My husband and I want to travel to the Dolomites next July for probably two weeks. We want to explore , do some short hikes together as well as find a group that offers longer day hikes that I can join up with. We expect we will need a rental car. Questions :
1. An organization that allows individuals to join in day hikes ?
2. Best towns to stay in ?
3. Do we need a car or is public transportation ( buses ? ) reliable ?
4. Any other tips welcome.
We are seasoned travelers , usually doing home exchanges , but there are few people using our company in the Dolomites so we will be using hotels.
Thank you !
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17567 posts
The best tip I can give you is to get a copy of Laurel and Rick Barton’s book “Walking in ItLy’s Val Gardena”, available on Amazon
Laurel is a forum member, and she and her husband have written an excellent guidebook for first-time visitors to the Dolomites, especially those who are not serious mountaineers and alpinists but more casual hikers. They lodging and transport options as well as easy to moderate hikes with clear descriptions so you can gauge the level, and match it to your abilities and interest.
I do not know of any hiking clubs or groups you could join for a day hike, but we were just in the Dolomites for two week and I noticed that the hotels where we stayed often had a daily program of activities, including hikes as well as yoga, childrens activities, etc. ( We did not take advantage as we were in a group with guided hiking each day). I also noticed that some village TI’s will offer group hikes on selected days. Perhaps the book has some information on that.
Edit: here is a link I found for Gardena-Active, a tourism organization which appears to offer local excursions and group hikes one can join.
https://www.valgardena-active.com/en/summer
The upcoming activities are limited, as it is late in the season, but in July they probably have sone good hikes on offer.
It sounds like one of you hikes more than the other? You could also consider joining a hiking tour, such as this one offered by a UK cooperative—-their Dolomites week offers a choice of easy and more difficult hikes each day, plus lodging, meals ( breakfast and dinner), transport to trailheads, guides for the hike, etc. With the exchange rate being so favorable right now, that £1599 pp doesn’t look bad for a week, considering all that is provided. All you have to do is show up. And if one of you doesn’t care to hike on any given day, it’s no problem to just hang at the hotel and enjoy the facilities, or explore the local area on one’s own.
https://www.hfholidays.co.uk/holidays-and-tours/guided-walking-selva?format=pdf&vid=2898
We have done several holidays in the UK with them, and have always been pleased with the arrangements.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8944 posts
My response when I first read the question was to consider HF holidays and I see others were thinking the same thing.
Posted by
Snohomish, WA
62 posts
I see that Lola already recommended the book I used for hikes during my last trip to the Dolomites. It was excellent with clear, easy to follow directions. I stayed in Ortisei which worked out well for using public transportation. My hotel provided a complimentary bus pass - I think this is true for most hotels in the area. I found buses to run on schedule and I had no difficulty getting to and from the places I wanted to access. I don't know about hikes you can join but the TI did have some day tours available.
Have fun planning and enjoy your trip!
Posted by
Pleasant Hill, CA, USA
473 posts
We are heading back to the dolomites in June and using the town of Selva for a base again . When you stay there you get the Val Gardena pass which includes the buses and lots of activities as well. For €125 you can buy a lift pass for six days per person. I will link you our hotel recommendation. The Hotel Sun Valley.
https://www.hotelsunvalley.it/en/
This hotel is the finest place I think I’ve ever stayed for the price. Personally we are paying €180 per night in a junior suite including full breakfast and dinner. Fabulous pool and spa service. The family is amazing. And they’re not paying me to say all these nice things. That’s why we are coming back all the way from San Francisco next summer.
Feel free to direct message me with any other questions about the area. It’s just spectacular!
Posted by
Northern California
111 posts
We were in the dolomites this summer and stayed in Ortisei and enjoyed half board at the family- run Hotel Grones. Didn’t use our car while there since we could walk to the funivie to get to our hiking spots. I’ve heard good things about all the little towns in that valley near Ortisei like S. Christina.
For a longer stay - which we hope to do next visit - I would also consider driving to or staying in the canazei area to hike the passo pordoi area which we like also.
We hike independently so can’t recommend a group but I know our hotel had that kind of information.
Posted by
OP
maitland, Fl., USA
64 posts
Thank you so much to all of you for the thorough and extremely helpful comments ! I will do a deep dive into all of them as soon as this next hurricane passes through our town 😩I love this forum and recommend it to others.
Again , many thanks !!