There are just a few things in this world as moving and breathtaking as emerging at a mountain’s summit and taking in the view.

Every peak, trail, and mountain range has something different to offer.

The Dolomites in Italy are truly a class of its own. It is one of the least hyped but most beautiful mountain regions in the entire world.

It is also much cheaper than Switzerland and offers some of the best hiking possibilities in Italy.

A little bit of history

The Dolomites are a mountain range in northeastern Italy. Sometimes called the Pale Mountains, these peaks are often considered part of the Alps.

However, their unique geology sets them apart. As popular as these mountains are, they are still one of the least visited parts of Italy.

Why is it called the “Dolomites”?

Dolomite is a type of carbonate rock that is very similar to limestone. The rugged look these mountains are known for is a result of the relatively soft characteristic of carbonate rock, which forms dramatic towers, cliffs, and pinnacles.

You can find some of the tallest cliffs on earth here at the Dolomites.

How tall are the Dolomites?

Along with this mountain range, you’ll find 21 peaks reaching up to 3,000 meters high. These are considered relatively low elevations for hikers. Despite this, the mountains remain cool all year round, with its highest peak Marmolada forming glaciers at 3,300 meters.

Aside from hiking, what other activities can you do at the Dolomites?

There are many more activities that you can enjoy at the Dolomites aside from hiking. You can go rock climbing, camping, hut trekking, mountain biking, skiing, mountaineering, and more.

The Cortina d’Ampezzo resort town in this area has actually hosted the 1956 Olympic games. Reinhold Messner, the first-ever individual who made it up Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen, also hails from this region.

But if you want to go on a guided trip for a day experience, these are some of the best hiking tours I would recommend:

Dolomites Via Ferrata Experience or Via Ferrata Col dei Bos: If rock climbing makes you a bit nervous, maybe the ferrata way with an experienced guides and views of the dolomites would be an ideal way to experience the mountains.
Bolzano: Private Full-Day Hike through the Dolomites: 21km loop with 1100 meters of elevation change — enough said about what’s it like to hike through the dolomites!
Cortina: Private Full-Day Hike through The Dolomites: Not interested in going full out but just want a day hike? This would be a great starting point.
Dolomites Winter Hiking and Sled Tour from Cortina: If you’re going in Winter, join a private tour and explore the area, as locals do through these stunning landscapes
Exploring the Dolomites, one-day trekking in the mountains: If you’re not sure what hike you want to do, this is the best starting point to book whichever trail you want in the Dolomites!

How can I prepare for a hike in the Dolomites?

Generally, it’s best to prepare around six to eight weeks prior to your trip. If you’re a beginner, it’s ideal to consult a physician or a physical trainer to know how you can best prepare for the hike.

Try incorporating both strength training and plenty of cardiovascular activity into your training plan so you will be fully prepared.

They say this is a hiker’s paradise, and it’s easy to see why.

This mountain range has plenty to offer, whether you’re looking for picturesque sunsets or more rugged terrain for a real challenge.

The environment varies greatly, featuring jagged peaks, alpine meadows, and even limestone spires depending on where you are.

Part of what makes these trips worth it is the people. Not only do you hike scenic routes, but you also eat and drink with the locals — as long as you’re open to the experience!

These mountains are made to be enjoyed from start to finish, no matter which route you take and even if you’re coming from cities like Venice to Dolomites. Here are 13 of the best hikes in the Dolomites that you absolutely need to hike!

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The Most Scenic Hikes in The Dolomites

1. Tre Cime Di Lavaredo

The Tre Cime Di Lavaredo, or the three peaks of Lavaredo, is as scenic as it can get. These mountains are often pictured on postcards and used to entice tourists throughout the region.

If you want a truly beautiful landscape featured that blows your mind away, then hiking here is a must.

This day hike is a 10-kilometer loop that starts at Rifugio Auronzo and loops around the three peaks.

It starts off with a wide gravel path that smoothly leads east towards a little alpine church called Cappella degli Alpini. Afterwards you’ll see one of the first picturesque mountain refuges, the Rifugio Lavaredo.

As you continue straight on the trail, you’ll witness one of the best viewpoints in the entire loop.

This is where you can see the three peaks towering above you while the rest of the Dolomites is on full display.

One of the great things about hiking here is that you’ll often come across little alpine huts where you can stop for lunch and some beer, which I find to be a much-needed respite on a moderate climb.

This is a great hike for beginners since the pathway is quite well-managed and very easy to follow. I would recommend going early, though, as it does tend to get very busy during peak season.

The best tour to go with: Private Guided Hike to Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 10 kilometers
Duration: 2-4 hours

2. Lago di Sorapis

For those who want a scenic lake view as part of their hike, then look no further than Lago di Sorapis.

This sparkling turquoise body of water is surrounded by the mountains that share its name.

While the other Dolomite lakes are often packed with people, this is a great one to go to if you prefer fewer tourists.

You may even have the place to yourself since it requires a decent hike.

You can expect shady forests and rocky ledges that stretch off to jagged peaks. Seasoned hikers will enjoy the moderate to intermediate difficulty accompanied by the crisp mountain air and crystal clear lake reflections.

Difficulty: Moderate-intermediate
Distance: 13 kilometers
Duration: 4 - 5 hours

3. Croda Da Lago

The Croda Da Lago Circuit is one of the most beautiful mountain ranges you’ll see in the Dolomites.

This small mountain chain is particularly popular with hikers and mountain cyclists, with its highest peak reaching an elevation of 2,715 meters (Cima d’Ambrizzola).

I’d classify this hike as moderate in difficulty given that it takes around five hours and circuits the mountains. It’s best done by walking clockwise so that you can get on the trail that passes along Lago Federa, which is great for photography.

Along this route you’ll also pass by the cozy rifugio Plamieri, where you can opt to stay the night in the Dolomite s and absorb the culture.

Two summits are accessible to beginners. The first is the peak of Mount Averau and the second is Ra Gusela. These provide the best views of the Croda Da Lago and can be reached by taking via ferrata, which means “iron path” in Italian and refers to climbing routes on these mountains.

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 12.5 kilometers
Hiking Time: 5 hours

4. Cinque Torri

If you prefer easier hikes and have a love for history, then you’ll definitely enjoy touring the Cinque Torri!

A name that means “Five Towers,” the remains of the First World War trenches and weaponry can still be found at the foot of this mountain range.

There’s also an option to reach this area via a cable car, but if you really want to enjoy the sights, the hike is an even better option.

Besides, it’s so easy that you’ll end up having even more fun trekking. Be sure to go early as many climbers try to scale these mountains during peak season.

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 5 kilometers
Duration: 2 - 3 hours

5. Alta Badia

One of the shorter but more challenging hikes you’ll encounter in the Dolomites is the Alta Badia, but witnessing the sunrise at the summit of Gran Cir mountain is one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll have as a hiker.

Be warned that this is not a suitable hike for beginners considering the uncomfortably early start, the very steep ascent, and challenging via ferrata sections.

However, if you have some experience in climbing, then this may be manageable enough for you.

Prepare to start the hike at 4 a.m. This could be earlier or later depending on the sunrise times during that time of year. You’ll start the hike from the Passo Gardena before snaking your way up to the summit. Be ready to hike, scramble, and climb, especially near the peak of the Gran Cir to catch the sunrise.

From the summit, you can enjoy a truly magnificent sight as it offers a 360-degree view of the surrounding Dolomites mountains.

To reward yourself after a challenging hike, it’s well worth visiting Jimmy Hütte for a South Tyrolean breakfast.

Difficulty: Hard
Distance: 4 kilometers
Duration: 2 - 3 hours

6. Lago Di Braies

Another lake you may want to visit on this list is the Lago Di Braies.

It’s a gorgeous emerald body of water that reflects the dramatic cliffs in the background. You’ll also find cute little wooden boats along the shore of the lake if you’re up for a short paddle.

The great thing about this hike is how easy it is. The circuit route passes a little chapel tucked away behind beautiful pine trees and a few shingle beaches.

The path around the lake takes just about an hour to complete. However, its ease of access also means that there will be many people, so it’s best to plan your trip early if you want a quieter visit.

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 3.5 kilometers
Duration: 1.5 hours

7. Lagazuoi Tunnels

Another historical site you can explore in the Dolomites with remnants from the First World War is the Lagazuoi Tunnels.

This place was of great importance during the war thanks to its strategic position, which is why Italian and Austro-Hungarian soldiers battled at length for it.

In the end, the Italians laid claim on this site, though today, German is still the main language spoken here.

The hike itself starts at Passo Falzarego, which is a mountain that connects two towns, Cortina D’Ampezzo and Selva Di Cadore. You’ll reach the peak of Mount Lagazuoi with the famous rifugio Lagazuoi atop it.

Difficulty: Intermediate
Distance: 5 kilometers
Duration: 3 - 4 hours

8. Vajolet Towers

The Vajolet Towers are so stunning it seems like something right out of a movie set. Visitors are often awed by how imposing and haunting it looks.

Completing the scenery is a cute little mountain hut right beneath the towers, giving it a surreal effect.

You can reach the towers in two ways. First, there is the via ferrata Passo Santner.

Fortunately, there is also a less demanding day hike for those who opt not to take the first route.

More experienced and adventurous climbers will certainly enjoy the first route, but I would highly suggest everyone try the day hike first.

Difficulty: Intermediate-hard
Distance: 8 kilometers
Duration: 5 - 6 hours

9. Passo Del Mulaz

For those looking to follow the off-beaten path, then the Passo Del Mulaz is definitely the right hiking experience to go after.

This hiking location is found in the lesser-known and much quieter Pale de San Martino group, which is the largest massif of the Dolomites.

Rather than completing a circuit, this hike is a one-way route that will take you through a dramatic mountain pass that overlooks the many spires of Forcella Farangole.

It’ll take you about six to seven hours to complete this challenging hike, but you can also opt to extend it into a 3-day loop by staying at two huts: rifugio Volpi Al Mulaz and rifugio Rosetta.

Difficulty: Intermediate-hard
Distance: 14.8 kilometers
Duration: 6 - 7 hours

10. Seceda Ridgeline

Whether you’re planning to see just one mountain ridge or several, the Seceda Ridgeline should definitely be on your list when you go to the Dolomites.

This mountain ridgeline is one of the most photographed in the world and is considered the symbol of Puez Ödle Nature Park.

There are a couple of options you can choose from when hiking at Seceda. You can either trek from the top of the gondola to the ridgeline and back or do the whole loop around the area.

I recommend doing the latter so that you can see more interesting rock formations and rifugio Firenze.

The view from the summit of Seceda is nothing short of incredible. I’d even go as far as saying that it’s some of the best you’ll see while visiting the Dolomites.

One of the best parts of this hike is that it’s quite easy and doesn’t take very long, so you can enjoy every second of it.

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 5 kilometers
Duration: 2 hours

11. Piz Boé Summit

For those who want to conquer one of the higher peaks in the area, the Piz Boè summit is the highest in the Sella group in the central Dolomites, standing at 3152 meters above sea level.

It sounds intimidating, but it’s actually one of the easiest summits to reach.

Cable cars can take passengers from the nearby Pordoi mountain pass and take them to the top of Sass Pordoi.

The Capanna Fassa mountain hut can be seen right on the summit of Piz Boè. It only takes about one to one and a half hours to reach it.

You can opt to spend the night here to make the most out of your trip.

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: n/a
Duration: 1 - 1.5 hours

12. Adolf Munkel Trail

While the Seceda ridgeline presents one of the most popular view of the Dolomite mountains, another lesser-known viewpoint can be found atop the Adolf Munkel Trail.

This route starts near rifugio Zanser Alm, which is located just 10 minutes from Santa Maddalena and takes about three to four hours to complete.

This loop can be done either clockwise or counterclockwise as the trails are easy enough to follow.

A few of the sights you’ll see are the La Furchetta and Sass Rigais peaks, which are the highest in the Seceda ridgeline.

About an hour and a half into the hike you’ll find Malga Geislerarm, which is a pasture that’s the perfect spot for lunch.

One of the specialties here that you can’t miss out on is the Kaiserschmarrn, which is a sort of local pancake.

Difficulty: Moderate|
Distance: 16.5 kilometers
Duration: 5 hours

13. Sassolungo

Those looking for a challenge will enjoy the Sassolungo circuit, which is a 6-hour hike with 1,000 meters of ascent and descent!

If you’re up for a long, tiring, yet rewarding day of hiking at the Dolomites, then this should be your go-to trail.

The trail is a combination of meadows and rocky peaks. You’ll see that one side includes the massif that towers above the path while the other has meadows with flowers and winding trails that roll off towards other mountains.

Although the ascent and descent combined is 1,000 meters, there aren’t any particularly tricky sections on the trail and no special equipment is needed.

There are plenty of rifugios to rest and a good mix of uphill and downhill sections.

Climbers with a reasonable level of fitness can definitely complete the hike without that much difficulty. You can also opt to skip the steepest climb to rifugio Vicenza, which is a bit more challenging.

Difficulty: Intermediate-hard
Distance: 17.6 kilometers
Duration: 6 hours

The Bottom Line

Without question, the Italian Dolomites are one of the most scenic and breathtaking alpine destinations in the world.

Whether you choose to trek, bike, ski, or drive, you’ll be enthralled by the impressive and unique landscapes of this beautiful mountain range.

At the Dolomites, it’s more than just about the hike. It’s also about enjoying the food, company, and overall experience of being in such a beautiful part of Italy.

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13 Best Scenic Hikes In The Dolomites, Italy