Dolomites/Italian alps in October, any tips?

[lucianoz]

Hi everyone, I'm not a real poster here, but I'm always reading.
Can anyone give me a hand?
Me and my wife will be at Italian Alps/Dolomites from October 13th until 21th or 22th.
For the first couple days we want to ride (we expect to rent the bikes in the 14th and 15th in Bormio), then we will hike over Ortisei/Cortina d"Ampezzo.
I know that October is not the best time because the weather (i know too that the weather in mountains is always changing), but it's the only month that I managed to book my vacations.
I really want to climb the Stelvio, Gavia and that road to Lake Cancano (Torri di Fraeli), but I'm little bit worried about the weather.
Is rideable those three climbs over the time we'll be at Bormio or is prefereable go down to the roads nearby Ortisei/Cortina?
If anyone get some tips, I'm all open.

[Mr.Gib]

You should be worried about the weather. If you get lucky with perfect weather you could have a great ride. But you will still need full winter kit to descend, and DO NOT go up there if anything is falling, or is expected to fall from the sky. The average daytime high on the Stelvio in October is 2 degrees. Single digit temps are not unusual in Bormio itself that time of year. If you do it, please come back here and give us details about your ride.

If the weather doesn't allow the Stelvio (or Gavia) you can always ride down the valley and climb the Mortirolo. Much lower and more sheltered. Less chance of dying. Good luck.

[lucianoz]

You should be worried about the weather. If you get lucky with perfect weather you could have a great ride. But you will still need full winter kit to descend, and DO NOT go up there if anything is falling, or is expected to fall from the sky. The average daytime high on the Stelvio in October is 2 degrees. Single digit temps are not unusual in Bormio itself that time of year. If you do it, please come back here and give us details about your ride.

If the weather doesn't allow the Stelvio (or Gavia) you can always ride down the valley and climb the Mortirolo. Much lower and more sheltered. Less chance of dying. Good luck.

Thanks for the reply Mr. Gib.
Actually I'm a little bit concerned go there and not be able to ride.
Do you think it is safer or more enjoyable (in weather conditions) go to Cortina d'Ampezzo and ride the famous passos over there?

[Mr.Gib]

It's an issue of altitude. At that time of year lower is always better. If it's sunny it will nice. If it's cloudy it will test your clothing choices. If it's raining it will be impossible.

[Requiem84]

I was in Bormio in July few years back. Was 5 degrees at the top of Stelvio. Dolomites was a bit better, but still cold at the top of the mountains in summer.

Take some very big tires (or gravel bike) with you in case you end up in the pouring rain (or snow). October is a bit tricky for this whole area. At least make sure you can dress very warm and you check the weather before you leave.

[basilic]

The key is, don't book anything until you have a stable weather forecast.
Last year one could ride high passes in the dolomites and alps until mid-October, but rain/snow came on the 18th and that was the end of the season. It's unlikely weather would be markedly different around Bormio vs Cortina, they're on the same West to East path for weather systems. As alternatives look at the Piedmont (Fauniera, Agnel, etc) or Côte d'Azur/Liguria, or Umbria/Tuscany, etc.
Or stick to hiking, you won't be disappointed.

[Greeners]

Interesting facts.
Surely October or a late summer trip is more dependable than late spring in terms of snow & road closures etc?

[basilic]

You're right. High passes (>2000m) open mid to late June. On July 1, hordes of tourists appear, campers, caravans, deafening motorcycle clubs, and it gets worse in August (esp. in Italy). So a short window in late spring to enjoy the high mountains. September has gotten busier since Covid, but is much better than August, and the weather is mostly good (but I've encountered snow in early September as well...). October is more of a lottery, but if you manage to ride it's often beautiful and lonely. Below the Stelvio road (Bormio side) on October 10 2023, at noon. Notice anything strange? not a vehicle in sight! In August you have traffic jams on this road.

[Karvalo]

Hi everyone, I'm not a real poster here, but I'm always reading.
Can anyone give me a hand?
Me and my wife will be at Italian Alps/Dolomites from October 13th until 21th or 22th.

Are you absolutely committed to the Dolomites? Go an hour or two south on the autostrada and end up in Lake Garda or Bassano del Grappa instead. You can still do massive climbs in amazing scenery (with better food) but you're starting from sea level instead of 1000m up which is a difference that cannot be overstated. You still might get unlucky with the weather but it won't be life and death.

[SaladhOlivier]

Has anyone had experience (weather wise) riding near Corvara mid September? Thank you

[jadedaid]

I want to second the bit on full winter kit for the descent, arguably if it's possible to have someone pick you up by car to save you the descent would be even better. Long mountain descents are no fun in cold weather.

If there's any fog, mist or rain, do not ride.

[lucianoz]

Thanks everyone for the replies.
After a spoke to lot of people, bike shop owners over the region I gave up ride in the Dolomites due the weather (or the big chances of bad weather).
So we've decided to move the ride plans to Lake Garda (it was already part of my itinerary).
If someone could help me out with the routes in GPX I'll be extremely gratefull.
We will be staying at Riva del Garda/Torbole.
Which are the most beautiful climbs over there?
I've saw tha Strada della Forra, but there is information that its closed. Does anyone have updated information?

[jdecraene85]

Has anyone had experience (weather wise) riding near Corvara mid September? Thank you

I would not worry too much about mid September.
This was the last day of my trip over there last year, on September 3: https://www.strava.com/activities/9776998710 (pics to give you an idea of the weather).
Full summer kit without any gloves, snood, jacket,... No problem whatsoever.
Had 2 days of rain in my 5 days riding, took a shakedry jacket on those days. Otherwise great weather and relatively quiet on the roads.
Of course, in the mountains, you can have winter conditions every day of the year, as I suppose you're aware of.

[basilic]

@jdecraene, that's a serious ride! I'd need 2 days for this.
Near lago di Garda, there is a beautiful ride from lago d'Idro, a bit West from Garda, a tiny road that climbs NW out of Anfo, to passo del Maniva, and yet further up to passo Croce Domini (the last downhill bit before Croce Domini is unpaved, maybe 1-2 km, but doable). You collect 10-12 passes along the ridge. I rode there in October 2021 in nice weather.

[Karvalo]

@jdecraene, that's a serious ride! I'd need 2 days for this.
Near lago di Garda, there is a beautiful ride from lago d'Idro, a bit West from Garda, a tiny road that climbs NW out of Anfo, to passo del Maniva, and yet further up to passo Croce Domini (the last downhill bit before Croce Domini is unpaved, maybe 1-2 km, but doable). You collect 10-12 passes along the ridge. I rode there in October 2021 in nice weather.

Great recommendation! There's a few roads up from Idro but I've done some rides similar if not exactly the same and they are all amazing. I guess you're talking about the gravel from the Observatory to the Croce Domini rifugio? Definitely ok to ride, I did it on 25mm tyres because I'm an idiot.

From the northern end of Garda you can easily go to Monte Bondone from Dro/Drena and Passo Santa Barbara from Arco. From Nago or Brentonico you can climb onto the Monte Baldo ridge, and either descend away from the lake to Avio and come back in the valley, or continue south until it loops around the end of the ridge and come back on the lakeside roads.

There's a very nice cycle path that goes a long way up the valley north of the lake, then a bit extra on the main road gets you to a lovely balcony road winding up the cliff face from Vezzano to Ranzo, though it is a dead end (on tarmac anyway).

There's lots of great hikes there as well, on the lakeshore the climb from Biacesa to Cima Capi just south of Riva is absolutely stunning, with a WW1 fort at the top and a couple of possible routes, one with a bit of proper via ferrata on the cliff overlooking the water. It's super steep most of the way, not just a pleasant stroll!

And if you've got an easy morning one day you could have coffee and a pastry at Bar Parete Zebrata on the main road north of Dro and watch the base jumpers flying down from Monte Brento and landing in the next field.