About this List
We have visited the Dolomites twice. Our first visit was in 2014, at the start of a one year trip around the world…and the start of this website. We spent 3 memorable days here, hiking just a few trails. We vowed to get back here again as soon as possible.
Well, it took us 8 years (other travel plans, COVID, etc. delayed our return) but it was well worth the wait. On our second visit (July 2022) we spent nine very busy days in the Dolomites.
From these two visits, we came up with this list of 15 day hikes. That’s a lot to choose from, especially if you only have a few days in the Dolomites.
At the end of this guide, we give recommendations for the best hikes in the Dolomites, whether you are looking for something quick and easy, something more challenging, hikes organized by region, or if you want to learn what our favorite hikes are.
Best Hikes in the Dolomites
Please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trail, pack out what you bring to the hiking trail, properly dispose of waste, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife.
Best Hikes in the Dolomites
This list starts with the shortest, easiest trails and ends with the longer, more challenging hikes. At the end of this section, we rank the hikes from our favorite to least favorite. You can skip to this list now.
Each of these hikes is a day hike, so they all can be completed in one day.
There are no via ferratas on this list so they can all be done without special equipment (other than hiking shoes, a backpack, some water, and a camera).
Several of the shorter hikes can be combined together to form full day adventures. I’ll let you know the best combinations with details on how to do them.
All hiking distances are round trip, unless noted otherwise.
WHEN TO GO HIKING IN THE DOLOMITES: The hiking season runs from June through September. During this time, the trails are clear of snow. By the middle part of October, the first snows can begin to fall, ending the hiking season.
1. Tofana di Mezzo
Distance: 0.3 km (0.2 miles)
Difficulty: Easy
Total Ascent: 55 meters (180 feet)
Time: 30 minutes
Location: Cortina d'Ampezzo
You may be scratching your head at this first “hike” on the list. Yes, it is super short. But this short trail scales the edge of cliff and then has a steep, slippery ascent to the mountain peak, so it’s not for everyone. To do this, you need to have a good head for heights.
This very short hike offers one of the best views of the Dolomites with the least amount of effort.
From Cima Tofana, the highest cable car station on the Freccia nel Cielo cableway, you get panoramic views over Cortina d’Ampezzo and the surrounding mountains.
From the viewing platform, climb the series of staircases to the the hiking trail, and then it is just a 5-minute walk along the trail to viewpoints over the Cima Tofana station and Cortina d’Ampezzo. There is a lot of exposure along this trail so if you have a fear of heights, this is a hike you might want to skip.
From the hiking trail, you have the option to rock scramble up the short but steep hill to Tofana di Mezzo, where spectacular 360° views of the Dolomites awaits.
2. Seceda
Distance: 1.3 km (0.8 miles) loop
Difficulty: Easy
Total Ascent: 110 meters (360 feet)
Time: 30 to 45 minutes
Location: Val Gardena
This is another hike where a cable car whisks you high into the mountains.
From the cable car station, you don’t even have to do any hiking to enjoy the view, but if you want to photograph the iconic shot of Seceda, it is a short but steep uphill hike to the viewpoint. From here, follow the trail down along the ridgeline towards the jagged peaks. Once you get to the trail junction, it is an easy but gorgeous walk back to the cable car station.
3. Cinque Torri
Distance: 1.9 km (1.2 mile) loop
Difficulty: Easy
Total Ascent: 130 meters (430 feet)
Time: 1 hour
Location: Cortina d'Ampezzo
The Cinque Torri is one of the most recognizable rock formations in the Dolomites. It is a popular hiking and rock climbing destination, but it is also an open-air war museum, with trenches and bunkers that remain from World War I.
Hiking around the Cinque Torri is one of the easiest and most beautiful hikes that we did in the Dolomites.
It’s a great hike for kids, since a chairlift zips you right up to the rock towers. And with its short distance, and bunkers and tunnels to explore, this is one of the best places to take kids hiking in the Dolomites. They can also learn a little bit of history in the process.
This hike can be combined with Rifugio Averau and Rifugio Nuvolau for one epic day in the Dolomites.
4. Cadini di Misurina
Distance: 3.2 km (2 miles)
Difficulty: Easy
Total Ascent: 210 meters (690 feet)
Time: 1 to 2 hours
Location: Near the Tre Cime Naturepark and Cortina d'Ampezzo
The hike to the Cadini di Misurina viewpoint is one of our favorite short hikes in the Dolomites.
This is a gorgeous hike every step of the way, with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, a unique view of the “backside” of Tre Cime di Lavaredo, and of course, an awesome view of the Cadini di Misurina.
If you are looking for a short, beautiful hike and want to escape the crowds, the Cadini di Misurina hike belongs on top of your Dolomites to-do list.
5. Lago di Braies
Distance: 3.7 km (2.3 miles) loop
Difficulty: Easy
Total Ascent: 100 meters (330 feet)
Time: 1.5 to 2 hours
Location: Fanes-Sennes-Brais Nature Park, South Tyrol
Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee) is one of the most popular places to visit in the Dolomites. This crystal-clear aquamarine lake, with its dramatic mountainous backdrop, easy walking trail, and rowboats, has long been attracting visitors.
One of the best things to do at Lago di Braies is to walk the hiking trail that loops around the lake. Along the hike, you get to see the lake from all angles.
6. Lagazuoi to the Falzarego Pass
Distance: 4 km (2.5 miles)
Difficulty: Easy
Total Descent: 650 meters (2,100 feet)
Time: 3 hours
Location: Cortina d'Ampezzo
This hike starts with a cable car ride from the Falzarego Pass to the Lagazuoi, one of the many mountain peaks in the Dolomites. Right from the upper cable car station you have yet another phenomenal view of the Dolomites.
There are a bunch of trails that run through Lagazuoi. We hiked downhill, from the mountain peak back to our car at the Falzarego Pass. It’s a beautiful hike and from the trail you look out to Averau, Nuvolau, the Cinque Torri, Gran Diedro, and Croda da Lago.
Since this is a short, downhill hike, it’s great for kids (it’s the very first hike we did in the Dolomites).
7. Rifugio Averau and Rifugio Nuvolau
Distance: 4 km (2.5 miles)
Difficulty: Easy
Total Ascent: 335 meters (1,100 feet)
Time: 1.5 to 2 hours + additional time at the rifugios
Location: Cortina d'Ampezzo
Rifugio Nuvalou sits on top Mount Nuvolau. At an elevation of 2,575 meters (8,500 feet), you have 360° views of the Dolomites. It is an incredible view, especially if you are lucky enough to be here when the skies are clear.
The views, having lunch on the outdoor terrace, with a view of one of the most beautiful places we have seen, was a truly memorable experience.
To get here, you will hike past Rifugio Averau, which serves some of the best pasta dishes in the Dolomites.
8. Piz Boè
Distance: 5.3 km (3.3 miles)
Difficulty: Moderate
Total Ascent: 430 meters (1,410 feet)
Time: 2 to 4 hours
Location: Val Gardena
9. Cinque Torri + Rifugio Averau and Rifugio Nuvolau
Distance: 6 km (3.7 miles)
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Total Ascent: 465 meters (1,530 feet)
Time: 2.5 to 3 hours + additional time at the rifugios
Location: Cortina d'Ampezzo
Even though you are combining two trails, the distance is still rather short and manageable for most people.
If you have one day in the Dolomites, this is a hike I highly recommend. The views are gorgeous every step of the way. Plus, you get the experience of visiting a rifugio, where the drinks and food are very good and you get one of the best views of the Dolomites.
10. Alpe di Siusi
Distance: 6.8 km (4.2 miles)
Difficulty: Easy
Total Descent: 260 meters (850 feet)
Time: 2 to 3 hours + additional time at the rifugios
Location: Alpe di Suisi
Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm in German) is the highest alpine meadow in Europe. Cabins, rifugios, and hotels dot the landscape. Hiking trails and biking trails run along the hillsides, connecting the small villages. And Sassolungo, with its jagged, rocky peaks, looms over the area.
There are lots of different ways to plan your time at Alpe di Siusi. We hiked from Compatsch to Saltria, which passes by several rifugios and offers beautiful views of Alpe di Siusi and Sassolungo from the hiking trail. Overall, this is an easy downhill hike. From the lowest point, Saltria, you can ride the bus back to Compatsch which eliminates a long, unnecessary climb.
11. Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Distance: 8.8 km (5.5 miles) loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Total Ascent: 425 meters (1,400 feet)
Time: 2.5 to 5 hours
Location: Near Cortina d'Ampezzo
Tre Cime di Lavaredo is one of the best hikes in the Dolomites. Three massive rocky prominences rise up from the rolling scenery of the Dolomites and during the summer months the land is carpeted with wildflowers.
The Tre Cime di Lavaredo hike is done as a loop, so you get to circle around three enormous pillars of rock. The only way to see the iconic north faces is from this hiking trail.
There are numerous detours you can take from the Tre Cime di Lavaredo trail to alpine lakes and unique viewpoints of the area, and well worth it if you don’t mind going the extra distance.
12. Adolf Munkel Weg to Geisler Alm
Distance: 9.2 km (5.7 miles) loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Total Ascent: 440 meters (1,445 feet)
Time: 4 to 6 hours (this includes time at the mountain huts)
Location: Val di Funes
The Adolf Munkel Weg is a point-to-point hiking trail that runs along the Odle/Geisler mountain group. This hike is on the longer side (13 km) and since it is point-to-point, you will have to use public transportation or do some extra hiking to get back to the starting point.
We shortened the hike, turning it into a loop. The starting and ending point was from the same parking lot, we had awesome views of the Odle/Geisler mountains from Geisler Alm, plus we got to visit a few rifugios along the way.
13. Lago di Sorapis
Distance: 11.6 to 12.7 km (7.2 to 7.9 miles)
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
Total Ascent: 460 meters (1,520 feet) to 775 meters (2,550 feet)
Time: 3 to 7 hours
Location: Cortina d'Ampezzo
Lago di Sorapis (Lake Sorapis) is one of the most popular hikes to do in the Dolomites. The hiking trail to get to this aquamarine lake is located just a short drive from Cortina d’Ampezzo.
The vast majority of people hike out-and-back to Lago di Sorapis on the main trail. What many people don’t know is that you can turn this hike into a loop (which is why there is a range of hiking stats listed above).
Doing it as a loop (Lago di Sorapis plus Forcella Marcuoira) doesn’t add much in the way of extra distance, but it does add a hefty amount of elevation gain. However, your reward is unique views of Lago di Sorapis and panoramic views of the Dolomites.
For those who want to hike a quieter trail and have more amazing views of the Dolomites, choose the loop option when hiking Lago di Sorapis.
14. Lago Federa & Croda da Lago Circuit
Distance: 12.8 km (8 miles) loop
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
Total Ascent: 900 meters (2,950 feet)
Time: 4.5 to 6 hours
Location: Cortina d'Ampezzo
The Croda da Lago Circuit is one of the most underrated hikes that we did in the Dolomites.
With a beautiful walk through the woods, a visit to an alpine lake (Lago Federa), close up views of Croda da Lago, and panoramic views of the Dolomites, the scenery is constantly changing, making this one of the most interesting trails in the area.
During the summer months, the Dolomites is a busy place to visit. But not this trail. The Croda da Lago Circuit was one of the emptiest trails that we hiked in our 12 days in the Dolomites. So, if you are looking for a less crowded hike that is still BIG on views, this hike is for you.
15. Puez-Odle Altopiano
Distance: 17 km (10.6 miles)
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
Total Ascent: 850 meters (2,800 feet)
Time: 6 to 9 hours
Location: Val Gardena
With jaw-dropping views of the Dolomites, fields of wildflowers, and some of the best alpine views in Italy, this is our favorite hike in the Dolomites.
The Puez-Odle hike is a 17 km point-to-point hike along some of the highest mountain peaks in the Dolomites. A chairlift at the beginning of the hike eliminates the first big climb. There are still some ups and downs, but overall, you head downhill for much of the hike.
Since you spend so much time in the higher peaks of the Dolomites, you are treated to panoramic views that will take your breath away.
Map of the Best Hikes in the Dolomites
How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. Click the star next to the title of the map to add this map to your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to “Your Places,” click Maps, and you will see this map on your list.
Best Hikes in the Dolomites: Our Recommendations
All 15 Trails, Ranked from Favorite to Least Favorite
Here is our ranking of all 15 hikes on this list. This list starts with our favorite hike and ends with our least favorite. But even hike #15, even though it may be last on the list, is still a very good hike to do (that’s one of the things that makes the Dolomites so awesome!).
- Puez Odle Altopiano
- Cinque Torri + Rifugio Averau and Rifugio Nuvolau
- Cadini di Misurina Viewpoint
- Croda da Lago Circuit
- Rifugio Averau and Rifugio Nuvolau
- Tofana di Mezzo
- Tre Cime di Lavaredo
- Cinque Torri
- Lago di Sorapis
- Seceda
- Lagazuoi to Falzarego Pass
- Adolf Munkel Weg
- Piz Boè
- Lago di Braies
- Alpe di Suisi
Best Short, Easy Hikes in the Dolomites
The Dolomites are packed with short, easy trails to choose from. On our hiking list, 10 trails come in less than 8 km (5 miles).
If you are looking for short, easy hikes in the Dolomites to do with kids, here are our recommendations:
- Cinque Torri
- Lago di Braies
- Seceda
- Lagazuoi to the Falzarego Pass
- Rifugios Averau and Nuvolau
And if you simply want a short hike to a stunning viewpoint, we recommend:
- Tofana di Mezzo
- Cadini di Misurina
- Rifugios Averau and Nuvolau
- Piz Boè
Best Hikes in the Dolomites on Your First Visit
If you only have a few days, here are the best hikes in the Dolomites that let you experience it from several different angles:
- Cinque Torri + Rifugio Averau and Rifugio Nuvolau
- Croda da Lago Circuit or Puez-Odle Altopiano
- Tre Cime di Lavaredo + Cadini di Misurina
Less Crowded Trails
If you want to leave the crowds behind, these trails were the “quietest” trails we hiked in the Dolomites:
- Croda da Lago Circuit
- Cadini di Misurina
- Adolf Munkel Weg
- Alpe di Siusi
- Lago di Sorapis to Forcella Marcuoira to the trailhead
Hikes Near Cortina d’Ampezzo
If Cortina d’Ampezzo is your home base, here are the nearby trails:
- Cinque Torri
- Rifugios Averau and Nuvolau
- Lagazuoi to Falzarego Pass
- Croda da Lago Circuit + Lago Federa
- Tofana di Mezzo
- Tre Cime di Lavaredo
- Cadini di Misurina
- Lago di Braies
- Lago di Sorapis
Hikes in and around Val Gardena
Here are hikes located in and around Val Gardena:
- Puez-Odle Altopiano
- Seceda
- Piz Boè
- Alpe di Siusi
- Adolf Munkel Weg
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to go hiking in the Dolomites?
The best time to go hiking in the Dolomites is from June through September, when the trails are free of snow. Wildflowers carpet parts of the Dolomites in July and August. By the middle part of October, the first snows can begin to fall, ending the hiking season.
How many days do I need in the Dolomites?
As many as possible. If you simply want to drive through the Dolomites and visit a few highlights, two to three days is all you need. If you love hiking, really, spend as much time here as you can. I recommend five days at a minimum. So far, we have spend 12 very busy days in the Dolomites and still have more that we want to come back and do. So, if you have the time in your schedule, you could easily spend 7 to 10 days hiking in the Dolomites. To help you plan your time, take a look at our Dolomites Itinerary.
Do I need a car to get around the Dolomites?
A car is not absolutely necessary but it will give you more freedom and you will be able to get to some places where the public buses do not run. Pick up your rental car in Venice, Bolzano, Verona, or Milan and once finished in the Dolomites, return it and resume your trip through Italy by using the trains.
What do you do think are the best hikes in the Dolomites? Let us know in the comment section below, and feel free to write in if you have any questions about which ones you should do.
More Information for Your Trip to Italy
ITALY TRAVEL GUIDE: To read all of our articles about Italy, check out our Italy Travel Guide.
DOLOMITES: For links to all of our articles about the Dolomites, take a look at our Dolomites Travel Guide. We cover important things to know before you go and travel tips in our article How to Plan a Trip to the Dolomites. And for ideas on what to do, read our article Best Things to Do in the Dolomites (with Little to No Hiking).
BEST OF ITALY: In our Guide to the Best Places to Visit in Italy, we list 25 beautiful destinations to consider for your next trip to Italy.
VENICE: Learn more about what to do in Venice in our Venice Bucket List. To help you plan your time, we have a detailed one day Venice itinerary and a 2 day Venice itinerary.
VERONA: Verona is a beautiful city in northern Italy. Learn how to spend one perfect day in Verona.
ITALY ITINERARIES: If you are just beginning to plan your Italy itinerary, take a look at our 10 Days in Italy Itinerary for four different ways to spend 10 days in Italy. We also have a detailed 10 day itinerary that includes Rome, Florence, the Cinque Terre, and Venice. For those with more time, check out our 14 day Italy itinerary, which covers the highlights of Italy.
MORE GREAT HIKES IN EUROPE: From thrilling trails in the Alps to easy walks along the coast, read our article 20 Best Hikes in Europe for some beautiful hiking trails to put on your travel wish list.
All rights reserved © Earth Trekkers. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, etc.), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited.
Comments 61
Hi.
In regards to the Dolomites hiking,
are the Distances / Time Frames you mention mainly loop distance / time frames, eg return back to start location.
I note that some are point to point and not back to the original start location.
Thank you for your help.
Author
Yes, a few of these are point to point hikes (like the Puez Odle Altopiano) but most are a loop or out-and-back. We also have a separate, more detailed guide for each hike, with maps and elevation profiles, which should also be helpful. The distances are the total distance for the hike. So, out-and-back hike distances are total, including the hike out to the farthest point plus the return to the starting point. Cheers, Julie
Hi Julie,
First of all thank you so much for sharing all of your experiences! It is so helpful when planning a trip and a great way to daydream even when not planning a trip. We used your guides on our last trip to Rome/Tuscany and enjoyed your recommendations!
Question: We are planning a trip in mid October to Ortisei. From what I have read the cable cars/gondolas should be open until around Nov. 3. But I’m confused about the tickets. It looks like The Gardena pass is not available past summer. So if we want to use the cable cars/gondolas do we have to pay each time, even if it’s 2 times in one day? Without that pass are you limited to paying for each trip?
We will be hiking for 3 days. We know we want to do a hike from the top of Seceda, and the Alpe de Suise. What would be your third choice for 2-4 hour, moderate route and what are the lifts we will need to purchase tickets for to get to each of the hikes ? (I see the tickets for the ride from Ortisei all the way up to Seceda).
I’m trying to budget for all the lift tickets we will need. It gets expensive for 4 people!
Thank you in advance!
Author
Hello Margaret. You will have to pay for each cable car without the pass. For Seceda you will definitely need a return ticket for the cable car. For Alpe di Siusi it is possible to drive there and save the cable car fee but you will need a rental car and it takes a while to drive there (we cover this in our guide to Alpe di Siusi). Near Ortisei is the Adolf Munkel Weg, a very nice hike and no cable car necessary. In that same area (Val di Funes) another option is to walk the path to the Santa Maddalena Viewpoints. Those would be my top recommendations. Another option is the Piz Boe hike, but this requires a cable car and you would have to check if it is running and look at photos to see if this is something you are interested in doing. Let me know if you have any other questions. Cheers, Julie
Thank you so much. Really appreciate your help!
Hi Julie, Your guides have been incredibly helpful to us even as our plans change. (we’ve used all of your hike advice last year in the Jungfrau region in Switzerland and every hike was amazing). Due to an slowly worsening hip issue, we are limiting our hiking to 3 days and will stay in Cortina d’Ampezzo and hike some of the trails in the East Dolomites. (happy and a little sad about that) We can either go the third week of Sept or the 1st week of October (not dependent on us) If it turns out that we need to go the first week in October, (6-9) are there things I need to research like closed lifts, hotels, restaurants, etc? (we’ll have a rental car) Also, is weather a factor that early in October? Thanks for any guidance you can give.
Author
Hello Sherie. That’s unfortunate you plans have to be altered but at least you still get to experience the Dolomites. I recommend researching chairlift/cable cars for those two weeks and use that to make your decision. I don’t think weather is too much of a factor the first week if October and from pictures I’ve seen, it looks like a beautiful time to go. It will be chillier than September, of course, and rain chances could be slightly increased as well. To be safe, September could be a better time to go (more lifts will be open and maybe a little less rain). I don’t think there is too much to be concerned about with restaurants and hotels in October. But again, the cable car closures could be the biggest factor in your decision making process. Cheers, Julie
Hi Julie, we plan hiking in Dolomites this Summer. Witch places (cities) do you recommand to stay to be near the Trails and services ?
Thanks.
Author
Hello Kevin. Take a look at our Where to Stay guide for the Dolomites. And if you haven’t seen it yet, our post on How to Plan a Trip to the Dolomites may also be helpful. Cheers, Julie
Thank you for the fantastic hike reports which we have used to short list our hikes. We are a fit and active 50 year old couple and are fast hikers and have done a lot of practise ready for our holiday. Our 5 hikes are as below for a 7 day stay.
I have three questions.
1) Would you recommend a long hike/short hike approach or build on the hikes starting with easiest to longest?
2) Would you recommend hiking every day or take some rest days?
3) For Lago Di Sorapis, I read your hike blog. We have done similar hikes before so think this is achievable but would you leave this till the last day?
Lago Di Braies
Lagazuoi to Falzarego pass
Cinque Torri Rifugio Averau Nuvolau
Tre Cime
Either Lago Di Sorapis or Lago Federa Croda Di Lago Circuit
Thanks!
Author
Hello Marisa. If you are active and have prior experience, all of these hikes should be very doable for you (Tim was 51 when we did these hikes). The Lagazuoi hike is the shortest, easiest on the list and Lago di Sorapis and Croda da Lago are the hardest. When we were last in the Dolomites, we organized our sequence based on the weather. It would be great to do the Cinque Torri + rifugios hike on a clear day so you get the best views. It would also be very nice to do the Sorapis or Croda da Lago hike on another clear day, since you’ll be on the trail the longest and the views if you do Sorapis as a loop are amazing. We’ve done Tre Cime in the rain, which was fine (but sunny skies are always better). I also think it is nice to space out difficult hikes, so don’t do Tre Cime back to back with Sorapis or Croda da Lago. Hopefully you’ll have sunny skies the entire time, but it also looks like you have a little bit of extra time built into your itinerary, which is excellent. I hope you have a wonderful time hiking in the Dolomites! Cheers, Julie