rivals any Dolomite pass without the accompanying traffic volumes of the Passo Pordoi or Falzarego.
Where can I find other cyclists training in the area? Connect with athletes already riding out of Cortina and the Comelico valley via Find Athletes in the Dolomites on ZealZag.
For today's Stage 5 race report, see our Giro Donne Stage 5 field report. For yesterday's Stage 4 ITT report and the Belluno/Nevegal destination guide, see the Stage 4 field report and the Belluno and Dolomites cycling guide.
