Dolomites in 6 Days?

With 4 full days, these sites seem doable. It all depends on how much hiking you want to do. You could do Seceda and Alpe di Suisi on the same day if you’re not planning on hiking for hours. The longest day trip would be to Tre Cime, at over 2 hrs drive each way. When is your trip? The time of year will make a difference.

Do you just want to “see” these sites/sights or do you want to hike and explore? If the latter, I think you will be spread too thin. Base in Ortisei (note spelling) and assess what you want to do activity wise. Plug travel times into Google Maps and add 30% as you’ll be on unfamiliar roads with unfamiliar signage. Will all that driving leave time for doing?

You probably know that Seceda and the Alpe di Siusi as accessible by lift from Ortisei. Should you wish to drive to the AdS, be aware there are driving restrictions and you cannot drive around there freely.

Also, when is this trip?

Trip will be September 9 - September 14, 2023.

I'm interested in light hiking and exploring via cable cars, etc. Probably half day hikes as a maximum hiking length, and I don't have any particular hikes in mind at these locations yet. Suggestions for easy half day hikes at the above locations appreciated!

I saw this post yesterday and my first thought was it is way too rushed, but I did not have time to respond. So I am glad to see Laurel’s comments and I will add my own.

We spent 10 full days in the Dolomites last summer on a guided tour devoted to hiking. The best days by far were the days on Alpe di Siusi and the Seceda area, and we are going back next summer with our family for a week.

I was underwhelmed by the Tre Cime, especially when compared to the other areas, or the iconic Torres del Paine in Patagonia. I recall there was a long line of cars on the toll road to get into the parking lot, and cars were being turned away at the payment point because the lot was full ( our bus had a permit to enter) so you might look more into that before putting this in your plans. This blog explains about the €30 toll for private cars.

https://www.moonhoneytravel.com/rifugio-auronzo-toll-road/

Lake Misurina which we passed on the way was very disappointing.

We did not visit Lago di Brailes. It does look lovely in photos, but when I look closely at it on satellite view I see a huge parking lot right next to it.

I think you will find plenty to see and do around Val Gardena to keep you happy for four days, or maybe three with one driving trip out of the valley.

This guidebook would be a great help for your planning:

https://www.amazon.com/Walking-Italys-Val-Gardena-Dolomites/dp/B09SNY2FGM

You got great advice from Laurel and Lola. Be sure you know what you're getting into going to 3Cime, toll roads, parking, crowds.........I've been to Val Gardena four times and never needed or wanted a car, unnecessary complication, a bus pass will be included with your lodging. As for hikes... Seceda to Col Raiser is all downhill and stunning. Take Reschiesa and walk out as far as you like, it's level and there is a rifugio about 45 minutes out (strudel) . Great views across the valley into ADS. Take the Championi lift and hike down to Passo Sella. Take the "coffin" lift to the Demetz Hutte view out the back into ADS. The views are jaw dropping everywhere you turn.

Brad, we prefer to call this 2-person gondola cars the “flying telephone booths”. Definitely an interesting experience. We have previously ridden them up to the Tony Demetz hut and hiked down the other side (toward Alpe di Siusi) , through the notch, and back down to Saltria. Then this this year we hiked up through the notch from the AdS side, rode down to Passo Gardena, and hiked back to a lift down to Selva. It’s all good.

If someone wants to ride up to the hut and back down, omitting the (very rugged) hike, here are some photos that might be of interest:

https://www.tonidemetz.it/en/index.php

This one shows the cabinovia in action:

https://www.facebook.com/passionedolomiti/photos/a.1015941715091453/2719435654742042/?paipv=0&eav=Afaqp7FBAnVk9fhg2Ja-gOJ-D7lJ2_KLMZHK5RydKZVc67vwWKs8czRzWhls-wew2Ok&_rdr

Hello all. I am also planning my first trip to the Northern Italy (Dolomites/Lake Como) September. Also looking at Seceda, Lago di Braies, Alpe di Siusi. Was originally looking to stay at hotel in Cortina d'Ampezzo (as a base camp), but now reconsidering Ortisei or Kastelruth instead. Would appreciate your base camp location recommendation, as well as hotel recommendations. Thank you in advance.

Three of your destinations are relatively close to Ortisei, but two (Braies and Tre Cime) are quite distant; even with a car, Ortisei to Misurina (for Tre Cime) is more than 2 hours driving. And also remember that in the Alps weather rules. So if you have a car, all days have good weather and you do not get tired driving mountain routes, you may be able to rush into all the destinations; but only under the best circumstances.

IMHO I would consider places like the Sella or Pordoi passes, closer to Ortisei, before the long drive to Tre cime. And I would not rush to see everything. If you want to see a large chunk of Dolomites you would need a longer time frame.