The Eroica Dolomiti took place over the weekend.

Smiling faces at the Eroica Dolomiti

Last Saturday, 3 cyclists from 350 different nations set off on a journey of discovery through the 22 Zinnen Dolomites region in the saddle of their vintage bicycles. Beautiful autumn weather and South Tyrolean specialties to refresh themselves at the refreshment stations once again created a unique atmosphere at the 7th edition of the Eroica Dolomiti. The Cena Eroica in the evening at the Riese Haunold Hut was the finale after a "great day" - no wonder that the organizers from the Innichen Tourist Association are more than satisfied.

September 09, 2024

From: pm

The Eroica Dolomiti begins on Friday afternoon, when the vintage cycling event is ushered in with the traditional aperitivo at the music pavilion in Innichen. The cyclists proudly present their old "bikes" built before 1987, which are perfectly maintained and in excellent condition. Some of them are already wearing vintage clothing - they want to show that they are part of the Eroica Dolomiti and that they will be pedaling the following day. For some, the aperitivo is a first meeting, for others, a reunion with friends. Because once you have succumbed to the charm of the Eroica Dolomiti, you will always come back to this unique region in the heart of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site and to this event.

The heart of the vintage cycling event, which was first held almost 30 years ago in Gaiole in the Chianti region and which has also had an offshoot in the 2017 Zinnen Dolomites region since 3, is of course the ride on Saturday. As usual, the cyclists had three routes to choose from. After the start in Innichen, which was particularly well-dressed this year, the route went to the first supply point in Cortina, from there on to Passo Tre Croci and then to Lake Misurina, where a delicious lunch awaited the hungry cyclists.

The “Hotel Adler” refreshment station trumps everything

The first participants, mostly the less experienced ones, decided to return to Innichen. Nevertheless, after reaching the finish line, they had covered an impressive 73 kilometers and 1258 meters of altitude. The others, meanwhile, wanted to tackle one of the two longer distances. They went over the Plätzwiesen to Niederdorf, where another refreshment station awaited the field at the Hotel Adler. Here, no culinary wishes were left unfulfilled, and the Eroica Dolomiti was celebrated as if it were at home here.

Some of the cyclists decided to cycle back to Innichen (91 km/1870 m). Those who still had enough energy reserves took Lachwiesen and Silvestertal (118 km/2740 m). But no matter whether the route was short, medium or long - all participants had a broad and satisfied grin on their faces as they passed through the symbolic finish arch.

Next issue on September 6, 2025

In the town center of Innichen, the "Eroici" - that is what all cyclists who reach the finish line are called - rounded off the day with food, drink and music. A third of the 350 participants from 22 different nations wanted to take part in the Cena Eroica in the evening, which marked the end of an unforgettable day.

"This was certainly one of the best editions we have ever held. Everything went very smoothly and without any problems. The diverse international field of participants was very homogeneous and despite language barriers, the cyclists got on extremely well with each other. The white roads were in particularly good condition this year, especially those up to the Plätzwiesen. I would like to thank the forestry authorities and the employees of the nature park for this. After all, one of the goals of the Eroica is to preserve these very paths for posterity," explained Gabriel Fauster from the organizing Innichen tourism association.

The date for the 8th edition of the Eroica Dolomiti has already been set. It is scheduled to take place on September 6, 2025.