If I used to be making an inventory of essentially the most stunning locations on the planet, I’d in all probability put the Italian Dolomites someplace close to the highest.
The landscapes are like one other world, with jagged mountains, medieval church buildings, and turquoise lakes. It’s one of many coolest locations I’ve seen.
We spent 2 weeks within the Dolomites not too long ago, driving everywhere in the space and climbing each single day. There are many simple, family-friendly walks, but in addition some difficult trails and full day treks as properly.
On this information, I’ll share some should do hikes within the Dolomites, primarily based on our expertise. If there’s one I missed, be happy to share it within the feedback on the finish of the article!
1. Lago di Sorapis
Sorapis is a shiny turquoise lake surrounded by mountains, and the colour is unreal.
It’s a reasonably tough hike to the lake, with numerous incline, rocky paths, and tree roots to navigate. When you’re a daily hiker who’s in good condition, I’d fee it as reasonable issue. In any other case, it might be exhausting for some individuals.
There are additionally a couple of slim sections of the path the place there’s a little bit of publicity, however they’ve metallic handrails to carry, so it’s by no means loopy or harmful. I felt very secure the entire time.
Lago di Sorapis
Sadly, Sorapis is a very talked-about hike, so it may be a bit awkward passing individuals going the opposite course at slim sections of the path, and that makes it a bit slower happening on the best way again.
That additionally means the parking fills up shortly at Passo Tre Croci, the place the hike begins, so you might have to park someplace down the hill, which is able to add some further time to the hike.
Begin very early if doable, so you will get a parking spot and keep away from the worst crowds. In addition to, morning is the very best time to {photograph} the lake!
Distance: 12.7 kilometers (7.9 mi) roundtrip
Elevation Acquire: 600 meters (1,970 ft)
Issue: Average
Map: AllTrails
Cliff views on the best way to the lake
The colour is so superior
2. Tre Cime di Lavaredo
This path loops across the ‘three peaks of Lavaredo,’ and it’s one of the iconic hikes within the Dolomites.
The path begins at Rifugio Auronzo, which has a giant parking zone. You may go there together with your automobile, however online reservations are required they usually are inclined to promote out upfront, so that you’ll have to ebook early in order for you a parking spot.
An alternative choice is to take the bus from Lago di Misurina, which runs each half-hour in excessive season. Yow will discover extra data on that here.
Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Flowers above the canyon
The primary path at Tre Cime is household pleasant and doable for most individuals, with simply the correct quantity of problem.
For an extended hike, you’ll be able to take an non-compulsory detour to Rifugio Antonio Locatelli and the dual lakes of Laghi dei Piani. Lots of people do this.
When you’re a photographer, don’t neglect to take a look at the ponds close to the hut at Malga Langalm. These could be good for capturing reflections of the three towers!
Distance: 6.9 kilometers (4.3 mi) roundtrip
Elevation Acquire: 330 meters (1,085 ft)
Issue: Average
Map: AllTrails
Reflection of the towers
3. Cadini di Misurina
That is one other good hike that begins from Rifugio Auronzo, in the identical parking zone as Tre Cime di Lavaredo. The identical entry guidelines apply: it is advisable to get a parking reservation or else take the bus.
There’s loads of time to do each hikes in the identical day, in the event you’d like. I’d suggest doing Cadini first, because it’s shorter, after which Tre Cime afterwards.
The hike to Cadini solely takes lower than half an hour, nevertheless it feels longer simply because it’s largely uphill.
Cadini di Misurina
This hike has gotten very talked-about due to the superb viewpoint. It’s like a pure platform with elevated views of the jagged mountains.
Throughout excessive season, there’s often an extended line to take photos on the principal viewpoint, however fortunately you will get nice panoramic views wherever alongside the path, and it’s fairly much like what you see on the viewpoint.
It is a brief hike with numerous bang for the buck!
Distance: 3.5 kilometers (2.2 mi) roundtrip
Elevation Acquire: 205 meters (675 ft)
Issue: Straightforward / Average
Map: AllTrails
Views on the best way again from the hike
4. Cinque Torri
It is a good hike that includes ‘5 towers’ (Cinque Torri), and it begins with the very best view proper from the get go.
It’s positioned not removed from the city of Cortina d’Ampezzo, and it’s a very talked-about hike, however there’s numerous parking area and also you don’t want a reservation but, as of 2026.
You may entry the path by taking a chairlift, or you’ll be able to hike up in about an hour as a substitute. I purchased my ticket for the elevate in individual with no points, however you’ll be able to book it online here in the event you want.
The path at Cinque Torri loops across the towers, providing you with numerous attention-grabbing views, and you’ll often see climbers on the rocks as properly.
Distance: 2.1 kilometers (1.3 mi) roundtrip
Elevation Acquire: 120 meters (395 ft)
Issue: Straightforward
Map: AllTrails
Cinque Torri
5. Adolf Munkel Path
It is a spectacular hike close to Val di Funes that provides you up shut views of the knife-like peaks within the Odle mountain group.
Adolf Munkel is a loop path, and most of the people want to do it in a clockwise course, that manner you’re beginning with a gradual incline as a substitute of the steepest components. I did it counterclockwise and that labored nice too.
The easiest views are at Rifugio Odle / Geisler Alm, which sits immediately in entrance of the mountains. You will get meals or recline on a chair whereas absorbing the surroundings.
Adolf Munkel path
The path begins on the Zanser Alm parking zone, which is mostly reserved for individuals with online bookings except you get there very early or late within the day.
I’d suggest beginning later within the afternoon, when the mountains are in full solar. That’s when my images have been taken. When you go earlier within the day, it’s backlit and doesn’t look the identical.
I went at round 4 PM in excessive season, and never solely did I simply get a parking area, however the crowds have been additionally scaling down and I had the path largely to myself!
Distance: 9.7 kilometers (6 mi) roundtrip
Elevation Acquire: 465 meters (1,525 ft)
Issue: Average
Map: AllTrails
Horse ranch close to Geisler Alm
6. Puez-Odle Trek
That is the longest hike I did within the Dolomites, nevertheless it was price it. Folks usually take 6-8 hours to complete the trek, so plan to spend a lot of the day on it.
The Puez-Odle path has all kinds of surroundings, together with a number of lakes and a moon-like valley of pointy rocks that jogged my memory of one thing from Star Wars.
Close to the midway level, there’s the Rifugio Puez, a mountain hut the place you’ll be able to sit down, relaxation, and order meals.
The final a part of the path descends by means of Vallunga, a inexperienced valley with an outdated chapel and different sights.
Puez-Odle trek
Valley of pointy rocks
Dantercepies cable automotive
You begin the Puez-Odle trek by taking the Dantercepies cable automotive in Selva di Val Gardena as much as Passo Gardena.
As of 2026, no advance reservation is required for the cable automotive, however you’ll find costs and timetables on their website here.
You solely want to purchase a a method ticket for the cable automotive, as a result of Puez-Odle is some extent to level hike that takes you again to the decrease cable automotive station in Selva di Val Gardena, the place you began.
Puez-Odle is already an extended hike, however if you wish to make it even longer, you’ll be able to take a detour to the height of Sass da Ciampac. Both manner, this is among the most attention-grabbing hikes within the Dolomites, so it’s well worth the expertise!
Distance: 15.4 kilometers (9.6 mi) level to level
Elevation Acquire: 640 meters (2,100 ft)
Issue: Average / Exhausting
Map: AllTrails
Descending into Vallunga
7. Seceda
Seceda is among the most unimaginable issues I’ve seen. It appears like a special planet!
This epic ridge is often accessed by cable automotive from Ortisei, and it’s loopy costly in comparison with different cable automobiles within the Dolomites. It’s nonetheless price it although, as a result of the views at Seceda are out of this world.
You may examine the present costs and timetable for the Ortisei cable automotive here. An advance reserving is advisable. There’s additionally a cable car from Col Raiser, nevertheless it doesn’t take you fairly as far up the ridge.
Seceda ridge
Strolling path at Seceda
When you don’t need to pay for the cable automotive, an alternative choice is to hike as much as Seceda from Ortisei, however that takes about 4-5 hours a method, and it’s a tough hike with a ton of elevation acquire. Most individuals use the cable automotive for that cause.
When you attain the highest of the ridge, you’ll be able to see the principle view of Seceda with only a brief stroll, nevertheless it’s price climbing additional to the Pieralongia Hut for much more sights. You too can seize lunch on the hut whilst you’re there.
Seceda is a really household pleasant expertise, and anybody going to the Dolomites ought to see it. Sure, it’s crowded, nevertheless it’s price it!
Distance: 5.5 kilometers (3.4 mi) roundtrip
Elevation Acquire: 320 meters (1,050 ft)
Issue: Straightforward / Average
Map: AllTrails
Views down the hill
8. Santa Maddalena Viewpoint
My favourite factor we noticed within the Dolomites could be the view of Santa Maddalena church with the mountains within the background. It’s beautiful.
Prior to now, you might drive as much as the perspective, however sadly it received too crowded they usually needed to block the visitors for anybody besides locals or individuals staying in inns there.
Which means you now must do some climbing to succeed in it.
Santa Maddalena viewpoint
It’s a brief hike that’s totally on paved roads, and solely takes about half an hour every manner, nevertheless it’s all uphill, in order that makes it harder than you’d anticipate.
Until you’re staying at a lodge in Santa Magdalena, you’ll must make use of the paid parking within the middle of the city, and begin the hike from there.
Don’t trouble coming earlier within the day, as a result of the mountains are utterly backlit at the moment, and parking is tied up by individuals doing different hikes.
It’s higher to do that one within the night or at sundown, when the lighting is ideal!
Distance: 3.6 kilometers (2.2 mi) roundtrip
Elevation Acquire: 150 meters (490 ft)
Issue: Straightforward / Average
Map: AllTrails
Great view at Santa Maddalena!
9. Peitlerkofel Hike
That is one other household pleasant hike with some spectacular mountain peaks: the Peitlerkofel, also called Sass de Putia, and its smaller brother, Kleiner Peitlerkofel.
Most individuals solely hike till they attain the hut at Fornella Alm, which has a restaurant and a pleasant playground for youths. From the parking zone in Wurzjoch, you’ll be able to attain Fornella in solely quarter-hour of strolling.
We rotated at Fornella as a result of we had our child woman with us, and didn’t have time to complete the entire path. She beloved the playground although, and there was numerous room for her to run round and discover.
Cattle at Peitlerkofel
Playground enjoyable at Fornella Alm
From there, you can also make it an extended hike by following the loop path that circles the mountains, or in the event you actually need to make the hike more difficult, you’ll be able to climb the 2 mountain summits.
Kleiner Peitlerkofel is pretty simple, however the principle summit of Peitlerkofel isn’t advisable with out mountaineering expertise.
The stats under are only for the brief hike to Fornella Alm and again, as a result of that’s how most households hike this path.
Peitlerkofel is backlit within the morning, so I’d extremely suggest going within the late afternoon or night. The lighting is significantly better on the mountains, and the loopy crowds are beginning to skinny out at the moment.
Distance: 2.4 kilometers (1.5 mi) roundtrip
Elevation Acquire: 70 meters (230 ft)
Issue: Straightforward
Map: AllTrails
Free as a bee!
Mountain ranches at Peitlerkofel
10. Lago di Lagazuoi
This path primarily appears to be standard with locals as a substitute of worldwide vacationers, however I believe it’s the most effective hikes within the Dolomites.
It’s a reasonably brief hike that ends with a inexperienced lake surrounded by mountains. It is probably not essentially the most spectacular lake in Italy, nevertheless it’s nonetheless fairly good.
It’s additionally one of many solely lakes within the Dolomites that enables swimming, in order that’s a pleasant bonus.
Lago di Lagazuoi
The hike to the lake is generally uphill, however with a superb tempo you’ll be able to attain it in about 1 hour, and going again down is a bit faster.
There’s additionally a rifugio alongside the best way, the place you will get one thing to eat and even keep in a single day.
The hike begins in Sciare, which has loads of paid parking, and no advance reserving is required as of 2026.
Distance: 5.8 kilometers (3.6 mi) roundtrip
Elevation Acquire: 465 meters (1,525 ft)
Issue: Average
Map: AllTrails
Slightly chapel on the best way to Lago di Lagazuoi
On the sting of the lake
11. Val Fiscalina
It is a flat and nice stroll by means of a inexperienced valley, with great views of ranches and mountain peaks.
I solely adopted the path so far as the Rifugio Fondovalle / Talschlusshutte after which turned again, however the path continues and branches off in all completely different instructions if you wish to maintain going longer.
This path even connects to Tre Cime di Lavaredo in the event you comply with it lengthy sufficient! Some individuals use it as a strategy to hike to Tre Cime from the other facet of the mountains, giving a special perspective with out fairly as many individuals.
The stats under are only for the brief hike to Rifugio Fondovalle and again, which is a typical manner for households to hike this path.
Distance: 3.9 kilometers (2.4 mi) roundtrip
Elevation Acquire: 60 meters (200 ft)
Issue: Straightforward
Map: AllTrails
Val Fiscalina / Fischleintal
Horse in a pasture by the path
Honorable Mentions: Extra Hikes In The Dolomites
• Lago di Braies Loop Path
Lago di Braies is among the most well-known and exquisite lakes in Italy, and there’s a loop path that goes in a circle across the lake.
The rationale I haven’t listed this as the most effective hikes within the Dolomites is just because the very best views of the lake are proper as you are available, and they are often seen with none climbing.
Nonetheless, the loop is a pleasant path if you wish to transfer round and see completely different angles of the lake!
Distance: 3.9 kilometers (2.4 mi) roundtrip
Elevation Acquire: 190 meters (620 ft)
Issue: Straightforward / Average
Map: AllTrails
Lago di Braies at dawn
Lago di Braies at midday
• San Giacomo Church
That is the oldest church in Val Gardena, relationship again to the twelfth century, and it’s very photogenic due to the hills and mountains within the background.
The rationale I haven’t listed this as the most effective hikes within the Dolomites is as a result of a lot of the path is within the forest, so you’ll be able to’t actually see very a lot alongside the best way.
Even so, I really like the view on the finish of the hike, so it’s price testing in the event you’re a fan of scenic church buildings like this one.
Distance: 5.5 kilometers (3.4 mi) roundtrip
Elevation Acquire: 340 meters (1,115 ft)
Issue: Average
Map: AllTrails
St Jacob’s Church / Chiesa di San Giacomo
• Alpe di Siusi
It is a enjoyable, paved stroll on a plateau with good views of rolling hills and farmhouses, framed by the mountains behind.
There are gondolas to Alpe di Siusi from both Ortisei or Siusi, and you should buy the tickets on-line or in individual. The official web site for Ortisei tickets is here, and Siusi is here. The opposite possibility is to drive up your self, however online reservations are required.
Lots of people rave about this place, and it’s good, however to me it wasn’t fairly on par with the opposite hikes we did within the Dolomites. Then once more, most individuals suggest going at dawn, and we didn’t, so possibly that’s partly why it was underwhelming for us.
When you don’t thoughts waking up early, this might be an important spot to take a look at!
Distance: 12.5 kilometers (7.8 mi) roundtrip
Elevation Acquire: 325 meters (1,070 ft)
Issue: Average
Map: AllTrails
Alpe di Siusi
Extra Mountain climbing Concepts For The Dolomites
Listed here are a couple of extra attention-grabbing hikes within the Dolomites which might be on our brief listing, however we didn’t have probability to do them but:
Rifugio Odle restaurant on the Adolf Munkel path
Map Of Hikes In The Dolomites
Right here’s a map of some nice hikes within the Dolomites, simply so you will get a common thought of the place they’re within the nation.
Bear in mind these places could also be approximate, so it’s finest to make use of the maps on AllTrails for actual climbing routes.
Extra Enjoyable Actions To Do In North Italy
Extra Dolomites Guides
Thanks for trying! I hope you loved this information for the very best hikes within the Dolomites.
I’ll be writing extra journey guides for Italy on my weblog, so don’t neglect to examine again later!
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