Dolomites Drive
 

Could anyone recommend a quick drive through the Dolomites? We'd be coming through Austria from Vienna, staying one night(Castelrotto?)and then heading back up to Germany. I love to drive, but since our time is limited, we need maximum views per mile. Also what would be the most scenic route/pass over the Austrian border into Italy. Thanks..

Whitey,

There is a book "Motorcycle journeys thru the Alps and Corsica", by John Hermann (Amazon has it).

You might look at
#1 Staller Sattel (between Valdaora, Itlay and St jakob, Austria)
#2 Plocken Pass (near Paluzza, Italy)
#3 Nassfeld Pass (north of Pontebba, Italy)

I have no personal experience with any of this.

Whitey - The best Dolomites tour for 'maximum views per mile' IMO is the 'Sella Ronda' tour.

You can approach this route either from Cortina or from Val Badia.

Personally I'd go via Cortina - from where you take the Falzarego Pass*, Valparola Pass (- via S. Cassiano & Corvara) and Gardena pass.

At the foot of the Gardena Pass, if you have time, turn left and take a short detour to the top of the Sella Pass for more spectacular views - then backtrack via Val Gardena to Ortisei or Castelrotto.

* At the top of the Falzarego Pass if the weather's clear don't miss the Lagazuoi cable-car ride - one of the most stunning in Europe.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Thanks for the help. Steve, I'm working fom a crappy AAA map and an old hand drawn map out of a Rick Steves Italy 2001 so I'd like to have you double check these directions for accuracy as some of the towns you listed weren't on either map: I guess that I have 3 options in crossing Austria into Italy(I read on one of your previous posts about coming through via Dobbiaco which is scenic); would the other 2 entry points east toward Villach be just as scenic?
Here's what I have so far: From Cortina d'ampezzo take ss48 over the passo di falzarego, at Arraba turn north on ss244 to go over the passo di campolongo to Corvaral in Badia where you head west on ss242 over the Gardena pass. At the bottom, turn left and go to top of Sella pass and then backtrack and take the ss242 north to Ortisei.
From Ortisei, what is the best way to get to Castelrotto and Alpe di Suisi? Is the Alpe di Suisi a worthwhile stop late in May? Lastly, if the weather is rainy in Germany/Austria, we may opt to spend more time in Italy. Is the lake Como area very nice? We cruised through Bellagio a few years back and weren't all that impressed, although the only views we got were from a car window. Thanks again for you help.

Whitey - Nearly right - just one modification: Don't go the Arabba/ Campolongo Pass route.

- From Cortina take the SS.48 (Falzarego Pass) as you say.

- At the top of Falzarego Pass (- at the *Lagazuoi cable car) the road forks:
Turn RIGHT (SP.24) NW signposted VALPAROLA PASS / Brunico.

(This is more scenic than the Arabba route)

- Descend via San Cassiano to La Villa in Badia.
At La Villa turn left (SS.244) to CORVARA.

The rest is as you say:

- west on the SS.243 via Colfosco over the Gardena Pass.

- at the bottom - if you have time - turn left and go to top of Sella Pass. (Just over the top there is a fine belvedere with wonderful views).

- backtrack on the SS.242 north to Ortisei.

- from Ortisei turn left (SP.64)signposted Castelrotto.

'Is the Alpe di Suisi a worthwhile stop late in May'?

Yes - I think so. You can drive up from Castelrotto and over the Alpe di Siusi to Saltria for fine views of Sciliar and Sasso Lungo.

Or you can take the cable car from Siusi ...

'I guess that I have 3 options in crossing Austria into Italy(I read on one of your previous posts about coming through via Dobbiaco which is scenic); would the other 2 entry points east toward Villach be just as scenic'?

Which route would you take from Villach?
I haven't driven from there - but whichever approach you take to Cortina is very scenic - either from the north via Dobbiaco or from the SE (S.51) via Pieve di Cadore.
From Villach the second would be quicker.

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

Steve

Wow...thanks for all the details Steve. My wife, the navigator, will be very pleased!