Explore the Dolomites: The Best Itinerary for a Unforgettable Trip!
Are you ready for your next adventure? Look no further than the awe-inspiring Dolomites! This breathtaking mountain range is the perfect destination for nature-lovers and hiking enthusiasts alike. Whether you prefer to explore for days on end or just have a limited amount of time to spare, the Dolomites are sure to leave you enchanted. While summer may bring crowds and higher prices, the longer days and lower chance of rain make it the ideal time to visit. So gear up and get ready to be blown away by the natural beauty of the Dolomites!
Traveling during the spring and autumn can be a great way to experience amazing beauty such as blooming flowers and autumn colors, but with a more peaceful and economical experience. From my own personal experience, I've found that booking trips two weeks in advance can offer some amazing prices. However, it's important to keep in mind that these seasons are usually accompanied by higher chances of rain, so I would suggest considering them if you have extra time to spare or don't mind being flexible in case of any weather changes. But overall, spring and autumn are great times to enjoy the beauty of nature without all the hustle associated with peak travel times!
Dolomites Packing List
How to get to the Dolomites?
There are multiple ways to get to the Dolomites, but renting a car is always my top recommendation since it provides you with the freedom to move around at your own pace. You can choose to take a flight to Milan and arrive in Ortisei in less than four hours, or if you prefer, you can arrive in Venice and make the two-hour drive to Cortina d'Ampezzo . In my personal experience, I opted to travel by train throughout Italy. I took a train from Milan to Bolzano, which only cost me 20 euros. From there, I rented a car, and it took me only 40 minutes to reach Ortisei. This allowed me to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Dolomites while also having the flexibility to explore various towns and trails along the way.
Where to Stay?
Ortisei
Cortina d'Ampezzo
Where to rent a car?
In Bolzano you can find Hertz, Avis, Budget but they didn't have good reviews, so I rented from a local company called Autosystem, you can book and pay when you pick up the car. They have good prices from 300 euros for a week.
Suggested Dolomites Itinerary
This itinerary is divided between the two areas mentioned previously: Ortisei and Cortina d'Ampezzo for days 1, 2, and 3 if you are staying near Ortisei and days 4, 5, 6 and 7 when you are near Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Day 1
It only took me 10 minutes to get from my accommodation to the picturesque St. Valentin Church, so it was the perfect place to start my day. You can park your car at (46.544588, 11.562767) and take a well-marked 10-minute hike to the church. Surrounded by mountains and featuring typical alpine cows with tinkling bells, seeing this thousand-year-old church in person was truly remarkable. On the way back to town, you'll have plenty of options for places to eat or grab a coffee.
From St. Valentin Church, it's a 25-minute drive to Ortisei. Follow the signs to Seceda cable car, where parking costs 12 euros and a round-trip cable car ride costs 37 euros per adult - while it may seem expensive, it's worth every penny! Seeing Seceda in real life is breathtaking - I barely recognized it from its social media pictures! We spent almost the whole day there, taking various routes and stopping at three different mountain huts before heading back towards Ortisei. On our way back we explored the town and waited for sunset - an amazing end to an incredible day!
Day 2
Today, we'll be exploring Val di Funes. This region is famous for its tiny churches that dot the meadows of each village - and our first stop is the Church of St. John. You can park your car at (46.636870, 11.720869) and visit the church (make sure it's open), or take in some great photo opportunities from a nearby lookout point. From here, you'll find signs leading to Chiesa di Santa Maddalena and numerous viewpoints around it. Make sure to check the availability of parking at Zanser Alm; there's a sign that indicates if it's full or not before heading out on your hike towards Refugio Delle Odle - Geisleralm! I highly recommend stopping for a bite at the refuge as well - their food is delicious and you'll get an amazing view of the Dolomites during sunset!
Day 3
Alpe di Siusi is an iconic location, and going there for sunrise is a must! Unfortunately, car access to the area is only allowed from 11 pm to 6 am - so make sure to plan accordingly. Parking will cost you 20 EUR for the whole day, but it's worth it if you spend some time taking in all that Alpe di Siusi has to offer. Head over to Belvedere dell'Alpe di Siusi on Google Maps to get the famous view, which is a 2-mile walk across mostly flat terrain. Along the way, you'll pass small houses and farms on the meadow - which are just as breathtaking as the view itself. When you're done admiring nature, refuel with breakfast at one of the cafes or refuges nearby before continuing on your journey towards Cortina d'Ampezzo. On this route, be sure to stop at Gardena Pass for amazing views - so don't forget to park your car whenever necessary! Once you arrive in Cortina d'Ampezzo, take your pick from all the food options available before continuing on your Dolomites adventure!
Day 4
Take a hike to the gorgeous Sorapis Lake for some views you won't soon forget! Park your car at (46.556069, 12.198170) and follow trail 217 to the Cristallo Refuge. This is an enjoyable walk with a section of stairs along the mountain's edge. For autumn hikers, be sure to check recent photos on AllTrails - as the lake may be dry in certain seasons. After the hike, take a well-deserved break at Lake Misurina and its many restaurants, before heading to nearby Lake Durrense to capture some beautiful photos. End your day by visiting Tre Cime di Lavadero panoramic viewpoint - you won't regret it!
Day 5
Tre Cime di Lavaredo is a place that deserves a whole day dedicated to it because of its size, and the parking cost is expensive at 30 EUR, and it is also limited. When I went there in the fall, I didn't have any problems finding available parking, but I know that during the summer, you can spend hours queuing just to enter. Then I recommend doing the Tre Cime loop hike, entering the different refuges to have a drink and rest. Finally, I recommend doing the Cadini di Misurina hike. You start the hike at the Auronzo refuge, and it is a short hike (2 miles round trip) where you can take one of the best photos of the Dolomites.
Day 6
The sunrise from Lago di Braies is a unique experience, the reflection of the mountains on the water will leave you in awe. There is a parking lot at the entrance of the lake, and the price varies depending on how close you park. It costs 10 EUR, and you can also rent a canoe and paddle on the lake for 20 EUR for 30 minutes. If you choose not to canoe, I recommend doing the hike around the lake.
During the summer, you can take a gondola up to Cinque Torri. When I went in the fall, I hiked up, but the advantage was having the place all to myself. At Cinque Torri, there is a museum where you can find trenches that were built during WWI.
You can start the hike from Paso Giau if you want to dedicate the whole day to hiking, or you can take a chairlift and walk around the area. However, I started my hike from Baita Bai de Dones.
Day 7
As you may remember, I took a train to Bolzano and rented a car from there. Now it was time for me to return, and I decided to visit Lake Carezza, which is close to Bolzano, last. It's a beautiful lake, although it's clear that it's very touristy, with a large paid parking lot. That's why I recommend going very early to have the lake to yourself.
