The Best Hikes in the Dolomites
Tour leader Anne Grethe LOVES the Dolomites – here she shares her best tips for hiking in the area:
Over the last 10 years, I have been on several hikes in the Dolomites both as a tour leader and on my own – i.e., either alone, with my husband and children, or on a couples trip.
Now I would love to share some of my hiking tips with you out there – whether you go on your own, or want to join me and Expa Travel on some of our trips to the Dolomites.
Wild & Beautiful
The Dolomites have something unique about them. Something wild and beautiful that draws me back time and time again. I feel a bit like the caterpillar in the story 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' because, yes, it lies in the text: I never get enough of the view and just want more and more of it!
That is exactly why I go back year after year, sometimes even taking several trips a year! And I look forward to it just as much every single time, and truly enjoy it when our guests fall just as in love with the mountains as I am. Jaw-dropping moments, comments like 'it's like walking in a fairy tale' and 'is it possible for it to be this beautiful'. Then I really enjoy myself!! Sharing this with others and seeing their reactions is a dream job. I am lucky!
Old Seabed
Previously, the Dolomites were called Monti Pallidi – the pale mountains – but later the mountain range was named the Dolomites after the French geologist Dolomieu, who was the first to describe this type of rock. He also discovered that the Dolomites were an old seabed and that you can actually find fossils from millions of years ago to this day as proof of this.
Special Flora
Despite the fact that the Dolomites can look like dry, pointed mountains, the flora is vast. About 3,000 different plants grow here, and the colors of the flowers are much stronger than back home. You quickly get overwhelmed by the strong colors, and by the fact that flowers can grow in the middle of a rock wall. This is, of course, due to all the lime in the rock. Unfortunately, I am no flower expert, but I have learned that very many species have the word Alpine in front of them; Alpine Rose, Alpine Violet, Alpine Buttercup, you name it! That way I sound like a pro anyway 😀
As you wander across one of the many, wonderful green meadows that appear on the hike, you can at times feel like you are in the middle of the musical “The Sound of Music”. It does something to you, just look (and listen) to these lovely ladies I had with me on a Dolomites trip 🤣
Tre Cime
It is hard to choose one favorite hike among all the possibilities in the Dolomites, but one I like especially well is the hike around Tre Cime / Drei Zinnen.
I start by taking a bus from Cortina d’Ampezzo to Auronzo where I begin my hike. There are several daily departures.
I always take the longest route around the mountain peaks, as that gives me the opportunity to have lunch at my favorite hut; Bullenjoch / rifugio Pian di Cengia. A small, but very cozy hut located at 2,528 m.a.s.l. Eating here helps you avoid the long queues at the large 'Tre Cime hut' where most people take their lunch stop. I recommend avoiding this one during high season.
The entire hike is about 16 km, taking around 5 hours, give or take. There are opportunities for many Kodak moments here, and to enjoy! Because you MUST remember to enjoy!
You walk in relatively flat landscape at the beginning and get to see the back of the famous Tre Cime mountains. They can probably be called Italy's answer to Preikestolen and Trolltunga in terms of the number of tourists during the season. That is also part of the reason why I choose the long loop that the fewest tourists take. It gets steep up and down at times, but don't worry about your breathing as it is usually the altitude that makes it a bit harder to breathe (at least that's what I think 😀).
When you get to the front of Tre Cime, you must take your time to walk around this area. Feel free to wander in between the sharp peaks there, as well as up to one of the caves to get those iconic pictures from there.
Cadini di Misurina
When you are in this area anyway, and still have energy left, feel free to also take the relatively easy walk from Rifugio Auronzo and further over to the well-known Cadini di Misurina. You can see the signs from the front of the hut. Follow these down, up, and over. Well worth the 'effort'. About 1 hour of easy walking.
Sassolungo
Another hike where you get to see a lot of green, many flowers, and at the same time these sharp lime-formed mountains is the hike around Sassolungo.
Take a bus from Val Gardena up to Passo Sella, and feel free to start by taking the telephone booth lift
(you get 'pushed' into the lift while it's moving and pulled out at the top) from there and up to the Toni Demetz hut. Approx. 2700 m.a.s.l. – then you are standing between Sassolungo / Langkofel and Sassopiatto / Plattkofel.
Take a look around and enjoy the wild landscape before taking the lift back down and starting the hike around the mountain group.
Follow the relatively wide path/gravel road towards Rifugio Salei and then Rifugio Friedrich August. You will eventually get a fantastic view of Sella Ronda, Marmolada (the highest mountain (3,343 m.a.s.l.) in the Dolomites), Valle di Fassa, Canazei, Rosengarten Alpen, and Seiser Alm.
I recommend lunch at rifugio Sasso Piatto / Plattkofel hut, which is located about halfway through this loop. Very good food and service here.
The walk after lunch gives you a fantastic view of the green and flower-covered Seiser Alm.
When you reach the junction up towards the Langkofel hut / Sassolungo, take the path further towards Monte Seura. From there, you can take the lift back down to Santa Christina or you can continue the entire loop towards Rifugio Comici and Passo Sella.
An 'after-hike' at one of the local huts/pubs is a must and sooooo deserved.
These are just some of my favorites in the Dolomites. There are sooooo many more hikes and things to do that I could recommend in these favorite valleys of the Dolomites! I will have to write about more of them eventually.
Good to Know About the Dolomites
Some tips worth noting are:
Always carry your European Health Insurance Card just in case...
There is not mobile coverage in all places, but if you should be involved in an accident, remember that the huts usually have an emergency phone. Speaking from experience!
Regardless, whether you go alone or not, bring first aid equipment – pack the most necessary items in a waterproof bag.
Bring enough drink with you.
Bring both cash and cards – not all huts have network coverage.
Even though the Dolomites have many sunny days, you are, after all, moving in high mountains, so bring clothes according to the weather!
Good shoes with a good sole are a must – I use shoes with Vibram soles myself.
Sunglasses and sunscreen regardless of the weather, as the limestone has the same effect as snow – especially on the eyes.
You just have to try the different local dishes at the huts – at least the famous dessert pancake Kaiserschmarrn!!
Don't be afraid to use the languages of the valleys – here they speak Italian, German, and Ladin – the still living, ancient local language of the valleys. Hence, signs are often in three languages. Most people speak some English anyway. Feel free to learn a few local words, the locals really appreciate it : -)
Apfelschorle is a local non-alcoholic thirst quencher that gives energy for further hiking. The alcohol is best saved for after the hikes!
There is so much to do and so little time!! So just do it – either alone or with us at Expa Travel!!»
PS!! We are happy to tailor a trip for YOU and your travel companions, but also offer trips with others. See more about this in our program.
Have a great trip from us at Expa Travel AS