Best Day Hikes in the Dolomites: My Favorite Trails

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The Dolomites is such a vast region, narrowing down which day hikes to do during your trip can be rather overwhelming. So let me help you! Whether you’re an experienced hikers seeking challenging terrain or a casual walkers looking for accessible trails with spectacular scenery, the Dolomites offer an unparalleled outdoor experience that will leave you speechless.

I’m a certified hiking guide as well as a photographer, and I’ve been hiking in these mountains for over 10 years. In this post, I want to share with you the most popular day hikes, as well as my own personal favorites. We’ll cover the famous locations, as well as some you may not have heard of, as I take you though what I think are some of the best day hikes in the Dolomites.

Most Popular Day Hikes in the Dolomites

I’m going to start this list with the most popular day hikes in the Dolomites. These are the ones you’ll find on almost every Dolomites Must-Do list. These hikes are considered the classic hikes of the Dolomites – you’ll see some of the most famous locations, but most of the time, that also means you’ll be sharing the trails with hundreds of other people.

Does this mean you should skip these hikes? Not at all! These hikes are all iconic for a reason, so I highly recommend doing at least one of them during your trip to the Dolomites. However, if you’re planning on doing something special (like an elopement or proposal), then you may want to consider a less crowded location.

These hikes vary in their distances and difficulty, so make sure that you pick something that is within your ability.

A note on hiking times: In the descriptions below, you’ll see an estimated hiking time. These times are based on the average continuous hiking pace and do not include breaks, such as stopping at the rifugios. If you are likely to make stops, you’ll want to factor in an additional 1-2 hours (depending on the length of the hike).

Tre Cime di Lavaredo Loop (incl. Cadini di Misurina)

The Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Drei Zinnen) are one of the most iconic landmarks of the Dolomites, with their three distinctive free-standing stone towers. This circular hike is one of the most popular trails in the Dolomites.

Starting from the same trailhead, Rifugio Auronzo, you’ll also find the short detour to the viewpoint for the famous Cadini di Misurina mountain group too, so I’ve included it in the route map for this hike, as if you’re going here, it makes sense to see both on the same day.

There are four mountain huts along the route where you can stop for food and drinks, and also to use bathrooms.

Distance: 11.6 km / 7.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 631 m / 2070 feet
Difficulty: Moderate – non-technical but good fitness level advised
Hiking time: 5-6 hours
Type: Loop
Trailhead Parking: Rifugio Auronzo (€30 per 12 hours)
Best months: June – October

Tips from a local:

• If you want a photo of the famous Cadini di Misurina view (pictured below), be prepared to wait for up to an hour in line for your turn. Otherwise, you can enjoy equally stunning views from a grassy plateau just above the trail.
• During the summer season (June-September) the trailhead parking at Rifugio Auronzo can be full by 8am, so get there early. Otherwise you can take a bus from the large parking lot in Misurina.
• If the full loop is too challenging, I would recommend hiking on the trail from Rifugio Auronzo to Rifugio Lavaredo and then turning around and returning the way you came. This shorter hike is mostly flat.

Seceda Ridgeline from Col Raiser

While most tourists take the Seceda cable car from Ortisei for easy access to this iconic ridgeline, for anyone who wants to combine it with a really beautiful hike, this loop is one of my favourites. Instead of taking the Seceda lift right to the top, take the Col Raiser lift and hike up to the ridge. From there, you can follow the ridgeline along and down, heading into the Puez-Odle National Park, where you can find wild edelweiss flowers and free-roaming cows and donkeys grazing in the alpine pastures.

There are a number of mountain huts and restaurants along the trail for food, drinks and bathroom breaks.

Distance: 9.1 km / 5.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 445 m / 1460 feet
Difficulty: Moderate – non-technical but good fitness level advised
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Type: Loop
Best months: June – October
Lift opening times: 8:30am – 5pm (varies depending on month – more details on website)

Tips from a local:

• Consider spending the night in one of the mountain huts close to the Col Raiser cable car, and hit the trails before the lifts open to enjoy this famous spot without the crowds.

Lago di Sorapis

Lake Sorapis is famous for it’s milky, turquoise waters. The hike to it is not technically difficult but it should not be underestimated. Most experienced hikers won’t have an issue, but because sections of this trail are quite narrow and steep, I’ve spoken to a few people who have really struggled, especially when the trail is wet. The area around the lake is fairly small, so expect to be sharing it with other people.

There is only one mountain hut on this hike, Rifugio Vandelli, situated next to the lake. Make sure to bring enough water and food for the whole hike, as well as a bag for any trash (including toilet paper).

Distance: 11.7 km / 7.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 498 m / 1634 feet
Difficulty: Difficult – some narrow and exposed sections with cables that are slippery when wet
Hiking time: 5-6 hours
Type: Out-and-back
Best months: July – October

Tips from a local:

• Check the weather forecast before hiking to Lago di Sorapis and do not hike if there is a likelihood of thunderstorms.
• During late-spring/early summer it’s possible to still find snow on the trail, which can also make it more difficult. The lake can be frozen until mid May.

Lago di Braies Loop

Lago di Braies (also known as Pragser Wildsee, Lake Braies and Lake Prags) is the most famous lake in the Dolomites. It’s turquoise blue waters and the picturesque wooden boats and boathouse, combined with its easy access make this location incredibly popular. However there is more to this beautiful lake than just taking some photos of the boathouse or going out in one of the wooden boats. There are also some great hiking trails here.

The easiest trail is a circular trail that loops around the whole lake, offering many different perspectives. As you hike around, you’ll notice for example, that the water seems to change colour. You’ll also find that the further you walk from the boathouse, the quieter the trails get (although in peak months they can still be overcrowded).

Distance: 3.7 km / 2.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 40 m / 131 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Hiking time: 1-2 hours
Type: Loop
Best months: May – November

Tips from a local:

• The lake can be visited all year around, but the full loop trail is closed in the winter. However you can still do half of the trail.
• If you have limited mobility (or a stroller or wheelchair) stick to the west side of the lake (the trail past the hotel). On the east side there are some steps and the trail gets slightly narrower.
• Avoid July & August if possible. If you can’t, come early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid overcrowding.
• During peak season you have to park outside of the valley and arrive by shuttle bus. Details can be found here.

Best Beginner-Friendly Day Hikes

The following hikes are generally less demanding, being around 5 miles or less in distance and around 1000 feet or less of elevation gain. Moreover, I’ve classified these trails as easy due to being mostly wider, flatter trails that don’t generally have trip hazards and would be possible to hike with kids (and with a pushchair/stroller).

Vallunga – Langental

The Vallunga (or Langental in German) literally means “Long Valley”. This beautiful valley has a lovely, wide gravel footpath with a slow and gradual ascent, making it an ideal hiking trail for all abilities. And because this trail is an out-and-back trail, you can go as far as you like before turning back.

There are no mountain huts or bathroom facilities on this hike, so make sure to plan ahead and take everything you need with you.

Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
Elevation Gain: 208 m / 682 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Hiking time: 2-3 hours
Type: Out and Back
Best months: May – November

Alpe di Siusi – Seiser Alm

Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm) is ideal for easy hiking, with wide, well-marked trails and minimal elevation gain. As Europe’s largest high-altitude alpine meadow, it offers accessible routes for beginners and families. The area is easily reached by cable car from Ortisei or Siusi, providing quick access to panoramic trails without steep climbs.

The route below is a short circular hike from the top of the Ortisei cable car. this route is on a mix of dirt trails and asphalt road. For an even flatter hike that’s more buggy or wheelchair friendly, an alternative route would be from the top of the Siusi cable car, where you can follow the asphalt road out onto the Seiser Alm (closed to traffic from 9am until 5pm).

Distance: 4.3 km / 2.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 132 m / 433 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Hiking time: 1-2 hours
Type: Out and Back
Best months: May – November

Pisciadù Waterfall Trail

The trail from Corvara to the Pisciadu waterfall is a wide and easy gravel trail that takes you up through the meadows and past babbling streams, all the way to the bottom of one the Pisciadu waterfall.

For anyone who struggles with the uphill, you can also shorten the hike by taking the Borest cable car to Colfosco and hiking a shorter version of the waterfall trail as a loop from the cable car station.

Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
Elevation Gain: 207 m / 679 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Hiking time: 2-3 hours
Type: Out and Back
Best months: May – November

Armentara Meadows

The Armentara Meadows (Armentara Wiesen) are a stunning alpine plateau in the Dolomites, located in the Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park near the village of Badia. This area is known for its gently rolling pastures, rich biodiversity, and incredible views of the Sasso di Santa Croce massif.

One of the best hikes in the Armentara Meadows starts from La Crusc (accessible by chairlift from Badia) and follows a gentle downhill path through flower-filled meadows to a small mountain hut, the Ranch da André, which serves local Ladin dishes. In spring and summer, the meadows are covered in wildflowers, while autumn brings golden hues to the larch trees. For those unable to ride a chairlift, the hike can also be done in reverse, starting at the parking area Furnacia. With its mild terrain and breathtaking scenery, Armentara is a great choice for a family-friendly hike in the Alta Badia area.

Distance: 7.2 km / 4.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 272 m / 892 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Hiking time: 2-3 hours
Type: Out and Back
Best months: June – October

Trail around Lake Misurina

The Lake Misurina loop trail is a scenic and easy hike that circles one of the most beautiful lakes in the Dolomites, offering stunning reflections of the surrounding peaks. The trail is mostly flat, making it perfect for all ages and fitness levels. Along the way, hikers can enjoy breathtaking views of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Cadini di Misurina, and Sorapiss mountains, as well as the charming alpine hotels and cafés lining the shore.

Distance: 2.7 km / 1.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 14 m / 46 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Hiking time: 1-2 hours
Type: Loop
Best months: June – November

Best Intermediate Day Hikes

I’ve categorised the following trails as intermediate trails, as they require a slightly higher level of physical fitness than the easy trails, due to being longer distances or with more elevation gain. I’ve also classed them as intermediate instead of easy if they have sections that may be steeper or more have more uneven terrain, requiring a degree of sure-footedness.

Adolf Munkel Trail via Geisler Alm

Everyone is familiar with Seceda and the views along that iconic ridge. But the Geisler group also looks breathtaking from other angles, such as from below. The Adolf Munkel trail is a well-known hiking trail that follows the base of the Geisler mountain group. The full trail begins at the Zanser Alm and ends close to the village of St Magdalena, however many people prefer to do a smaller section of it as part of a loop stopping at the Geisler Alm from the trailhead at the Zanser Alm.

Distance: 9.1 km / 5.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 394 m / 1293 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Type: Loop
Best months: May – November

Cinque Torri Loop

The Cinque Torri (Five Towers) is a stunning rock formation on the Falzarego Pass, between Alta Badia and Cortina d’Ampezzo. These five towering limestone spires are famous for their dramatic appearance and excellent rock climbing routes. They also hold historical significance as a World War I battlefield, with well-preserved trenches and fortifications that make up a free open-air museum.

The “Giro delle Torre” is a circular hiking route around the Cinque Torri that offers with breathtaking panoramic views of the Dolomites, including the Tofane and Monte Averau. The trail starts at Rifugio Scoiattoli, accessible by foot or chairlift from the Falzarego Pass, and winds around the towers, passing through an open-air WWI Museum showcasing wartime trenches and artifacts. While the hike is short and with minimal elevation gain, I’ve classed it as moderate in difficulty due to the rocky and uneven trails in-between the towers.

Distance: 1.8 km / 1.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 162 m / 531 feet
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Hiking time: 1-2 hours
Type: Loop
Best months: June – October

Tips from a local:

• If you’re up for an extra challenge, consider extending your hike up to Rifugio Nuvolau for even more breathtaking vistas.
• The Cinque Torri can be combined with a visit up on the cable car to Lagazoui on the same day.

Corvara to Passo Gardena Loop

This stunning hike takes you along both sides of the valley between the towns of Colfosco and the Gardena Pass in the Alta Badia region of the Dolomites, with a backdrop of the incredible Sella group on one side, and the Pizes de Cir on the other. Start your hike by taking the cable car from Colfosco up to the mountain restaurant Col Pradat, where you’ll follow a trail that hugs the mountainside all the way across to the Gardena Pass, where you can stop for an amazing lunch at Jimmi Hut.

Once you’ve refuelled, head down to the Gardena Pass and cross over to the trail on the opposite side of the valley that takes you back down to Colfosco, passing the Pisciadu waterfalls on the way.

Tips from a local:

• You can do this tour easily with public transport as there are free buses for guests holding a South Tirol Guest Pass. It’s also possible to reach the start and end points via the Borest cable car from Corvara.

Best Season and Weather Considerations

Essential Gear and Preparation for Dolomites Hiking

The Dolomites might be some of the most easily accessible mountains in the world, due to their amazing network of lifts and drivable mountain passes, however every year people underestimate the terrain, which results in increasing numbers of callouts to mountain rescue for incidents that could often have been easily avoided with proper preparation and suitable equipment.

When you hiking in the Dolomites, no matter if you’re planning on sticking to easy trails or tackling something more challenging, here are some essential things to pack:

• Proper hiking footwear with good tread (plus ankle support if you’ll be hiking in rocky or uneven terrain)
• Layers for variable mountain weather conditions
• Waterproof jacket (and waterproof over-pants for longer hikes)
• Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses) – altitude increases UV exposure
• Detailed trail maps or GPS apps with downloadable offline maps
• Fully charged mobile phone with the local emergency number saved
• Sufficient water and snacks – many trails have rifugios for meals, but not all
• Cash for rifugios (many refugios do not accept cards)
• Small first aid kit
• Small plastic bag for your trash

Depending on the time of year and the trails you are planning to do, you may also benefit from the following items:

• Micro-spikes for safer hiking on snow or icy trails
• Hiking poles (these can help save you energy on steep ascents and descents)
• Warm hat and gloves
• Flask with hot tea
• Headlamp

Being A Responsible Hiker in the Dolomites

Tourism has grown so fast in the Dolomites that it’s starting to cause both environmental damage and tensions within the local communities. And while many people from this area rely on tourism to make a living, it’s important to be a responsible and respectful tourist when you are visiting their home.

Here are some of the most important things to remember when you are hiking in the Dolomites:

Practice Leave No Trace

It’s important to practice the Leave No Trace principles when you are visiting the Dolomites. This includes following the following guidelines:

• Staying on marked trails
• Choosing trails suitable for your ability and experience level
• Taking ALL of your trash home with you (yes, even toilet tissue!)
• Wear appropriate clothing for the trails and weather conditions
• Check weather conditions before you set off
• Respect others – both on the trails and in the towns
• Pack enough food and water for your whole day (even if you plan on stopping at a hut)
• Don’t walk through long grass or wildflower meadows
• Leave everything as you found it
• No Wild camping – It is not allowed in the Dolomites

A note on wild pooping and peeing: Over the last few years, I’ve been shocked how many areas along popular hiking trails in the Dolomites have just become massive open-air toilets. And I mean literal human sh*t and toilet paper everywhere. We’ve all been there – you’re on the trail and nature calls. Carry a plastic bag with you, and if you need to go, clean up after yourself. Take any tissues home with you, and if you need to do a number two, either pack it out in a “pack out kit“ or bury it.

Use Public Transport to get to the trails

Over the last few years the surge of cars in the Dolomites has caused huge problems. Roads are seeing a lot congestion as cars line up trying to get spaces in the limited parking along trailheads. While some areas have built expanded parking (which they are somewhat ironically destroying the nature to create), many of the areas have improved the public transport infrastructure to allow guests to travel to the trails using local buses, most of which are free with the guest card you receive when you check in to your hotel. So be a sustainable hiker and take public transport to the trails.

Keep Distance From Grazing Animals

Herds of grazing sheep, cows, horses and goats are a common sight in the Dolomites. These animals are allowed to roam freely on the mountain pastures during summer, and you’ll often find them on or near hiking trails. Every year there people get injured when they treat the pastures as a petting zoo. While they might seem friendly and curious, it’s important to keep your distance. Don’t feed them. Don’t approach them for photos. Don’t try to pet them.

Respect No Drone Zones

Despite all of the drone footage you see of the Dolomites online, there are many areas that are “No Drone Zones”. These include most areas that are private property and UNESCO-protected areas. This includes places like Lago di Braies and Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Drones aren’t just irritating for other people. Every year they end up crashing into these protected natural landscapes, leaking toxic chemicals into the soils and water.