Electric Dolomiti

5 nights (6 riding days) are a self-supported point-to-point hut journey. There are a few short shuttle transfers during the trip, but most trails are accessed by lifts and pedal power.  This is a primarily technical downhill riding style of trip.

Mainly singletrack trails which are ancient hiking paths, linked by sections of gravel roads and doubletrack. Trail surfaces are generally dry with fixed and loose rocks, with some rock gardens and hero dirt in lower sections. Expect some sections with mild, mostly open alpine riding and some forested sections in lower valleys. Rides are most often accessed by lifts.

31-42km, 4-6 hrs

You will be self-supported for the 5 nights that you will be staying in mountain huts, you will carry everything you need for those days. There will be an opportunity to restock your gear on Day 4, so you will have access to your luggage then. A 20/25-liter backpack with max 7 kg load is recommended. There are washing machines and dryers available in some of the rifugios.

Always ride well within your limits and ride conservatively. There is no shame in walking your bike on a section that makes you uncomfortable, and walking your bike is recommended in sections where there is exposure.

The hotel at the beginning and end of the trip is a charming, 4-star establishment, right at the foot of the trails, complete with a pool and Finnish sauna. 5 nights are spent in remote mountain refugios (cabins) with 4-6 guests per room. The refugios are rustic but comfortable with hot showers, bedding, towels, slippers, set menus and wine lists, and some have wi-fi.

All breakfasts and 5 dinners.

The Dolomites offer a culinary experience as breathtaking as the landscape itself, blending Italian, Austrian, and Ladin traditions. Expect hearty, flavorful dishes that reflect the region’s alpine heritage. Classic Italian staples like fresh pasta, risotto, and wood-fired pizzas are elevated with local ingredients such as speck (smoked ham), mushrooms, and mountain cheeses. You’ll also find Tyrolean dishes and delicious polenta, often paired with game meats or hearty sauces.

The hotel at the beginning and end of the trip has laundry services. We will restock gear mid-trip and some of the rifugios also have laundry services. Your guide will confirm the best locations for last minute or over-night service.

It is imperative when signing up for one of our trips that you are confident that your riding ability matches the required riding ability for the trip, regardless if it’s an eMTB or MTB trip. If you have the required ability level for the trip but little (or no) experience on an eMTB this is fine, our guides will give you tips to help you learn to ride these assist-bikes. They are intuitive and you will be a pro within a few days. Read more about the benefits of eMTBs in one of our Trail Tales.

eMTB’s generally come in two battery sizes, sub-400 Wh and 750 Wh (or above). On our trips we utilise the bigger battery bikes which allow riders to easily ride four to six hours in higher-assist modes. Riders will carry their chargers daily, if needed we will charge batteries over lunch to further ensure that riders do not run out of juice. Note that the bigger battery bikes have greater torque and make the bikes heavier.

As it is with any bike on any ride, a personal bike or rental bike, a short ride or long ride – mechanical issues can, and will, occur. As it has been for 20+ years of running our trips we are aware of this possibility and prepared to deal with issues if needed. We help riders to avoid mechanicals by performing bike checks and with general bike care. Note that mechanicals and breakdowns are at your cost (including potential itinerary interruptions or changes), on rental eMTB’s or personal MTB’s.

We source the best rental bikes available in each region through our partner bike shops. We ensure that rental bikes are inspected, well-maintained and have appropriate tires, brakes and extra parts. We know that quality bikes and components are paramount to a good experience. Note that a rental bike will never be as comfortable as one’s personal bike, riders must expect some adjustment and compromise when riding the rental bikes. For some destinations, there is the option to upgrade to a high-performance eMTB.

Upon registration for your trip you will be asked to input your height, weight (for suspension set up) and preferred frame size. We will then communicate the bike brand, model and specs to you. Flat pedals are included on bikes, if you ride clip pedals, you are required to bring your own pedals. Bikes also include a set of brake pads, tire levers, a multi-tool and tubes. It is suggested to bring your own pump and specific tools. It is also suggested to bring your own saddle for added comfort and related riding gear: helmet, globes, knee pads, eye protection, hydration bag, etc.

In the majority of countries that we run our trips protection insurance is not available. If it is available we will communicate this to you. Riders are 100% responsible for all damages to rental bikes – you must inspect your bike for existing damages (take photos) before the first ride. If damages occur while riding the rental bike we will communicate the details and cost to you upon completion of the trip. Once agreed upon your credit card on file will be used to cover cost of damages from the bike shop where bike was rented from.

eMTBs have four or five assist modes (from eco to turbo). On most days, we ride in the middle level to ensure that we are conserving battery. As on any bike, eMTBs perform best when pedalling at a consistent and relatively fast cadence (70-90 RPMs). They are heavier than regular bikes, which takes some adjustment, as the weight is often low on the bike, which adds stability in loose rocks and increased speeds. Riders must look further ahead when riding e-bikes and change gears well in advance (while light pedalling). With the pedal-assist, there is added stress on the drivetrain, and it is suggested to lower saddle height slightly and move weight forward more than usual on steeper climbing sections. For more information, check out one of our Trail Tales. 

With the exception of a few trips (Treasure Islands and Mediterranean Dreams) we try to avoid mixing e-bikes and acoustic mountain bikes on our trips. However, on private departures, we are able to host a mixed group to help groups ride together. Our policy with mixed groups is that the pace of the ride follows acoustic riders, and e-bikers will have a “cruisier” experience and must be patient and expect to wait at times.

In big mountains, weather can change quickly and drastically – it could be 30 degrees Celsius one day and then freezing on a mountaintop the next day. Mornings and evenings can be cool with daytime in the low to mid-20 degrees Celsius. Summertime in the Dolomites is typically beautiful, however, it can rain and sometimes snow, so be prepared for all types of weather conditions.

We recommend purchasing Euros (€) prior to leaving home or using the currency exchange at your airport. However, you can easily go to an ATM at the airport upon arrival. Each day you will need to purchase your own lunch and coffee, snacks, wine and beer if you choose. $40 per day should suffice. On most days we have the opportunity to stop at a bank machine.

Gratuities for all restaurants, hotels and transportation that are part of your trip are paid by Big Mountain. “Coperto,” or service (usually 1-3 €) is automatically added to the check at restaurants but it’s normal to round up the bill (a few Euro) as a tip. Gratuities for your Big Mountain guides may be given at your discretion in response to their professionalism and leadership throughout the week. As a tipping standard, we suggest 5-10% of the trip price per individual guest to be divided among your guiding team.