From the foot of Stelvio to the climbs up into the heart of the Dolomites is about 90 flat kilometres. The main road is not very attractive and can be avoided in many places - in fact at one point there is a short tunnel forbidden to cyclists. The minor roads and tracks which run through the densely-packed orchards along the whole of this route are too small to be shown on the Touring Club Italiano map, but make very pleasant riding and are strongly recommended. Through Merano you can head back into the mountains, to Jaufenpass or Timmelsjoch. Otherwise, Merano should be avoided by going past the Forst brewery, then through Marlengo and Lana. At the southern outskirts of Lana is a fantastic showpiece cemetery which should not on any account be missed.
From here there is the option of more orchards or a strenuous detour via Passo di Palade and Passo di Mendola. Bolzano is unavoidable, but once through, you can head up north via
Passo Pennes/Penserjoch or tackle one of the very tough climbs eastwards into the Dolomites via
Eggental and Costalunga or Nigra or Siusi Alp or Pinei.
