Some help with Dolomites
May 7th, 2025 | 10:15 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Some help with Dolomites
Hello! Planning a trip to the Dolomites, for about 8-9 nights on late august-early september and looking for some suggestions as follows.
(1) Would you recommend staying in only one place and doing day trips from there (it would be Cortina d’Ampezzo probably), or doing like 4 nights in Bolzano-Ortisei and 4 nights in Cortina?
(2) I was planning on one day doing the “Sellaronda” by car (Alta Badia, Gardena Pass, Sella Pass, Pordoi), with stops along the way, maybe doing a short cable ride or walk around one or some of the stops, before going back to the hotel.
Is it too much for a day? Better to split it to enjoy some cable or walks with more time? For example: Ortisei/Cortina – Gardena Alta Badia and back. Then on other day, Ortisei/Cortina – Sella – Pordoi and back. This way we could spend more time on stops, cable or short trail
(3) Also, for this route “2”, if done in a single day, any advantage on going clockwise or counterclockwise (From Ortisei first to Gardena, then returning from Sella Pass, for example, or the other way around)?
(4) Any other tips are welcome (p.s. for hikes, we are looking only for shorter/easier, nothing that is more than a day trip considering town - car - walk - car - town) .
Thanks!
(1) Would you recommend staying in only one place and doing day trips from there (it would be Cortina d’Ampezzo probably), or doing like 4 nights in Bolzano-Ortisei and 4 nights in Cortina?
(2) I was planning on one day doing the “Sellaronda” by car (Alta Badia, Gardena Pass, Sella Pass, Pordoi), with stops along the way, maybe doing a short cable ride or walk around one or some of the stops, before going back to the hotel.
Is it too much for a day? Better to split it to enjoy some cable or walks with more time? For example: Ortisei/Cortina – Gardena Alta Badia and back. Then on other day, Ortisei/Cortina – Sella – Pordoi and back. This way we could spend more time on stops, cable or short trail
(3) Also, for this route “2”, if done in a single day, any advantage on going clockwise or counterclockwise (From Ortisei first to Gardena, then returning from Sella Pass, for example, or the other way around)?
(4) Any other tips are welcome (p.s. for hikes, we are looking only for shorter/easier, nothing that is more than a day trip considering town - car - walk - car - town) .
Thanks!
May 7th, 2025 | 02:28 PM
#2
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 26,446
Likes: 4
Seven or eight days is nice but will go by fast, esp. if the weather is good. Where will you be before and after these days?
The one drive you describe is easily done in a day, but you'll have to check which cable cars are running where. I think the order of sights on that drive is generally irrelevant unless there is a certain hike you want to do at a particular time of day. If starting/ending in Cortina, a good part of the drive is a backtrack. There are trailheads everywhere, so you can decide on hikes/walks as you go... depending on time, weather, your energy.
You won't be able to see everything in this region, but you should plan multiple circle drives that take you over lots of other passes (they are all dramatic and different), past gorgeous scenery (i.e., Marmolada, Val di Funes, some lakes, etc.), perhaps to a World War I sight or museum... Those driving destinations will help you decide whether you need to use two bases or can see all you want to see from a single base. A lot depends on how much time you want to spend driving. FWIW, I don't find the towns so interesting that I feel the need to stroll around every one. FWIW#2, we found that motorcycle groups usually picked great roadside restaurants for lunch, so we look for lots of bikes parked outside.
I highly recommend a stop in Bolzano at some point to visit the Ice Man exhibit at the South Tyrol Archeology Museum.
The one drive you describe is easily done in a day, but you'll have to check which cable cars are running where. I think the order of sights on that drive is generally irrelevant unless there is a certain hike you want to do at a particular time of day. If starting/ending in Cortina, a good part of the drive is a backtrack. There are trailheads everywhere, so you can decide on hikes/walks as you go... depending on time, weather, your energy.
You won't be able to see everything in this region, but you should plan multiple circle drives that take you over lots of other passes (they are all dramatic and different), past gorgeous scenery (i.e., Marmolada, Val di Funes, some lakes, etc.), perhaps to a World War I sight or museum... Those driving destinations will help you decide whether you need to use two bases or can see all you want to see from a single base. A lot depends on how much time you want to spend driving. FWIW, I don't find the towns so interesting that I feel the need to stroll around every one. FWIW#2, we found that motorcycle groups usually picked great roadside restaurants for lunch, so we look for lots of bikes parked outside.
I highly recommend a stop in Bolzano at some point to visit the Ice Man exhibit at the South Tyrol Archeology Museum.
Last edited by Jean; May 7th, 2025 at 02:45 PM.
May 7th, 2025 | 07:27 PM
#3
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Seven or eight days is nice but will go by fast, esp. if the weather is good. Where will you be before and after these days?
The one drive you describe is easily done in a day, but you'll have to check which cable cars are running where. I think the order of sights on that drive is generally irrelevant unless there is a certain hike you want to do at a particular time of day. If starting/ending in Cortina, a good part of the drive is a backtrack. There are trailheads everywhere, so you can decide on hikes/walks as you go... depending on time, weather, your energy.
You won't be able to see everything in this region, but you should plan multiple circle drives that take you over lots of other passes (they are all dramatic and different), past gorgeous scenery (i.e., Marmolada, Val di Funes, some lakes, etc.), perhaps to a World War I sight or museum... Those driving destinations will help you decide whether you need to use two bases or can see all you want to see from a single base. A lot depends on how much time you want to spend driving. FWIW, I don't find the towns so interesting that I feel the need to stroll around every one. FWIW#2, we found that motorcycle groups usually picked great roadside restaurants for lunch, so we look for lots of bikes parked outside.
I highly recommend a stop in Bolzano at some point to visit the Ice Man exhibit at the South Tyrol Archeology Museum.
The one drive you describe is easily done in a day, but you'll have to check which cable cars are running where. I think the order of sights on that drive is generally irrelevant unless there is a certain hike you want to do at a particular time of day. If starting/ending in Cortina, a good part of the drive is a backtrack. There are trailheads everywhere, so you can decide on hikes/walks as you go... depending on time, weather, your energy.
You won't be able to see everything in this region, but you should plan multiple circle drives that take you over lots of other passes (they are all dramatic and different), past gorgeous scenery (i.e., Marmolada, Val di Funes, some lakes, etc.), perhaps to a World War I sight or museum... Those driving destinations will help you decide whether you need to use two bases or can see all you want to see from a single base. A lot depends on how much time you want to spend driving. FWIW, I don't find the towns so interesting that I feel the need to stroll around every one. FWIW#2, we found that motorcycle groups usually picked great roadside restaurants for lunch, so we look for lots of bikes parked outside.
I highly recommend a stop in Bolzano at some point to visit the Ice Man exhibit at the South Tyrol Archeology Museum.
Would you think it makes a difference going to the Dolomites aug 21-30 or aug 25-sept3?
As of now, thinking about 25/08 arrive at Ortisei – stay until 29/08 (drive to Cortina) – Cortina until 03/09 – drive back to Milan.
If I do this I could do the Sellaronda (Sella, Poroi, Gardena, etc.) from Ortisei. Seems like a shorter backtrack and more time to enjoy the sights.
After Italy, 3 days in Lisbon before going back to Brasil.
For the places we'd like to go, still researching, but:
- Seceda (not sure about hiking too much here, but at least going up the cable and maybe a short walk)
- Val di Funes and Santa Magdalena Church
- Lake Braies
- Tre Cime and Cadini di Misurina
- Passes on Sella (maybe the Gran Paradiso cable), Poroi, Gardena and Alta Badia
- Passo di Giau and Croda Lake
- Maybe:
Cinqui Torri to Riffugio Scoiatolli
Cable from Ortisei to Alpi di Siusi
Also, I'd appreciate any suggestions regardind WWI sights.
May 7th, 2025 | 10:50 PM
#4
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 906
Likes: 28
I would split bases - we used La Villa and Ortisei, you could consider Ortisei and Cortina - to avoid back tracking. Ortisei is a great base for many interesting treks eg Alpe de Siusi, Secedea, Rasciesa, Ciampinoi, Dantercepies etc while Cortina is convenient for Tre Cime, Lagazuoi, Cinque Torri etc. These explorations are the real highlight of the Dolomites, my wife and I are not professional hikers (but reasonably fit) and did not find these challenging.
We've driven that 4-passes circular loop clockwise over most of a day, and I don't think the direction matters much.
We've driven that 4-passes circular loop clockwise over most of a day, and I don't think the direction matters much.
May 7th, 2025 | 11:38 PM
#5
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 9,479
Likes: 0
Stay at Cortina d'Ampezzo if you are interested in Misurina, Tre Cime del Lavaredo, Lago di Braies (nothing spectacular, but very popular with non European toooruists), WW2 sights along Falzarego Pass, Lagazuoi, Passo Valparola, Passo Giau....
Stay somewhere in Val Gardena (may be Orrtisei) if you are interested in Passo Pordoi, Passo Gardena, Passo Sassolungo, Seceda, Alpe di Siusi........
Stay somewhere in Val Gardena (may be Orrtisei) if you are interested in Passo Pordoi, Passo Gardena, Passo Sassolungo, Seceda, Alpe di Siusi........
May 8th, 2025 | 04:20 AM
#6
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Seven or eight days is nice but will go by fast, esp. if the weather is good. Where will you be before and after these days?
The one drive you describe is easily done in a day, but you'll have to check which cable cars are running where. I think the order of sights on that drive is generally irrelevant unless there is a certain hike you want to do at a particular time of day. If starting/ending in Cortina, a good part of the drive is a backtrack. There are trailheads everywhere, so you can decide on hikes/walks as you go... depending on time, weather, your energy.
You won't be able to see everything in this region, but you should plan multiple circle drives that take you over lots of other passes (they are all dramatic and different), past gorgeous scenery (i.e., Marmolada, Val di Funes, some lakes, etc.), perhaps to a World War I sight or museum... Those driving destinations will help you decide whether you need to use two bases or can see all you want to see from a single base. A lot depends on how much time you want to spend driving. FWIW, I don't find the towns so interesting that I feel the need to stroll around every one. FWIW#2, we found that motorcycle groups usually picked great roadside restaurants for lunch, so we look for lots of bikes parked outside.
I highly recommend a stop in Bolzano at some point to visit the Ice Man exhibit at the South Tyrol Archeology Museum.
The one drive you describe is easily done in a day, but you'll have to check which cable cars are running where. I think the order of sights on that drive is generally irrelevant unless there is a certain hike you want to do at a particular time of day. If starting/ending in Cortina, a good part of the drive is a backtrack. There are trailheads everywhere, so you can decide on hikes/walks as you go... depending on time, weather, your energy.
You won't be able to see everything in this region, but you should plan multiple circle drives that take you over lots of other passes (they are all dramatic and different), past gorgeous scenery (i.e., Marmolada, Val di Funes, some lakes, etc.), perhaps to a World War I sight or museum... Those driving destinations will help you decide whether you need to use two bases or can see all you want to see from a single base. A lot depends on how much time you want to spend driving. FWIW, I don't find the towns so interesting that I feel the need to stroll around every one. FWIW#2, we found that motorcycle groups usually picked great roadside restaurants for lunch, so we look for lots of bikes parked outside.
I highly recommend a stop in Bolzano at some point to visit the Ice Man exhibit at the South Tyrol Archeology Museum.
As of now, thinking about 25/08 arrive at Ortisei – stay until 29/08 (drive to Cortina) – Cortina until 03/09 – drive back to Milan. If I do this I could do the Sellaronda (Sella, Poroi, Gardena, etc.) from Ortisei. Seems like a shorter backtrack and more time to enjoy the sights.
After Italy, 3 days in Lisbon before going back to Brasil.
For the sights, still researching, but:
- Seceda (not sure about hiking too much here, but at least going up the cable and maybe a short walk)
- Val di Funes and Santa Magdalena Church
- Lake Braies
- Tre Cime and Cadini di Misurina
- Passes on Sella (maybe the Gran Paradiso cable), Poroi, Gardena and Alta Badia
- Passo di Giau and Croda Lake
- Maybe:
Cinqui Torri to Riffugio Scoiatolli
Cable from Ortisei to Alpi di Siusi
Would you think it makes a difference going to the Dolomites aug 21-30 or aug 25-sept3?
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