One of the world’s dramatic mountain ranges, the Italian Dolomites feature vertical rock walls, limestone towers, majestic cliffs, green meadows, and pristine lakes. Tucked in the country’s northeast, it enjoys proximity to the border of Austria. The Dolomites are one of the most popular winter destinations in Europe and boasts the largest ski area in the world called the Dolomiti Superski. Also, the place is relatively less-visited during the spring and summer months. The winters here are marked by longer days, flowers blooming all around, and cool but pleasant temperatures, as well as, a plethora of adventures for outdoorsy travelers. Apart from the stunning mountains, visiting the Dolomites also entails visiting pretty villages with awe-inspiring peaks, walking along the historic paths from the First World War, great accommodations, a happening gastronomical scene, and rich culture. If you feel inspired already, take a look at these top hiking and trekking spots in Dolomites, Italy.
Tip from Content Creator
Before you embark on your exciting hiking trip, here are some practical things that you ought to keep in mind:
- There aren’t any airports nearby, so your best bets are Venice, Verona and Innsbruck. But fly in early, because you’ll need to drive two-three hours to get to the heart of the Dolomites.
- You’ll need a rental car to make your trip seamless. We booked one in Venice (not near the airport!) and got an incredible deal. It’s also a nice way to see more of the region.
- Get half-board accommodation. If you’re hiking daily you don’t want to bother with figuring out where to eat before (for fuel) or after (when you’re shattered to the core). Half-board accommodations take the hassle out of meal planning. Our hotel served a five-course dinner — which was an absolute delight after all the exercise.
- You don’t need to plan all your hikes in advance. I used the Kamoot app and started a lot of our walks directly from our hotel. But do pick your dream spots to see (Lago di Braies, Lago di Soporis) and plan some days for those. Just expect long drives if you don’t book your accommodation nearby.
- If you’re planning to hike, prep beforehand. I’m very active (Peloton junkie here!) and I still found the walks challenging. The altitude will impact you, and a lot of routes are steady uphill. But of course, the best views come up top.
- Pack winter gear, even in summer. It’s the mountains after all, and it gets cold. I brought a bit of everything in June — and it all came in handy.
1. Lago di Sorapiss
You simply cannot afford to miss this amazing hike to Lago di Sorapis’ turquoise waters. It involves an interesting path and majestic views of the rugged mountains. The hike along the trail is truly awe-inspiring. The trail has some cables along the trail that are not easy to traverse in case you suffer from a fear of heights. In order to reach the trail-head, take a public bus from a bus atop called Cortina d'Ampezzo to Passo Tre Croci. The bus service continues until September end. As the trail is at a two-hour walking distance from the nearest vehicle parking space, the place is not as congested as some of its more popular neighbors.
Lago di Sorapiss
Address: 32043 Cortina d'Ampezzo, Province of Belluno, Italy
Website: Lago di Sorapiss
2. Lago di Carezza
Also referred to as Karersee, this hike should be on your bucket list while visiting the Dolomites. The walk feels absolutely magical with the beautiful hues of the lake, the mountains, and the forest that surrounds it. After you have parked your vehicle, there will be an opening or clearing space on the left. There could be a fence, but simply bypass it and take a stroll along the path. A wooden sign shows the direction for Carezza Lake from where one should begin the trail. Appreciate the beauty of the lake prior to taking a path around it. We recommend you to go for this hike during sunset or sunrise.
Lago di Carezza
Address:39056 Welschnofen, South Tyrol, Italy
Website: Lago di Carezza
3. Lagazuoi to Passo Falzarego
Your hike will start from Rifugio Lagazuo and then off to Passo Falzarego. It is a wonderful trail, peppered with historical ruins, views of mountains, a wonderful gondola ride, and more. The is also an excellent choice to go on a fun mountain trek that is available for different levels. There will be quite a few incredible views even before beginning the hike. The hike technically begins from the Rifugio Lagazuoi.
Lagazuoi
Address: Monte Lagazuoi, 32043 Cortina d'Ampezzo BL, Italy
Website: Lagazuoi
4. Nuvolau
When you take a hike around this magnificent peak, you can discover some of the finest rock formations and beautiful mountains in the world. You will also get an opportunity to enjoy some of the best views of the region during the walk. Your trail begins behind a restaurant called Passo Falzarego. The hike will begin with a slight ascent, but soon the path becomes steeper. The Nuvolou is regarded as one of Dolomites’s most famous peaks and offers some amazing views.
Nuvolau
Address: Monte Nuvolao, 32043 Cortina d'Ampezzo BL, Italy
Website: Nuvolau
5. Alpe di Sennes
When you take a walk at the Alpe di Sennes, you can enjoy different types of stunning landscapes. The entire walk is around 17.5 km (10.87 mi) and takes around five to seven hours to complete. That means you need to take this walk early. As it is a popular hiking spot in the region the parking space can fill up quite fast. While climbing up, lush forests and meadows, and you have to walk through two different parks. Overall, it’s a picturesque hike and perfect for beginners.
Alpe di Sennes
Address: 39030 South Tyrol, Italy
Website: Alpe di Sennes
6. Sassopiatto and Sassolungo
This trail is 16.4 km (10.19 mi) in length and takes around five to six hours to complete. The trail is filled with picturesque natural beauty and ideal for those looking a long walk. It is also considered to be one of the most amazing hikes to explore the Dolomites. Proceed towards the hotel from Passo Sella’s parking lot. You will see separate paths beginning from the area surrounding the hotel, and both of them leads to the mountain-top.
Sassopiatto and Sassolungo
Address: Sassolungo, Selva di Val Gardena, Italy
Website: Sassopiatto and Sassolungo
7. Viel del Pan Marmolada
This hiking trail covers a stretch of 9.4 km (5.84 mi) and takes about two to three hours to complete. It covers a historic path, which was used in the past by the bread and flour traders to travel between two different valleys. The trail links Passo Pordoi and Passo Fedaia. The walk has some spectacular Dolomite landscapes, particularly of Marmolada. It is an accessible way to experience the beautiful views of the big mountain. Take the Cable Car from Via De Pareda to Pecol. From there, go to Col die Rossi Bellavista via the Cable Car. You will be completely bowled over by the majestic views from the cable car.
Viel del Pan Marmolada
Address: Localita’ Viel Del Pan, 1, Canazei TN, Italy
Website: Viel del Pan Marmolada
8. Lago di Braies
This hiking tour lasts for multiple days and is the most appropriate way to explore the Dolomites, which many refer to as ‘the most beautiful mountains’ in the world. You can do this hike on your own, or opt for a private tour. The private tour will include an expert guide who will accompany you throughout the hike and tell you about the best ranges for sunrise and sunset view. Just make sure to get a backpack and a pair of sturdy shoes.
Tip from Content Creator
Lago di Braies is considered the Pearl of the Italian Dolomites (South Tyrol) and you can visit it at any time of the year depending on your objective. If you want to hike in the area, it is recommended to visit between mid-June and October. However, if you just want to see the lake, you can visit anytime between May and November. Outside of those months, the lake is frozen or covered with snow.
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9. Seceda/Puez Odle
Enjoy your hiking through the mesmerizing Funes Valley and discover the stunning winter scenery of the Seceda/Puez Odle Nature Park. It will take up to five to six hours for you to reach the nature park. You will love hiking through the high-altitude meadows and snow-covered woods, and the tranquility of the snowy, white landscapes that are truly enchanting. The crisp fresh air and a clear sky will further add to the charm of the place.
Book Tours : From Bolzano: Snowshoeing in the Dolomites
10. Tre Cime di Lavaredo
While you and many others might have already been to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo several times and have a feeling that you know the spot very well, the moment you reach here, it will appear to be a new place altogether. You should take a memorable and a circular hike around the Three Peaks. The hike can be completed in 10 hours (or less). You will love trekking to the center of the Dolomites and marvel at the scenic vistas of the Dolomites during the hike.
Tip from Content Creator
Tre Cime di Lavaredo is an unreal place in the Italian Dolomites, with a hike that's one of the most beautiful in the region. The easiest route is from Rifugio Auronzo, where the main car park for visiting Tre Cime is located, and you‘ll need to pay 30 EUR (32.36 USD) to enter the road. Once it’s full, the road will be closed, but alternatively, you can take a bus. There are different options to complete the hike depending on where you start.
- Distance: 10 km (6.2 mi)
- Journey time: 5 hours
- Difficulty level: Easy to medium
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Book Tours : Beautiful Trekking in the Dolomites
11. Cadini di Misurina
Contributed by Content Creator, Conor Carter
The hike to Cadini di Misurina viewpoint is one of the best short hikes you’ll do in the Dolomites. It provides panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and a unique view of Tre Crime di Laverado. The distance of the hike is around 3.2 kilometers (2 miles) and takes around 1 to 2 hours to complete. Parking is at the Rifugio Auronzo parking lot, which is the same parking lot as Tre Crime.
Enjoy trekking in Dolomites, Italy
If you are an outdoorsy traveler or an adventure freak, the Dolomites are a great place to be in. In order to make your life easier, we have chosen some of the top hiking and trekking spots in Dolomites, Italy.
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