Ideas for travel (hiking) in Northern Italy
 

My wife and I (seniors) will arrive at Milan MXP airport in a week and plan to travel by car to the scenic north of Italy for hiking, mountain walks, open spaces, charming small towns, reasonable rents? etc. Thinking of Cortina, Castelrottto, Merano environs. I'm not thrilled about dangerous mountain roads but I know it comes with the territory. What suggestions do you have ?

Separate Question - The scenic road from Bolzano area to Cortina. Does it begin south of Bolzano or in Bolzano? Having a little trouble with the map.

Thank you much.

I thought you might find this website of strada bianca (singular) of interest
http://www.bella-toscana.com/stradebianche.htm

It is further south than you mention but Tuscany walking can be good.

You also might find sticking "hiking" into google with the town name

http://cortina.dolomiti.org/index.cf...ng-Resort-eng/

I have been to both the Dolomiti and Tuscany, and the Dolomiti is one of the most gorgeous hiking areas on the planet!!! I would not give it up to go to Tuscany -- which is of course very beautiful in its own way (it is vineyards) but it is incredibly hot there at this time of year, while the mountains are generally much, much cooler.

If you drive the Great Dolomite road you will not encounter dangerous passes. It is a very well constructed road, and people do not drive fast on it, except maybe motorcyclists. I'm sorry I can't give you precise information about where the road begins in Bolzano, but once you are there, any local can tell you.

Merano is really not in the Dolomites, so if you want to see the most beautiful scenery, you should stay in the national park or very close to it.

Oh-oh. I just looked up the weather forecast for Bolzano and it is very hot there this summer. Sorry! I would still go because it is so spectacular, but up to you. In very hot weather in the mountains, you need to be careful about thunderstorms if you go hiking or set out for long drives. Check the weather forecasts and ask the locals for advice.