A First Time Guide to the Italian Dolomites

As someone who was raised in Bolzano, in the Italian Dolomites, and spent a large portion of my life in Italy, I often get asked about where to go and what to do in the Dolomites. Over the years, I’ve explored a large portion of this mountain range and hiked many of its trails. Every time friends and family visited, I took them to my favorite spots: those with the best viewpoints in the Dolomites and the most picturesque mountain huts.

It’s taken me a while, but I’m finally putting all of this information together in one place, hoping to inspire and guide you as you plan your own itinerary to the Dolomites. In this blog post, you’ll find a comprehensive guide on where to go in the Dolomites, where to stay, what to do, the best time to visit, and much more.

Whether you’re looking for a summer itinerary to the Dolomites or seeking out the top things to do in the mountains in summer, this guide will provide recommendations on hiking, must-see sights, and helpful tips from a local.

Where are the Italian Dolomites

The Dolomites are located in the northeast of Italy, on the border with Austria. This mountain paradise offers some of the best alpine scenery in Europe and is one of the main reasons visitors plan a trip to the Italian Dolomites. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009, these breathtaking mountains have gained over the years the reputation of one of the best places to go hiking or skiing in the world.

The Dolomites traverse the autonomous provinces of Trentino and Alto Adige (South Tyrol) and parts of Veneto. Several mountain groups make up the Dolomites and are interconnected through a series of passes and valleys. These connections form a network of hiking, skiing and cycling routes that allow travelers to explore various valleys and peaks.

The main mountain groups and valleys in each region are:

• South Tylor (Alto Adige): home to some of the most famous peaks in the Dolomites, like the Sella Group and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, as well as to Val Gardena, Alta Badia and Val Pusteria
• Trentino: situated south of South Tyrol, is where you can find Val di Fassa, at the feet of the Catinaccio mountain group
• Belluno (Veneto): on the west, contains the famous Civetta Group of mountains

Overall, when planning an itinerary to the Dolomites, it is helpful to think of the range as being divided into two main regions: the western and eastern sides.

Things to Know before Traveling to the Dolomites

• Internet: If traveling from outside of Europe, if you want to stay connected, I recommend buying an eSIM and activate it before your arrival. Alternatively, if you don’t need Internet, you can download offline maps.
• Timed entrance: Some popular destinations have a morning cut-off time when arriving by car. This was introduced to reduce traffic at key tourist attractions and incentivize travelers to use public transportation. Some of the most popular places where this has been implemented are:
  • Alpe di Siusi: access by car between 9 am and 5 pm is not permitted. During these hours you can reach the plateau only by cable car or bus.
  • Lago di Braies: similarly, between 9:30 am and 4 pm no cars are allowed past Pragser Tal. You can only access the lake by bus, bike or hike.
  • Tre Cime di Lavaredo: more than timed entrance, the access to the parking lot of Tre Cime di Lavaredo will be closed once the parking spaces are filled. As an alternative, you can take the bus from the bottom of the mountain.
• Bilingual: The Dolomites are mainly located in the South Tyrol region, which is known for having two official languages: Italian and German. This is due to the historical connection to Austria. As a result, most of the signs, menus and official documents will be in both languages. Also, Ladin is a third language being spoken mainly in Val Badia.
• Via Ferrata: The Dolomites have some of the best maintained and accessible via ferrata routes in the world. If you’re not afraid of heights, these climbing routes equipped with fixed cables, ladders and bridges are a once in a lifetime experience even for beginner climbers.
• Mountain Huts: Also called Rifugi or Hütte, are a place to rest at the end of a hike, grab a refreshing drink or even a full meal. Many huts also offer overnight stays and it’s common to hike between them on a multi-day trek. This alone is one of the main things I miss in Canada.
• Törggelen: During the autumn months, in South Tyrol locals celebrate this time of the year with roasted chestnuts, dumplings and new wine. It is very common to organize a trip to the mountains with friends, where you play cards and enjoy the food at a mountain hut.

LOCAL TIP: While you may primarily rely on online or offline maps on your phone, I highly recommend picking up physical maps of the areas you plan to visit at any local visitor center. These maps not only help you navigate, but also allow you to familiarize yourself with the names of the surrounding peaks and discover the many mountain huts where you can take a well-deserved break.

How to get to and around the Italian Dolomites

There are multiple ways you can reach the Dolomites. If you’re traveling by plane, the closest international airports servicing the Dolomites are in Munich (Germany), Venice and Milan. But, there are also smaller airports in Verona, Innsbruck or Bolzano. Keep in mind though that the airport in Bolzano is quite small and as a result plane ticket prices might be high.

Another comfortable way of getting to the Dolomites is by train. The main city to get to is Bolzano, but if you’re exploring the eastern part of the Dolomites, you can also head to Brunico or San Candido by train.

Overall, if you want flexibility, the best way of visiting the Dolomites is by car. This way you can explore the mountains and valleys at your own pace. If you want to rent a car, you can either do so at one of the airports or in Bolzano.

Note: In Europe, most rental cars come with a manual transmission. If you’re used to driving an automatic, it’s important to clearly specify your preference when booking.

Best Time to visit the Dolomites

There is no such thing as bad time to visit the Dolomites. In fact, every season has something unique to offer, from skiing some of the best slopes in Europe in winter to enjoying a Törgellen at a mountain hut in autumn. Below, I break down the best time to visit the Dolomites based on the activities you can do.

Winter is a fantastic time to enjoy the fresh snow on the slopes. In fact, the Dolomites are home to one of the largest ski resorts in the world, the Dolomiti superski. With just one ski pass you have access to over 12 ski resorts, 450 lifts and over 1,200 km of slopes. Additionally, in winter you get to experience the picturesque Christmas markets in the mountains, the typical cuisine and local drinks.

Spring is ideal for milder temperatures and when the snow starts melting. This is when the beautiful alpine lakes bring their bright colors to the surface and the trails become fully accessible. Note that, differently to Canada or parts of the USA, most of the trails are snow free already by March or April. This means that the hiking season in the Italian Dolomites lasts longer and you don’t have to rush to pack in as many hikes as possible in a short amount of time.

Summer is the best time to visit if you want to experience the top attractions in the Dolomites, from road trips along the mountain passes to multi-day treks and overnight stays at mountain huts (“rifugio”). But, at this time of the year many popular sights are overcrowded and lose authenticity. My personal advise to you is to avoid the month of August if you can. At this time, most of the Italian businesses close for 2/3 weeks and many families are on holidays.

Autumn is probably my favorite time to visit the Dolomites. Temperatures start coming down but it’s still warm enough to spend time outside in the nature. Also, the trees start shedding their green leaves and don their amber coat. If you like photography, this is probably the best time to visit the Dolomites.

Where is the Best Place to Stay in the Dolomites

Deciding where you want to stay in the Dolomites depends mainly on two factors: your budget and what you want to see. Before I go into more detail of what I believe is the best arrangement, I would recommend using at least two different places as your home base.

In order to visit the Dolomites, you can either stay at larger towns, such as Bolzano, Bressanone, Brunico or San Candido and go on daily trips to the mountains. Alternatively, you can stay in mountain towns such as St. Ulrich (Ortisei), Selva, Siusi, Castelrotto, Corvara, Badia etc. Obviously, the first option can be a bit cheaper as it will have more options at different price ranges. But, if you travel in the shoulder season, some of the hotels in the mountains might offer a very attractive package.

Another option is to stay at campgrounds in your camper van or tent. Due to high demand, if you decide to go for this option you should consider booking early on.

LOCAL TIP: I recommend spending half of the trip at Ortisei, Santa Cristina or Selva to explore the western side of the Dolomites and the other half at Cortina, San Candido or Dobbiaco in the eastern side.

Best Hikes with Panoramic Views of the Dolomites

The Dolomites are my favorite place in the world for hiking. The reason I love it so much is that in a relatively small area you can hike some of the most scenic trails with a 360 degree view of the Dolomites. Spending the summer in the Italian Dolomites is a dream to many travelers and hiking is one of the top things to do in the Dolomites at that time of the year.

Hiking trails are very well signed by a red and white flag, either on a wooden stick or on the trees directly. Some of the trailheads are located at the top of the mountains, which you can reach by either extending your hike or by riding a cable car.

Here are my top tips for a great trip in the Dolomites, including best hikes with fantastic viewpoints of the Dolomites and a whole lot of practical advice to plan your visit.

Rifugio Bolzano, Rosengarten

Trailhead: Laghetto di Fiè
Finish: Compatsch
Elevation Gain: 1,421 m (4,662 ft)
Distance: 17 km (11 mi)
Duration: 8 hours

Alpe di Siusi is the largest and highest alpine meadow in Europe and a fantastic place to go hiking and mountain biking in summer or skiing in winter. One of my favorite hiking trails on Alpe di Siusi is to Rifugio Bolzano. You start at the bottom of the mountain at Laghetto di Fiè and continue uphill through green fields and rocky slopes to the mountain hut. I recommend staying overnight at Rifugio Bolzano and enjoy one of the best sunsets in the Dolomites.

In the morning, have a hearty breakfast at the hut before making your way down on the back of the mountain to Alpe di Siusi. After a series of switchbacks, you’ll reach the plateau where you’ll have one of the best biewpoints in the Dolomites. The majestic Sassolungo and Sassopiatto will open in front of you.

Please note that there are a total of 3 potential trailheads: from Compatsch, Fie and Tires. I prefer starting in Fiè and finishing in Compatsch but any route is viable and equally beautiful.

Lago di Sorapis

Trailhead: on SR48, Lago di Sorapis Trailhead
Finish: same as above
Elevation Gain: 120 m (400 ft)
Distance: 11.6 km (7.2 mi)
Duration: 3-4 hours

Lago di Sorapis is a 15-minute drive from Cortina d’Ampezzo and is one of the most popular hikes in the Dolomites. This aquamarine alpine lake attracts every day hundreds of hikers during the summer months and as such gets crowded fast. Therefore, the best time of day to hike to Lago di Sorapis is early in the morning. You’ll also benefit from better lighting for photos and closer parking spot to the trailhead.

Note: Some sections of the trail are exposed and if you’re afraid of heights, you can use the chains attached to the rock to assist you. Also, please remember that it’s not allowed to swim in the lago di Sorapis.

Vajolet Towers, Rosengarten

Trailhead: Ciampede
Finish: Ciampede
Elevation Gain: 837 m (2,746 ft)
Distance: 5.3 km (3.3 mi)
Duration: 2-3 hours

Vajolet Towers are six distinct peaks in the Rosengarten Mountain Group in the Western Part of the Italian Dolomites. If you visit the town of Bolzano, you can spot these iconic peaks in the background and especially at sunset when they turn pink.

The most straightforward way of hiking to the Vajolet Towers is to take the gondola from Vigo di Fassa to Ciampede. From here, you follow the signs up to Rifugio Re Alberto. The last section of the hike involves some scrambling, but you can use the cables on the sides for additional support.

Seceda, Puez-Odle

Trailhead: St. Christina
Finish: Seceda (cable car down) or hike back to St. Christina
Elevation Gain: 1,025 m (3,363 ft)
Distance: 17 km (11 mi)
Duration: 4-5 hours

Without taking the cable car from Ortisei or Santa Cristina, you can reach the ridgeline of Seceda by hiking the trail heading to Regensburgerhütte and then to the top of Seceda. This hike is in my opinion the most beautiful and rewarding hike in the Dolomites and South Tyrol. The first portion of the uphill is shaded in the forest but then you get to experience an open view of the Dolomites.

Rifugio Puez, Puez-Odle

Trailhead: Selva
Finish: Vallunga
Elevation Gain: 537 m (1,761 ft)
Distance: 15 km (9.3 mi)
Duration: 4-5 hours

This point-to-point hike starts in Selva and finishes in Vallunga. It’s a breathtaking hike with panoramic views over the Dolomites. Up to Rifugio Puez, you’ll hike uphill and gain all the elevation. Later, you’ll take a series of switchbacks to descent into Vallunga, a flat valley clustered between the mountains.

Lago di Carezza, Latemar

Trailhead: Lago di Carezza
Finish: same as above
Elevation Gain: 35 m (115 ft)
Distance: 1.3 km (0.8 mi)
Duration: 20 minutes

Lago di Carezza is one of the easiest destinations to reach in the Dolomites. Since it is located along the main street connecting Val D’Ega, it can easily be accessed by public transportation. This turquoise lake is surrounded by the Latemar mountain, particularly known for its striking summits. In order to visit Lago di Carezza you can either take an easy stroll around its shore or adventure through the forest to Obereggen or Paolina.

Rifugio delle Odle, Puez-Odle

Trailhead: Santa Maddalena
Finish: Rifugio delle Odle
Elevation Gain: 868 m (2,848 ft)
Distance: 16 km (9.9 mi)
Duration: 4-5 hours

This is by far one of the most picturesque hikes in the Dolomites. If you’ve hiked Seceda the day before, the ridgeline you see from the top is the Odle Group mountains at the back of Rifugio delle Odle. Because of its popularity, this charming mountain hut gets very crowded in the summer months. Nevertheless, the panoramic view of the Dolomites range is one of the most breathtaking in the region.

Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Sexten Dolomites

Trailhead: Parking lot at Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Finish: same as above
Elevation Gain: 425 m (1,400 ft)
Distance: 8.8 km (5.5 mi)
Duration: 2.5-5 hours

The Dolomites have some distinctive peaks and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo are some of the most striking mountains you’ll see. These three enormous pillars of rock are a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Dolomite’s most famous views. Additionally, these peaks also appeared in the Star Wars movie “Solo”.

Lago di Braies, Prags Dolomites

Trailhead: Parking lot
Finish: same as above
Elevation Gain: 188 m (617 ft)
Distance: 3.7 km (2.3 mi)
Duration: 1-2 hours

Lago di Braies is one of the most visited lakes in the Dolomites. Not only has it appeared in the Italian movie series “Un passo dal cielo” but it’s also one of the most picturesque lakes in the Dolomites. Note that during the peak season in summer you cannot drive to the lake directly, as the road is closed to vehicles. The only way to access the lake is to use public transportation, bike or walk there.

Unforgettable Activities to try in the Dolomites

The Italian Dolomites are mainly famous for the breathtaking views of rocky peaks and crystal-clear lakes. But, on top of this, the Dolomites offer some unforgettable activities that will create everlasting memories. Some of my favorites are:

1. Via Ferrata: is a unique climbing experience that allows you to reach new summits with the help of fixed cables and ladders. You can either do it with a mountain guide or on your own. But, if done alone, I recommend having a helmet and all the necessary equipment to climb in complete safety.
2. Cycling: if you follow the Giro d’Italia, you’ve probably already seen some of the scenic roads in the Dolomites. If you love cycling, one of the top roads to cycle is the one to Sellaronda.
3. Paragliding: is one of the best ways to experience the panoramic mountains from above. If you’re seeking a thrill and want to know what it’s like to soar through the air, you can try paragliding in either Alpe di Siusi or Val Gardena for an unforgettable experience.
4. Catch a sunrise of sunset: this should be a bucket-list activity when visiting the Dolomites. At this time of the day the mountains turn into an orange-pink shade that will make your mouth drop. Some of the best places to catch a sunrise or sunset are at Seceda, Passo Giau or Alpe di Siusi.

See it on the Map

FAQ on Visiting the Italian Dolomites