The Dolomites are a section of the Italian Alps in South Tyrol and the Veneto. UNESCO listed them as a World Heritage Site for their unique geological landscape — vertical rock walls jutting out of green meadows and coniferous forests. This 5-day route is our working programme for tours: hits every signature spot of the Dolomites in optimal time, with no transfers longer than 1.5 hours per day.
When to go
Hiking season — mid-June to late September. Earlier — snow still on the passes, many trails closed, mountain huts not yet open. After early October it gets cold, Tre Cime trails get slippery, and many refuges close.
Best month — September. Fewer people than August, weather still mostly clear, larch forests starting to turn golden. Late September gives a true "golden autumn" in the mountains — best photo conditions of the year.
Logistics: car and parking
Without a car, you can't really do the Dolomites. Between viewpoints are narrow mountain roads and switchbacks; public transport only runs in the valleys. Car rental is €40–70/day in high season — book ahead. Take a compact with manual: big cars suffer on the switchbacks.
ZTL — restricted traffic zones. Cortina d'Ampezzo's centre is closed to non-residents in high season. The fine is around €100 for entering. Park at P5 or P3 (paid, €10–15/day) at the edge of town.
Toll roads on Sella Ronda — most passes (Pordoi, Sella, Gardena, Campolongo) are free, but some roads (e.g. to Tre Cime) have paid gates. Lake Misurina → Tre Cime is €30/car in summer 2026 (or take the shuttle bus from Misurina for ~€4).
Day 1 — Cortina d'Ampezzo, Cinque Torri
Fly into Venice (Marco Polo) or Treviso. Airport → Cortina is 2.5 hours by car via Belluno.
Base yourself in Cortina or closer in — San Vigilio di Marebbe, Dozè. For day one keep it light: Cinque Torri — five rock towers 20 minutes from Cortina. Take the cable car from Bain de Dones (€19 return), then a 2–3 hour loop through alpine flower meadows and WWI Italian-front trenches. Views of Tofane and Sorapis.
Dinner in Cortina. Local cuisine — Casunziei (beet ravioli), Speck (cured ham) and mushrooms. €25–40 per person at a normal restaurant.
Day 2 — Tre Cime di Lavaredo
The signature postcard of the Dolomites. Three vertical towers surrounded by trails. The Tre Cime loop is 10 km, 3–4 hours, only ~350 m total ascent. Technically easy but stunning every 15 minutes.
Start at Rifugio Auronzo (2 333 m). You either drive there on the toll road from Lake Misurina (€30/car) or take the shuttle bus from Misurina. The Auronzo parking fills up by 8 am in August.
Route: Auronzo → Rifugio Lavaredo → Forcella Lavaredo (best view of the three towers) → Rifugio Locatelli (lunch, polenta with mushrooms €15–20) → back via Forcella Lavaredo or the longer loop via Forcella Col di Mezzo.
On the way down, stop at Lago di Misurina (turquoise lake, a 30-minute lap around it).
Day 3 — Lago di Sorapis or Croda da Lago
Pick depending on how strong you feel.
Lago di Sorapis — 12 km, 4–5 hours. A turquoise lake high in the mountains. Starts at Passo Tre Croci. The last section is a narrow trail on a rocky ledge with cables (not via ferrata but requires care). Kids under 8 — skip it.
Croda da Lago / Lago Federa — 12 km, 5 hours, 700 m ascent. More serious hike, no exposed sections, ends at a lake under Becco di Mezzodì. Far fewer people than Sorapis.
Afterwards drive to Alta Badia or Ortisei (Val Gardena), 1–1.5 hours.
Day 4 — Seceda and Alpe di Siusi
The most-Instagrammed Dolomite views. Seceda is a sharp ridgeline above Val Gardena.
Route: from Ortisei take the Furnes-Seceda cable car (€34 return). At the top, a short hike to the viewpoint of Sass Rigais and Furchetta (1-hour loop). If you still have energy — continue via Pieralongia to Col Raiser and descend by a different cable car.
Alternative — Alpe di Siusi (the largest alpine plateau in Europe, 56 km²). Easy trails across meadows with Sassolungo views. Good for a relaxed day.
Dinner in Ortisei. Strongly Austro-Tyrolean cuisine here: knödel, schlutzkrapfen, hot strudel.
Day 5 — Lago di Braies and departure
The Dolomites' most famous lake — Lago di Braies / Pragser Wildsee. Emerald green, with wooden rowboats, framed by sheer cliffs. The lap around the lake is 3.5 km, an hour at relaxed pace.
From 10 July to 10 September 2024 Braies was closed to private cars (you needed an online parking slot reservation or the shuttle). Check the latest rules for 2026.
From here — back to Venice (3 hours) or continue via Prague / Salzburg.
Where to sleep
| Base | Best for | Night rate |
|---|---|---|
| Cortina d'Ampezzo | Comfort, restaurants, shopping | €120–250 |
| Ortisei / Val Gardena | Families, good infrastructure, closer to Seceda | €100–180 |
| San Cassiano / Alta Badia | Central, quiet, premium cuisine | €140–250 |
| Rifugio (mountain hut) | Hikers, romantics | €60–100 half-board |
Book rifugi 2–3 months ahead for high season. Sites: refugesalpins.eu, hutbooking.com, or directly with the hut.
5-day budget (per person)
| Item | Budget | Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Lodging (4 nights) | €280 | €550 |
| Car rental + fuel + parking | €250 (for two) | €400 |
| Cable cars and shuttles | €100 | €150 |
| Food | €150 | €280 |
| Flights (shoulder season) | €150 | €350 |
| Total | €930 | €1 730 |
Common mistakes
- Going without a car. Public transport in the Dolomites is valley-only. Between passes and trailheads — car or expensive taxis.
- Ignoring ZTL. Entering Cortina's historic centre — €100 automatic fine on camera.
- Booking Auronzo parking late. The Tre Cime trailhead parking fills by 8 am in August. Arrive by 6:30 or take the shuttle.
- Not checking weather. Mountain thunderstorms build up in an hour. Before every hike — meteomatic or the local rifugio.
- Skipping the Alpine Club. alpinaverein.it / cai.it has trail status, refuges and weather. Italian only, but Google Translate handles it.
This is the baseline. If you have 7 days — add a via ferrata day with a guide and a day in the Marmolada group (the highest point in the Dolomites, 3 343 m). With 10 days — a real trekking journey along Alta Via 1.