The Pralongià plateau is the cycling heartland of Alta Badia. Wide gravel tracks weave between huts and pastures, with 360° views of the Sella Group, the Sassongher and the Marmolada.
The loop is demanding in climbing, but most riders find it very doable thanks to e-bikes and the chairlift options for gaining altitude.
How to get there — Corvara (1.568 m)
The natural base for the loop is Corvara (1,568 m), reached by car up Val Badia from Brunico or over the Dolomite passes, the Campolongo from Arabba and the Gardena from Val Gardena. There is plenty of parking in the village, though 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: load your bike onto the Col Alt or Boè gondola and you arrive at around 2,000 m, skipping the steepest part of the climb. From there you ride 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
1. Climb from Corvara to the Pralongià
Climb towards the plateau on forest roads, optionally helped by the chairlift.
2. Loop across the plateau
Ride the plateau past huts and viewpoints before the long descent back to the valley.
When to go & weather
The gravel roads of the Pralongià are in good shape roughly from late June to early October, once the snow has gone and the high dairies are working flat out. September is my favourite month: the plateau grass turns golden, the air is clear and the tracks are far quieter than in midsummer. In July and August you meet more people, but every lift is 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 turns 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 climbing, 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 low, 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 needs a steady hand on the brakes downhill
- Use 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 saves the energy for enjoying the loop at altitude rather than burning it on the climb
Frequently asked questions
Do you need an e-bike for the Pralongià loop?
No, but with 600 m of climbing an e-bike changes the day. If you go for a normal bike, know that several lifts will carry your bike and take the hardest part off your hands.
Where can I hire an e-bike in Corvara to ride up to Pralongià?
There are plenty of hire shops in Alta Badia, in Corvara as well as in the nearby villages of La Villa and San Cassiano, often with the helmet already in the price. In July and August, book the day before: the good models go fast.
How long does the Pralongià loop really take on an e-bike?
At a steady pace you are looking at about three and a half hours of actual riding, plus stops at the mountain huts. If you load your bike onto the cable car for the first climb, the loop gets a lot shorter.
Is the Pralongià route suitable for riders who are not MTB experts?
It is mostly wide gravel roads with no technical sections, so you will manage with basic fitness. The only point to take carefully is the Störes single track, where you need to handle your brakes well.