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Top 5 Can’t Miss
- Discover the Dolomiti Superski area, home of the best powder in Italy.
- Explore Lago di Braies by boat for picture-perfect views of nature.
- Pedal your way along the area’s most popular bike paths.
- Take on the legendary Tre Cime di Lavaredo hike in springtime to see the wildflowers in bloom.
- Challenge yourself on an epic via ferrata climbing adventure.
The Dolomites—a mountain range in Northern Italy that covers roughly 350,000 acres across its 18 peaks—are what outdoorsy dreams are made of. The region is ideal for those who want to get out and breathe the fresh alpine air, look out at awe-inspiring landscapes, and challenge themselves to a few unforgettable hikes.
And while it’s a fantastic place to go in the winter to experience the fluffy white snow blanketing the peaks, it’s also a place where year-round travelers can find some fun, whether you want to stop for lunch at a chalet, take a scenic hike, or stroll through quaint communities in the valleys. Here are the best things to do in the Dolomites for your next Italian mountain getaway.
Find the best powder.
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Come in the winter for superb skiing at destinations like Cortina D’Ampezzo, a swanky ski town that’s also known for its buzzing après-ski scene. It’s part of the Dolomiti Superski area, so skiers and riders can venture beyond Cortina’s slopes to explore some of the other 11 resorts—more than 700 miles of terrain in total.
Paddle around the lakes.
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The Dolomites are home to more than their fair share of glittering, gin-clear lakes, but none is as famous as Lago di Braies. Located in Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park, the 77-acre lake’s azure waters can be explored via row boats, which are available to rent right from the shore.
Pedal along a scenic path.
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With extensive biking trails including the 20-mile Toblach-Cortina path, the region is a prime destination for pedal-powered adventures. A variety of cycling and e-bike tours are available to take you through the forests, and some include visits to wineries and cheese-makers.
Do the Tre Cime di Lavaredo hike.
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Have an unforgettable hiking experience when you take on the Tre Cime di Lavaredo trek. The roughly six-mile loop is rated as moderate, so be prepared to take your time and pack plenty of water. At the top, you’ll be rewarded with views of the three towering peaks. If you time your hike for late spring or summer, you can walk through a few spectacular wildflower fields as well.
Brave an epic via ferrata climb.
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Challenge your rock climbing abilities and face any fear of heights head-on by taking on one of Italy’s famous via ferratas—fixed climbing paths with iron cables that you can clip your harness to. There are roughly 600 routes to choose from throughout the Dolomites, ranging from beginner-friendly day tours to hut-to-hut mountain adventures designed for intermediate and advanced climbers.
Visit Europe’s highest alpine meadow.
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Experience the best of the region in spring and summer by visiting Alpe di Siusi, Europe’s largest alpine meadow, and its bucolic, rolling green hills. Come hike it via the family-friendly Alpe di Siusi Trail. Afterward, spend a night or two in an adorable boutique property like Sporthotel Sonne Dolomites, whose swimming pool offers epic views of all the natural scenery around you.
Gaze upon gorgeous rock formations.
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Sometimes, the best thing to do at a naturally beautiful destination like the Dolomites is to leave all distractions behind and gaze upon nature’s best creations. And that’s exactly what you can do during a trip to the Cinque Torri, a unique natural formation of five rock towers that appear to reach up to the sky. Take the 4.5-mile intermediate-level hike starting at Baita Bai de Dones for the best views—pack a lunch and sit for as long as you’d like before heading back.
See the Dolomites from above on a helicopter tour.
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Get a bird’s-eye view of the Dolomites on a glamorous helicopter ride. Like other types of tours throughout the region, there are plenty of helicopter operators that will take you soaring above the mountains. Companies like Elikos, founded by two brothers, carry one to six guests for 15-, 30-, or 50-minute sightseeing flights, and can go over specific peaks upon request.
Enjoy the view from a cable car.
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Want to see the Dolomites from above without boarding a helicopter? The Tofana-Cortina Cable Car is an excellent option. It’s open all year long and takes guests on a 30-minute ride to the top of Tofana di Mezzo, the third-highest peak in the Dolomites at 10,643 feet.
Climb up mountains and rappel down waterfalls.
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A canyoning adventure brings you climbing up and rappelling down the sides of cliffs and through rivers and waterfalls to show you the great outdoors from every angle. Take an all-day trip with a company like Canyon Adventures, whose excursions are led by qualified alpine guides. The same company also offers kayaking, caving, climbing, and bellyak (a combination of kayaking and surfing) tours as well as via ferrata treks throughout the Lake Garda region.
Go inside the mountains via historic tunnels.
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Now that you’ve thoroughly explored the peaks of the Dolomites, it’s time to see the mountains from a different perspective with a tour of the Lagazuoi Tunnels. Built by Italian soldiers during WWI, the tunnels are fully restored and go on for more than half a mile along the mountain’s edge. They can be reached by cable car, and then you can hike back down through the tunnels.
Take a scenic drive.
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For those seeking a more leisurely expedition, there’s always the option to drive through the gorgeous landscapes of the Dolomites. The Great Dolomites Road, or Grande Strada delle Dolomiti, was built in the early 20th century. It goes on for about 90 glorious miles between Bolzano and Cortina d’Ampezzo, allowing anyone to experience the beauty of this place without ever having to leave their vehicle.
Learn about the area at the Messner Mountain Museum Firmian.
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Get a sense of the region’s history and culture with a visit to Messner Mountain Museum Firmian. Housed inside Sigmundskron Castle just outside Bolzano, the museum explores the connections between humans and the mountains around them. You’ll also find interesting exhibitions about the history of the castle itself.
Step back in time with a visit to Welsberg Castle.
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Perched over the Casies Valley, Welsberg Castle was built in the 12th century by a powerful Tyrolean family. After it was devastated by a fire in 1765, the castle was abandoned before finally being restored to its former glory in the 20th century. Today, it’s open for concerts and other events during the summer, and guided tours can be arranged by appointment.
Spend the night in a mountain hut.
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In between hikes, get a peaceful night’s rest in a rifugio. Translating to “refuge,” these mountain huts can be found throughout the Dolomites. Spots like Rifugio Averau offer cozy rooms with dazzling views so you can wake up with coffee and head straight out to the trails.
Stroll through charming alpine villages.
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There are dozens of picturesque villages punctuating the landscapes in and around the mountains, making plentiful pit stops a must on your journey through the Dolomites. Artisan villages like Ortisei in Val Gardena, an area known for its wood-carving tradition, are the perfect place to pick up souvenirs.
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