Tour Transalp: Falcade - San Martino

650 kilometres, 16,500 metres of elevation gain, and numerous Alpine passes – these are the key figures for the 22nd Tour Transalp. Around 1,000 participants from 35 nations will take part in this spectacular crossing of the Alps in 2026.

3rd Stage: Falcade - San Martino di Castrozza

After yesterday's queen stage, today's distance is slightly shorter, and the kilometre count might only draw a weary smile from road cyclists. However, the ratio of elevation gain to distance is higher than on any other stage, meaning it is never flat. In less than 50 kilometres, you will climb almost 1,800 metres. It is worth avoiding simply ticking off this stage, even if the time in the saddle will be much shorter than yesterday. This route has plenty to offer. It begins with a varied loop through the villages above Falcade, passing old farmhouses, sheds made of sun-baked dark wood, and lush green mountain meadows with winding, quiet roads. The real climb only begins once you reach the valley floor in Falcade again. The two passes between Falcade and San Martino di Castrozza – Passo Valles and Passo Rolle – are absolute Transalp classics. The steady, moderate gradients and the layout of the roads are ideal for road cycling. Concentration is required on the spirited descent from the Valles into Val Travignolo, where fast straights and tight corners create an unpredictable mix. The surrounding landscape leaves no doubt as to why this pass combination is a recurring favourite. Soon, the Pale di San Martino take centre stage. These form the southernmost massif of the Dolomites and present themselves with great scale and pride. The Dolomites do not have a small, southern foreland; these towers scrape the sky in such a rugged, sharp, and sublime way that they strike the right note after two days in these extraordinary mountains. San Martino lies at the foot of these peaks, and after this "sprint stage", there will certainly be more time to enjoy the first-class mountain panorama at leisure.

The Tour Transalp is considered one of the biggest road cycling highlights for amateur cyclists in Europe. In 2026, the seven daily stages lead from Lienz in East Tyrol via Sillian, Falcade, San Martino di Castrozza, Possagno, Semonzo, and Lavarone to Riva del Garda.

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