7 Best Things to do in the Dolomites Italy 

August 6, 2019

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7 Best Things to do in the Dolomites, Italy

If you are planning a trip, here are a handful of the best things to do in the Dolomites. You can check out my comprehensive guide on how to road trip in the Dolomites here.

Lago di Braies

Photographs of this famous lake have recently found their way all over the internet, and for a very good reason! This famous lake is just as beautiful in person as it is in photos. Blue waters with a striking mountain backdrop, it’s hard not to fall in love with this spot. Lago di Braies is definitely one of the spots that you can’t miss in the Dolomites.

Lago di Braies is easily accessible by car, with a number of parking lots just down the road. It is also possible to reach by public transportation, taking a train to Niederdorf and then taking a bus to the lake entrance. 

It is possible to rent a boat for either 30 minutes (18 euros) or 1 hour (28 euros). There are a number of hikes that originate from the lake as well, or you can opt for a quick walk around the lake. 

Due to the lake’s popularity and accessibility, it can get very crowded during the day. I recommend visiting in the early morning or late afternoon for a calmer experience. 

Lago di Sorapis

Lago di Sorapis was easily one of my favorite hikes, although I could probably say that about every hike on this list. Needless to say, it is definitely one of the spots that you can’t miss in the Dolomites. 

The roundtrip hike to Lago di Sorapiss takes 4-5 hours, originating at Passo Tre Croci. From here you follow the signs for PATH 215. This is a moderate hike with some incline and a few very narrow ledges (not great for those with a fear of heights).

The lake itself is well worth the hike though, some of the bluest waters that I’ve ever seen! You’ll come to a refugio just before the lake. You can stop here for the restroom or to order some lunch. Or if you’re my mom and I, an Aperol Spritz.. although I don’t recommend drinking before hiking back down haha. 

The closest town to Lago di Sorapiss is Cortina d’Ampezzo, which is just 15 minutes down the road from the trailhead. There are buses that run a few times a day between Cortina and the trailhead during the high season, but be sure to consult a timetable for your dates. 

Seceda 

When you step off the chairlift on to Seceda, I swear you won’t believe your eyes. The rolling green hills and stunning mountain face are almost too beautiful to be real.

Seceda is easily accessible from Ortisei, with a gondola and chairlift taking you to the top of the mountain in under 15 minutes (30 Euro roundtrip). The chairlift starts running at 8:30am so if you want to be on the mountain for sunrise you will need to head up the day before and stay at one of the refugios. 

Once you arrive on Seceda you’ll have a number of paths that you can follow. You can reach the main view point in under 15 minutes. From there you can set off exploring for countless hours. I recommend stopping by Refugio Firenze for lunch. From here it is just another 1.5 hours back to the Seceda chairlift. 

Whether you have a half day or only an hour to spare, hiking Seceda is one of the absolute best things to do in the Dolomites!

Tre Cime di Lavaredo 

This is one of the most popular hikes in the Dolomites so I was a bit worried about the crowds. Fortunately when we made our way up the mountain at 5:30am there were just a handful of other hikers around. Watching the sun rise over the peaks was a truly incredible experience. I would definitely recommend getting an early start or staying at Dreizinnen Hut to wake up to the panoramic peak views. If you want to stay at the refugio overnight then definitely call and book ahead.

Note, there is a 30 euro parking fee to enter the area. There is an automated machine so you will need to pay even if you arrive for sunrise. Also it is a good idea to bring enough cash as the credit card machine is often out of service.

Lago di Carezza

This lake is a little far away from the rest of the spots on the list, but it is well worth the drive to experience the lake in all of its beauty. In my opinion, experiencing sunrise at Lago di Carezza is one of the best things to do in the Dolomites, a trend for this post for sure.

I recommend staying nearby so that you can arrive at the lake early enough to experience sunrise. We stayed at Mounthotel Niggl in Nova Levante, approximately 10 minutes down the road, and absolutely loved it!

Please note, there is a wooden fence around the lake that you are not allowed to cross. I saw countless photos of individuals sitting on the rock below but that is actually not allowed. Please read the signs and be respectful.

Val di Funes 

After driving along the thinest, windiest road from Cortina D’Ampezzo, we finally found ourselves in Val di Funes. The town looks like something straight out of a movie. Unfortunately bad weather was coming in, and we were ridiculously sore from a previous hike, however I would definitely recommend carving at least a half day out to wander the hills of the town.

   I regret not having more time to explore Val di Funes on foot, as it is definitely one of the best things to do in the Dolomites.

Alpe di Suisi

Admittedly I was quite perplexed by how exactly to visit the famous Alpe di Suisi. The road to Alpe di Suisi is actually closed between 9am and 5pm for cars, unless you are staying at one of the hotels in the area. I would have loved to spend a night in the area, however everything was booked out. If I were to visit again (which I will), I will definitely book at least one night in this beautiful area.

Since we were able to drive in before 9am, as we had already planned an early morning on Seceda, we opted to take the gondola. For 17 Euro roundtrip you can reach the elevated area in just a few minutes. This is a great option for anyone staying in Ortisei, especially if you do not have a car.

Once you reach the top you could wander for hours in different directions, exploring the magical rolling hills.

Here are some other articles that you should check out if you’re traveling in the Dolomites:

• Road Trip in the Dolomites
• Hiking to Lago di Sorapis
• A Guide to Hiking Seceda, Dolomites
• How to Get to the Dolomites, Italy
• A Guide to Lago di Braies

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