Hello and thank you for any guidance you can provide ... We are planning to be in the area of the Dolomites (for the first time) from May 19 - 23 - without a car. I grew up in an area with mountains and miss them living in Miami so even though not the best time of year for the Dolomites I do want to visit the area. We are very interested in taking easy hikes in the region - but being from Miami we aren't used to very cold weather! I would love to stay in Ortisei (it sounds lovely!) with its close proximity to get into the mountains but it looks like it could still be quite cold so I am thinking of staying in Balzano instead where we might have more options for walks based on weather conditions - or indoor activities if there is inclement weather. In Ortisei my sense is that whole focus is the mountains whereas in Balzano there are other options for activities in town or regional day trips. Does this make sense? Any advice is appreciated. Thank you.
Posted by
Bainbridge Island
3299 posts
Bolzano is in the bottom of the valley. I don’t recall being able to even see mountains from there. It is a nice enough city, with some fancy hotels, but has none of the charm of the village of Ortesei. I don’t think you will be too cold there if you have a decent jacket.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11799 posts
Stay in Ortisei and day trip to Bolzano if weather is poor.
The funicular to Resciesa opens on May 18 and the lift at Mont Seuc, from Ortisei to the Alpe di Siusi, opens May 11. Both are excellent choices for easy hikes. The cableway from SIusi to the Alpe di Siusi at Compatsch also opens on May 18 and you can easily take a bus to Siusi from Ortisei (and back) if you want to go to that side of the Alpe. We like to go up at Ortisei and walk to Compatsch then take the cableway down and the bus back. Col Raiser at Santa Cristina also will be open starting May 17 so you can take the bus (free with pass from your lodging) to that neighboring village.
There is a nice walk called the Promenade between Ortisei, S. Cristina, and Selva. Mostly level and paved with very nice views. We like to take the bus to Selva and walk back, stopping in S. Cristina for lunch.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11799 posts
Meant to attach a link to the lift schedule https://www.valgardena.it/en/summer-holidays-dolomites/lifts/
Posted by
Bay Area, California
1638 posts
Staying in Ortisei is the most convenient. It's the transit hub of the valley. Be sure to book a good hotel soon.
Happy Travels!
Posted by
Citizen of the World
2066 posts
Take the #350 Bus to Ortisei from outside the train station in Bolzano. There are hourly bus departures at 28 minutes past the hour ( i.e. 12:28 pm 1::28 pm 2:28 pm etc.) You won’t even see the mountains from Bolzano, so head on up to Ortisei so that you can. You won’t need a car— there are local buses between Casterotto and Ortisei and other points of interest.
The 350 Bus from Bolzano to Ortisei takes about 55 minutes.
Posted by
Colorado
388 posts
Definitely Ortisei!
We took the bus down to Balzano one day. Easy enough!
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Ortisei it is! I just booked 4 nights at the Adler and am looking forward to visiting Ortisei. Thank you everyone for all the great information.
Posted by
23 posts
So excited to read this post, after a bunch more research I just changed our 3 days in Merano to 3 days in Ortisei for during last week in May. Looks like more of what we are looking for! :)