Hello
We are looking to explore the Dolomites for 3 days in early August with our 2 teenagers and would love some advise on this tentative itinerary. Any tips would be greatly appreciated! I’ve seen mixed reviews on renting a car/driver or taking the bus, so feel free to give your opinion. I’ve seen something about pre-arranging your parking this year which may simplify driving.
Any recommendations on where to hire a driver if we want to explore that route so we can just enjoy the scenery on the drive? Do drivers get to pass to drop off if the parking lot is full?
Does a bus run direct to those places from the towns?
Day 1 - travel from Venice to Cortina d’ampezzo
- visit lake Misurina on the way or later that afternoon. Wanted to also hike Tre Cime but timing may not work to do both? I have a fear of heights so would also like to know if Tre Cime can be still done without coming too close to cliff edges?
- Stay in Cortina d’ampezzo that night
Day 2 - lake Braies, first thing and then on to Val di Funes to see the Santa Maddalena church and hike the Adolf Munkel trail to Gesiler Alm. Is that too much for one day? Does the hut at Geisler Alm close at a certain time?
- stay in Val Gardena that night
Day 3 - visit Seceda and Alpe di Suisi
- stay in Val Gardena again that night
Day 4 - transfer to Lake Como - best way?
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
2759 posts
I think your options are really:
1) Rent a car for maximum flexibility
Or
2) use the buses and go where they will take you. Accept that you may not be able to easily get to the places on your itinerary in your timeframe. This is a rather remote part of the world.
I don’t think hiring a driver for 3 days is realistic.
There is a bus from Venice to Cortina.
I would email Geisler Alm directly for their hours during your dates. We found that many huts close pretty early, especially when they don’t rent rooms.
The bus, then train will be the best option to Lake Como, if you don’t have a car. It will be a long day.
Posted by
Oregon
70 posts
This seems like a lot of travel for 3 days. I wouldn’t want to do both alpe di suisi and seceda in the same day. We spent a full day on each of these on our trip to the Dolomites. I would recommend considering staying in one location (Ortisei is a great choice for multiple hikes with gondolas/lifts that leave right from the town), instead of all that travel between locations. You could easily fill 3 days of hiking just from Ortisei.
Posted by
Winter Park, Florida
306 posts
I agree with CK. We spent 3 days in Ortisei last summer. Did not have a car and never rode a bus but had 3 full days of wonderful hiking in beautiful surroundings. Easy access from Bolzano by bus or car hire.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you for the feedback!
- staying in Ortisei the whole time makes sense so I will adjust our plans to do that and not travel around as much.
Posted by
Bay Area, California
1723 posts
Day 2 is insane. You will not realistically make Lake Braies and Val di Funes on the same day, unless you want to spend the day driving without enjoying the scenery.
Three days is not much for the Dolomites. Try to budget two more full days or reduce the number of spots to visit. Less is more.