E-bike Tour on the Pralongià Plateau in Alta Badia

The Pralongià plateau is the cycling heartland of Alta Badia: wide gravel tracks weave between alpine huts and pastures, with 360° views of the Sella Group, the Sassongher and the Marmolada.

The loop is demanding in terms of elevation gain, but very manageable for most riders thanks to e-bikes and the chairlift options available to gain altitude.

How to get there — Corvara (1.568 m)

The natural base for the loop is Corvara (1,568 m), reached by car by driving up Val Badia from Brunico or by crossing the Dolomite passes — the Campolongo from Arabba and the Gardena from Val Gardena. There is no shortage of parking in the village, although in high summer the paid car parks fill up early, and it is easy to find e-bike hire if you do not bring your own. The beauty of the Pralongià plateau is that you can tame it: by loading your bike onto the Col Alt or Boè gondola you arrive at around 2,000 m, skipping the steepest part of the climb. From there you ride on comfortable gravel tracks with the Sella and the Sassongher always ahead of you.

The trailhead is in the Alta Badia area. Check the travel guide for lift schedules, parking and access rules.

Stage by stage

When to go & weather

The gravel roads of the Pralongià are in good condition roughly from late June to early October, when the snow has gone and the high-altitude dairies are working at full tilt. September remains my favourite month: the plateau grass turns golden, the air is clear and the tracks are far less busy than in the heart of summer. In July and August you meet more people, but all the lifts are running and they cut out the hard work. The usual Dolomites rule applies — set off early: the afternoon thunderstorms arrive on cue and even a simple descent becomes slippery on wet gravel.

Recommended gear

• A well-serviced e-bike or mountain bike, with disc brakes in good order for the long gravel descents
• Helmet always done up — non-negotiable on these mixed tracks
• Battery charged to 100 per cent and, over the roughly 550 m of elevation gain, the chance to recharge at the Rifugio Pralongià station
• Gloves, glasses and a windproof jacket, because the ridge is breezy even in summer
• A well-filled bottle or camelbak and a few bars for the long stops at altitude
• A puncture kit with a spare inner tube, levers and a pump

Useful tips

• In the first part keep the assistance on a low level, so the battery sees you back to the start without surprises
• Treat yourself to a stop at Rifugio Bioch and then the Pralongià: they are the two best balconies over the plateau, with the Sella, Marmolada, Pelmo and Civetta all lined up
• The single track towards the Störes meadows is the most fun part of the loop, but it calls for a steady hand on the brakes on the descent
• Make use of Alta Badia's e-bike sharing network, with points at Corvara, La Villa, Col Alt, Piz Sorega and Piz la Ila, so you never run dry
• Check the lifts' closing times: loading your bike onto the gondola gives you energy to enjoy the loop at altitude rather than burning it on the climb