Rifugios in the Dolomites
June 20 – 27, 2024
Combine Your Passion for Photography and Cycling!
June 22 – 30, 2024
The Dolomites are among the most beautiful mountains in the world. Let’s explore them on bicycles and with our cameras!
The Dolomites are shared by three Italian regions and occupy the northeastern portion of the Alps. These mountains have fantastic rock shapes that rise as isolated massifs, separated from each other by saddles, ridges, and deep valleys. High-altitude grasslands, larch and fir forests, valleys furrowed by rushing streams, mountain huts, and villages are connected by an unparalleled path network. We will explore and photograph the regions of Trentino Alto-Adige (western and north-western Dolomites), Veneto (northeastern, central, and southern Dolomites), and Friuli Venezia Giulia (eastern Dolomites). Traveling by bicycle will make this a truly unique photo experience.
We will combine the best photography with some of the most amazing gravel paths and tracks, which we will follow on our custom-built gravel bikes. We’ll be fully supported with mechanics, repairs, food, water, and gear transport. We will photograph these amazing mountain scenes in the sweet light early and late with our “big camera” gear, and during the day, we’ll ride and photograph with small cameras and iPhones.
Extend your journey by combining this trip with our Slovenia workshop beforehand.
Your Pros
Alberto Frizziero
Location
Italy's Dolomites
Tuition
$9,995
Dates
June 22 – 30, 2024
Availability
2 Spots Left
Limited to 6 Guests
Itinerary
This itinerary is subject to change due to weather, local conditions, and other factors.
June 22, 2024: Arrive in Venice. We’ll meet for a group dinner and kick off our adventure. Or better yet, come to Venice a couple of days early for some fantastic photography over 2 1/2 days in Venice. Details on this to follow!
June 23, 2024: After breakfast, we’ll get our bikes sorted out, then drive from Venice to the Dolomites, arriving in Alpe di Siusi.
June 24, 2024: Alpe di Siusi-Ortisei, accommodation at Hotel Gardena, with its Anna Stube restaurant (1 Michelin star in 2020).
Distance of 30 km with an elevation gain of 600 meters – Easy.
Highlights: Alpe di Siusim Sassopiatto, Sassolungo peaks, Sella massif, Passo Sella.
June 25, 2024: Ortisei loop to Seceda mountain.
If we cycle the entire loop, the distance is 30 km with an elevation gain of 1400 meters+ (demanding route). However, if we take the gondola to the top and cycle down to Ortisei, it is 20 km with an elevation gain of 250 meters+.
Highlights: Seceda, Pieralongia.
June 26, 2024: We drive from Ortisei to San Pietro in Val di Funes (40min drive). Then we cycle from San Pietro to La Villa (Badia).
Distance is 40 km with an elevation gain of 1600 meters+ (Moderate, but with a steep final part to get to Passo Poma).
Highlights: Odle, the view from Passo Poma, Sass de Putia, Val Badia.
June 27, 2024: La Villa (Badia) loop. Today we will have an easy day, taking a bit of a break. We’ll shoot at sunrise and sunset, do image reviews during the day, and have breakfast on the mountain. We can catch the ski lift to Rifugio La Crusc and hike around, or there is a beautiful cycling loop across the most beautiful meadows of the Dolomites.
Distance is about 35 km with an elevation gain of 1300 meters+ – Moderate.
Highlights: the small medieval groups of wooden houses, meadows, the peaks of Fanes, Sennes, Braies natural park.
June 28, 2024: La Villa-Vigo di Fassa.
Distance is 50 km with a climb of 1600 meters – Moderate.
Highlights: Armentarola, the view from Pralongià, Passo Pordoi climbing the tarmac, the descent Val di Fassa facing Sella massif.
June 29, 2024: Vigo di Fassa-Tires.
Distance of 45 km with an elevation gain of 1100 meters+ / Moderate.
Highlights: Val di Fassa, Carezza Lake, Latemar, and Catinaccio mountains.
June 30, 2024: 4×4 shuttle to Tschafon mountain rifugio. This location is outstanding for a sunrise shoot, and the breakfast is delicious! We then drive back to Venice. Flights home or elsewhere after 3:00 PM.
Typical Daily Routine
We'll photograph sunrise using vehicles to get to our chosen spot, followed by breakfast. Then, we ride!
Riding will be on dirt roads, goat paths, and double-track trails. There might be the occasional single track, and there will be some paved roads. You will travel on the bike with your water bottle and a small backpack to carry a few items like a layer, snacks, and a small camera. We will ride during the day, stopping for photos, lunch, and snacks.
We will be fully supported, so there is no need to worry in case of mechanical problems. On days with lots of elevation gain, we'll allow plenty of time to do the climbs, and our cycles have the correct gearing, so don't worry about the pace. Once we reach our destination, we'll check in to our lodging, have dinner, and then head out to photograph the sunset.
Fitness and Cycling Skill Level
If you are physically fit, call yourself a cyclist, ride a road or gravel bike routinely at home, and do rides of 20 to 40 miles regularly with some elevation gain, you can do this trip.
A gravel bike is not significantly different from your road bike. It has drop bars, a more relaxed geometry, and some nice wide tires that we run at a lower pressure, so you get a comfy ride. Or you can choose a full-suspension mountain bike if that's your jam! We will personally interview you before the trip, and we will both agree that this workshop is a good fit for you.
Gallery
Fitness
Difficult: You are an experienced cyclist and very fit. You can ride a gravel or mountain bike 50 to 75 km per day, with elevation gains of 600m to 1750m. The cycling days are long, but we take frequent rests. We will interview you to make sure this is the right trip for you.
Flights
Arrive Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE), Venice, Veneto before 4:00 PM on June 22, 2024. Flights out can be made after 3:00 PM on June 30, 2024.
What to Bring
Please see our page How To Prepare For Your Workshop. We will send you a detailed information document 90 days before your workshop. This document will include specifics of where and when to meet, gear and clothing recommendations, and more.
What’s Included
- Double occupancy lodging. Single available for $1,000 supplement.
- All meals, soft drinks, and snacks during the workshop.
- All permits and park fees.
- All transportation during the workshop.
- Tips for crew, drivers, and local guides.
- English-speaking local guide throughout the workshop.
- Photographic guiding and instruction from 2 pros.
- Image reviews and post-processing instruction.
- Adventure, fun, inspiration, and a great time!
- Current-model, high-end gravel bike.
- Helmet, pedals, water bottle.
Not Included
- Travel to and from Venice, Veneto.
- Passport and visa fees (if applicable).
- Any meals or accommodations before or after the workshop dates.
- Items of a personal nature.
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Medical Evacuation Insurance (required).
- Travel Medical (required).
- Trip Cancellation Insurance (optional, but recommended).
- Anything else specifically not listed as included.
- Single rooming available for $1,000 supplement.
Payment Terms
- Your deposit of $3,995 will hold your space in this workshop.
- Further payment of $3,000 is due by November 1, 2023.
- The balance is due not later than March 1, 2024.
- All of our standard Terms and Conditions apply.
- Need special payment arrangements? No problem, just ask us.
Testimonials
“All the "above and beyond" effort Muench Workshops puts into making sure every detail is covered and everyone feels special, as well as putting us right in the middle of the action, makes every adventure worth every penny :). ”
“This was amazing. Muench (Andy) took what could have been a logistics nightmare and made the workshop a complete success. ”
