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Dolomite Road and other questions

We will be in Venice for 3 days before we leave for our Airbnb in Santa Christina for 3 nights on September 22. . After we leave there we will have a couple days in Malcesine before we move on to CT, Tuscany and Florence. So we are renting a car when we leave Venice. I thought I read something about Rick Steves scenic route to the Dolomites but I can't find it. and I don't want to spend time along Lake Garda as we'll be doing that later. What I really need is some advice on the best trip to get to our Airbnb from Venice. We will hopefully leave by 11 am and have a little time. Would we have time or would it be advisable to stop in Bolzano on the way? Or we should do that on the way to Malcesine?

So with 2 days I want to spend one taking the lift to Rasciesa Ridge and do some hiking and maybe spend a little time in Ortesei for dinner and wandering around. Any recs on places to eat, not fancy?

The second day is where I'm having problems developing a route. I would like to do the Great Dolomites Road. I have lots of maps and downloaded one but I'm still having issues. Also would like to visit Lago Di Braies that day, maybe just hike around the lake first and go for a paddle but then just taking the scenic ride, stopping in little towns if we have time. Could anyone please suggest a route and how I could put it in google maps?

Any other suggestions you have would be helpful. Thank you so much! You all are always so great. I'm making myself crazy with this :)

Posted by
912 posts

Go north from Marco Polo Airport to Cortina d'Ampezzo and then west on the Great Dolomite Road to Santa Christina and then Bolzano. A side trip to Alpe de Suisi is also highly recommended. I have done it all by bus for skiing in the winter and it is a gorgeous trip. I usually stay in Santa Christina. It is about 2 hours by road to Cortina from Marco Polo. Lago Di Braies is north of Cortina so visiting there will take you off of your path.

Your hotel in Santa Christina will give you a local bus pass that gives you free travel if you want to hike a distance and end up somewhere else and need to get back.

https://www.suedtirolmobil.info/en/

You'll have a great time.

https://www.suedtirol.info/en

Posted by
470 posts

North of Venice there is a great little pass. Passo San Baldo, with hairpin bends in tunnels
Views of the Dolomites from the top

Posted by
45 posts

Thank you for your information and suggestions. I believe we will take the drive up from Venice through the pass to our Airbnb. I'm sure it will be scenic and a great start to the day. I think the second day we will do our hike and then the third day drive out to Lago di Braies and then down to Cortina and finally back to our place. Looks like a nice circular drive. On our way to Lake Garda we will drive the section to Bolzano. Hope we have some sunshine.

Feeling better about it all. You guys are great!

Posted by
3004 posts

No need to follow “The Great Dolomite Road”. I agree, go from Venice to Cortina and then west to St. Cristina. You will drive the spectacular Gardena Pass. About 30 minutes after leaving Cortina you’ll come to the Lagazuoi Cable car, right on the main road at the junction of the Falzarego Pass. You can’t miss it. It’s pretty quick to the top and well worth stopping for. I have to say, of all the passes in the area, I think the Gardena Pass is most spectacular as far as Dolomite scenery.

We stayed in St. Christina also.

www.garniariston.com

Paul

Posted by
45 posts

Thank you for the recommendations! It's going to be a great trip. Gardena Pass will be beautiful I'm sure.