Motorcycle Tour Dolomites Circuit

Bozen - Leifers - Auer - Welschnofen - Karerpass - Canazei - Sellajoch - St. Ulrich - Kastelruth - Bozen

Length of the tour: 185 km
Driving time: approx. 5 hours

This motorcycle tour takes you to the incomparable natural paradise of the Dolomites, more specifically to the western edge of the legendary mountain range. A multi-hour driving pleasure through picturesque villages, along winding roads, and some of the most beautiful Dolomite passes, such as the Karerpass or the Sellajoch.

Bozen
The provincial capital of South Tyrol is also the cultural, economic, and political center of the small Alpine province. The municipality, with more than 100,000 inhabitants, is located in a valley, at the confluence of the Eisack, Talfer, and Etsch rivers. This results in a pleasantly mild climate, making Bozen an excellent wine-growing region. Thousands of visitors enjoy the mix of Tyrolean tradition, Mediterranean flair, urban lifestyle, and magnificent natural scenery every year.

Leifers
For a long time, only a modest farming village, Leifers grew into a town with 17,000 inhabitants due to its proximity to the provincial capital and even became a city municipality in 1985, making it the youngest of the eight South Tyrolean cities. A special feature here is that the residents are predominantly Italian-speaking. This results in a unique dialect - a mix of Italian and German word creations - which is sometimes difficult for other South Tyroleans to understand.

Auer
The idyllic wine village with its historical mansions, narrow alleys, and natural stone walls is located in the middle of the South Tyrolean Unterland, about 16 km from Bozen. Here, thanks to the mild climate, not only palms, lemon and fig trees thrive, but also magnificent vineyards. Countless wineries here offer tastings and organize events in summer and autumn, such as the "South Tyrolean Wine Road Weeks".

Welschnofen
The municipal area includes both the small mountain village of Welschnofen and the area around Lake Karer, which extends up to the impressive mountain massifs of Latemar and Rosengarten. The 8 km long mountain range is named after the legendary figure King Laurin, who is said to have created a beautiful rose garden here. The dwarf king cursed the garden due to unrequited love, decreeing that no human should ever see it again, neither by day nor by night. Laurin forgot about dusk, so his rose garden always presents itself in the most magnificent colors at sunrise and sunset.

Karerpass
Following the great Dolomite road with your bike, you pass the 1,745 m high Passo di Costalunga, one of the most important east-west connections further to Canazei. The Karerpass connects South Tyrol with the Trentino region and, although quite busy, is worth crossing due to its magnificent views of the Rosengarten and the Latemar massif. Be sure to make a short stop at Lake Karer!

Sellajoch
The Passo Sella is allegedly the most famous of all Dolomite passes. In terms of driving, it can be classified as rather moderately challenging, but it is very popular, especially among Italian bikers. During the main travel season in August, many tour buses and motorhomes can be found here, so it is better to ride the Sella circuit in early summer or autumn.
Tipp: The original ski tour Sella Ronda has now been adapted for motorcyclists. Its starting point is the village of Canazei, from where it continues over the Sella and Grödnerjoch to Corvara, over the Passo di Campolongo to Arabba, and the Passo Pordoi back to Canazei. As an alternative route, you can continue after the Passo di Campolongo to the Passo di Falzarego, then via the Passo di Valparola to Corvara and back to Canazei via the Passo di Campolongo and Passo Pordoi.

St. Ulrich
The small municipality in the Val Gardena is a popular holiday destination in the Dolomites, mainly due to its picturesque town center and lively atmosphere. St. Ulrich also has a long tradition in wood carving: it originated as a simple occupation in the early 17th century during the winter months, but over time, it developed into a craft that is now world-famous.

Kastelruth
The picturesque village is located in the heart of the Dolomites, between the Gardena and Tiers valleys. Kastelruth is also located at the foot of the extensive Seiser Alm - this "largest high alp in Europe" occupies almost half of the entire municipal area! The small village is also the home of famous personalities, such as the minnesinger Oswald von Wolkenstein or the folk music group "Kastelruther Spatzen".