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.
20 October 20269 min
Picolo Editorial
In short
The hiking season in the Dolomites runs from mid-June to September, when the lifts and huts are open. Stay in Val Gardena, Alta Badia or Cortina, and ride the lifts up to walk between huts. Famous walks include Seceda and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, and August weekends are the busiest. For the whole region, including skiing and where to stay, see our Dolomites travel guide.
Our first choice: ADLER Dolomiti in Ortisei, with a spa in the heart of Val Gardena. Check availability and prices
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.
The best day hikes in the Dolomites
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Tre Cime is a loop of about ten kilometres with moderate climbs, and the toll road to Rifugio Auronzo fills early in summer. Seceda is reached by cable car from Ortisei, so you can enjoy the ridge without a long climb.
When is the hiking season?
From late June to mid-September, when the lifts and huts are open. July and August are busiest, while early September has stable weather and fewer people. Some lifts close earlier, so check timetables before you plan, and book accommodation early for August.
Where should I stay?
Ortisei for Seceda and Alpe di Siusi, Corvara for Alta Badia and Cortina for Tre Cime and Lago di Braies. Ortisei and Corvara have the most hotels and lifts, while Cortina is the most upmarket. Book early for summer, as the valleys fill up.
Do I need to be experienced?
No. Many walks follow wide paths, and the lifts make short high-level walks possible. Good footwear and layers are essential, as the weather changes quickly in the mountains. Start early, as afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, and check the forecast before you set out.
Can I stay overnight in a hut?
Yes, many rifugi have beds. Book early in high season. Many rifugi serve dinner and breakfast with half board, and the sunset and sunrise views are the highlight. Bring a sleeping bag liner and cash, and book weeks or months ahead for July and August.
This page contains affiliate links. If you book through them, Picolo earns a commission at no extra cost to you. Our picks are made independently by our editors.
Enjoy the Dolomites
Picolo Editorial