Overview
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General Information
About the Dolomites and this itinerary
The Dolomites are an incredible mountain range, located in the north of Italy. It is part of the Southern Alps and known for its unique, dramatic peaks and magical landscapes. The mountains are primarily composed of a type of limestone called dolomite, which give the mountain range its name. In 2009, the Dolomites were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, because of its exceptional natural beauty. Not only will you find beautiful scenery here, you can also do many fun outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, rock climbing…, making it the perfect destination for outdoor and adventure lover. Furthermore, this mountain range is home to some of the most scenic drives in the world. In short, the ideal destination for an unforgettable road trip.
There are so many spectacular locations in the Dolomites that it can be difficult to choose which one to visit. This itinerary takes you along our favorite places and includes a few hikes that are accessible to most people. It takes seven days, but you can of course fully adapt the route to your wishes and the time you have to explore the Dolomites.
In this route, we have taken into account as much as possible which places you should visit at sunrise or sunset. Depending on where you arrive in the Dolomites, it is of course also possible to reverse this route.
Note
We traveled with our own campervan, so we did not include places to stay in this itinerary. We did add some nice camping spots in this post, for people who are traveling with a van too.
The Best Time to visit the Dolomites
The Dolomites are the perfect destination in both summer and winter and offer many fun activities for both seasons, such as hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter. That is why the Dolomites are a destination that you can actually visit in all seasons, but depending on the activities you want to do there.
This route is actually best done between early summer and early spring. Keep in mind that it can get very busy here during the peak summer months (July and August). That’s why we recommend you go in June, the second half of September or the beginning of October.
If you would like to go to the Dolomites in winter, keep in mind that there is a lot of snow, that a number of hiking trails are closed and that driving can be difficult. This does not alter the fact that the white winter landscape is truly beautiful and that you can enjoy numerous ski areas.
Renting a car or campervan in the Dolomites
The best way to explore is by car or campervan. You can’t really call a road trip without a vehicle. There is public transport, but this network is not very extensive and does not always run smoothly. So, you can either go with your own vehicle or you can rent a car or campervan. We did this road trip with our own campervan. If you don’t mind traveling with a campervan, we really recommend it because it allows you to sleep in the most beautiful places, including the top of Tre Cime di Lavaredo.
Driving in the Dolomites
As we mentioned before, the Dolomites are home to one of the most scenic drives in the world. They are the perfect proof that it’s not about the destination but about the journey.
The roads in the Dolomites are well maintained and, even though you drive through the mountains, it is easier than you’d expect.
You will not find gas stations very frequently, so keep in mind that you refuel on time. There are toll roads in Italy, but normally you will not encounter a toll road on this route. If you do pass one, you simply have to pay the toll at the toll gates and you do not need a special vignette. The speed limit in towns is 50km/hr and 90km/hr outside the towns.
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Lago di Braies - Lago di Landro - Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Lago di Braies
This road trip adventure starts at Lago di Braies, also known as Pragser Wildsee. It is probably the most famous place among tourists in the Dolomites, and we can’t deny that it’s really worth adding to your schedule. It’s one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in the Dolomites and it is recognised as aUNESCO World Heritage site.
Unfortunately, this also means that it can get very busy during the day, especially in peak season. That’s why we put Lago di Braies in the morning in the planning. This way you can get there for sunrise, beat the crowds and enjoy the magical glow on the mountain tops when the sun rises.
As soon as the sun is up, we recommend that you also do the walk around the lake. This way you can view the lake from all sides, it is truly beautiful. It’s a very easy hike from approximately 3,6km and it’ll take you around 1 to 1,5 hours to finish the trail.
If you stay until the boathouse opens at 10am, you can also take a boat ride on the lake.
Lago di Landro
Another beautiful lake on the schedule today is Lago di Landro. This lake is relatively small, covering an area of about 0.4 square kilometers. It is one of the smaller lakes in the region but is no less beautiful. The clear waters of Lago di Landro reflect the dramatic peaks in the background and are the perfect opportunity to take a refreshing dip.
Tre cime di Lavaredo - Cadini di Misurina
On day 2, you will have a full day to discover Tre cime di Lavaredo. However, if you have the chance to spend the night at Tre Cime di Lavaredo, in your car or in a campervan, we recommend that you drive up today and spend the night in this incredible landscape. The road to Tre cime di Lavaredo is a toll road. So if you don’t spend the night here and want to come back tomorrow, you will have to pay the toll twice.
If you drive up to Tre Cime di Lavaredo today, you can already do one of the two hikes that we recommend here: The hike to Cadini di Misurina. It is a relatively short and easy hike that will reward you with one of the most impressive views in the Dolomites. On this hike you won’t have views on the Tre Cime but on another mountain range called Cadini di Misurina. This hike is about 4 kilometers in total with an elevation of around 110 meter. It takes around 1,5 to 2 hours to complete this hike. We highly recommend you to do this hike at sunset, to have to most magical light and to skip the crowds.
Tip for campers!
Stay the night on the parking lot of Rifugio Auronzo at Tre Cime di Lavaredo, watch the beautiful stars at night and wake up in a breathtaking landscape. Your toll ticket is valid for 24hrs!
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Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Today, you have a whole day to discover the beautiful Tre Cime di Lavaredo, also known as Drei Zinnen. These three impressive mountain peaks are probably the most famous peaks in the Alps and are the symbol of the Dolomites. There are plenty of different hiking trails here to explore the area, but there are two that we really recommend. Depending on where you spent the night, you may have already done one yesterday.
The two best and most famous hikes here are the Tre Cime Loop hike and the hike to the viewpoint of Cadini di Misurina. All detailed information about these two hikes can be found in our blog post Hiking at Tre Cime di Lavaredo.
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Lago di Sorapis - Cortina d'Ampezzo - Giau Pass
Lago di Sorapis
Another day, another lake, another hike. Today Lago di Sorapis, also known as Lake Sorapis, is on the agenda. This is a magnificent mountain lake at an altitude of 1925 meters above sea level. It’s a beautiful turquoise lake surrounded by sharp limestone peaks. The only way to get to Lago di Sorapis is to hike (and probably by helicopter as there is a helicopter platform). The hiking trail is about 6 km one way (so 12 km in total) and it takes around 1,5 to 2 hours to reach the lake. If you’re still doubting if you should do this tough hike only to see the lake, we can assure you: the hike is as impressive as the lake itself.
Unfortunately, it can also become quite busy at this lake. That is why we have planned this in the morning, so that you can start the hike early.
Cortina d'Ampezzo
After your brisk morning walk, you can rest in the pleasant town of Cortina d’Ampezzo. It is a world-famous and picturesque resort town in the Dolomites. You can have a drink or a delicious meal here in many of the cozy restaurants, stroll around the town or spend an afternoon luxury shopping in the shops and boutiques.
Passo Giau
In the late afternoon you can go for a ride and enjoy one of the most beautiful roads in the Dolomites. Make your way along the many bends of Passo di Giau, overcome the twists and turns of the famous snake road and enjoy the most spectacular views along the way.
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Gardena Pass - Sella Pass - Forcella del Sassolungo
Gardena Pass - Sella Pass
Today is Pass day. After the Giau Pass yesterday, you can drive two more of the most scenic roads in the Dolomites: the Gardena Pass and the Sella Pass.
The Gardena pass is connects the valley of Gardena and Badia. During the entire ride, you can enjoy the most impressive views and it is certainly worthwhile to stop one or more times and simply enjoy these beautiful surroundings and admire the breathtaking panoramas.
From the Gardena pass, you have to pass the Sella Pass to get to Forcella del Sassolungo, the next stop on this itinerary. We recommend that you drive a little further, because this stop is only halfway through the pass. Please note that you will also have to drive back to Gardena to complete the rest of the itinerary, so you drive the Sella Pass there and back.
Forcella del Sassolungo
Forcella del Sassolungo is a mountain pass located in the area of the Langkofel (Sassolungo) massif, one of the iconic mountain groups in the Dolomites. It is a popular destination for hikers and moutaineers because it is the starting point for various hiking and climbing routes in the region.
But the main reason why we have put this in this itinerary, is because of the unique cable car that goes there. This cable car is also called the ‘coffin cable car’ because you can only stand up in it and it can only fit a maximum of two people. In addition, the cabins do not slow down, so you have to run a short distance and then jump in, after which the employees then close the cabin from the outside. Once at the top, an employee opens the cabin for you again, and you have to jump out again at the same speed.
It is certainly a unique experience and at the top you can enjoy several hikes and some breathtaking views.
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Seceda - Val di Funes
Seceda
Today, you can go hiking along the rugged mountain peaks of Seceda. This is a 2519 meters high mountain in Val Gardena, in the middle of the Dolomites. From the summit of Seceda, you have a marvelous view of the impressive peaks of the Dolomites, the mountains of Trentino and Lombardy, almost the entire South Tyrol and even Austria.
Besides this breathtaking view of peaks and valleys, Seceda is a true paradise for hikers, mountain bikers and climbers. It offers plenty of outdoor activities such as hiking, climbing tours, bike tours and paragliding.
You can reach the top of Seceda by cable car. Still in the courage for a brisk walk? Then you can also hike up, but we have heard that this is quite a tough hike and will take quite a lot of time.
Val di Funes
The day ends in the beautiful Val di Funes, close to tomorrow’s next stop: Geisler Alm. You can visit the famous Church of Santa Magdalena here and enjoy a beautiful sunset from the most famous viewpoint of Val di Funes.
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Geisler Alm
It’s hiking day again! On day 6, you can go for a hike to Geisler Alm. This is probably one of the most famous rifugio’s in South Tyrol, with the Odle mountain group as an idyllic backdrop. To reach this rifugio, you have to hike along the Adolf Munkel Weg, through a magnificent landscape. It is an easy-going hike and definitely one of our favorites in the area. In addition to the Adolf Munkel Weg, you can do many other walks in here and spend the whole day in this beautiful area.
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Seiser Alm - Lago di Carezza
Seiser Alm or Alpe di Suisi
On the last day, it is definitely worth setting your alarm early for a sunrise mission and admire your last sunrise at the magical Seiser Alm, also known as Alpe di Suisi. This is the biggest and highest mountain meadow in Europe.
It has an area of 57 km² and lies at an altitude of 1680m to 2350m. In winter, it is the ideal place for a winter sport vacation. In summer, it is a beautiful area to enjoy numerous hikes through this wavy landscape surrounded by those impressive mountain ranges. We can highly recommend you to get up before sunrise and walk to Seiser Alm to witness how a beautiful glow spreads over the rolling hills of the meadow while the sun rises above the surrounding mountain peaks. As soon as the sun is up, you can enjoy numerous walks throughout the meadow.
Lago di Carezza
Lago di Carezza is a beautiful ending to this road trip. This beautiful mountain lake is known for its wonderful blue, sometimes even emerald green color and it’s surrounded by immense coniferous forests. In the background, you can see the impressive peaks of the Dolomites rise tall behind the treetops, making this beautiful picture complete. Around the lake, there is a path of about 2,5 kilometers and almost completely flat. A walk around the lake will therefore not take longer than half an hour and will show you the lake from all sides.
We are sure that you will have an unforgettable time during this road trip. If you have any questions about the route or any adjustments you want to make, don’t hesitate to contact us and we’re more than happy to help you.
Enjoy your trip and drive safely!
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