Dolomites UNESCO Nature Park Tour

We are in the middle of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site and are travelling along narrow paths. That alone is a privilege. Only rarely do we have the opportunity to explore such easily accessible high alpine trails by mountain bike. And to discover one of the most beautiful high alpine landscapes in the Alps.

• The Dolomites UNESCO Nature Park tour starts in San Vigilio
• from here we follow the valley to the Pederü mountain inn - the entrance to the high plateau in the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park
• from the mountain inn it's another 500 metres to the Rifugio Fanes

The first strenuous ascent is rewarded with a spectacular view: the Fanes Group surrounds us here with its impressive cliffs and plenty of history. After all, the path to the Rifugio, which is only 2,500 metres long and has 21 hairpin bends, was once blasted out of the rock by the Austrian Kaiserjäger. A reminder of inglorious times. But this history is just as much a part of the region and these mountains as the legends. the "Kingdom of the Fanes" is probably the most famous: the dispute between the aggressive male members of the Fanes royal family - the eagle people - and the peaceful female members - the marmot people - is regarded as a parable of an ancient conflict between the different patriarchal and matriarchal cultures of hunters, gatherers and the first farmers.

But we prefer to look ahead and enjoy the here and now: panting, we reach the Rifugio Fanes at 2,100 metres. Here we can recharge our empty batteries - and those of our bikes too. After all, given the rather impressive key data for this tour, we have opted for eBikes - and are pretty happy with this decision! Even with a little electric tailwind, the Dolomites UNESCO Nature Park tour is still challenging enough - both in terms of fitness and riding technique. After a little refreshment, we continue. "A s'udëi" echoes behind us in Ladin. An ancient language of the Alpine valleys, which is still spoken here in the heart of the Dolomites. And sounds like music to our ears.

Our eyes and concentration are now focussed entirely on the road, as we gradually lose altitude. We descend to 1,400 metres to the pass road that connects Cortina d'Ampezzo with Dobbiaco. We stop briefly to watch the hustle and bustle: Tourists, locals, vintage cars, motorbikes and racing bikes either fight their way up the mountain or take it easy. A surreal sight after our time as hermits at the top. So we have nothing against another ascent - this time to over 2,000 metres.

From here, we can see the other side of the mountain and thus our previous route. We have to pause again because we are so impressed by the alpine landscape and the peaks all around us. Also of our further route:

• down to the Rifugio Fodara Vedla
• Time for a short coffee break on the beautiful historic high alpine pasture
• then down a historic path to Pederü and back to San Vigilio

On the leisurely ride out of the valley, we can reflect on this long day of biking - a day of breathtaking panoramas, local delicacies and ancient legends. We encountered marmots, chamois and golden eagles. And after the region's pure spring water, we finish off with a well-earned GA Beer from Europe's highest microbrewery.