A Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo road trip in the Dolomites

A road trip in the Dolomites with the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo

Exploring stunning roads and places to eat and stay in Italy’s Dolomites mountain range

July 8, 2025 | 5 min read

Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo driving on road, mountains in background

Porsche Motorsport Formula E development driver, Gabriela Jílková, swaps her racing car for a Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo on a Recharge Guide road trip with Porsche and MICHELIN

Gabriela Jílková, or Gabi as she prefers to be known, earned the nickname ‘Quick Gabi’ after impressing in the GT4 and LMP3 racing series. She then joined the Porsche TAG Heuer Formula E Team in 2023 as a sim and development driver.

For Gabi, driving is all about precision, consistency and technical feedback. Her work is critical for the performance of the Porsche 99X race car. But with a job that’s always focused on performance and analysis, it’s sometimes essential to get away from the busy schedule every now and then. This is what brought Gabi to the Dolomites – to recharge behind the wheel of the Taycan 4 Cross Turismo on a road trip through this stunning region of north-east Italy.

Woman with Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS on race track — Gabi kicked off her Recharge journey with a blast around the track at the Porsche Experience Center in Franciacorta, Italy in a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Photo: Porsche

“When I am racing and in competition mode, everything is about performance and the results. Driving for myself is more relaxed,” says Gabi. “Motorsport is the best thing in the world for me. But I also genuinely love driving for myself as well. I just enjoy the car, the road, the surroundings without the need to think about anything else. It’s very calming.”

To get attuned to the Taycan 4 Cross Turismo, Gabi started her trip at the Porsche Experience Center in Franciacorta, northern Italy. Here, she tested out the car’s features and modes to fully prepare herself for her Recharge adventure.

From there, Gabi’s trip took her past the ever-dramatic Lake Garda and into the heart of the Dolomites. First stop was the Sella Ronda Drive, a breathtaking 53 km route that climbs to more than 2,000 metres above sea level and loops through four legendary mountain passes in the form of the Sella Pass, Gardena Pass, Pordoi Pass and Giau Pass.

While driving, Gabi reflected on the similarities between the track and the road: “There is a rhythm to driving that brings me peace,” she adds. “In racing and on the road, when things are flowing, it’s like you’re in the zone.”

Compared to her race car, the Taycan 4 Cross Turismo is equipped differently. “It’s smoother, quieter and less demanding of course,” she says. “I stop thinking about the limits, just enjoying the drive. It’s a different kind of focus – in a good way.”

Follow Gabi's Recharge road trip in the Dolomites

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Recharging in the Dolomites

Breathtaking views at almost every turn. A variety of challenging narrow, twisty and steep mountain roads. And beautiful lakes that change colour depending on the time of day and rock formations transformed out of ancient coral reefs. The Dolomites is every driver’s dream location.

Thanks to the growing web of fast-charging stations in mountain villages and along scenic routes here, Gabi’s journey with the Taycan unfolded without interruption. It’s the perfect region for everyone who wants to rewind without standing still.

At home in the Dolomites

Gabi’s second day starts with a sunrise hike to the Pizes de Cir, a mountain range north of Gardena Pass. Overnight, the Taycan recharged fully at the charging station in the grounds of the Floris Green Suites in Kastelruth – a Michelin Guide destination that’s modern, cosy and serves delicious, hearty meals.

Back on the road again, Gabi guides the Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo through the heart of the Dolomites, where every bend in the road seems to echo her rhythm. With its instant torque and adaptive air suspension, the car responds perfectly – composed on gravel, agile on alpine switchbacks. The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres gripped the road with precision, giving her the confidence to swoop along mountain passes with composure.

porsche taycan cross turismo driving off road dolomites

The Porsche Recharge Guide to exploring the Dolomites

Visit the Porsche Experience Center Franciacorta

The Porsche Experience Center in Franciacorta boasts a 60‑hectare complex built around the historic Autodromo di Franciacorta circuit, offering both a 2.5 km-long FIA‑homologated track and high‑tech handling, off‑road and low‑friction training areas. Its futuristic Customer Centre – with a central panoramic restaurant, simulation lab, e‑kart track and shop – is designed to immerse all guests and visitors.

Stay at the FLORIS Green Suites

This MICHELIN Guide Destination is a beautiful ‘tree house’ hotel with 10 suites on stilts. The interiors combine alpine wooden floors with modernist furniture and dark colours to create a sophisticated ambience. Glass walls offer impressive views of the mountains. Each suite has its own sauna, and guests can make use of a shared outdoor hot tub and heated pool.

Modern hotel building in the Dolomites with mountains behind — The stunning FLORIS Green Suites is the perfect place to stay on a Dolomites adventure, nestled right in the mountains and offering spectacular views of the surrounding landscapes Photo: Porsche

Experience the Sella Ronda Drive

The Sella Ronda Drive is a breathtaking loop through the heart of the Dolomites, winding around the majestic Sella massif and crossing four dramatic mountain passes. As you navigate the route, you’ll pass through charming alpine villages, lush meadows and jagged limestone peaks that glow pink at sunset – a phenomenon known as enrosadira. Though the entire loop is relatively short, taking your time to stop, hike or enjoy a mountain hut meal makes the Sella Ronda an unforgettable experience.

Eat at SanBrite

Awarded with one MICHELIN star and one green MICHELIN star, this intimate restaurant, with just a few tables and elegantly repurposed wood decor, overlooks the stunning Ampezzo Dolomites. Meals begin memorably with rich butter and exceptional bread, while chef-owner Riccardo Gaspari crafts dishes from local ingredients, blending mountain traditions with modern flair – especially in its desserts with no added sugar . Fittingly, SanBrite means ‘healthy pasture’, echoing the spirit of its cuisine.

Swim in Lake Kaltern

The idyllic Lake Kaltern is a refreshing escape amid cypress, vineyards and gentle mountain slopes at the edge of the Dolomites. As the warmest alpine lake in the region, its clear, sun-warmed waters are perfect for a leisurely dip, water sports or to simply unwind. It’s a first hint at the Mediterranean vibe that you encounter as you head southwards, further into Italy.

Hike to the top of Gran Cir

The hike to the Gran Cir (or Cirspitze in German) in the Dolomites is a short but exhilarating adventure that rewards you with sweeping views over Val Gardena and the Sella massif. Starting from the Dantercepies cable car above Selva, the trail ascends steeply through rocky terrain, with some sections requiring easy scrambling and sure-footedness. At the summit, a small cross marks the top, where you can soak in alpine beauty in every direction.

Free climb at

Cinque Torri,

Sella Pass and

Frea Wall

Free climbing in the Dolomites is a thrilling way to experience the region’s iconic limestone towers. While many routes are demanding, there are some options suitable for beginners as well. Cinque Torri near Cortina is ideal, with short, well-bolted climbs and solid rock. Sella Pass also offers beginner-friendly routes with easy access and stunning views, while Frea Wall near Passo Gardena provides a gentler introduction to vertical terrain in a spectacular setting.

Consumption and emission information

Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (WLTP): Electric energy consumption combined: 21.4 – 18.7 kWh/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 0 g/km; CO₂ class: .

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