The Sellaronda on a motorcycle is the “Ride of Rides” — a mystical experience for any self-respecting rider. Starting from the Bassano area means crossing the beating heart of the Veneto region before diving into the 360° cinema of the Dolomites. Here is the logbook for this gallop between asphalt and rock.
1. The Climb: From the Brenta Valley to the Pale di San Martino#
Departing from the Bassano del Grappa area warms up the tyres. You take the SS47 along the Valsugana, riding up the Canale di Brenta to Primolano. From here the road starts getting interesting, heading toward Fiera di Primiero.
Passo Rolle (1.984 m) – km 96.1
This is the first real taste of high altitude. The climb is steady and panoramic. At the top you stand before the Cimon della Pala — the “Source of Silence”. It is the perfect spot for the first photo stop, with the Pale di San Martino dominating the horizon.
2. The Heart of the Sellaronda: The Four Passes#
After descending from Rolle through the Paneveggio Forest and crossing the Val di Fassa to Canazei, you enter the thick of the mountain carousel.
- Passo Pordoi (2.239 m): 33 iconic switchbacks, perfect asphalt and views of the Sass Pordoi.
- Passo Campolongo (1.875 m): Shorter and gentler, linking Arabba with Corvara in Badia.
- Passo Gardena (2.121 m): Perhaps the most spectacular for the colours of the Sella walls.
- Passo Sella (2.240 m): The “King”: technical curves beneath the Torri del Sella with views of the Sassolungo.
Passo Pordoi (2.239 m) (km 155.2): Here riding becomes a dance. The switchbacks are numbered and the gradient is regular — ideal for flowing, precise leans.
Passo Campolongo (1.875 m) (km 167.4): A quick transition into Alta Badia. Time to soak in the scenery before the next climbs.
Passo Gardena (2.121 m) (km 181.8): One of the most photographed stretches in the world. The road cuts through the Dolomite scree offering excellent visibility through the curves.
Passo Sella (2.240 m) (km 191.5): Closing the circle. The descent towards Canazei is technical and narrow in places, but delivers pure emotion as the Sella massif watches over you from above.
3. The Road Home#
Once the loop is complete and you have descended back into the Val di Fassa, the return route toward Bassano retraces the Valle di Fiemme or detours via Passo Manghen (2.047 m) (if you have any thrills left to spend) before dropping back down through the Valsugana.