Dreaming of the Dolomites? As far as socially distanced adventure travel destinations go, the Dolomites of northeastern Italy may be a good bet once travel to Europe starts up again.
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Best Time to Hike the Dolomites
Tips for Hut-to-Hut Hiking in the Dolomites
What to Wear for Dolomites Hiking
Top Tour Companies to Consider for the Dolomites
If you’re feeling a sense of wanderlust - and who isn’t? - but don’t want to be surrounded by hordes of tourists who are seeking a vacation far from home, these rugged Italian mountains provide more than enough room to hike for hours without seeing another soul.
Tackle the Dolomites on a private tour that has already been mapped out for previous hikers and is ready to book. Or, look for a Dolomites travel operator that specializes in custom hikes, linking those pretty mountain huts together in a route that covers the very best of the region.
You’ll have maps, itineraries and the knowledge of a tour operator in your back pocket, without having to travel with anyone except your own family or friends.
Why Should I Hike the Dolomites?
There are 18 peaks that comprise the Dolomites, part of the Italian Alps between the northern Italy provinces of Trentino and Alto Adige. To hike here is to enter a wonderland of deep valleys, hidden tunnels, sheer cliff faces and alpine meadows, all of which add up to make the Dolomites a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Most of the peaks top 9,800 feet, so you’ll be trekking and staying at a significant altitude, another reason you’ll be able to spend hours alone. This is a region that, while accessible, attracts those who have a fair amount of hiking experience.
Known as one of the best places to hike in Italy, the Dolomites are perennially appealing for their staggering scenery, jaw-dropping sunrises and sunsets against rugged rock backgrounds, iconic mountain huts, well-signposted trails and a wide range of difficulty levels.
You can hike for a half-mile or for 13 miles, over moderate terrain or across the region’s famous via ferrata (a network of iron bridges and wires over deep, rocky ravines). With some planning and research (easy to do in between your Zoom calls these days), as well as the support of a Dolomites tour operator, you can be hiking in this quintessential Italian Alps region in no time (or, at least, when the travel bans lift).
Best Time to Go Hiking in the Dolomites
Without sounding trite, the best time to visit the Dolomites is any time of year.
If you’re hoping to see the fewest other hikers, head to the Dolomites in the spring or fall.
Summer (June - August) is the most popular time to hike the Dolomites, but again, with fewer people taking the travel plunge - at least at first - you may be faced with smaller crowds even during high season. And once you get out of the city and up into the mountains, you’ll see even fewer people.
Consider any time between May and October a good time for hiking in the Dolomites. As a whole, the Dolomites see less precipitation than the rest of the Alps, with the Northern Dolomites (Sudtirol and Alto Adige) seeing the least rain.
Spring is lovely in the Dolomites, as the warm weather returns and the days get longer. If it’s going to rain, this is the season to expect it, but remember, that very rainfall is what makes the views so lush and the wildflowers bloom.
As you head into summer, from mid-July to September, hiking in the Dolomites is at its prime. The warm days and cool nights make for incredible trekking and climbing conditions. There’s usually a refreshing breeze blowing along the valley floors and the temperatures aren’t generally higher than 80°F/ 25°C. Summer is the “open” season in the Dolomites, too, when you can expect all of the mountain huts and restaurants to be open and public transportation to be running.
September is perhaps the perfect month to hike in the Dolomites. The crowds have thinned and while the temperatures have dropped a bit, the weather is stable and comfortable. The wildflowers are out in spades, including crocuses, alpine snowdrops and Daphne bushes.
The autumn colors are starting to show and you’ll have the footpaths mostly to yourself. If you have your heart set on staying in a mountain hut much later than mid-September, check with your Dolomites tour operator to make sure it is open.
As the autumn continues, from mid-September to mid-November, the foliage gets even more brilliant, the crowds continue to shrink and the temperatures get cooler. If you’re headed to altitudes over 6,500 feet, you may encounter snow, so always bring a warm layer and appropriate footwear. (See our packing suggestions for your Dolomites hiking vacation below.)
Top Hiking Trails in the Dolomites
One thing’s for certain when you’re hiking in the Dolomites - you’re exploring this awe-inspiring region in the way it was meant to be discovered. On foot, over hill and dale - staying at altitudes of up to 8,000 feet, you’ll be surrounded by mind-blowing nature and rugged wilderness.
The Dolomites definitely top the list of one of the best places to travel during the pandemic if you don’t want to deal with crowds … or really, anyone, for that matter. Hikers are spread out and in their own little worlds as they explore the Dolomites. Only a few stay the night together at the storybook mountain huts, so it’s as close to a solo mountain experience you can get.
Among the most popular Dolomite hiking trips are the Alte Via routes and the panoramic circular routes. There are eight Alte Vie routes and several circular routes from which to choose.
Here are a few of our favorite Dolomite day hikes:
1. Croda da Lago Circuit
With wildflowers galore, a brilliant lake and picturesque peaks, the Croda da Lago Circuit packs a lot of punch for a five-hour day hike. You’ll circumnavigate the rugged spires of the Croda da Lago, passing Lago Federa along the way, arguably one of the most photogenic spots in the Dolomites. You can even stay the night in a mountain hu, the Palmieri rifugio, on this moderate hike of 7.8 miles.
Have a head for heights and want to get the very best views of the Croda da Lago? Use the beginner via ferratas (a route that is marked by metal rails and rungs, in which you are clipped onto a guide wire) to reach the summits of Mount Averau or Ra Gusela.
2. The Three Peaks (Tre Cime di Lavaredo)
For those hiking in the Dolomites, The Three Peaks are the perennial favorite and serve as a recognizable symbol of the region. You may run into a bit more foot traffic here, especially during the summer, but if you start early enough in the day, you’re likely to be alone for most of it. Start the 5.9-mile loop, which takes about three to five hours to complete, at the Rifugio Auronzo. The trail is a good choice for all level of hiker.
3. Adolf Munkel Trail
Looking for an easy hiking trail in the Dolomites with an overabundance of glorious views? Look no further than the 5.5-mile Adolf Munkel Trail, which starts and ends at Zanser Alm. Plan on three to four-and-a-hour hours to complete the loop around the Odle (or Geisler) mountains.
Dolomites Photo Tip: Partway through your Adolf Munkel Trail hike in the Dolomites, you’ll come upon the Chiesetta di San Giovanni in Ranui church, close to the village of Santa Maddalena. The storybook scene, with the tiny church set by itself in a stunningly green field, in front of the imposing Odle Mountains, is a must-take photo.
4. Peitlerkofel/Sass de Putia
Another easy hiking trail in the Dolomites, the Peitlerkofel loop trail is lengthy enough to immerse you in the mountains for the day, but never overly taxing.
You’ll cover eight miles in five or six hours through the Puez-Odle nature Park, circumnavigating the Peitlerkofel (or Sass de Putia) Mountain, one of the most beautiful peaks in the Dolomites. Walk the trail counterclockwise so that you can attempt the most difficult portion of the trail (the ascent to Porcella Putia) at the beginning when your legs are fresh.
5. Cinque Torri
If you’re a history buff, in particular First World War history, the interesting Cinque Torri (Five Towers) hike in the Dolomites hike is for you. You’ll walk amongst the remains of trenches and weaponry at the base of Towers, where some of the most intense fighting of the war took place between Italian and Austro-Hungarian troops.
Restored trenches are on display at an open-air museum between Lagazuoi and the Tre Sassi fort. Look up as you’re trekking in the area and you’ll see courageous rock climbers attempting to scale the Towers.
6. Lagazuoi Tunnels
Delve a bit further into the mountains (literally) on another historic hike in the Dolomites, the Lagazuio Tunnels, which were fought fiercely over during the First World War, eventually falling into the hands of the Italians. Start from Falzarego Pass in the Province of Belluno, just past Cortina d’Ampezzo.
This unique Dolomites hike includes caves, tunnels and steps - much of it in the darkness. Be sure to pack your headlamp! Once you reach the top, there’s an option to take the cable car back to the base if you don’t want to hike back down.
Hut to Hut Hiking in the Dolomites
What Are the Mountain Huts in the Dolomites Like?
Not keen on staying in a crowded hotel these days? Opt for an idyllic mountain hut in the Dolomites instead! You’ll share the space with a few like-minded trekkers, making it easy to socially distance and leave each other to ponder the vastness of the landscape surrounding you.
The Dolomites mountain huts, or rifugios, were built to offer comfortable accommodation and hearty food to hikers. Designed to be well-deserved rest stops, the sturdy lodges are constructed of wood and stone, and most are just as photogenic as you might imagine.
The lodges offer varying levels of comfort, some with shared bunkhouses. While the amenities may differ between rifugios, the common thread is the hearty breakfasts and dinners you can expect and the friendly, welcoming camaraderie of the staff and other backpackers.
You will typically find a coin-operated hot shower and, generally, there is Wi-Fi service. Rifugios are open from June to September, the most popular time to hike in the Dolomites. With the pandemic in mind, the rifugios are asking that backpackers bring their own sleeping bags, slippers and masks. They will not be providing any blankets. Advanced booking is vital, as many of the Dolomites mountain huts are running at reduced capacity.
So, how do you get to a Dolomites mountain hut? Most of the rifugios are accessible only by foot, after approximately three hours of hiking. That’s perfect spacing for getting up at one hut in the morning, enjoying a hearty breakfast, then hiking to the next one before lunch.
The way between the mountain huts are well marked, but as expected in the Dolomites, the trekking is strenuous, at elevations of 4,000 to 8,000 feet - so that hot shower and those dense meals are going to be well deserved.
Prettiest Huts
It’s unlikely that any mountain hut you stay at in the Dolomites won’t be one of prettiest settings in which you’ve ever stayed.
But which Dolomites huts are the prettiest?
Our favorite rifugios are:
1. Rifugio Locatelli: A favorite for its awesome views of the famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Dates back to 1883. Dawn over the Tre Cimes is the showstopper at this 210-guest hut.
2. Rifugio Roda di Vael: A top choice of Dolomites mountain hut for those hiking around Catinaccio. This small hut sleeps 50 and offers incredible vistas of the Sella and Marmolada peaks.
3. Rifugio Nuvolau: Another 19th-century beauty, this hut sits on the summit of Mount Nuvolau. The views are never ending, from the Marmolada to the Tofana mountains and beyond into Austria. There’s a historic angle here, as the summit position was an important observation lookout during World War I.
Stop here if you’re hiking the Alta Via 1 (High Route) of the Dolomites. Amenities are sparse - the bathroom is outside and there is no shower or hot water.
4. Tierser Alpl Schutzhaus: Mountain hut with the best view in the Dolomites. Set in spectacular Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park, this is one of the most popular rifugios in the Dolomites. It is likely running at reduced capacity since COVID-19, however, so you may find it easier to socially distance here than in past years.
Popular Hut-to-Hut Hiking Routes in the Dolomites
The Alta Via Routes of the Dolomites
There are eight long-distance Alta Via hikes within the Dolomite Mountains, popular routes for backpacking trips, whether on a guided or self-guided Dolomite tour. Some are easier trails than others, and the time to complete the Alta Via routes ranges from 6 to 13 days.
Explore the Dolomites from the north to the south, all at medium altitude. This is one of the best ways to hike hut to hut in the Dolomites, while capturing the region’s best scenery.
1. Alta Via 1 (AV1, or the High Route)
Take advantage of your more flexible work life these days and treat yourself to a 10-day trek along this favorite Alta Via route through the Dolomites.
The AV1 is perfect for those without as many rugged miles under their belt, but who would like to push the limits of distance and altitude.
Start in Lago di Braies in South Tyrol, and hike for 75 miles to Belluno in the Veneto region. Along the route, there are approximately 30 mountain huts, all about a day-hike’s distance from each other, making it an idyllic way to end a vigorous day.
2. Alta Via 1 and Alta Via 2 Combined
Alta Via 2, or the “High Route of Legends,” is the farthest west of the various Alta Vie routes and definitely more strenuous than Alta Via 1.
Challenge yourself by combining both routes, traversing the best of each. Start at Cortina d’Ampezzo, hiking from north to south, ending in Moena in Val di Fassa.
You’ll traverse the Cinque Torri, hike through the Pelmo and Civetta areas and trek from the base of Marmolada peak into Val di Contrin.
3. Alta Via 4
For a true mountaineering experience in the Dolomites, attempt the Alta Via 4 trail. This challenging trek is recommended for experienced mountaineers who won’t balk at high, exposed sections of trail and crossings on difficult via ferrata (iron bridges and wires).
Hike across the Tre Scarperi, Croda dei Baranci, Cima Grande di Lavaredo, Cristallo, Sorapiss and Antelao mountains.
Here are a couple more options for hiking between mountain huts in the Dolomites, one in the northern region and one in the central region.
Look for tours or self-guided options that follow these routes, or a portion of it:
Northern Dolomites: Bolzano to Rifugio Locatelli, Rifugio Locatelli to Rifugio Vallandr, Rifugio Vallandro to Rifugio Croda del Becco, Rifugio Croda del Becco to Rifugio Utia de Fanes, Rifugio Utia del Fanes to Rifugio Gardenaccia, Rifugio Gardenaccia to Selva di Val Gardena, Bolzano
Central Dolomites: Catinaccio (Rifugio Paolina) to Rifugio Principe, Sassolungo; Langkofel group, from Rifugio Principe to Rifugio Valentini; Sella group, from Rifugio Valentini to Rifugio Kostner; Fanes group, from Rifugio Kostner to Rifugio Lagazuoi; Tofane group, from Rifugio Lagazuoi to Cortina
Where to Stay When You’re Hiking the Dolomites
There are several jumping-off points for hiking in the Dolomites. When deciding where to stay in the Dolomites, consider whether or not you’ll have a car available, if you’re looking for day hikes or multi-day treks and which area of the Dolomites you’d like to explore. Here are some options for where to base your hiking vacation in the Dolomite Mountains:
Val Gardena
Val Gardena is in South Tyrol, covering the area from Gardena and Sella passes to Valle Isarco. There are many easily accessible day hikes starting from this area, as well as chairlifts and cable cars to access the trailheads. The three main villages in the area are Ortisei, Santa Cristina and Selva di Val Gardena.
Alta Badia
Alta Badia is nestled between South Tyrol’s Fanes Group, Sella Group, Mount Sassongher and the Cir mountains, Alta Badia is also in South Tyrol. You may very well recognize many of the views here from that Dolomites Insta-feed you’ve been following throughout the pandemic. It’s breathtaking. The region’s villages are connected by bus and walking path. The most popular villages to stay in are Corvara andr La Villa.
Val d’Ega (Eggental)
Stay in Val d’Ega - or, Eggental - in South Tyrol for via ferrata hiking and treks that take you into the Rosengarten and Latemar mountains. Some of the world’s prettiest mountain huts are in the Rosengarten peaks. Seven villages make up this region.
Cortina d’Ampezzo
If you’re feeling ready to brave a slightly larger crowd in the evening, stay in Cortina d’Ampezzo. This lively, upscale town in the Veneto region offers easy access to the best of the Dolomites. Plus, there’s ample shopping and dining for your off-mountain hours. Even if you prefer to keep to yourself, Cortina d’Ampezzo is a great starting point for adventures at Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Cinque Torri, Lake Sorapis, Lake Misurina, Croda do Lago and Lago di Braies.
What to Wear When Hiking in the Dolomites
When you’re hiking in the Dolomites, you’ll be changing elevation quite often, so it’s important to have several layers of clothing available. This goes for spring, summer and fall. You might find yourself in a down jacket on an August evening or in a tank top and shorts in late April. Weather fluctuations are the norm. Your Dolomites travel operator is your best source for packing suggestions, but we’ll get you started here:
- Well-fitting, broken-in trail or hiking shoes
- Extra warm layer
- Synthetic base layer
- Waterproof jacket
- Light- to medium-weight long pants (consider zip-off pants)
- Shorts and/or capri pants
- Tank tops, t-shirts and long-sleeve shirts (synthetic preferred)
- Mid-weight layer
- Comfortable hiking socks
- Fleece, soft shell or down jacket
- Sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
- Comfortable daypack
- Warmer hat and lightweight gloves
- Camera, accessories, extra batteries and memory cards
- Toilet paper or wet wipes
- Waterproof cover for your pack
- Small flashlight or headlamp
- Water bottles
- High-energy snacks
- Small coins for the local bathrooms
- Casual clothes and comfortable shoes for evening
- Trekking poles
Top Tour Companies to Consider
Feeling up to braving a group? Consider the smallest of small groups offered by these top Dolomites tour operators. Better yet, many of these top-rated Dolomites travel companies offer customized, self-guided trips, so you’ll access all of their knowledge, maps, etc., but travel in the company of your own family and/or friends.
1. Exodus Travels
This self-guided walking tour is based out of the Tyrolean village of Dobbiaco. Exodus Travels will provide all the maps and information you need to explore the Tre Cime (Three Peaks) area and the Alta Pusteria Valley.
2. Find Your Italy
This reputable Italy tour operator offers a self-drive tour in the northeastern region of the country. Trek, bike or simply relax in the Dolomite Mountains, with Find Your Italy’s suggestions and recommendations in your back pocket.
3. MT Sobek
Your small-group Dolomites vacation relies on the experience of highly skilled local mountain guides. They’ll lead you through the best trails of the Dolomites, its mountain passes, its peaceful mountain huts, even its wineries!
4. UTracks
With its detailed briefing, maps and customized itineraries, UTracks gives you insider information on hiking in the Dolomites. Follow their lead - while entirely on your own - through alpine landscapes, to WWI historic sites, through valleys and to pristine lakes.
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