The Dolomites are one of our favorite hiking destinations in the world. This region is a hiker’s dream. Hike to the highest peaks, stunning alpine lakes, and breathtaking views. A captivating natural, cultural, and culinary experience awaits you on hikes in the Dolomites. Hiking here has the potential to turn into an addiction because of the peaks’ heart-stopping beauty and the charm and friendliness of the mountain cabins.
Understanding the size of this Italian Alps mountain range is crucial when organizing a hiking trip across the Dolomites. The Dolomites, which are divided into 26 sub-ranges, are located in three different Italian regions: Veneto, Trentino Alto-Adige (Trentino – Südtirol), and Friuli Venezia Giulia.
In this guide, we listed 10 of the best hikes in the Dolomites Italy
“Suggestion Read” World’s Loneliest Capsule in the Italian Alps
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When is the best time to do hikes in the Dolomites
The official hiking season often begins in May and lasts until about the middle of October but in my opinion, June, September, and October are the best time to do the hikes in the Dolomites.
June – The amount of tourists is still reasonable, temperatures are gradually rising, and fields are adorned with stunning wildflowers.
September – Although it’s still warm, there are a lot fewer tourists in this area as the Summer draws to a close. Additionally, there is a good likelihood that you will witness cloud inversions this month.
October – If you wish to take pictures of the Autumn leaves in the Dolomites, this month is great. But on some of your hikes, you may already come upon the snow.
ESSENTIAL TIPS
Before beginning your hikes in the Dolomites, you must have these items.
Hiking Boots
Hiking Poles
Polarized Sunglasses
First Aid Kit
Head Lamp
Maps
In this post, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 Spectacular Hikes in the Dolomites so that you can remove them from your travel to-do list.
LAGO DI SORAPIS
You simply cannot pass up this wonderful walk to the turquoise waters of Lago di Sorapis. Both the trail and the magnificent landscapes of the untamed mountains are interesting. The trail is extremely breathtaking to walk along. Some cables on the trail are difficult to cross if you have a phobia of heights.
One of the most popular hikes in the Dolomites is Lake Sorapis. A short drive from Cortina d’Ampezzo leads to the hiking track that leads to the lake’s azure hue.
Trekking Information
Trailhead: Passo Tre Croci, Belluno, Italy
Distance: 13.2 km circuit
Time Needed: 5:10 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 846 meters
Difficulty: Difficult
Minimum Elevation: 1726 meters
Maximum Elevation: 2311 meters
TRE CIME DI LAVAREDO
The Tre Cime di Lavaredo Circuit is unquestionable, one of the most widely recognized hikes in the Dolomites, and if this is your first time visiting South Tyrol, you should not miss it. The Tre Cime National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is home to the hiking circuit.
One of the best hikes in the Dolomites is Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Three large rocky prominences rise from the sweeping beauty of the Dolomites, and the terrain is covered with wildflowers during the summer seasons.
Trekking Information
Trailhead: Rifugio Auronzo
Distance: 9.7 km circuit
Time Needed: 4 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 430 meters
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Minimum Elevation: 2170 meters
Maximum Elevation: 2451 meters
LAGO FEDERA
This walk surrounds the Croda da Lago mountain range. On the route, you’ll stop at the gorgeous Lago Federa and trek up to Forcella Ambrizzola and Forcella Rossa for additional panoramic Dolomites views.
The environment is continuously changing, making this one of the most interesting paths in the area, with a magnificent stroll throughout the woods, a visit to an alpine lake (Lago Federa), close-up views of Croda da Lago, and panoramic views of the mountains of the Dolomites.
Trekking Information
Trailhead: Ponte di Rocurto, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Belluno
Distance: 8.4 km out-and-back
Time Needed: 3 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 469 meters
Difficulty: Moderate
Minimum Elevation: 1681 meters
Maximum Elevation: 2089 meters
CINQUE TORRI AND RIFUGIO NUVOLAU
Combine two of the top hikes in the Dolomites into one amazing hiking adventure. Even though you are combining two trails, the distance is still quite short and accessible for the majority of individuals.
If you just have one day in the Dolomites, I highly recommend this walk. Every step of the way, the scenery is breathtaking. In addition, you will have the opportunity to visit a Rifugio, where the drinks and cuisine are excellent and you will have one of the best views of the Dolomites.
Trekking Information
Trailhead: Col Gallina
Distance: 9.6 km circuit
Time Needed: 3:45 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 600 meters
Difficulty: Moderate
Minimum Elevation: 1974 meters
Maximum Elevation: 2575 meters
ALPE DI SIUSI
You can enjoy a variety of gorgeous views while walking on the Alpe di Sennes. The full walk is around 17.5 kilometers (10.87 miles) long and takes about five to seven hours to finish. That indicates you should go on this walk as soon as possible.
Because it is a popular hiking destination in the area, parking spaces might fill up quickly. While climbing, gorgeous forests and meadows surround you, and you must pass through two distinct parks. Overall, it’s a beautiful walk that’s ideal for beginners.
Trekking Information
Trailhead: Ortisei-Alpe di Siusi gondola (aka Mont Sëuc cable car) mountain station
Distance: 14.4 km circuit
Time Needed: 4:25 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 483 meters
Difficulty: Easy
Minimum Elevation: 1675 meters
Maximum Elevation: 2001 meters
TOFANA DI MEZZO
Tofana di Rozes is a major mountain in Belluno, Veneto, in northeastern Italy’s Tofane Group. The Tofane mountains are located in the Dolomiti D’Ampezzo Natural Park, west of Cortina d’Ampezzo.
The majority of the track is in great shape. However, there are a few washed-out sections that necessitate sure footing and skill in unstable terrain. From the hiking trail, you can rock climb up the short but steep hill to Tofana di Mezzo, which offers stunning 360-degree views of the Dolomites.
Trekking Information
Trailhead: Cortina d’Ampezzo
Distance: 0.3 km circuit
Time Needed: 30 minutes
Elevation Gain/Loss: 55 meters
Difficulty: Easy
Minimum Elevation: 1821 meters
Maximum Elevation: 3216 meters
SECEDA
Seceda is another magnificent Dolomites destination, and getting to the iconic viewpoint requires only a short walk. Another walk where a cable car transports you up into the mountains.
You don’t even need to hike from the cable car station to enjoy the view, but if you want to take the famed Seceda sight, it’s a short but hard uphill hike to the lookout. Follow the trail down along the ridgeline towards the jagged peaks from here. Once you reach the trail intersection, it’s a short but beautiful walk back to the cable car station.
Trekking Information
Trailhead: Seceda Cableway Mountain station
Distance: 8.9 km circuit
Time Needed: 3:15 hours without breaks
Elevation Gain/Loss: 524 meters
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Minimum Elevation: 2038 meters
Maximum Elevation: 2518 meters
VIEL DEL PAN MARMOLADA
Sentiero Viel del Pan, also called Vel dal Pan, Vel dal Pan in Ladin, Vel dal Pan among German, and Bindelweg, is a hiking route that crosses the southern Padon chain and provides unmatched views of Marmolada in the Italian Dolomites. To move their products from one valley to another, flour traders used this ancient route.
Passo Pordoi, also known as Jouf de Pordoi in Ladin and Pordoijoch in German, is the mountain pass that links Canazei in the Val di Fassa with Arabba in Livinallongo. The Canazei-Belvedere cableways are another option if you’re based in Canazei for getting to the trailhead.
Trekking Information
Trailhead: Passo Pordoi, Trentino, Italy
Distance: 7 km circuit
Time Needed: 2:30 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 368 meters
Difficulty: Moderate
Minimum Elevation: 2238 meters
Maximum Elevation: 2539 meters
LAGO DI BRAIES
Walk the loop across the glistening, blue Lago di Braies; it’s a simple climb that’s great for photographers and families. One of the most well-liked tourist destinations in the Dolomites is Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee).
Visitors have long been drawn to this lake’s stunning azure clarity, spectacular mountain backdrop, simple walking track, and rowboats. Walking the hiking trail that circles Lago di Braies is one of the nicest things to do there. You get to see the lake from all sides while on the walk.
Trekking Information
Trailhead: Lago di Braies/Pragser Wildsee
Distance: 16.9 km circuit
Time Needed: 6:30 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1202 meters
Difficulty: Moderately difficult because of the length
Minimum Elevation: 1493 meters
Maximum Elevation: 2540 meters
ADOLF MUNKEL
In Val di Funes, the Adolf Munkel Weg follows the base of the Odle/Geisler mountain range. The best part of this trek, despite the beautiful views, is getting lunch at one of the mountain cottages.
The Adolf Munkel Trail is dramatic, diverse, and unforgettable as it winds through woodland and alpine meadows, peaking at Malga Casanago/Gschnagenhardt Alm and Rifugio Odle/Geisler Alm.
The sawtooth Odle/Geisler peaks spring up from these picture-perfect alpine pastures like knives slicing the sky. This is one of several stunning locations in the Dolomites that appear to have been ripped from a fantasy epic.
Trailhead: Zannes/Zans Car Park in Val di Funes, South Tyrol
Distance: 9.2 km circuit
Time Needed: 3:30 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 378 meters
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Minimum Elevation: 1657 meters
Maximum Elevation: 2035 meters
WRAPPING UP
The Dolomites are a remarkable location if you’re an adventurous or outdoor-loving traveler. We have selected some of the best hiking and trekking locations in the Italian Dolomites to make your life easier.
FAQs:
When is the best time to do hikes in the Dolomites?
June through September, when the trails are clear of snow, is the ideal season to go trekking in the Dolomites. The Dolomites are covered in wildflowers throughout July and August.
How many days do I need in the Dolomites?
As many as possible. Two to three days are sufficient if all you want to do is drive through the Dolomites and stop at a couple of the attractions. I recommend a minimum stay of five days.
Do I need a car to get around the Dolomites?
Although a car is not strictly necessary, it will provide you with more freedom and enable you to get to some locations where there are no public transportation options.
Are Hikes in the Dolomites Difficult?
Hikes in the Dolomites can range from being very simple to being very difficult, depending on the walks that you take. The Dolomites provide a variety of straightforward valley and plateau walks.
What Is the Most Famous Hike in the Dolomites?
The Tre Cime di Lavaredo circuit trail is the most well-known hiking route in the Dolomites. This magnificent trail circles the towering Three Peaks (Tre Cime di Lavaredo in Italian and Drei Zinnen in German), providing breathtaking views of the Sesto/Sexten and Prags/Braies Dolomites mountain ranges.
What Are the Most Beautiful Hikes in the Dolomites?
The Seceda to Rifugio Firenze hike, the Croda da Lago circuit hike, the Val Venegia to Rifugio Mulaz Circuit Hike, and the Sass de Putia Circuit Hike are among the most spectacular hikes in the Dolomites.
What Are the Best Lesser-Known Hikes in the Dolomites?
Our top quiet and off-the-beaten-track hikes in the Dolomites are the Lago di Braies to Hochalpenkopf Peak and Torre dei Scarperi Circuit Trail in Alta Pusteria, the Col dala Pieres and Piz Duleda peak hikes in Val Gardena, and the Tullen Summit and Rifugio Genova Circuit Trail in Val di Funes.
Do You Need Hiking Boots for the Dolomites?
Yes, you need hiking boots for most hikes in the Dolomites.
