Dolomites Hikes – The Best 7 Dolomites Hikes

the Dolomites Mountains is a prime hiking destination in northern Italy, close to the Austrian border. This mountain range stretches through three regions: Friuli Venezia Giulia, Veneto, and Trentino Alto-Adige (Trentino-Südtirol). Before we dive in on the best 7 Dolomite hikes we need to get there.

Where to Stay in the Dolomites

How to get to the Dolomites

There are several ways on how to get to the Dolomites but the best and easy way is to fly into nearby cities like Venice, Munich, Zurich, Milan or Bolzano and rent a car and drive to the Dolomites. If you are traveling by train from Italy you can get to the Dolomites from Bolzano, Milan or Venice with Train Italia.

Dolomites Hikes – Our top Seven

We’re going to look at some of the best day hikes to complete on the Dolomites mountains, which form a piece of the Southern Limestone Alps.

Adolf Munkel Trail

the Adolf Munkel Trail (Via Delle Odle) is an easy to medium difficulty hike located in the Puez-Odle Nature Park in Val di Funes, South Tyrol, Italy. This trail is a 5.71 mile (9.2 km) trail that can take three and a half hours to complete.

You start your hike at the Zanser Alm (Malga Zannes), located in Val di Funes, a 50-minute drive from Val Gardena (Ortisei). As you hike the path, you travel through alpine pastures with the Odle/Geisler peaks rising to the sky.

It’s best to hike this trail in the late afternoon, so you get a breathtaking view of the sun setting over the mountain peaks. Wait until early June to mid-October for the prettiest landscapes.

You can take multiple paths, so it’s a fantastic place to visit more than once. You’re sure to enjoy the surreal fairy-tale feel of these majestic mountains every time.

Tre Cime Di Lavaredo

Tre Cime in Lavaredo or the three peaks of Lavaredo, is one of the Dolomites’ most iconic areas. You can follow the 6.21 mile (10 km) trail, which starts at Rifugio Auronzo and loops around the three peaks. This trail takes between two to four hours.

This wide gravel path goes east to Cappella degli Alpini, an adorable alpine church. After touring this little building, the trail continues to Rifugio Lavaredothe first mountain peak.

The next sight to see is the Forcella Lavaredowhere you’ll get the best view of the Tre Cime on the Lavaredo loop, including the three peaks and the Dolomites range.

Along the way, you’ll find alpine huts you can use for a lunch break or take a stop at Malga Langalm, a casual rifugio. Towards the end of the loop, you have to hike a slight incline, which gives you a view of Forcella Col de Mèdo.

Lago Di Braies

Lago Di Braies is the holy grail of all the Dolomites’ sights. This alpine lake is known for emerald water, an adorable boathouse, massive limestone peaks, and spruce pine forests.

You can enjoy breathtaking views of one of the most pristine lakes in the world while taking the leisurely 2.5 miles (4 km) path around the lake. This easy path should take less than two hours. There’s even a small beach to hang out and get a tan. No swimming allowed, though!

But if you’re into a hardcore hike, follow the trail up to the peak of Croda del Becco (Seekofel). This path is steep and harsh, with a rising elevation of over 3280 feet (1,000m). At the top, you get a 360° view of the Fanes-Sennes-Prags Nature Park mountains and the Lago on Braies lake.

Seceda Ridgeline/Regensburger Hütte

No spot is more perfect for a photo op than the Seceda ridgeline. Head to Ortisi (St. Ulrich), located in Val Gardenaand grab a ride on the Ortisei-Furnes-Seceda cableways.

Once you reach the ridge and get your photos of the Secedahead into the Puez Odle Nature Park and follow the flat path over to the Geisler (Odle), known for its sharp dagger-like mountain peaks.

The path continues to the Pieralongia – an late hut, and then to Regensburger Hütte (Rifugio Firenze), a mountain hut where you can get a delicious lunch, cold beer, and a short rest. The trail loops back to the Seceda ridge.

Lago di Sorapiss

If you want to lay your eyes on a glacial lake, you have to visit Lago di Sorapiss, located in Veneto. There’s plenty to love about this view.

Large majestic trees surround the pristine lake, famous for its unique turquoise water. The Sorapiss mountain backdrop makes you feel like you’ve stepped into another world, untouched by humans. Powdered rock causes the water to have a milky look. We promise it’s not a witch’s potion!

Your journey to access the lake starts at Passo Tre Crocilocated near Cortina d’Ampezzo. Get on Trail 215 headed to Rifugio Vandelli. This hike can take up to two hours and covers a distance of 7.5 miles (12km).

The first half of this path is flat and easy to navigate. However, the second part of the trail has a steep incline, an area that is challenging for some hikers. This site has a lot of visitors, so it’s best to visit during early or off-seasons.

Rifugio Gardenacia/Puez

Many people love to hike through the Puez-Odle Nature Park in Alta Badia, South Tyrol, for a day path through the Dolomites. Although there are multiple ways to walk through the area, the best trails start in La Villa or Corvara.

You can catch the Gardenaccia chairlift to the trail that leads you to the Gardenacia mountain hut, which is one of the best rifugios in the Alps.

After you visit the hut, pass over the Gherdenacia alpine plateau and hike the trail to Rifugio Peuz, where you’ll get a fantastic view of the Langental (Vallunga) Valley. This hike takes up to six hours and covers a little over eight miles (13km).

Armenta Meadows Trail

while in Alta Badiacarve out three hours of free time to hike across the sloping meadows of Armentaraone of the most leisurely Dolomite day hikes.

Start your trip at Badia (Abtei). After browsing through the village, hop on the ski lift for a quick trip up to Santa Croce Sanctuary. This church has been around since 1484.

Be sure to grab a Kaiserschmarrn – crepes covered with powdered sugar and jam. Claims state these are the best in all the Alps.

After finishing your meal, meander down the hiking path through the Armentara meadows, full of bright wildflowers and wood huts. It’s a place right out of a fairy novel.

We hope that we are Dolomite hikes a simple guide will help you plan your visit to one of the most beautiful areas in Italy.

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