A week in the Dolomites

The best starting point for this itinerary is Bolzano, the main gateway to the Dolomites.

You can reach Bolzano by train from major cities like Verona, Innsbruck, or Munich.

From there, rent a car — it’s the most convenient way to explore the region, as many of the highlights are only accessible by road and public transport is limited.

From Bolzano Airport to Val Gardena – 43 km – this will take you between 40 and 60 minutes. Enjoy the road, quickly after leaving Bolzano you will start seeing the amazing landscape.

Arrive in Val Gardena, one of the most famous valleys in the Dolomites. The area is made up of three main villages — Ortisei, Santa Cristina, and Selva di Val Gardena — all good bases for exploring the region. We stayed at Greva Apartments in Santa Cristina.

Once you’ve checked in, you can head to Vallunga Valley, located just past Selva. Drive and park at Parcheggio Vallunga. You can kick-off your Dolomites adventure by exploring a beautiful and easy hike.

The Vallunga hike is a perfect introduction to the Dolomites: an easy, mostly flat trail that takes you through wide alpine meadows framed by towering cliffs.

t’s about 3 km one way (1.5h round trip), but you can easily reduce or extend the walk. It’s a good warm-up day before tackling more challenging hikes later in the week.

Start the day by heading to Ortisei to take the Ortisei–Furnes–Seceda cable car up to the Seceda mountain station located at 2,500 m.

This is one of the most iconic viewpoints in the Dolomites, known for its dramatic jagged ridgeline of the Odle/Geisler peaks. From the top, you’ll get panoramic views stretching across Val Gardena and beyond.

There are several short trails near the summit — you can do a quick 30-minute loop to enjoy different perspectives, or a longer hike if you prefer. Even without hiking, the views from the cable car station are unforgettable and among the most photographed in the Dolomites.

The Seceda Ridgeline to Rifugio Firenze circuit is one of the most scenic hikes in the area – and is what we recommend you to do.

• Trailhead | Seceda Cableway mountain station
• Distance: 8.9 km circuit
• Time Needed | 3:00 – 3:30 hours
• Elevation Gain/Loss | 575 meters
• Difficulty | Easy-Moderate

The cable car is open from May until November everyday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. A roundtrip (up & downhill) ticket costs 52 euros – 2025 price. We recommend buying the tickets online to skip the lines when you arrive there in the morning. If this is out of your budget or you would like to skip the cable-car, you could also hike up to Seceda from the Cristauta – Praplan car park above Santa Cristina.

A drink with a view

The trail leads you across wide alpine meadows, past the striking Pieralongia spires and a traditional pasture hut, before reaching Rifugio Firenze.

A long the trail you will pass by several huts – where you can enjoy lunch, coffee or even and after hiking drink. It’s a unique experience, and with the most beautiful view.

Seceda can get quite busy, so we recommend taking the first cable car to start your hike as early as possible. By taking one of the first cable-cars you will be one of the first ones to get to the mountain. Ideally to get some nice pictures and start the walk chill.

Sunset with a view

In the afternoon or evening, head to Corvara in Badia for an unforgettable sunset. Stop at the Punto Panoramico on Passo Gardena, where you’ll capture one of the most breathtaking photos of your entire week in the Dolomites!

Dedicate your third day to Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm), the largest alpine meadow in Europe – and the most beautiful hike.

Head to Ortisei and catch the Alpe di Suise Gondola up to Alpe di Siusi plateau.

What you need to know about the hike at Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm):

• Trailhead: Ortisei-Alpe di Siusi gondola mountain station
• Distance: 14.4 km circuit
• Time Needed: 4:25 hours
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 483 meters
• Difficulty: Easy

The loop begins at the Compatsch gondola station and heads across the meadows toward Rifugio Molignon (about 1h30). From there, continue to Rifugio Alpe di Tires (around 1h) before looping back across wide fields dotted with alpine huts (about 2h30). The trail ends back at Compatsch, making it a 4–5 hour moderate hike with constant mountain views.

After your hike there is a restaurant/bar just next to the gondola station – where you are guaranteed to enjoy an aperol spritz or italian coffee with an amazing view.

Return to Val Gardena for the night.

Leave Val Gardena and make your way toward Passo Giau (2,236 m), one of the most scenic mountain passes in the Dolomites.

The drive itself is an experience, with winding roads and constant views of surrounding peaks – 64km, which will take you around 2 hours.

At the top, you’ll find panoramic vistas of the Averau, Nuvolau, and Tofane mountains, making it a perfect stop for photos. There are also several short trails starting from the pass if you want to stretch your legs and enjoy the alpine scenery before continuing your journey.

From here, drive down into Cortina d’Ampezzo, the most famous town in the Dolomites and a hub for both winter sports and summer adventures. Surrounded by dramatic peaks, Cortina has a lively center with shops, cafés, and restaurants where you can unwind after a day on the road.

Walk around this beautiful mountain village and don’t miss out on an Italian coffee and cake at Pasticceria Alvera. We recommend the apple strudel & the Sacher. Also, Libreria Sovilla is a beautiful bookshop to find your postcard to never forget this trip.

Cortina is excellent base for exploring some of the Dolomites’ most iconic hikes in the coming day, and here is where you will sleep the next 2 nights.

It’s time for one of the most iconic hikes in the Dolomites: the Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop. These three dramatic peaks are the symbol of the region, and the trail around them offers incredible views from every angle.

Start from Rifugio Auronzo, you can get there bu bus from Cortina or by car. You can also hike your way up, but that would add Xkm to your hike

IMPORTANT: in order to park at Rifugio Auronzo, it’s neccesary to book before. Booking opens one month upfront, and you need to send your vehicle’s plate 24hs before. Check & book here. Spending a day there costs 60 euros.

Even though it has become very popular, it is worth the hype. We loved every minute of it. Keep in mind that the walk has some challenging parts, so it’s necessary to have an overall good health state.

• Distance: 9 km
• Hike time: 3 h
• Max altitude: 2,574 m
• Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Most people start the hike from Rifugio Auronzo (against clockwise). We recommend you to do it the other way around: clockwise. The landscape develops better, and you will be walking towards the Tre Cime (not against it). Also, as most people start from the other side, if you start early you will only encounteer the crowds towards the end of your hike (their beginning).

Start your day by heading to Lago di Braies – 48km from Cortina, around 1h – to discover one of the most famous lakes in the Dolomites, known for its turquoise waters surrounded by steep mountain walls and forests. You can take the easy 3.5 km loop trail around the lake (about 1.5h), which gives you different perspectives of the landscape.

For a classic (and cliché) experience, you can also rent one of the wooden rowboats and enjoy the view from the water. Keep in mind the lake gets quite busy and it costs XX euros per hour for 2 people.

Lago di Braies is one of the most well-known spots in the Dolomites, so we recommend arriving early in the morning to enjoy the lake before the crowds arrive. This will guarantee you a unique experience and the opportunity to get amazing shots of you in one of the most beautiful lakes in the world!

When doing the loop trail around the lake you can take a deviation and head to Rifugio XX to enjoy a typical South Tyrol lunch.

You will get the chance to try typical dishes such as polenta with mushrooms and cheese, or the typical schnitzel with fried potatoes. A great cultural experience for the foodies.

This lake is as incredible as it looks on picture – take your time to take it all in and enjoy it. Eventhough we did it during lunch time, we believe that sunset or sunrise could really be the best moment to walk around the lake.

After your visit to Lago di Braies we suggest you head to Brunico a charming town in the Puster Valley with a mix of Italian and Tyrolean culture. It’s a XXkm drive that will take you around XX minutes.

Stroll through the historic center, where you’ll find colorful houses, local shops, and cozy cafés.

If time allows, visit Brunico Castle, which houses the Messner Mountain Museum dedicated to mountaineering.

Overnight in Brunico.

On your way back to Bolzano, make a stop at the Church of St John in Ranui, one of the most photographed spots in the Dolomites.

This small 18th-century chapel sits in a wide meadow with the dramatic Odle peaks rising in the background — a truly iconic view.

To access the meadow and get close to the church, there is a small entrance fee paid at a machine. It only accepts cash (mainly coins), so make sure to bring some change with you. Even if you don’t go inside the meadow, you can still enjoy excellent views from the nearby panoramic platform.

Afterward, continue to Bolzano, where your 7-day Dolomites journey comes to an end. Depending on your schedule, you might have time for a short stroll in the city center before departure.