Villabassa MTB circular tour

We cross the bridge in the village centre of Villabassa and let the church behind us. Then, we take Via Moosweg to our left. We cycle along the paved road towards Monguelfo and past the St. Magdalene church (Mooskirche) and climb higher and higher above Villabassa. The natural landscape of the Braies and Sesto Dolomites is simply amazing. We cycle past a chapel and continue for 5 km until we arrive at a power plant where we descend along an unpaved path to our left for about 3 km.

As soon as Castel Monguelfo comes into sight we arrive at a long left bend where we take the forest path no. 41A towards the Val Casies on the right. For about 8 km we follow the cycle path which partially coincides with the sentiero panoramico della Val Casies (Gsieser Talblickweg) until we reach the village of Planca di Sopra. Right before a wooden bridge we follow path no. 91 towards Franadega branching off on the left for about 5 km. (update 2026: as this path is almost out of use we recommend taking the forest road no. 60 which descends to Valle San Silvestro via Franadega). This hilly forest path presents some rather steep sections and after a while the forest thins out and gives space to wonderful alpine meadows. At a well-marked crossroads near a wooden hut we cycle towards Monte Rota.

Initially, we turn right and tackle a steep ascent. Soon we take the forest path branching off on the left which we follow until the crossroads near the Kurtnerhof farm. Here, we descend along a steep forest path branching off on the right. In the vicinity of the refreshment point Jausenstation Kurtnerhof in Franadega, our path merges into an asphalt road. We descend along this road, cycle past Valle San Silvestro and arrive in Dobbiaco where we take the cycle path to return to Villabassa, our starting point.

Note: the first part of our MTB tour delighted us with stunning views of the Alta Pusteria and the Braies and Sesto Dolomites. The ascents should not be underestimated and require a good fitness level. We recommend a stop at the Kurtnerhof farm.

Date of the MTB tour: 5 June 2010
Last updated in: 2026

Author: BS