Hello - would very much appreciate your can’t miss day hike recommendations (& Refugio breaks) based from Cortina d’ampezzo and Ortisei in early October. I have the Cicerone Shorter Walks in the Dolomites guide book but there are so many options!
We have 2 full hiking days per town (and shoulder travel days that also allow for time for hiking). All experienced hikers, looking at 6-8 mile hikes with 1500-2500 elevation gains. Or 2 shorter ones in a day.
We will have a car.
Thank you!
Hi Kristina- I’m planning almost the same trip, so following! One sad thing to keep in mind, nearly all the Refugio will be closed by October. I’ve had good luck w the Moon & Honey website for very detailed hike instructions, including details on which lifts and Refugios are open.
Thanks! I was just looking at Moon &. Honey. Very helpful guidance. I’m hoping weather holds.
Do you happen to know if Rifugio’s accept lunch reservations?
There is a fabulous hike in the Alpe di Siusi. It is in Rick’s book but I wrote about it a couple of years ago. It’s not super challenging (after all, I did it!) but it is a grand overview of the Alpe. https://girovaga.com/2019/12/05/the-best-hike-on-the-alpe-di-siusi-panorama-to-zallinger/
If you want more, there are many trails in the Alpe di Siusi. Since you have a car, you can drive to the lift at Siusi and enjoy the ride up to Compatsch and go from there. I do not recommend driving up as there are restrictions and very limited parking up top..
I think that Seceda is an obligatory bucket list check if you’re going to Ortisei. They lifts are open really late too this year. You’re in luck. 😊 https://www.seceda.it/en/summer
Here is the lift schedule for Val Gardena
https://www.valgardena.it/en/summer-holidays-dolomites/lifts/
You cannot find a better route than Seceda to Col Raiser by way of Malga Pieralongia Alm (google it) and
Rifugio Firenze. You will pass other rifugi,plenty of strudel opportunities.
Between Cortina and Val Gardena take a look at Lagazoui, jaw dropping views, WW2 fortifications, more strudel.
https://lagazuoi.it/index_en.php
I got nothing for Cortina
Brad
I certainly second Seceda. We didn't make it because we went in early June and the lift wasn't open yet, but it's top-of for my next trip!
Thanks so much to everyone for all these helpful suggestions. If anyone has thoughts on hikes from cortina d’ampezzo (and rifugios) that’s appreciated.
Does anyone know if rifugios typically take reservations for lunch / meals only — the ones that are still open, of course.
I have never had reservation at any rifugio. Just walk up and find an empty table/seat. We have been in the Dolomites several times, always in late September/October.
Thank you all, again, for all this helpful information as we plan our days in the Dolomites.
Regarding the lifts, I am seeing options to purchase tickets online — is that helpful or can you generally purchase on site when you want to go? And are there any packages (that are worth considering) or just single ride?
There are passes in the Val Gardena and also one for the greater Dolomite Region that does not include the Val G lifts.
The latter is good if you are going to areas other than the Val Gardena. It is a shared value card, so you buy one card, say 800 points for $80, and the three of you share it, passing it back and forth over the gates at the lifts. You have to figure out which lifts you might want to take and look at the points value for each round trip, so take some time to study the extensive website https://www.dolomitisuperski.com/en/SuperSummer/home. This card is valid in the Alpe di Siusi including the lift up from Siusi. You would have to buy a separate pass or separate tickets for any lifts actually in the Val Gardena.
There are numerous hikes and areas to see in the Dolomites, but it all depends on the weather! One thing that is assured is the breathtaking, spellbinding views especially in the Alpe di Suisi and Col Raiser/Seceda areas. Don’t be too focused on the hike, but enjoy the surroundings, have a bite to eat at the Refugio’s that serve delicious foods and drinks and enjoy every second. Laurel’s book was a good guide for the Val Gardena and we spent a week there and never had time to go to Cortina. Hope the weather is great for you!
Laurel: Very happy to learn of your book from your blog link, and have just ordered! My partner got one of the Cicerone guides, but he is a much more skilled hiker than I am, and even the book's "easy" hikes may be out of my range -- I'm good for 4-6 miles a day.
Regarding rifugios: We are staying in Ortisei October 9-13. Does anyone know of rifugios that will be open for food this late in the season, perhaps at the lower elevations? I'm looking at websites for all the rifugio names I can find, and they're easier closed or don't say (planning to email a couple of them). We are hoping if one or two are open, we can choose hikes that go near them.
CK
LOL, of course I decided to Google for "rifugios open in October" after making my post a few minutes ago, and found this excellent link: https://www.valgardena.it/en/summer-holidays-dolomites/lodges-refuges/
Looks loike a few will be open during our week, so yay.
Kentchristine, this website also has lots of helpful information, including which rifugios are open, in October:
https://www.moonhoneytravel.com/hiking-in-the-dolomites-in-october-italy/
Enjoy your trip!
If you're good for 4-6 miles a day, you'll have no trouble with the hikes Laurel recommends. They are great.
You all have been so helpful with hiking recommendations … alas the 3 week AccuWeather forecasts are currently showing rain the entire week we are there (Il Meteo only shows 2 weeks out). Wondering if others have faced this dilemma—and what to do?
We can cancel our planned 3 nights in cortina within one week out but prepaid Ortisei (second 3 nights) so will keep regardless. We have a car and could go somewhere else before within 3-4 hour drive.
I’ve also made a new post on Italy forum with title about weather / rain for guidance.
Chances are good that the rain will come in spurts, not "all day, every day." We had rain occasionally when we were there and it didn't dampen our enthusiasm (ahem).
Kristina,
Over many many trips to the Dolomites and Alps we have learned not to fret the forecast. Generally the weather turns out better than anticipated and even if it is not perfect, you’ll find lovely experiences.
If it is raining in the morning, chances are good the PM will be better. If the morning is clear, get out as early as possible because the PM can bring clouds and storms.
We have had temps from 34 to 93 I’m Switzerland the last three weeks. Bring your layers, a waterproof hat and boots, and at least one thing for if it gets really warm. Be prepared and seek out venues that are interesting even if it rains or is cloudy.
May your trip be truly wonderful,
Thanks for the reality check on weather. Indeed it continues to fluctuate. We are accepting it will be what it will be and enjoy whatever comes.
You have the Seceda and Alpi di Suisi recs for Ortisei. In Cortina, don't miss Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Go as early as possible, because the parking lot fills up. You can also do a short day at Cinque Torri.
As many of you advised the weather has shifted many times in the weeks leading up to our trip. Latest forecasts suggest possibly one totally rained out day and some chance of rain on a few others. I’m curious about thoughts on rain pants — worth bringing? We don’t plan to set out to hike in the rain but would be to have on hand if we got caught.
Have you regretted not having?
To add we don’t typically use them, but I’ve seen mentioned on some suggested lists. Trade off is trying to keep luggage to a minimum.
Thanks!
We don’t take them. We do not start a hike in rain (drizzle or mist, yes) and we wear lightweight quick-drying hiking pants, not jeans, so they dry quickly anyway. I find a truly waterproof rain hat is very important.
Thank you all for the advice on hiking the Dolomites. We had the trip of a lifetime. Despite the worry about the weather in the lead up, we lucked out with blue skies throughout. For the benefit of others reading this, here is our itinerary. We had a car and traveled the first week of October. Averaged 8-10 miles a day.
Day 1: Cortina d’ampezzo. AM, Took cable cars to top of Tofana di Mezza (last day running for season) for spectacular views. Easy ridge hiking.
PM, Hiked to Rifugio Croda di Lago / Palmeri on Lago Federa; out and back.
Day 2: AM, Hiked from Col Gallina to Rifugio Averau to Rifugio Scoiattoli & Cinque Torri. Took lift down and hiked back to Col Gallina.
PM, took cable car to Lagazuoi for more amazing views and hiked down (one of our more challenging hikes as we lost the trail at one point)
Day 3: Tre Cime circuit loop to Dreizinnenhutte (closed) and back around long way to parking. Stopped in Lago Misurini for late lunch.
Day 4: transit to Santa Cristina. Took Col Raiser cable car up, hiked to Rifugio Firenze and down to parking.
Day 5: Took Seceda cable car in Ortisei up — as spectacular as everyone said — hiked along the ridge then down & up Mont Pic (highly recommend) to Suerasas to St Jakob to parking. A big hiking day.
Day 6: Took Alpi di Siuse cable car in Ortisei up and hiked the circuit around valley with lunch at Rauchhutte.
We hope to go back and do more!
Delighted to hear the trip was so successful that you want to go back!
I am glad to hear it all worked out, and you did some great hikes.
About the weather forecasts—long ago I reserved 5 nights at a hotel on Alpe di Siusi at the end of September for our family. I generally do not look at weather reports in advance of our hiking trips; we prepare for anything and take what we get. But this year I saw people posting about advance forecasts (2-3 weeks out) for rain, rain, rain in the Alps and Dolomites right during our dates, and asking if they should cancel. I hope they did not, because we had 5 straight days of blue skies and sunshine.
