degiulio

We will be in Venice for 4 nights in early Sept, 2012. We have an interest in making a one day tour to see the Dolomites and driving a few of the passes with a possible cable car ride. Has anyone ever done this in 1 day? It looks to be about 2 hours to Cortina from Venice. From Cortina we are thinking of making a loop over the Gardena, Sella and Pordoi Passes and then following the Grand Dolomite Highway back to Cortina and on to Venice. Is this too much for one day. There are six of us so we can split the driving. We have looked at small group tours that go to the Dolomites from Venice but they are all 100 euro pp or more. We're thinking we can do basically the same thing for a lot less by simply renting a vehicle and doing the driving ourselves. Any and all comments and suggestions welcome.
Thanks

susoir

Well, it's a lot of driving in one day, but if the weather is clear, the spectacular Dolomites scenery might be worth a long day in the car. I woudn't want to be stuck in a middle seat for this drive, but you could maybe rent something like a minivan so all six of you have window seats.

Rather than going by Cortina twice, I suggest driving directly to Arabba (autostrada to Belluno, then go through Agordo and Alleghe to Arabba), then driving the Sella Ronda (Pordoi, Sella, Gardena and Campolongo passes), then over to Cortina and back down. On the way from Arabba to Cortina, if there's time, you could take the gondola up from Passo Falzarego. There's a parking lot next to where you get on the gondola, so the access is quick. There's also a gondola from Passo Pordoi to the top of the Sella massif.

pja1

Hi,

That would be a lot of driving in 1 day. I wouldn't count on the drive from Venice to Cortina in 2 hours. Probably closer to 3 hours. You also have to realize that driving the passes, while not a lot in miles for some of the passes alone, they can be quite time consuming. Plenty of elevation changes, switchbacks, etc.

If you do this day trip, the route above is very good, but I would consider changing this:

After the Gardena Pass, drive through the Alta Badia (Colfosco, Corvara, La Villa and San Cassiano) to Cortina and back down to Venice. The Gardena Pass ends in Colfosco and the scenery is beautiful going through the Alta Badia.

The Pordoi Pass goes into the Sella Pass which goes right into the Gardena Pass. That's a lot of switchbacks, etc. all in a row. There's a cafe/rest stop at the "top" of the Sella and Gardena passes. The cable car at the Falzarego Pass is the Lagazuoi. It's easy even for a short stop, as mentioned above. Right on the main road, you can't miss it... Park, get the cable car and your at the top quickly.

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

Paul

degiulio

The route through Belluno, Agordo, Arabba and then over the 3 passes, Pordoi, Sella & Gardena and through Alta Badia to Cortina seems reasonable. With 6 of us the plan would be to rent a van. I did a google map directions for this route and it's coming out at 450km, 7.5 hours. This is longer than we had hoped and would not leave a lot of time for stopping, gondola ride, etc. Do you think the 7.5 hrs is a good estimate for this drive? I know sometimes the driving times can be over estimated. 450km over 7.5 hours works out to an average of 60km/hr or 37mph? I realize it's slow going over the passes with switchbacks and what not but we were hoping the driving time would be closer to 6 hours?

Is there an alternate route that you can suggest that would still give us the spectacular scenery that the Dolomites has to offer?

Thank You.

pja1

Hi,

I would have to say that 7.5 hours is a very low estimate. We've driven these passes a number of times. For instance, to drive just the Gardena Pass is roughly a 40 minute drive without stopping. Just the drive between Alta Badia to Cortina is about 45 minutes. Right there you have 1.5 hours non stop. Ad roughly 3 hours each way to/from Venice and thats 6 hours plus 1.5. That alone is 7.5 hours without the other passes and driving. I'd say closer to 9+ hours non stop.

I'm not trying to change your mind about a day trip to the Dolomites, just trying to be realistic. Funny, we've spent so many nights in the Alta Badia and have considered a day trip to Venice but figured just the 6 hours driving r/t wouldn't be worth it. I'll write later with hopefully a shorter plan.

Paul

degiulio

Thanks Paul,

Yes, if you can please suggest a shorter plan. We don't mind being gone 10-11 hours, just don't want to spend 9+ of it in the car. If we leave at 9am getting back at 7-8pm is not a problem. Thanks again.

pja1

Hi,

I'll give it a shot...

Drive the "original" route: Venice, Belluno, Alleghe, but a little further, near Andraz, take the Falzarego Pass. At the northern end of the Falzarego Pass is the Lagazuoi cable car. There's also a cafe, gift shop across the street from the cable car. Head towrds Cortina d'Ampezzo, but before reaching Cortina, turn onto the Giau Pass. Near the end of the Giau Pass, turn off in the direction of Selva di Cadore and Zoldo Alto. Take the SP251 to Langarone to the SS51 heading back to Venice.

This is roughly 7 hours total of driving.

Seems the only way to shorten the drive more is to head from Venice straight to Cortina d'Ampezzo. From Cortina take the Giau Pass, Selva Cadore, Zoldo Alto, Longarone and back to Venice. This is about 6 hours of driving.

Here's some photo's of the Falzarego area and the Giau Pass:

www.worldisround.com/articles/355539/index.html

www.worldisround.com/articles/324504/index.html

Paul

degiulio

Many Thanks Paul,

These both look like feasible options. We'll hash it over but I'm inclined to go with your first option and include the Lagazuoi cable car. Taking a cable car ride is one of our priorities for this tour. Great pictures by the way.

One more question. Have you been to the area east of Cortina? Most of the Dolomite group tours seem to head in this direction, including the Tre Cime peaks and Lake Misurina.

Thanks again,
Bill

pja1

We weren't very impressed with lake Misurina. It was overcast the day we were there and the lake looked like... nothing too much. The scenery was mostly obscured by clouds.

My opinion, the best Dolomite scenery is between Cortina and Ortisei.

If you could, an overnight would be ideal. If not, be sure to get a clear day for the drive, meaning check to see what the weather will be like in the Cortina d'Ampezzo area.

Paul

njluna

Greetings!

degiulio Did you ever complete this route? I am going next month and just booked my car! pja1 Thank you so much for posting such great details, i am soooo excited to start looking through these and finalizing all details. Venice is on my mom's bucket list and im beyond grateful to be able to take her. Adding this route is going to be such an amazing surprise for her and unforgettable memory for both of us!

If any one has followed these and has any extra tips or pictures i'd love to see them!

-Nathalia

janisj

Njluna: Welcome to Fodors. This thread is almost 8 years old and deguilio hasn't posted to the forum in more than 6 years. If you are planning a trip -- you really need to start a thread of your own (there is a chance your post might be deleted because it is topping such and old thread - So I'd start a new thread as soon as you can . . .)