Dolomites late April

Posted by dan.r on 04/08/14 10:14 PM

Hey guys,

Does anyone have a suggestion for an area of the Dolomites that might be nice to visit the last week of April? I know it's in-between season, but my wife and I just really wanted to spend some time in the mountains for a few days between Venice and Lake Garda, and hopefully do a bit of easy-moderate hiking if possible.

I understand that business largely shuts down during this time, but if anyone has had decent experiences to share, I'd really appreciate it. All we really need is a place where the roads are passable by car and it's not too likely to rain.

Thanks so much!

Dan

Posted by Roberto da Firenze ⚜

San Francisco Bay Area (USA)

04/09/14 12:06 AM

15224 posts

Val Gardena (Ortisei, Selva, Santa Cristina).
Easily accessible area but I can't guarantee any type of weather when you go. It could even snow, not just rain, in those mountains. I know because I was caught in a snowstorm in May once on the Dolomites.

Posted by maryc

04/09/14 12:13 AM

35 posts

Hi Dan,
Yes, late April is that awkward season - likely to be too late for good skiing, too early for good hiking, with many businesses closed. Still, most roads and many trails should be open, and I think it would be worth the trip. I've been there in early May, and had reasonable conditions. The area I would visit is the Alpe di Siusi, a spectacular high alpine meadow an hour east of Bolzano with a nice variety of hiking options. You could stay in Castelrotto, a pleasant town of 2,000. Check their website at www.seiseralm.it for weather reports, and e-mail them for specific information on trail conditions. Another excellent resource is a local guide, American Kat Reno, who offers private walks and hikes, and good ideas for rainy/snowy days. Her e-mail is [email protected].

Posted by Mike

Boston

04/09/14 11:31 AM

1707 posts

We went camping near Cortina one year around May 7 and didn't find the outdoor experience we wanted. Not only the closed businesses but spring on the slopes lagged the valley floor by a good margin. Last year we went to Annecy in France on May 15 and it was just reaching full development on the valley floor and on modest mountains, but the upper mountains were still not ready for hiking.

You could go to Bolzano. It's in the valley of the Adige, easy to reach on the autostrada, both Italian and German culture, and very pleasant, yet near middling sized mountains on both sides of the valley. Don't miss the Ice Man and if it rains visit Trento and the museum at Rovereto.

The are several live cameras on the Alpe di Siusi here: http://www.alpedisiusi.info/en/info/meteo/webcam.html