The Dolomites in Northern Italy are a dream destination for hikers, nature lovers, and anyone who loves the mountains and stunning alpine scenery. With jagged peaks, emerald lakes, and rolling meadows, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in Europe.
Like us, if you’re starting your journey in Venice, the Dolomites are just a 2.5-hour drive away, making them an easy (and spectacular) addition to a northern Italy itinerary. Cortina d’Ampezzo. Known as the “Queen of the Dolomites,” it is where we based ourselves this trip. Cortina is a chic mountain town surrounded by jagged peaks and offers some of the best hikes in the Dolomites.
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Lago di Braies – A Jewel of the Dolomites
One of our favorite Dolomites adventures was a stop at Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee), one of the most photographed lakes in the world. Even though we had seen countless pictures, nothing prepared us for the first glimpse of its emerald-green waters, surrounded by jagged limestone peaks and forests.
This is a popular spot, and you can easily walk/ hike around the lake, an easy loop that takes about 1.5–2 hours at a leisurely pace. The trail is well-marked and suitable for most fitness levels, making it one of the most accessible hikes in the Dolomites.
- On the western side, the path is flat and wide, perfect for soaking in mirror-like reflections of the mountains on the lake’s surface.
- As the trail winds to the eastern shore, it becomes a bit steeper and narrower, with sections carved into the rock and wooden staircases offering a more adventurous feel.
- Along the way, you will find quiet coves where the water shimmered in shades of turquoise, and benches where you could sit and simply take in the stillness.
We paused often to admire the wooden rowboats drifting lazily across the lake—the iconic image of Lago di Braies. Renting a boat is another way to experience the lake, but walking the full loop allowed us to enjoy changing perspectives with every turn.
If you arrive early in the morning, you’ll often find the lake at its calmest, with perfect reflections of the Croda del Becco (Seekofel) towering above. By midday, it gets busier, especially in summer, so I highly recommend starting early or visiting later in the afternoon when the crowds thin out.
Halfway through our hike, it started pouring, we decided to head back and we treated ourselves to apple strudel and coffee at the Hotel Lago di Braies, right at the edge of the lake.
This reminded me of our trip to Banff in Canada….
Lago di Misurina – The Lake of Legends
Another lake we loved was one we stopped at on the way. Driving from Cortina d’Ampezzo, we made a stop at Lago di Misurina, a breathtaking alpine lake sitting at 1,754 meters above sea level. Unlike the emerald tones of Lago di Braies, Misurina has a more open and spacious setting, framed by the dramatic peaks of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo and the Cadini di Misurina.
The lake is often called the “Pearl of the Dolomites” and is steeped in local legends—one of which tells the story of Princess Misurina, whose tears created the lake after a tragic love story.
What I loved about Lago di Misurina is how peaceful it felt compared to Braies. You can take a flat, easy walk around the lake (about 2 km, less than 45 minutes) with constant mountain views, or simply sit on the shore with a coffee and watch the clouds drift over the jagged peaks.
This is also a great spot for photography at sunrise or sunset, or any time, really. I bet it’s beautiful when the mountains turn pink and gold with the alpenglow.
For those who want to linger, there are charming cafés and restaurants around the lake, and you can stay overnight at the historic Grand Hotel Misurina for that classic alpine atmosphere.
Other Beautiful Lakes in the Dolomites
- Lago d’Antorno
- Just a few minutes from Lago di Misurina, this small lake has incredible views of Tre Cime di Lavaredo in the background.
- Easy to access (you can drive right up), so it makes a nice quick stop for photos.
- Great spot if you don’t want a long hike but still want dramatic Dolomite scenary.
- Lago di Sorapis
- One of the most stunning (and most photographed) alpine lakes in Italy.
- Famous for its surreal turquoise color, surrounded by dramatic jagged peaks.
- Reached by a moderate hike (approx. 2 hours one way) from the Passo Tre Croci trailhead near Cortina.
- It’s a bit more effort than Braies or Misurina, but so worth it — the water looks almost unreal.
- Long-tail keywords: Lago di Sorapis hike, how to get to Lago di Sorapis from Cortina.
- Lago Federa
- Smaller, quieter lake near Cortina, best known for its reflections of Croda da Lago mountain.
- Reached via a scenic hike (around 2.5–3 hours) starting at Ponte de Ru Curto.
- If you like less-crowded spots with postcard-perfect views, this one feels like a hidden gem.
Popular Dolomites Hikes
- Tre Cime di Lavaredo —10km
- Cadini di Misurina — 3.2km
- Lago di Braies / Pragser Wildsee — 3.6km
- Cinque Torri Hike — 5km
- Croda da Lago Circuit — 11.5km
- Seceda Loop — 8–12km
- Adolf Munkel Trail / Sentiero delle Odle — 9.5km
- Lago di Sorapis / Sorapissee Loop — 11km
- Puez-Odle Altopiano Hike — 14km
- Sassolungo / Langkofel Circuit — 17km
- Torri del Vajolet / Vajolet Towers — 9km
Photos by Dharin Chandran
5 Day Dolomites Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Cortina d’Ampezzo
After leaving Venice behind, we drove north into the heart of the Dolomites. The winding roads led us to Cortina d’Ampezzo, a chic alpine town. Snow-capped peaks surrounded us even in summer, and the air felt crisp and fresh.
We checked into a charming mountain chalet hotel. Located not too far from the town center, we strolled through Cortina’s lively Corso Italia in the evening, where designer shops sat alongside cozy cafés. We ate dinner at the restaurant inside our hotel, where hearty mountain cuisine met fine dining
Day 2 – Hiking the Tre Cime di Lavaredo Loop & Cadini di Misurina
The next morning, we laced up our hiking boots for one of the most iconic hikes in the Dolomites—the Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop. The drive to Rifugio Auronzo already set the stage with breathtaking panoramas, and then the trail unfolded like a postcard.
The 6-mile loop would have taken us past alpine meadows, rifugios serving hot polenta and apple strudel, and dramatic rock faces. Standing below the jagged “Three Peaks” would have felt surreal. But the weather had other plans. It rained! It poured, and everything was covered in clouds.
Another easy Dolomites hike is the Cadini di Misurina—it has gotten quite popular with the social media crowd. It shares a parking lot with the very popular Tre Cime di Lavaredo. The easiest way to get to Cadini di Misurina is to park at the Rifugio Auronzo lot, which is also the jumping-off point for the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, and you can do the two together. However, this lot fills up quickly in the mornings. Follow trail 117. It’s an easy hike(more of a walk) with some amazing views
By evening, we were back in Cortina, sitting and mopping with a glass of Alto Adige wine. This is one of the best hikes near Cortina d’Ampezzo, and one the most popular Dolomites hiking trails. We just have to come back another time. We were happy that we got to see the “Three Peaks” from the drive up!
Dolomites hiking Options For the more adventurous – Lago di Sorapis & Cinque Torri
This is for the more adventurous folks. Lago di Sorapis hike is about 7 miles round trip. The trail is considered moderately challenging, but you get to see an amazing turquoise lake. The milky blue color comes from glacial minerals, and the dramatic peaks are reflected in its waters.
Cinque Torri, a cluster of five towering rock formations. Apart from the dramatic scenery, it also holds WWI history, with open-air trenches and viewpoints. Cinque Torri, which translates to ‘five towers’. As the name implies, it consists of five stone monoliths, which rise above the surrounding pastures and foothills.
The Cinque Torri is located between Cortina d’Ampezzo and the Falzarego Pass. The tallest tower is the Torre Grande, at 2,361m. The other towers are called Torre Seconda, Torre Latina, Torre Quarta and Torre Inglese.
There are a few options for Cinque Torri Cortina hiking. An easy hike begins and ends at Rifugio Scoiattoli. You can access it by taking the 5 Torri chairlift – the base station is located next to the Baita Bai de Dones car park. Follow the gravel trail downhill towards Cinque Torri, then follow the signposted ‘Great War Cinque Torri hiking trail. On this route, you’ll encounter remnants of World War 1 trenches, bunkers and look out towers.
Day 3 – Lago di Braies & Drive to Val Gardena
Leaving Cortina behind, we stopped at Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee). Known as one of the most photogenic lakes in Italy, it was even more stunning in person. The emerald waters reflected the Dolomite peaks, and we couldn’t resist renting a wooden rowboat to glide across the still lake.
From there, the drive to Ortisei in Val Gardena was full of scenic switchbacks and postcard-worthy views. This is the perfect place to stay before the next adventure.
Day 4 – Seceda & Ortisei
Ortisei quickly became one of my favorite towns in the Dolomites. We took the cable car up to Seceda, where sharp ridgelines jutted into the sky like the spine of a dragon. From the top, we wandered along meadows dotted with wooden huts and grazing cows.
The hike wasn’t strenuous—just pure alpine bliss. I sat to admire the forget-me-nots and other flowers while the kids hiked up to get a closer view of the ridges of the Seceda. Serious hikers skip the cable car and hike up the mountain. This Seceda Dolomites hike, is considered one of the best hikes in Val Gardena Dolomites.
Later, we stopped at the cafe for a cappuccino and apple strudel before heading back down to explore Ortisei’s pastel streets and artisan shops.
Day 4 – Santa Maddalena in Val di Funes: An Iconic Dolomites Viewpoint
One of the most photographed places in the Dolomites is the little village of Santa Maddalena in Val di Funes, with its tiny church framed by rolling meadows and the jagged Odle/Geisler peaks soaring behind it.
The St. Magdalena and St. John Churches’ viewpoints in Val di Funes are two of the most iconic landmarks in the Dolomites.
We drove about an hour from Ortisei, winding through scenic mountain roads, and parked in the village. From there, it’s just a short 30 minute uphill walk to the classic postcard-perfect viewpoint of St. Magdalena (Chiesa di Santa Maddalena). Standing there felt surreal—it’s one of those landscapes that looks painted, yet it’s entirely real. If you’re doing a Dolomites road trip, this stop is absolutely worth the detour.
Plan to be there before sunset, afternoon sun is best for photography of the dolomites mountain peaks with the Saint Magdalena Church in the foreground.
The iconic photo of the St. John Church (Chiesetta di San Giovanni) framed by the dramatic mountain peaks is a sought-after shot. Our son, an avid photographer wanted to capture this shot, so we made the trip, parked and walked about 5 minutes to the spot. The land immediately surrounding the church is private, so stay on the designated paths.
Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm)
We couldn’t leave without a quick stop at Alpe di Siusi, the largest alpine meadow in Europe. Golden light swept across rolling pastures, and the jagged peaks of the Sassolungo group stood tall in the distance. Though we only had a short hike here, I knew this was a place we needed to return to. Next time, I’d love to spend a few days e-biking and hiking in this magical alpine plateau.
Here is more info on Alpe di Siusi itinerary, and Seiser Alm hiking in the Dolomites
Where to Stay in the Dolomites
In Cortina d’Ampezzo
- Rosapetra Spa Resort – excellent location just few minutes far from the Centre of Cortina d’Ampezzo
- Cristallo, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa – An elegant 5-star property with old-world alpine glamour, panoramic views, and a world-class spa. Perfect if you want a luxury retreat in the heart of Cortina.
- Hotel Ambra Cortina – A chic boutique hotel just off Corso Italia, with stylish rooms and warm mountain hospitality. Great if you prefer to be in the center of town.
- Faloria – The 5-star Spa Resort surrounded by the most beautiful mountains of the area
- Rifugio Scoiattoli (near Cinque Torri) – For a unique experience, spend a night in a mountain hut. Waking up to sunrise over the Dolomites is unforgettable.
In Val Gardena (Ortisei)
- Adler Spa Resort Dolomiti – A wellness-focused resort with sprawling spas, thermal pools, and guided hikes—perfect for unwinding after long days on the trails.
- Hotel Gardena Grödnerhof – A Relais & Châteaux gem in Ortisei with Michelin-star dining and stylish alpine design.
- Alpenhotel Rainell – Perched above Ortisei with sweeping views, cozy rooms, and direct access to hiking trails.
In Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm)
- Hotel Rosa Eco Alpine Spa Resort – Sustainably designed with alpine-modern interiors, perfect for a few nights in the heart of Seiser Alm.
- Sporthotel Sonne – A mountain escape with spa facilities and jaw-dropping views of the Sassolungo peaks. Stunning view!
Practical Tips for Visiting the Dolomites
- Best time to visit: Late June–September for hiking; December–March for skiing.
- Getting around: A car is essential for flexibility. Roads are winding but well-maintained.
- Packing list: Hiking shoes, layers (weather changes quickly), water bottle, and camera!
Dolomites Food You Must Try
- Speck (smoked ham) with mountain cheese.
- Vigneti delle Dolomiti wine
- Canederli (bread dumplings) in broth.
- Homemade tagliatelle with wild mushrooms.
- Apple strudel for dessert.
One of the best meals we had during our Dolomites trip (middle pic) was a dinner at Hotel “da Beppe Sello”
Final Thoughts
This 5 day Dolomites itinerary gave us a taste of everything—epic views of Tre Cime and picture-perfect lakes like Braies, and dramatic peaks like Seceda. Starting in Cortina d’Ampezzo and ending in Val Gardena made for a perfect loop, but it also left us craving more time in Alpe di Siusi.
While we missed out on some of the iconic Dolomites hikes, we are summer in the mountains kinda people, and enjoyed a few days of fresh mountain air. The Dolomites feel like a fairytale, and I already know we’ll be back.
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