Driving Dolomite Road from Cortina to Bolzano allowing 7 hours. I want to stop and take the cabe cars at Marmolado, Sella and Pordoi. Is 7 hours sufficient? If not, just take the cable cars at Marmolado and Pordoi. In between stop for lunch at "Tyrolian special" place along the way. Then drive Autoatrada from Bolzano to Verenna, allowing 2 or 3 hours. Tell me what you know about that. Traveling arounf September 10th so Arrow in the Sky cable cars are running. No hiking or skiiing. Thanks Howard
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Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16232 posts
Once I drove from Cortina late morning, doing stops for pictures, lunch, sightseeing, etc (no tramways or gondolas) and by the time I got to Merano was past 7. Driving time was probably about 3 hours, so it really depends on how many stops and how long you stop. From Bolzano to Varenna even 3 hours may be pushing it. I would say it's closer to 3.5 at least. To make it in 2 hours you need a Ferrari Testarossa with Alonso at the wheel, and the freeway open just for you.
Posted by
Green Bay
21348 posts
At Marmolada, the cable car shuts down Sept 15. Malga Ciapela-Punta Rocca
The Sass Pordoi cable is open later and worth a stop. The cable car at Passo Falzega has an interesting exhibit on WW I tunnel battles. http://www.infodolomiti.it/allegati/Marmolada_en.pdf http://www.fassa.com/EN/Lifts-opening-times-and-prices/
Posted by
Tilburg, Netherlands
2829 posts
Too much for just one day IMHO. I'd pick up just 2 cable cars and enjoy the third mountain range from the many roadside vantage points. 3 cable cars is too much in one day IMO. You can do that in 7 hours. However, you can't possible drive from Bolzano to Varenna in less than 3h45 on the best case scenario, not counting any stop time. And there are two critical areas where slow traffic is not uncommon. It would make an extremely tiring day. If you can, I'd do something completely different: drive to Merano, and next day drive to Varenna through the stunning Stelvio Pass, cutting your way through the mountains. Amazing drive. It is actually shorter in distnace than the highway route, but longer to drive due to curves, urban crossings etc. If you want to drive from Cortina d'Ampezzo to Varenna in one day, you just have realistic time for one cable car climb and a not-so-long lunch, and it will still be tiring.