6 Favorite Spots in the Dolomites of Italy
September 17, 2012
There’s no denying that Italy’s Dolomites, the mountain range in the country’s northeast, are stunning. But given the size of the Dolomite range – the 18 peaks cover 350,000 acres – it can be tough to figure out exactly where to go! Here are six of our favorite spots in the Dolomites of Italy, in pictures.
Sass Pordoi
Want to see some spectacular views… by car? Then don’t miss the Sass Pordoi, a pass between the Sella and Marmolada groups of Dolomite mountains. At 7,346 feet, this pass is the highest (surfaced) road through a pass in the Dolomites. For even more gorgeous views, you can take a cable car up from the pass to the summit. And, of course, there are plenty of hiking trails!
A mountain pass in Italy
Parco Naturale Adamello-Brenta
Some of the prettiest hiking and scenery is in the Brenta grouping of the Dolomites, located just northwest of Trento. The most famous trail here, Via Bocchetta di Tuckett, is for serious mountaineers only – harnesses and ropes required! However, easier walking paths and mountain biking are abundant here, too.
Adamello-Brenta park, the Dolomites
Read More: The 8 Italian Places to Visit Before You Die
Lake Garda
Drive to the northern half of Lake Garda, and you won’t only leave the tourist crowds behind—you’ll enter the Dolomite mountain range. Enjoy the spectacular views, explore the tiny towns dotting the lake, and relax at a vista like this one. No mountaineering required!
The Dolomites seen from the Lago di Garda
Belluno & the National Park of the Belluno Dolomites
The ancient town of Belluno, with 37,000 inhabitants, is the most important town in the eastern Dolomites. It’s also a lovely town to make your base. It’s especially easy to drive from there to the National Park of the Belluno Dolomites, a fantastic reserve that includes glaciers, waterfalls, forests, even a number of art, history and archaeology museums!
Belluno, in the Dolomites
Monte Cristallo
Located in the center of the Dolomites, the four peaks of the Cristallo group reach up to almost 11,000 feet. The group can be explored by cable car or mountaineering, and there’s skiing here, too!
Monte Cristallo, in the Dolomites
Cortina d’Ampezzo
Whether you’re a skier, snowbunny or fashionista, Cortina d’Ampezzo is the place to be in the Dolomites in the winter. This fashionable resort, located in the heart of the Dolomites, doesn’t just have fantastic skiing—it has some serious history. This is where the 1956 Olympics were held, where the famed James Bond film sequence of gunners chasing Roger Moore on skis in “For Your Eyes Only” was filmed, and where both Audrey Hepburn and Ernest Hemingway vacationed!
Cortina d’Ampezzo (photo: Antonio De Lorenzo)
Read More: The Italian Alps… or Dolomites? Choosing Your Mountains in Italy
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Went walking here in my youth. Sella Group, Corvara, Cortina, Marmolada – great place. I haven’t been back snowboarding yet though 🙂
Thanks for this post – helps me to decide which part of the Dolomites I want to visit in late September 2013
Just a minor correction – the 1956 Olympics were held in Melbourne, Australia. I think you mean the 1956 “winter” Olympics. Prior to 1992, the winter and summer games were held in the same year. In any case, we are traveling around the Dolomites as I write this and this area is the most stunning I have ever seen. Aussie dude.
I visited the Dolomites in August last year and loved the area – the views and history are amazing. Photos and details of the hikes I did here: http://www.longandlatitude.com/top-3-sights-in-the-italian-dolomites/
Does anyone know what the first picture is? It looks amazing!
Where is the first image with the caption “The beautiful Dolomites!” from? Which Specific mountain in Dolomites?
Hi Mandar,
Unfortunately we can’t say for sure. You’ll have to go to the Dolomites to explore! 🙂
I am looking to hike a trail during the first week of June, about 4-5 hours hike, moderate to less strenuous. I will be driving from Venice. Can you suggest one?
Thank you!
Hi Sonika,
We googled it, and found this map that might help you. Have a great trip!
One of the best arean to see in the World. Mountains, farms, beautiful hotels, nice food. Just you have to have a car.
I love the Dolomites. One of my favourite small towns is Ortisei in South Tyrol. If you visit Bozen from Venice, it’s worth adding it to your itinerary.
How are they in April? We want to take our kids but are worried there will be too much snow to hike and explore
Hi Leah,
Unfortunately we can’t really say because it depends on the year. Usually by the end of April there isn’t snow, but at the beginning you’re likely to find some, especially the higher you go. In any case the Dolomites are super family-friendly and there’s almost certainly activities and trails you and your children can explore. Let us know how it goes!
I wanted to take a day trip to Dolomites from Venice in december end. As I come from a warm country I don’t think driving would be a good option for me. I see there are buses available from Venice to Cortina and wanted to know if it is a good idea to take the bus? If I do, can I explore the region by foot?
Hi Tripti,
If you don’t drive, bus is about the only option to get into the Dolomites! Once there, you can explore Cortina on foot and take hikes on trails throughout the mountains (although in winter months the hikes will be with snow shoes) but you won’t be able to explore the entire region on foot! You’ll have to take buses to each new city you’d like to see or else get a taxi. Buon viaggio!