The Best Hiking in the Dolomites: A Legacy of Limestone

All the vistas you could ask for 

When it comes to trekking in the Dolomites, the Alta Via 1 is number one (pun intended) for a multi-day hut-to-hut adventure. Starting from Lago di Braies in South Tyrol and ending in Belluno, this 120 km (75 mi) trail is the most approachable of all the high routes in the area.

Moving north to south in bite-sized stages, Alta Via 1 can be completed in 7-14 days, depending on your fitness level and preferred pace. For large portions of the trek, you’ll be staying high above the mountains, passing through vast rock fields and rolling pastures, with enchanting views all around you.

Since camping is not allowed anywhere in the Dolomites, you’ll be staying at rifugios owned by various alpine clubs. They all offer meals, dormitory rooms (some of them have private rooms as well) and they need to be booked individually. Due to high demand, most of them require deposits to secure your reservation.

A bucket list hiking trip

The hike will take you past dolomitic towers and crags, idyllic meadows, deciduous and evergreen forests, as well as barren, lunar-like landscapes strung together by high mountain passes. Some sections can be squeezed into a single day of hiking, while others offer alternative routes and side trips.

When you enter the Dolomites, you’re soon treated to the imposing summit of Mount Lagazuoi. An optional hike here will take you through restored WWI trenches, barracks, and tunnels steeped in history. A little further, the Cinque Torri towers are known for their excellent rock climbing. The middle, more technical section that lies beyond rifugio Nuvolau features ladders and cables—nothing particularly demanding. If you wish, you can extend your trek by bypassing some of them.

The second half of Alta Via 1 holds even more memorable vistas, including those of Monte Pelmo, an isolated block of pale rock, and Cima de Zità Sud. Some steep ascents and ridgeline walks later, the trail comes back down into grassy hillsides and wooded valleys before culminating in a vast ravine and the La Pissa bus stop.

Leg-burning thrills and heart-stopping views

For experienced hikers who prefer their panoramas with a side of adrenaline, the vertigo-inducing thrills of Alta Via 2 are just what the doctor ordered. Starting in South Tyrol’s Bressanone and ending in Belluno’s medieval town of Feltre, this difficult journey crosses three provinces and eight mountain groups.

Significantly more challenging than its sister trek (covered above), Alta Via 2 features a number of technical sections full of steep, narrow paths on exposed rock, scrambles, washouts, and via ferratas. Although the latter does not necessarily require special gear, I suggest you do bring it for safety reasons. As the Dolomites are prone to sudden thunderstorms, especially in the summer, you’ll also have to face muddy and slippery slopes.

Dolomite hiking trails and delicious food—the perfect recipe

With the caveats out of the way, I can say that this trail offers some of the best hiking in the Dolomites and might be my favorite of all the high routes. It has the right amount of beauty and challenge to make two weeks of walking in the mountains seem like a great idea. 

Highlights include the towering spires of the Puez-Odle National Park, the sprawling Gardena Pass at the foot of the Sella group (with Piz Boè as the highest point), Marmolada rising sharply from the pristine water of Lake Fedaia, and the serene stretch of Alpine meadows from Forcella Rossa to Passo San Pellegrino, where you can meet friendly horses grazing in peace.

Along the way, you get to enjoy the region’s signature dishes, such as casunziei (stuffed half-moon-shaped pasta), canederli (bread dumplings with spinach or speck), various game meat and vegetarian dishes. And then there are the finger-licking Austrian desserts: Linzer torte, Kaiserschmarrn, Sachertorte, strudel… This is in equal measure a culinary trip!

“Benvenuti” to the Pearl of the Alps

Lago di Braies (or Prager Wildsee in German) is the most famous lake in the Dolomites. Ringed by dense rows of larches and warded by massive mountains, it bears the nickname “Pearl of the Alps”. Perfectly reflected in its wide mirror is the north face of Croda del Becco (or Seekofel), which forms the border between the South Tyrol and Belluno regions.

Due to its picturesque setting and easy approach, Lago di Braies has become one of the most Instagrammable locations in Italy. Every day during summer and winter, crowds of people gather to admire the scenery and snap photos on its tiktok-iconic dock. The majority don’t go further than that, which is a shame, because a loop hike is a great way to enjoy the sights.

This is a short, extremely simple loop that can be done clockwise or counterclockwise without much effort. I recommend going as early as possible or later in the day, when the sunset dyes this amphitheater in shades of orange and pink. The lake is also famous for being the starting point of Alta Via 1.

Exploring the Tre Cime Nature Park

We can’t talk about the best hiking in the Dolomites without mentioning Tre Cime di Lavaredo, arguably the most recognizable sight in the entire range. These three immense pillars of layered limestone rising out of the rolling alpine scenery are the centerpiece of one of Europe’s most celebrated day hikes.

Starting from the Rifugio Auronzo, a wide rocky path runs north towards the Italian Alpine Club’s Rifugio Locatelli, which offers the finest views of Tre Cime, then loops back around for a full circle tour of the pale trident. Along the way, you’re treated to sweeping vistas of the rest of the Dolomites and a vast, rocky expanse dotted with colorful splashes of grass and wildflowers.

The basic loop can be completed in 3-4 hours, but one of the defining features of this area is its extensive network of side trails. These can be combined any way you like, netting you even more panoramas. If you’re adventurous enough, you can easily turn this into a multi-day journey by staying at the numerous rifugios.

Where the peaks and pines stick out like needles

Located in Val di Funes, a fairytale valley in the heart of South Tyrol, the Adolf Munkel Trail is a delightful point-to-point hike that runs along the Odle (or Geisler) mountain group. Although occasionally rocky, this family-friendly route is very well marked and maintained, with four rifugios where weary travelers can stop for lunch or spend the night.

Starting from the Zanser Alm mountain hut, a short walk on Trail #6 takes you to a bridge where the Adolf Munkel Trail starts. Named after the first president of the Dresden Alpine Club Section, this simple narrow trail winds its way through lush meadows, dwarf shrub heaths, and larch forests spreading under the imposing north face of the Odle group. The word Odle means needle in Ladin, referring to the distinctive shape of these dramatic peaks.

The route takes you to the lovely Brogles Alm mountain hut, located at 2,045 m (6,700 ft) before descending towards the ending point in the small village of Ranui. If you’re short on time, you can turn this into a shorter loop hike. This variant will have you take Trail #35 at the Geisler Alm hut, then circle back down to the starting point.

A wild ride all the way all the way through

Seceda is one of the most beloved mountains in the Odle mountain group, located in the Puez-Odle Nature Park. Every day, hikers flock to this 2,500-meter (8,200 feet) peak to enjoy the arresting views of the Val Gardena region below and walk along its staggering ridgeline.

This panoramic point-to-point hike cuts across a steeply sloping plain that abruptly culminates in a series of gigantic peaks that jut out toward the sky at sharp angles, resembling a mountain cracked in half by some unimaginable force. The views are so magnificent you’ll have to remind yourself to keep moving and not stand still with your mouth agape.

To complete a loop on the Seceda ridgeline, you’ll hike towards a memorable lookout point, then slowly descend towards the Pieraloniga mountain hut, a popular break spot. From there, Trail 13B will take you to Rifugio Firenze, a pastoral oasis where cows peacefully graze under the watchful eye of the Dolomites. Trail 1 takes you on an uphill hike through alpine pastures and back to the Seceda cable car.

A glimmering lake shrouded in legend

Located in the province of Belluno, not far from the town of Cortina d’Ampezzo, the Lago di Sorapis Trail is a much-loved route that runs from Passo Tre Croci (Path of Three Crosses) to a turquoise-tinted glacially fed lake on Mount Sorapis. Renowned for its intense color and untouched beauty, it’s one of the greatest payoffs to any Dolomites day hike.

The trail is rated moderate due to some narrow and exposed uphill sections, but no worries—they’re all secured with steel ladders and cables. Possibly the biggest challenge you’ll face are other hikers, who might slow you down or surprise you with bad etiquette. Outside of that, this is a wonderfully scenic journey through a dense larch forest, across rushing mountain streams and undulating cliffsides.

Once you reach Lago di Sorapis (and are inevitably rendered speechless by your alpine surroundings), you can take a short walk around the lake and admire its milky appearance, the result of fine glacier powder settled inside. The nearby Rifugio Vandelli, operated by the Italian Alpine Club, will provide food and shelter before you go back down.

One of the great things about the Dolomites is that there are no wrong options. Whichever region or town you decide to visit, whatever hike you embark on, you’ll come out feeling enriched and inspired. The best Dolomites hikes are the ones you’ve tried. 

With that said, here are some of my travel tips for planning your own visit:

Where should I stay in the Dolomites for hiking?

The Dolomites cover a massive area, almost 16,000 km2 (6,177 sq mi), so in order to access its best hikes, you should choose two or three bases for your trip. I suggest staying in Val Gardena, and Cortina d’Ampezzo. Additionally, you can base yourself in Bolzano, Ortisei, or Val di Funes. All of these places are known for their vibrant culture, picturesque sights, and access to various trails.

Up in the mountains, rifugios are huts used as shelters for hikers, and knowing how to navigate the rifugio system is incredibly helpful. The huts have very limited availability and need to be reserved. Keep in mind, the private rifugios tend to give reservations to locals due to the tight-knit Alpine community.

Gear recommendations for hiking in the Dolomites

For hiking in this Italian alpine environment, I suggest bringing:

• • Long hiking pants
  • Light shorts for warmer summer days or just for lounging in the rifugio
  • Thermal layers: long sleeved top and long pants for the cold nights (even in summer)
  • Lightweight down jacket
  • A rain/wind jacket
  • Hiking socks AND refugio socks. There is nothing better than putting on a clean warm pair of socks after a long day in sweaty socks
  • Lightweight t-shirts
  • Warm hat and gloves for the winter months
  • Sturdy hiking boots, and make sure they’re broken in before your trip
  • Flip flops (hiking boots are not allowed in most rifugios)
  • Sunscreen
  • Trekking poles (optional)
  • Sleepwear

If you want to cross a via ferrata or find some rock climbing in the area, you will need a harness and helmet. In the case of rock climbing, you’ll need rock climbing shoes, rope, a belay device, and carabiners. That being said, you’ll find a lot of shops in most towns. I personally think they’re even better and offer much more than shops in major cities around the country.

Oh, and don’t forget your camera!

What via ferrata should I climb in the Dolomites

Via ferratas were born in the Dolomites and gained wide popularity during World War I as a means for troops to navigate the perilous mountains. Currently there are over 600 of these protected climbing routes in the area, each one more fun than the last. Some of my favorites are Ferrata Olivieri a Punta Anna, which goes up the Tofana di Mezzo, and Ferrata Fusetti al Sass de Stria, which includes preserved WWI trenches that function like an open-air museum.

What is the best season for Dolomites hiking

The best time to visit the Dolomites is in the shoulder seasons, but you’ll find outdoor activities year round. To avoid the crowds, I recommend planning your hiking trip in May or June, right before summer break hits its peak. You can also travel to the Dolomites in the fall when temperatures start to get cooler. If there is no snow on the trail, hiking in October is a very pleasant affair. The timing of your travel also depends on whether you plan to do other activities in addition to hiking.

What is the weather like in the Dolomites

The Dolomites feature typical Alpine weather. It’s not too cold down in the towns, but temperatures drop as altitude increases. The weather is also quite unpredictable, so be sure to pack all kinds of layers when coming. June to September is prime time for walking in the Dolomites without snow on the trails. There’s a fair amount of rain that passes through the area, but June and September are known as the drier months. In July and August the maximum temperature is 25°C (77°F). Average temperature in June and September is around 20°C (68°F).

Getting to and getting around the Dolomites

Due to their remoteness, the Dolomites are not the easiest place to reach. The simplest and most direct way to get here is flying to Venice, Milano, Verona, or Innsbruck, then driving to your chosen homebase. Having a car will give you the flexibility to cover large distances between different regions. There is the option of using bus or train transportation, but it’s not as fast or reliable.

What about parking and cable car fees

Parking near hiking trails is a constant issue in the Dolomites. Prices depend on multiple factors (type of vehicle, duration of stay, proximity to the trail, etc.), but in general you can expect to pay somewhere between 15-35 Euro for a day hike. Tickets for cable cars (for example, to reach the top of Seceda) will set you back around the same amount.

Do I need a guide for trekking in the Dolomites

Hikers headed to the Dolomites can enjoy both guided and self-guided tours. If you feel experienced as a high-alpine, multi-day hiker, then you might want to do a self-guided tour and go at your own pace. If you’re new to multi-day treks and would like to access the best hiking in the Dolomites with an expert, then go with a local guide who knows the land, its geology and history.

Other activities to do in the Dolomites

Depending on the season and how much time you have on your hands, you can try out a number of different activities in this mountainous adventure paradise. Change up your routine with hut-to-hut trail running in the Dolomites or climbing the famous via ferrata. In winter, I recommend snowshoeing Alta Via 1 or, for all you shredders out there, ski touring in the Brenta Dolomites and backcountry skiing on the Marmolada Glacier. Whatever you choose, you simply can’t go wrong!

The Dolomites Will Accept You With Open Arms

I arrived nearly three decades ago and haven’t wanted to leave. The people who live and work here possess a warmth that makes you feel like a welcome guest, not just any old visitor from out of town. So when you come to the Dolomites for hiking, you won’t just discover natural wonders, but also gain insight into a wonderfully rich culture that keeps the magic of the mountains alive.

Going on a guided Alta Via hiking adventure helps you make the most out of your Dolomites experience. Just when you think it couldn’t get more epic, it does!