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Part 2 of 8 in the World's Hiking Trails series. Part 1 was about the Alps; here we take a closer look at the Dolomites and South Tyrol.
The Dolomites are part of the Italian Alps and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The bedrock is largely limestone and dolomite, not granite like in the Western Alps. This is evident in the terrain: high, steep cliffs rise above plateaus and gravelly slopes. Many multi-day tours go from rifugio to rifugio – Italian mountain huts where you can eat and sleep between stages.
South Tyrol is bilingual. Italian and German are used side by side, so place names, menus and signs can be in both languages. Older Swedish texts often write Dolomites, while the mountain range is called Dolomiti in Italian and Dolomiten in German. Seiser Alm is called Alpe di Siusi in Italian.
Season and weather: plan for the afternoon
The hiking season usually runs from mid-June to late September, when many rifugi are open. Mid-July to mid-September is often the most reliable period. High peaks may still have snow in June. Always check local conditions, open huts and any trail closures before you go.
Afternoon thunderstorms are a recurring risk. On exposed plateaus and near peaks, there are few sheltered places to seek out when the weather turns. Start early and leave high, open areas before the clouds grow. August is also high season for rifugi; popular beds may need to be booked several months in advance.
Seven hiking destinations from classic long-distance trails to day trips
1. Alta Via 1 – the classic from Lago di Braies to Belluno
Alta Via 1 starts at Lago di Braies ( Pragser Wildsee ) and goes south to Belluno. Route choices and sources give different length figures; expect about 111–125 kilometers and 9–12 days . The first stage often goes towards Rifugio Biella or Rifugio Sennes. The trail passes through the area around Cortina d'Ampezzo and overnight stays are mainly at rifugi.
For an experienced hiker, it is moderately demanding, but it is not only the walking time that determines the planning. The availability of beds often sets the limit for how you divide the stages. Buses and cable cars can shorten some days, but check that the transport suits your route and the current season.
2. Alta Via 2 – longer and more technically difficult
Alta Via 2 runs from Bressanone ( Brixen ) in the north to Feltre in the south. A typical planning task is around 174 kilometres and 13 stages , with around two weeks as a guideline. Stage divisions and measured length vary between guides, so check the map you use and plan for ascent, terrain and hut locations – not just kilometres.
This is the more difficult of the two major Alta Vias. Steep climbs, large elevation changes, loose rocks and exposed sections make it more demanding than Alta Via 1. Rifugio Puez, at 2,475 metres, is a central hut along the trail. There are fixed steel cables on several sections. It is not a full via ferrata, but the terrain can be technically demanding: a harness and helmet are recommended. Choose a different route if you are new to alpine hiking or have no experience of exposed terrain.
3. Tre Cime di Lavaredo – a popular tour
The round trip, starting and finishing at Rifugio Auronzo, is approximately 10 kilometers long; different route choices and measurements indicate approximately 9.5–11.2 kilometers. Expect approximately 400 meters of elevation gain and 3.5–5 hours . You hike over plateau terrain with views of the three peaks and pass Rifugio Lavaredo and Dreizinnenhütte/Rifugio Locatelli before returning to Auronzo.
This is one of the most visited hikes in the Dolomites. The road to Rifugio Auronzo is tolled and parking requires advance booking when the road is open. A shuttle bus is an option in season. Check current regulations and transport before you set off – and start early for a more leisurely hike.
4. Seiser Alm / Alpe di Siusi – hiking on the high plateau
The Seiser Alm is Europe's largest alpine meadow and high plateau, with an area of 56 square kilometers . There are about 450 kilometers of marked trails here, from easy walks to longer tours. The main entrance is Compatsch, which can be reached by cable car from Seis am Schlern ( Siusi ) or by bus.
The open meadows make the area the most accessible and family-friendly destination in the article, but the plateau is also very popular. Large parts are protected and car traffic is limited. Check local access and parking regulations before your trip. Seiser Alm publishes trails and maps on its website and in its app.
5. Sassolungo tour – around the Langkofel group
The official full circuit around Sassolungo ( Langkofel ) is given as 17.4 kilometers . Shorter variants are approximately 8.4–10.9 kilometers , depending on the starting point and route chosen. Common starting points are Passo Sella, Selva di Val Gardena and Monte Pana.
The terrain alternates between gravel paths, rocky ground and steeper sections. The view opens up towards the Sella Group and Val Gardena. The difficulty varies from medium to demanding. Friedrich-August-Weg, route 557 between the Sella Pass and the Seiser Alm, is a separate route – not the entire circuit around Sassolungo.
6. Cinque Torri, Averau and Nuvolau – history and high alpine views
Around the Five Towers, Cinque Torri, there are several nice day hikes near Cortina and Passo Falzarego. There is no single official route: common variations are about 9.6 kilometers from Col Gallina , 10.6 kilometers from Passo Giau and 13.6 kilometers from Passo Falzarego . The area contains an open-air museum about the First World War and rifugi such as Scoiattoli, Averau and Nuvolau. Chairlifts can shorten parts of the hike; check current operations.
Separate the regular hiking trail around the towers from the secured trails nearby. Piccolo Lagazuoi has a restored World War I tunnel of almost a kilometer. It is dark and damp and requires a headlamp, helmet, gloves and sturdy shoes. The Kaiserjäger trail is a separate, exposed and secured trail. It also requires the right equipment and experience with such terrain. Follow the latest information from Lagazuoi before choosing any of them.
7. Puez-Odle – barren high mountain plateau and cliff walls
The Puez-Odle ( Puez-Geisler ) Nature Park is one of the Dolomites' most distinctive high-altitude environments: vast, barren plateaus, cliff faces and rocky ground. The Rifugio Puez at 2,475 meters is an important base and is also located on the Alta Via 2.
You can walk from Vallunga via trail 14 and climb towards the hut. From Col Raiser, a variant goes via Rifugio Firenze and Forcella de Sìeles on trail 2; from Dantercepies, follow trail 2 via Passo Crespëina. Some routes include exposed sections and fixed cables. The UNESCO trail at the foot of Odle offers a different way to experience the area, but the nature park has its own regulations. Check trail status and rules before setting off.
Refuges and accommodation: book and pack for cabin life
Rifugi range from large, fully serviced chalets to small, basic accommodation. Many offer half-board. Dormitories and shared rooms are common, so expect less privacy than in a hotel. When booking, check what applies to sheets or sleeping bag sheets: rules vary, and in many rifugi, sleeping bags are prohibited for hygiene reasons.
Some huts can be booked via the CAI's joint booking portal ; others handle the booking themselves. See the portal as a starting point, not a guarantee that all huts are available. Confirm opening hours, meals, sleeping rules and cancellation conditions directly with the respective rifugio. August is particularly fully booked.
Rules and safety: choose the right tour for the day
You don't usually need a special permit to hike the trails here. However, special rules apply in protected areas, including the Puez-Odle Nature Park and the Parco Naturale Dolomiti d'Ampezzo. Camping is practically restricted and does not fit into the standard plan of a rifugitur. Bivouac is regulated and may be prohibited outside of specially permitted areas. Do not camp without first checking local regulations.
Fires in the wild are not permitted. Kitchens and stoves may only be used where designated and permitted. Dogs are allowed on many trails and in some rifugi, but rules vary. Dogs may be required to be on a leash, dogs are not allowed in some protected areas, and some rifugi prohibit them in dormitories. Always check the route, cabin, and any transportation in advance.
Fixed cables may also be present where a route is not a via ferrata. If a section requires ferrata equipment, you should have a helmet, harness and via ferrata kit and know how to use the equipment. Loose rocks under cliff faces make rockfall a real risk; wear a helmet where warranted. Gravelly downhills take time and poles help, but they are no substitute for sturdy shoes or sure footing.
Fog can make orientation difficult and snowfields can make a trail slippery and difficult to assess. In the event of a thunderstorm, leave exposed plateaus and heights. Turn around in time if the weather, surface or stamina deteriorates. Have a map and offline maps, and choose insurance that covers mountain rescue and helicopter transport. The emergency number in Italy is 112 .
Equipment: light packing, without sacrificing safety
Choose boots or hiking shoes with good grip on limestone and loose gravel. Bring poles, rain gear and layers of clothing. At altitude, sunscreen, sunglasses and covering clothing that protects against strong UV radiation are needed. Water purification can be useful where there is a lack of service. For the tunnel at Lagazuoi, a headlamp and helmet are required; for secured routes, proper via ferrata equipment is needed. A packing list for summer hiking will help you go through the basics.
When sleeping in a rifugi, you can pack less than on a tented trip. A light sleeping bag sheet is often practical and meets the hygiene requirements of many cabins. A sleeping bag or quilt can still be relevant if you need extra warmth: nights at altitude can be cold even when the cabin is temperate, not hot. Read our guide to bird down in sleeping bags when comparing down and sleeping systems.
If your plan actually requires a tent outside the rifugi system, camping must be allowed on site. HikingStore's range of tents , backpacks , sleeping pads and sleeping bags can help you choose according to the requirements of the trip – not according to the lowest weight at any price.
Next stop: the Pyrenees
The Dolomites reward careful planning: book your beds, check the weather and choose a route based on your experience. In the next part of the series, we head west to the Pyrenees and compare the GR 10 and GR 11, two long-distance routes starting in Hendaye on each side of the mountain range.