jillivanilli

We are off to Italy next week and will be spending a few days in the Dolomites. We'll probably be staying in either Castelrotto or Corvara (but that's still up in the air as we are kind of winging that part of the trip) and we will have a car. We want to do a few day hikes. Can anyone recommend some good day hikes for this time of year in the 3-8 mile range? We plan on checking with the tourist offices but would love some other input. Thanks!

Steve_James

Jilli - From Corvara the Lagazuoi area (- Alta Via No 1) is a 20 mins drive (- via San Cassiano/ Valparola)

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

This website has lots of recommended hikes in the Cortina area, graded for beauty/difficulty:

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

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Steve_James

P.S But ... are you actually in the Dolomites next week?

If you're hoping to do any high altitude hikes you might want to check lift opening dates. Most of them are still closed this month ...

Steve

jillivanilli

Thanks for the info Steve. The plan is to arrive in the area around May 27th. We are heading to the Riviera first and then up into the mountains. I know most of the lifts will still be closed but I'm assuming there are many hikes accessible by car? We don't necessarily require high altitude, just looking for some pretty hikes. Also it looks like one of the lifts is open on May 20th according to this site: http://www.altabadia.org/summer/cont...L=3&P=4864, the Sass Pordoi. Are you familiar with that area? Again, thanks for the reply and the info.

Pammca

ttt

Steve_James

Jilli - Yes, Sass Pordoi is open - and it's one of the best! Not to be missed

Unfortunately Lagazuoi which I mentioned above doesn't open till 3 June - so forget that idea. (It's still a lovely drive up there, though ...)


Another one which is open and not to be missed is the SeiserAlm lift from Siusi. (One of the longest in Europe ...)
http://www.cabinoviasiusi.it/
It gives quite lovely views of Sciliar (- a beautiful area for walking).

At the other end of the Alpe di Siusi is Saltria - reachable by car (- check times) or bus. This area is quite idyllic, with gorgeous views of Sasso Piatto. A delightful area for a hike ...

Another idyllic area for walking is Lake Braies (- east of Brunico) - one of the most beautiful lakes imaginable. Unmissable ...

Near Lake Braies you could drive up to nearby Prato Piazza for more wonderful views - or head to Val Fiscalino in the Sesto Dolomites near San Candido.

For sheer breathtaking beauty don't miss the Colfosco/Gardena Pass and Sella Pass areas - and walk

The Carezza area is also quite beautiful for views of Rosengarten-Catinaccio & Latemar.

Hey - the list is endless! Maybe others will add ideas ...

Hope this helps ...

Steve

jillivanilli

This is great info Steve. Exactly what I was looking for. Can't wait to get there!

Steve_James

Jilli - I meant to say ... the Saltria area has restricted car access.

But there's a bus service from Compatch ... or Castelrotto

Do post back, won't you
Buon viaggio

Steve

Pluvinage

What about hiking in the Dolomites the first week or so of October? We arrive in Florence Sept 26 and planned to stay through Oct. 2, but could leave Florence a few days earlier if going a few days earlier into the Dolomites would make a big difference. We are not interested in really high altitudes....just easy day hikes, maybe a night in a rifugio. We won't have a car. This will be our first time in the Dolomites. We are in our 50's, fit, but not mountain climbers! Thanks for any suggestions you could give us! Pluvinage

Chicago_Heather

I was based out of Castelrotto the first week of October a few years back and it was gorgeous hiking weather. At some of the higher elevations, there was new snowfall (around 8-12 inches) but still great hiking. Steve James' posts had a great wealth of info.

alipnehimalyas

Can anyone suggest which is the best hiking shoes for the dolomites for early September? I have been looking at Lowa and Meindl..was planning to go for Meindl Peru Lady GTX (light hiker). We plan to do day hiking from refuge to refuge for 2 days. But I would like to have shoes which can last me also while trekking the Himalayas. Any advice will be great!