My sons have booked a trip to Milan for 10 days in May (14-24) Their intentions were to do a hut to hut hiking experience in the Dolomites. After some research it looks as though there are not tours available in the month of May. Looking for some insight -- is there no hiking at all even in the lower elevations? Do you have any recommendations? Thank you.
Posted by
Boston, MA
1832 posts
The huts don't open until June and close late Sept typically
You can hike on your own all year and many people do but not as common
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11953 posts
May is low season and many lifts do not operate. If they plan to stay in a rifugio by hiking up where lifts do not exist, they should check to make certain the rifugio is open. It is not unknown for there to be snow in late May at higher elevations.
You might have them check with the Catores Guides in the Val Gardena for expert advice.
Posted by
102 posts
We've run into deep snow on the higher trails of Val Gardena even in late June. With most trails, lifts, and rifugios closed, May is definitely not a good time for serious hiking in the Dolomites. I'd suggest getting a copy of Gillian Price's guide book to hut-to-hut hiking in the Dolomites.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15806 posts
The RS tours visit in May, so I'd think there was hiking. The Alpine tour I was on in 2015 stayed in Castelrotto (Kastelruth) with frequent bus service to Compaccio (Compatch) for the gondolas and lifts up to the Alpi di Siusi - early June, gorgeous. It would be more expensive to stay in there and "commute" up and down, but still great hiking.