Matt

Hi everybody, my girlfriend and I will be driving from Venice to meet some friends in Munich in early September. We plan to spend 1-2 nights on the way somewhere in the Dolomites, do some scenic driving, and one trek if time permits.

We are good trekkers. I'm looking for suggestion as to where to stay (Ortisei?), for cheap accomodations, and for the route to take. The fast route is the freeway through Verona, but what about going through Belluno instead?

Thanks.

Bailey

Matt,
We keep returning to this inn....it's near Ortisei...
The prices include breakfast & dinner.
Incredible views!!
www.uhrerhof.com

travelatte

We stayed in Castelrotto at the Hotel Zum Wolf. Very nice small town. About a 5 minute drive to the Alpe di Suis gondolas.

Travelatte

bobthenavigator

Two very good ideas above. I would take the Verona route and spend your time in the Val Gardena region--you can search under that name for more info. We love Castelrotto, but anywhere in the area is wonderful.

Steve_James

Matt - Personally I'd go the scenic route through the Dolomites rather than the Verona route if you're not in a hurry.

You could plan an extremely scenic route via Cortina or San Martino di Castrozza (- or both), then take several beautiful passes (Falzarego, Valparola, Gardena) over to Val Gardena via San Cassiano/ Corvara.

En route don't miss the Lagazuoi cable car ride for awesome views.

There are other excellent cable car rides in the Val Gardena, several of which take you up to superb hiking country. If you're serious trekkers you could do some vie ferrate hiking ...

I've stayed in several inexpensive hotels/B&B's in Ortisei, all of which I can recommend:

www.snaltnerhof.it
www.hotelvillapark.com
www.garniwalter.com
www.hotelvanadis.com

www.hotelwolf.it (Castelrotto)

Let me know if I can be of more help ...

Steve

TravelsWithStDavid

I would definitely take the scenic route through Cortina, it is a beautiful drive and you can stop where you want along the way. We did that several times when skiing in Kitzbuhel, so we went up through Austria which is very beautiful. Then you could go through Salzburg and visit one of the most charming towns in Europe.

Matt

Thanks all for your help! I'm thinking of taking the scenic route. I've never been in the area before so I'd appreciate a bit more help with the route. Here are some questions:

1. Should I start from the exit of the A27 autostrada near Belluno?

2. Which route should I take to Cortina, Zoldo or Pieve di Cadore? (I'm looking at the map at http://www.dolomiti.it/ita/generale/dolo.htm)

3. how long does it take to drive the whole stretch Belluno - Cortina - Ortisei? How is the drive?

4. we have two nights to spend, we are debating whether to do one in Cortina and one in Ortisei or both in Ortisei...

thanks again.

Steve_James

Matt -

1. Yes

2. I'd go the Zoldo route and then turn right at Forno di Zoldo (S347) for Cibiana Pass.

This rejoins the main S51 near Vodo Cadore.

3. I think Belluno-Cortina was about 1hr 30', give or take.

Cortina-Ortisei is also about 1hr 30' if you go the Valparola/ San Cassiano/ route I suggested. [The Lagazuoi* ride would add an hour at least ...]

How is the drive? The roads are good ... if you don't mind hairpin bends

4. Personally I don't like one-night stops - so my choice would be 2 nights in Ortisei. But you can't go wrong with either choice ...

Let me know if I can be of more help ...

Steve

Nicol

You might want to check what is actually open in September in the Dolomites. Cortina practically closes down in the off-tourist season. I remember showing up there in May one year and even the tourist information office was closed!

Steve_James

I think Ortisei has a longer season than Cortina. If you're planning hiking, Matt, you might want to check which lifts are still open when you're there.

Here's a link for the Ortisei/ Val Gardena area:

http://www.val-gardena.com/eng/page65.html

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Matt

Steve, thank you very much for your most valuable help. I'm going to check out the lifts and B&B's. I would be suprised if on Sept. 1st things are closed.

Steve_James

Matt - Just found a link for the Cortina area lifts:

http://www.dolomiti.org/dengl/cortin.../impianti.html

It looks like several of the best ones in both areas are open early September

If I can be of more help, just shout ...

Steve

P.S. Re. the Belluno-Cortina route, just to clarify ...

I'd go via LONGARONE to Forno di Zoldo, then Cibiana Pass ...

Matt

Steve, may I tap again your knowledge?

Do you know how is the drive from Bolzano to St Moritz? It's about 165 Km along Ss40 and Ss38 but I'm wondering how bad it is.
We are thinking of making a detour to meet another friend in St Morizt

Matt

Ingo

May I chime in to reply to the last question?

The drive is between 3 and 4 hours, depending on the photo stops you are doing (scenic drive). Btw, why Ss40? On my map it is Ss 41 - the Ss 40 goes north to Passo di Resia, but you better drive via Pass dal Fuorn/Val Müstair (Ss41).

The pass road is easy to drive. A few hairpin curves on the Eastern ascent.

Hope this helps.

Steve_James

Ingo - I'm glad you did 'chime in' - I don't know that route.

Steve

Matt

We have anticipated our departure and we leave next wednesday from Venice. I still have a lot of questions...

Can anyone recommend things not to miss (aside from the Logazuoi cable ride) along the Belluno - Forno di Zoldo - Cortina - S.Cassiano - Ortisei route? What about good hikes?

I'm thinking that doing the whole Venice - Belluno - Ortisei drive in one day is a bit too much driving and we'd like to spend one night along the route so we can go on a hike. Can anyone recommend some B&B mid-way, like near Cortina? We don't want to actually stay in Cortina proper, as we prefer quiet mountain atmosphere, and I have a feeling Cortina is too busy/commercial.

Steve, again concerning the route: I notice you recommended stretches away from the main roads (which are S51 for Belluno - Cortina, S48 for Cortina - Ortisei). I assume this is because they are more scenic? But does it make the drive much longer? Also, I'm confused about your comment that Lagazuoi would add one hour: isn't Lagazuoi along the S.Cassiano route anyway? We finally decided to skip St Moritz.

Thanks again to all.

travelatte

Matt,
When we were planning our trip I used www.dolomites.com and it had a way to look for hotels/B&B. The site has loads of information. The lisiting were all around the the Dolomites. It may help your search.
Also, if you are interested, stop in Bolzano at the Archeology Museum to see the 5000 year old ice mummy. It was well worth the visit.
Travelatte

Steve_James

Matt - The detour I suggested from Longarone is longer (- it would add maybe 20-30 mins). I suggested it because the Cibiana Pass is very attractive ...

The Falzarego/ Valparola Pass/ Corvara/ Gardena Pass route is more scenic IMO, yes. It's actually shorter than continuing from Falzarego on the S48. But you won't want to hurry anyway

Yes, the LAGAZUOI cable car ride is en route - at the top of Falzarego Pass. What I meant was that doing the ride will add at least an hour (- you won't want to come down in a hurry, trust me ...)

If you don't want to stay in Cortina itself I think somewhere on the approach would be good. San Vito di Cadore, maybe ... or on the outskirts of Cortina (- Zuel, Pocol ...).

[The next village is San Cassiano - delightful, but only an hour from Ortisei ...]

Things not to miss en route? You're spoilt for choice really - you need a fortnight
I'll post back later - gotta go now.

Steve

Steve_James

Matt - All the villages between Cortina and Ortisei (- San Cassiano, Corvara, Colfosco, Selva Gardena) are well worth a stop.

As for hikes, you're spoilt for choice ...
There are also the 'Alta Via' treks if you're fit and energetic.

http://www.dolomiti.org/dengl/cortin...ate/index.html

If you plan to spend any time in the Cortina area this link lists over 40 hikes in the area, graded for scenic splendour:

http://www.dolomiti.org/dengl/cortin...oni/index.html

Pick any 5-star hike in the LAGAZUOI/TOFANA area and you can't go wrong

Here's one - Alta Via No 1:

http://www.dolomiti.org/dengl/cortin...ubarea=ampezzo

If you're interested in WW1 history there are also the Great War trenches ...

.....

At the top of the Gardena Pass above Corvara there's a chairlift up to DANTERCEPIES (- also reachable from Selva Gardena by cable car) for a magificent panoramic view.

Similarly in Val Gardena you are spoilt for choice, with lifts from Selva, Santa Cristina and Ortisei taking you up to great hiking country.

http://www.valgardena.it/eng/page50.html
You can take a lift (- or drive via Castelrotto) up to the ALPE DI SIUSI - which is lovely hiking country. If you go up there, don't miss the FLORIAN lift at Saltria for superbs views of the Sasso Lungo/Piatto group.

From Ortisei the Seceda lifts take you up to the Odle area for more magnificent views.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

P.S. The lifts can be quite expensive - so if you plan to use 3 or more in a day it's usually worth getting a day-pass ...

Have a good trip and ... do post back.

Matt

Thanks Steve and all those who replied.
We're ready to go! Will post back when we
return.