What it is
Hundreds of marked trails thread the Dolomites, from easy lakeside walks to the hut-to-hut Alta Via treks, all beneath UNESCO-listed peaks.
- South Tyrol and the Veneto, northeast Italy
- Mid-June to late September, when the rifugi are open
A typical day hike follows well-marked trails that link rifugi, the stone huts that serve lunch and beds. The Tre Cime loop climbs gently for three to four hours with views that get better every step, while the Alta Via 1 strings rifugi together over a week of crossing. Expect cool, changeable weather and company on the famous trails.
Find your level
The Dolomites grade their trails clearly, so you can pick the day you came for.
Flat paths and lake views
Meadow loops around Lago di Braies and Alpe di Siusi give you the scenery with barely any climb, perfect for a first morning in the mountains.
Big views in a day
The Tre Cime loop and Lago di Sorapiss deliver the postcard peaks in a few hours of steady, well-marked climbing that rewards every switchback.
A week above the treeline
The Alta Via 1 stitches rifugi across the range, so you hike days and sleep in warm stone huts without carrying a tent or a week of food.
Three bases worth building on
Each area gives you different peaks, different huts, and a different crowd.
Match it to your schedule
Half a day, a full day, or a week, the mountains scale to your plan.
By Trip Length
A short, high-altitude introduction with the Tre Cime close enough to touch.
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Drive or bus to Rifugio Auronzo on the toll road above Misurina
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Walk the clockwise loop past the towers to Rifugio Locatelli
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Stop for strudel and coffee before the descent
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Return to the car park before the afternoon cloud rolls in
Start early, complete the whole circuit, and let the crowds chase you.
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Set off from Rifugio Auronzo by 8 AM to beat the tour buses
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Circle the towers counterclockwise on the wide panoramic trail
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Lunch at Rifugio Locatelli beneath the north faces
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Descend through the Forcella Col di Mezzo pass
Three days of ridge walking between huts, with beds and meals booked ahead.
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Start in Cortina and ride the lifts up to Rifugio Averau
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Hike the ridge to Passo Falzarego past wartime tunnels
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Sleep at Rifugio Lagazuoi and watch the sunrise over the range
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Descend into San Cassiano and take the bus back to Cortina
Know before you go
The practical details that keep a mountain day comfortable and safe.
How much does it cost?
Cable cars and toll roads run about 20 to 35 euros per day, while a half-board bed in a rifugio costs 60 to 90 euros per person.
Do I need to book ahead?
Yes for rifugi in July and August, beds sell out months early, and reservations for the next summer usually open the previous winter.
What should I bring?
Sturdy boots, rain jacket, layered clothing, sun protection, water, and about 40 euros in cash, since mountain huts often skip card machines.
Is hiking accessible for everyone?
Popular trails are wide and clear, but rocky paths and cable-car access limit wheelchair use on most routes.
What travelers say
Recent visitors on the trails, the huts, and the daily rhythm of the mountains.
Travel Insurance
The trails are chosen. Protect the climb.
Weather can turn above the treeline in minutes, and hut bookings are hard to move. Get coverage before you go.
- Rescue and emergency transport covered on remote trails
- Prepaid cable cars and hut nights refunded if you cannot travel
- Trip delays and lost luggage handled quickly
Travel Insurance
Protect your trip
Mountain weather turns fast.
Hiking in the Dolomites means cable cars, remote trails, and changeable weather, and rifugio beds are booked months ahead. Travel insurance covers rescue costs, lost bookings, and delays that can strand a mountain plan.
Protect Your Trip