New 2026 Access Restrictions in the Dolomites
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In the last few years, tourism in the Dolomites has exploded. This has led to protests from local communities, and the local authorities have taken steps to try to limit the damage and disruption that mass tourism is bringing to the area. If you are hoping to elope in the Dolomites in 2026 (or beyond), here are some important things to know about many of the popular locations.
Popular Dolomites Locations with Restricted Access
To combat overtourism, the most iconic “Instagram spots” listed below have implemented mandatory reservation systems, and in some places, strictly enforced traffic bans.
Alpe di Siusi – Seiser Alm
The Alpe di Siusi (or Seiser Alm in German) is a HUGE alpine plateau (Europe’s largest high alpine plateau in fact), with around 450km of hiking trails. The whole area is also a protected nature reserve, and has many access restrictions (which have only become more complicated in 2026). This is one of the reasons why I haven’t done any photoshoots or elopements up here.
Driving up to Alpe di Siusi is not recommended. The road to the nature protection reserve is closed to private traffic from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. During these hours, you must use one of the Seiser Alm cable cars or the public bus.
Driving & Parking Logistics
- Before 9:00 AM / After 5:00 PM: You may drive up to the high plateau, but you are restricted to designated parking areas at Compatsch (P2) or Spitzbühl (P1).
- Capacity Closures: On weekends or good weather days, the road often closes earlier than 9:00 AM if parking lots reach capacity.
- Strict Night Ban: Parking is strictly prohibited between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM. Barriers at P2 (Compatsch) will block entry during these hours.
- Hotel guests are exempt: Hotel guests will be given a permit to drive to their hotel (however, this permit is only for you, and not for your photographer/other wedding vendors).
Parking Options & Fees
| Location | Fee | Payment Method |
| P2 (Compatsch) | €30.00/day | Cash or Card |
| P1 (Spitzbühl) | €15.00/day | Cash Only |
From the parking in Compatsch, you still have a long hike to get to the areas that offer the most popular views.
The most popular way to access Alpe di Siusi is by cable car. You have two options – either from Ortisei or from Seis/Siusi. Both cable cars have a fairly long summer operating season, usually from mid-May until October. Operating times vary during the season, but typically run from around 8:30 AM until 5 PM.
Cadini di Misurina & Tre Cime di Lavaredo
The toll road from Misurina to Rifugio Auronzo (the starting point for hikes to Cadini di Misurina and Tre Cime di Lavaredo) now requires a mandatory online reservation during the summer months when the road is open to traffic (late May – October). Booking is provisionally expected to open at the end of April. Once the daily quota of cars is reached, the road is closed to all private traffic except those with a booking.
During the booking process, you will be required to select an available timeslot for your visit. The booked timeslot is valid for 12 hours. You don’t need to arrive at the time of your booking; you can arrive later. But you must arrive and depart before 12 hours have elapsed.
The fee for a car or small campervan is €40 for 12 hours.
Example: Your booked time slot starts at 4 am, but you don’t arrive until 6 am. You must still exit the toll gate before 4 pm, or you will be charged for a second booking.
Alternative: Limited parking is available in Misurina, where you can take a bus up to Rifugio Auronzo. Alternatively, a shuttle bus from Toblach/Dobbiaco is available, but this also requires pre-booking.
Seceda
For the past few years, the fences along the footpaths of Seceda have become more extensive in order to keep people on the footpaths and restrict access to the meadows. However, after record numbers in the summer of 2025, additional restrictions were put in place, and more were announced to come into place for summer 2026.
Hiking on Seceda: A paid turnstile has been introduced on the main ridgeline trail, costing €5 per person. Additionally, it is not permitted to hike into the meadows. Visitors must stay on the designated footpaths. Rangers are now operating in the area to enforce the rules.
Starting in Summer 2026, cable car tickets for the Ortisei-Furnes-Seceda line must be pre-booked online with a specific time slot to manage capacity. The cable car typically operates from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM (varies throughout the season). A return ticket costs around €60.
The Col Raiser gondola in Santa Cristina offers a “backdoor” route to Seceda but requires an additional hour uphill hike to reach the famous ridgeline.
Lago di Braies – Pragser Wildsee
Access restrictions have been in place for Lago di Braies for a few years now, and these will continue in 2026. From 1 July to 15 September 2026, it is not possible to drive to the lake between 9 AM and 4 PM without a reservation or permit. Instead, you are required to park at the entrance to the valley and take a bus (paid).
For anyone looking to book the boathouse (La Palafitta) at Lago di Braies for a private elopement or photoshoot, bookings opened in February. However many dates sold out within a couple of hours of the booking platform opening.
Val di Funes
To stop the problem of “shoot and run” tourists who drive into the valley just for a quick photo of the St Magdalena and St John churches, and leave again, new traffic restrictions will be active from May through November 2026.
Santa Maddalena Church
In 2026, physical barriers will be in place to prevent non-resident traffic from driving to the famous “Panorama Viewpoint” above the Santa Maddalena church, which regularly causes road blockages. Only residents and guests staying in village hotels have car access beyond the barriers. Day visitors must pay to park in the main village lot and walk (approx. 20-30 mins) to the viewpoint.
Geisler Alm & Adolf Munkel Trail
For hikers wishing to visit the Geisler Alm or hike the famous Adolf Munkel Trail, parking at the Zans parking area will now offer limited pre-bookable parking spaces. Access to the Zans car park in Val di Funes is managed by a light signal at Ranui; if the light is green, you can drive up and pay on-site, but if it is red, the lot is full, and only those with a pre-booked online reservation may pass. If you don’t have a booking and the light is red, you must use the alternative parking lots in Santa Maddalena (Ranui, Putzen, or Filler) and catch Bus 330, which shuttles to Zans every hour.
Other important information for traveling to the Dolomites
Roadside Parking: The “Color Code”
In the Dolomites (and all of Italy), parking lines are color-coded. Knowing the difference will save you from hefty fines or towing:
- White Lines: Generally free parking, but always check for nearby signs (e.g., Disco Orario), which may require you to display a parking disc with your arrival time for a limited duration (e.g., 60 or 90 minutes).
- Blue Lines: Paid parking. You must find a nearby meter, pay for your intended duration, and display the ticket on your dashboard. Many areas now use apps like EasyPark.
- Yellow Lines: Strictly Reserved for residents, disabled permit holders, or delivery vehicles. Never park here; towing is very common in tourist hotspots like Ortisei or Cortina.
- Green/No Lines: On many mountain passes, such as Passo Giau or Passo Gardena, parking is only allowed in designated gravel or paved pull-outs. Do not use gravel “passing places” on narrow roads as parking, park on the grass, or with tires touching the road. Police are extremely active in 2026 and will fine vehicles that obstruct traffic flow.
Campervans & wild camping
The Dolomites have a “Zero Tolerance” policy for wild camping to protect the UNESCO landscape.
“Parking” vs. “Camping”
Italian law makes a critical distinction between overnight parking and camping:
- Overnight Parking: Simply sleeping in a vehicle. This is occasionally tolerated in some public parking lots; however, many do not allow overnight stays.
- Camping: This is defined as putting out stabilizing legs, opening an awning, or setting up chairs/tables outside the van. This is strictly prohibited outside of official campsites and carries fines ranging from €100 to €500+.
Wild Camping Rules
Wild camping (tents or vans) is 100% illegal in all Nature Parks (e.g., Fanes-Sennes-Braies, Tre Cime). Emergency “bivouacking” (sleeping under the stars or in a tent from dusk till dawn) is generally only tolerated for hikers above 1,500m – 2,000m if you are far from a Rifugio.
Drone Regulations
Flying drones in National Parks and Nature Parks (like Tre Cime, Fanes-Sennes-Braies, or Puez-Odle) is illegal without a special professional permit from the ENAC and the park authority. Fines can reach €3,000+. For legal flying elsewhere, you must be registered on the D-flight portal and have third-party insurance.
Swimming in Alpine Lakes
Because most alpine lakes in the Dolomites are within protected National Park or Natural Park areas, swimming is prohibited.
