Italy · Dolomites · Sella massif

Sella Ronda

Four passes, one loop, around the Sella massif. The most scenic circuit in the Dolomites.

View west from Piz Boè across the Sella massif in the Dolomites
Photo Wolfgang Moroder · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
Route plate for Sella Ronda
Elevation © NASA SRTM · Roads © OpenStreetMap contributors

The Sellaronda is a 55 km loop around the Sella massif, linking four passes and four valleys in the heart of the Dolomites. No ramp exceeds 8%, yet the rhythm of climbs and descents and the constant presence of the Sella towers make this the most scenic circuit in the range.

Twice a year the entire loop closes to motorised traffic for Sellaronda Bike Day, in 2026 on Saturday 6 June and Saturday 12 September. Roughly 20,000 cyclists share the car-free roads from 08:30 to 16:00, with no fee and no signup.

The route

  1. Start

    Corvara

  2. Passo Gardena

    2121 m · Italy

  3. Danterceppies cable car

    Sella group viewpoint

  4. Pizes de Cir ridge

    Dramatic spires visible from the summit

  5. Passo Sella

    2218 m · Italy

  6. Sassolungo viewpoint

    Closest view of the 3,181 m tower

  7. Rifugio Passo Sella

    Traditional Tyrolean summit hut

  8. Passo Pordoi

    2239 m · Italy

  9. Sass Pordoi cable car

    2,950 m plateau with Marmolada views

  10. WWI Austro-Hungarian positions

    Preserved trench lines near the summit

  11. Passo Campolongo

    1875 m · Italy

  12. Finish

    Corvara

Who it's for

  • Cyclists: a long but civilised day, 3 to 4 hours non-stop for trained riders and a natural first Dolomite loop.
  • Motorcyclists: under two hours of pure riding, though the views will slow every stop.
  • Drivers: a half-day tour with detours, manageable for any vehicle on wide, well-graded roads.

Practical notes

  • Base: Corvara, Canazei, or Selva di Val Gardena. Each sits at the foot of a different pass and has the full range of hotels and restaurants.
  • Season: Pordoi, Sella, and Campolongo generally open from late April, Gardena from early May. All four close by late November.
  • Fuel: fill up in the valley. No petrol stations on the passes.
  • Variant: from 1 September 2026 the Gardena Pass closes to motorised through-traffic as a pilot programme. Cyclists are unaffected.

Passes on this route

Sella Ronda — quick answers

How long is the Sella Ronda?
55 km with 1,700 metres of climbing.
How long does the Sella Ronda take?
1 day. Cyclists, motorcyclists and drivers pace it differently; the route itself is designed around that timeframe.
How hard is the Sella Ronda?
Difficulty: Moderate. The rating reflects cycling effort. For motor vehicles it is a purely scenic drive.
Which passes does the Sella Ronda include?
Passo Gardena, Passo Sella, Passo Pordoi, Passo Campolongo.
When is the best time to ride the Sella Ronda?
May to early November. High passes carry snow into early summer; confirm opening dates close to your trip.
Is the Sella Ronda paved?
Yes, the Sella Ronda runs entirely on paved roads.