11 BEST Day Hikes In The Dolomites (With Map)
The Dolomites are a place that feels too good to be true. It is as if you are wandering through a fantasized version of Earth. Where sheer rocky cliffsides stretching into the clouds meet lush, enchanting forests. A movie-like landscape that’s home to some of the best hikes in the world.
Part of the Alps mountain range, this awe-inspiring area is not only one of the best places to hike in Italy, but one of the best places to hike in the world. Travel along trails weaving through dense forests, up skyscraping mountain peaks, and around the banks of vibrant lakes. With so many incredible hikes, it’s hard to narrow them all down. So, to make things a little easier, check out the best day hikes in the Dolomites below, plus a Dolomites hiking map to help plan your trip.
1.) Col De Locia
Difficulty (1-10): 4
Distance: 3-miles
Parking on site
This trail is a tale of two halves. The first is a flat, serene walk through the woods, while the second is a more intense hike uphill leading to an immaculate view. A gentle stream, thick green forests, and surrounding massive mountains are just some of the features that make this one of the best and most underrated day hikes in the entire Dolomites!
WHAT TO EXPECT
– Slick, loose gravel uphill
– Few people
– Open areas to camp
– Pastured plateau at the peak
Pro Tip- Look for naturally clean water stations to refill your water bottles.
2.) Lake Carezza
Difficulty: 1
Distance: 1-mile
Parking on site
Clear teal water ✔️ Encircling tall green forest ✔️ Mountains in the distance ✔️ An absolutely stunning view ✔️ Add that all up, and you get a must-visit spot that’s a great place to begin your Italian Dolomites adventure!
WHAT TO EXPECT
– Easily accessible flat path around the lake
– Amazing pictures
-Mid-day crowds
– Cool, overgrown tree roots
Pro Tip- There’s an underground tunnel from the parking lot leading right to the lake!
3.) Lago Di Sorapis
Difficulty: 7
Distance: 7.5-miles
Parking is limited on the side of the road
The Dolomites are one of the best places to hike in the world, and this hike is a prime example of why. Uneven footing, slick wet rocks, and narrow one-person-wide paths on the edge of a cliff that has a drop of hundreds of feet. Lake Sorapis is the best and most beautiful hike in the world, packed with thrills and adventure!
WHAT TO EXPECT
– Not a strenuous hike, but it is treacherous
– Forests, rocky paths, vistas, a large lake, this hike has it all
– Mid-day crowds
– A gorgeous sky blue lake
Pro Tip- Check out a full description of the hike! (COMING SOON)
4.) Vajolet Towers
Difficulty: 6
Distance: 2.3-miles
Parking on the side of the road before the trailhead
This hike plays a bit of a trick on you. Initially, it’s a simple, calm walk through the flat forest, then a surprise nonstop rocky uphill path twisting back and forth to the top, BUT when you see the view at the top, it’s all worth it.
WHAT TO EXPECT
– A well-maintained but mainly uphill trail
– Grazing mountain goats
– Multiple trails leading up the mountain
– A view that goes for miles
Pro Tip- You can park at the hotel at the trailhead to save yourself some time and energy… if you’re staying there.
5.) Adolf Munkel Trail
Difficulty: 4
Distance: 5.7-miles
Parking on site
How about a wonderful walk through the woods? This hike is a delightful stroll through the dense forest that opens up to sprawling meadows and a grandiose mountainscape backdrop. Doesn’t sound too bad right?
WHAT TO EXPECT
– Many trails
– Overgrown roots creating natural stairs
– Wooded wonderland
– Slight up and down trail, not too strenuous
Pro Tip- Have a translator app so you can read the German trail signs
6.) Val Di Funes
Difficulty: 2
Distance: 0.5-miles
Small parking lot in town
One of the most photographed spots, this hike almost looks too good to be true. The small white church with mighty mountains in the background is a scene you won’t soon forget!
WHAT TO EXPECT
– Trails through woods and mountains
– Usually not crowded during the morning
– Easy, mostly flat trails
– Instagram-worthy pictures
Pro Tip- Two fenced lookout points make for the best pictures of the church.
7.) Seceda
Difficulty: 7
Distance: 7-miles
Parking garage at the gondola starting point
If you’re looking for a workout, this one’s for you! A slog of steep switchbacks will surely test your endurance, but the open valley and incredible view will keep you inspired to reach the top. Hope you didn’t skip leg day😂
WHAT TO EXPECT
– Thin cliffside trail at the peak
– Well-maintained trail
– Nonstop steep uphill
– Open views on the other side of the mountain
Pro Tip- A couple of cafes are at the top, making for great places to recharge after the grueling hike.
8.) Panorama Trail
Difficulty: 3
Distance: 3-miles along the meadow
Parking garage at the gondola starting point
After a long, intense hike, an easygoing walk to take in the scenery could be just what you need to relax and unwind. Saunter through the valley of broad rolling meadows as you experience the true beauty of the Dolomites.
WHAT TO EXPECT
– Benches along the way to take in the view
– Giant mountains peering above the valley
– Cafes at the trailhead
– Lush green pastures with wildflowers
Pro Tip- Take the gondola up to the trailhead if you’re looking for a calm and easy hike.
9.) Cinque Torri
Difficulty: 5
Distance: 1.5-miles
Parking on site
For any history buffs out there, this hike is full of fascinating old war remnants you can walk through and explore. Plenty of trenches and lookout points give you an idea of what life was like during the war. It’s also very inspiring to see beautiful plant life replace all the death and destruction from long ago.
WHAT TO EXPECT
– Short but mostly uphill hike
– Colorful wildflowers
– Endless views from the peak
– Multiple WW1 trenches
Pro Tip- Check for plaques near the trenches giving you facts and pictures of the trenches during the war.
10.) Lake Dobiacco
Difficulty: 1
Distance: 1.5-miles
Parking on site
The most peaceful place in the Dolomites also happens to be one of the easiest hikes, but don’t be fooled; just because it’s easy doesn’t mean it’s not worth it! A flat trail around the lake is the perfect place to take the family for a spectacular sunset.
WHAT TO EXPECT
– A trail around the lake and through woods
– Incredible photo opportunities
– A restaurant on the lake
– Towering mountain backdrop
Pro Tip- There’s a lookout point in the woods to see the other side of the lake.
11.) Cadini Di Misurina
Difficulty: 6
Distance: 2.1-miles
Parking on site
This hike is a bit different from the rest found in the Dolomites. Here, the vibrant green grass is traded for barren and rocky terrain. Skyscraping stone structures shooting up from the ground showcase the unmatched magnitude of the mountains.
WHAT TO EXPECT
– Mainly uphill hike
– Loose rocks and sections of uneven footing
– Incredibly high peaks
– Few people
Pro Tip- Check the weather before this hike due to the long-lasting snow.
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