weather in the dolomites october
 

Hello I am planning a trip from Venice to Munich in late sept. After spending some time in venice, me and my wife plan to pick up a car and drive up to munich via Cortina Dampezzo. we will spend the night in Cortina and then head out the next morning for the great dolomite road to val gardena from here i have 2 days to enjoy before going to munich.

My questions are
1. roughly October 1 to 4 will I still see leaves on the trees and green hills or more autumn scenery
2.is the best time of day to visit higher elevations in the early morning trying to avoid heavy clouds and fog
3. plan on staying in Ortisei, where can i find some great views? are they seen from everywhere or will i have to find them. We are not hikers but would be willing to walk for an hour or two if the scenery is nice
Hate to sound lazy but i need to take it easy on vacation

Hi,

October in the Dolomites is ideal in my opinion. We've been a few times in mid Oct. and had warm days, chilly nights and wonderful weather in general. That's our experiences at least.

On the drive from Cortina to Val Gardena, about 40 min. west of Cortina at the Falzarego Pass turn-off is the Lagazoui cable car (can't miss it). Even if your pressed for time, the ride is quick and the views outstanding. After going through the Alta Badia, the Gardena Pass is a spectacular drive into the Val Gardena. Not many cable cars run into October in the Val Gardena, but the Mont Seuc (Seiser Alm) cable car from Ortisei up to the gorgeous Seiser Alm/Alpe di Siusi is open until late October. You'll find paved paths and the walking is fairly easy going.

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

www.alpedisiusi-seiseralm.com/index.html

www.valgardena.it/en/lifts/page65.html

If you're interested in staying in the Alta Badia instead of Cortina, we can highly recommend the Ciasa Montanara in La Villa, Alta Badia.

www.montanara.it

Just a suggestion, you could base here for all 3 nights, as it's about an hour from Cortina and less than an hour from Val Gardena. Pretty central for exploring the Dolomites and a conveninient location for driving many of the Dolomite Passes. Actually, we think the views in the Alta Badia are better than the Val Gardena in general.

If interested, we have photo's at:

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

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

www.worldisround.com/articles/351565/index.html

Hi again,

Just an FYI, there is most likely a big "drop off fee" for picking up the car in Italy and returning it in Germany. To avoid this, check to see about returning the car in Bolzano (about 45 min. from Ortise) and training to Munich. Just a thought.

Good input above---here are some pics to compliment it.
We styaed at Hotel Montana in Cortina---good value.
We LOVED Hotel Grones in Ortisei, but more $$$.

http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=4441

Thank you for the replies. I think after a lot of web surfing i have decided to stay in ortisei and check out the alpe di siusi. there is too much to see in a short time. wish i could stay longer. I will return to italy after munich with the car. any more tips would be greatly appreciated