Experiences
Hiking in the Dolomites: the best walks, huts and hotels
Jagged limestone peaks, green high meadows and huts serving pasta on the terrace. How to plan a hiking trip to the Dolomites, and where to stay in Val Gardena, Alta Badia and Cortina.
The path levels out and suddenly three grey towers stand right in front of you, hundreds of metres high. Around you are walkers of every age, some with poles and rucksacks, others pushing a buggy along the gravel track. A little further on there is a hut with deckchairs and espresso.
The Dolomites in northern Italy are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best places in Europe to hike. Lifts get you up fast, and huts along the trails mean you can travel light. Here are the walks to prioritise and where to stay.
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The best day hikes in the Dolomites
Book the experience: See tours and activities in Val Gardena
Tre Cime di Lavaredo
The loop around the three towers is the most famous walk in the Dolomites. It starts at Rifugio Auronzo, reached by car or bus on a toll road, and follows wide paths around the massif. Allow three to four hours with stops.
Seceda
From Ortisei the lift takes you up to Seceda, where a sharp ridge drops steeply on one side and green meadows slope away on the other. The view is close to the top station, so it works even if you do not want to walk far.
Alpe di Siusi
Alpe di Siusi is one of the largest high alpine meadows in Europe. Gentle paths wind between farm huts and wildflowers with the peaks all around. A good choice for families.
Lago di Braies
The green lake at the foot of a rock wall is one of the most photographed places in the Dolomites. Walk the loop around it early in the morning, before the day trippers arrive.
How the huts and lifts work
Mountain huts in the Dolomites are called rifugi. Most serve lunch, and many have beds if you want to walk hut to hut. The long-distance Alta Via 1 and Alta Via 2 cross the whole range.
Lifts: most run from June to September. Check opening times before planning a route.
Staying in a hut: book early for July and August.
Via ferrata: the Dolomites have many protected climbing routes. Hire kit or book a guide if you are new to it.
Where to stay in the Dolomites
Val Gardena and Ortisei are handy for Seceda and Alpe di Siusi. Alta Badia sits right in the middle of the mountains, and Cortina is closest to Tre Cime and Lago di Braies.
ADLER Dolomiti
In the centre of Ortisei, Val Gardena.
ADLER Dolomiti
ADLER Dolomiti is in the centre of Ortisei, close to the lifts up to Seceda and Alpe di Siusi. The hotel is known for its spa, which is exactly what your legs want after a long day on the trail.
Book your stay: See rooms at ADLER Dolomiti
COMO Alpina Dolomites
Up on the high meadows.
COMO Alpina Dolomites
COMO Alpina sits up on Alpe di Siusi, so your walks start right outside the door. Quiet, with views across the meadows and the mountains.
Book your stay: See rooms at COMO Alpina Dolomites
Hotel Sassongher
In Alta Badia.
Hotel Sassongher
Hotel Sassongher is in Corvara in Alta Badia, beneath the mountain of the same name. A good base for walks and lifts in every direction.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Sassongher
HOTEL de LEN
A modern hotel in Cortina.
HOTEL de LEN
HOTEL de LEN is a modern hotel in Cortina d'Ampezzo with a spa and a restaurant. Tre Cime and Lago di Braies are a short drive away.
Book your stay: See rooms at HOTEL de LEN
Mandarin Oriental Cristallo, Cortina
A classic hotel above Cortina.
Mandarin Oriental Cristallo, Cortina
The Cristallo is Cortina's classic grand hotel, with a spa and views over the valley. Choose it when you want to stay in style after the hikes.
Book your stay: See rooms at Mandarin Oriental Cristallo, Cortina
When is the best time to hike in the Dolomites?
Late June and July: the meadows are in full flower and all the lifts and huts are open.
August: settled weather, but the most people. Start early.
September: clear air and fewer crowds. Some huts and lifts close towards the end of the month.
Dolomites hiking FAQ
What is the best hike in the Dolomites?
The loop around Tre Cime di Lavaredo is the most famous. Seceda and Alpe di Siusi are also excellent.
When is the hiking season?
From late June to mid-September, when the lifts and huts are open.
Where should I stay?
Ortisei for Seceda and Alpe di Siusi, Corvara for Alta Badia and Cortina for Tre Cime and Lago di Braies.
Do I need to be experienced?
No. Many walks follow wide paths, and the lifts make short high-level walks possible.
Can I stay overnight in a hut?
Yes, many rifugi have beds. Book early in high season.