I would like to drive through the Dolomites on my October visit to Italy, but my time will be limited. Where can I see the most dramatic mountain vistas and perhaps take a short hike to make the best use of my time? I will be traveling from Verona to Venice in a rental car and would like to spend one night in the Dolomites. Thank you.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16231 posts
With one day only I would drive along Lake Garda from Verona and maybe go to Madonna di Campiglio. That is a huge region, one day in not enough. If you had more time I'd tell you to go up to the Val Gardena (via Ortisei, Selva) or Val di Fiemme and Val di Fassa (via Cavalese, Moena, Vigo) then Corvara, Cortina, Longarone and down to Venice via Belluno. You'd have a chance to see the Marmolada and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. If you have two days (with one night in between) you can do it, but you'll be sick of driving through mountains for the rest of your life.
Posted by
Green Bay
21346 posts
How's this view? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAIopI6FCH8
The Sass Pordoi cable car stays open to about Oct 21.
Posted by
NYC area
3018 posts
Hi Gail, The drive from Verona to Ortisei (Val Gardena) should take about 2:30. The Mont Seuc/Seiser Alm cable car in Ortisei goes up to the beautiful Seiser Alm/Alpe di Siusi. This runs until November 4th. http://www.alpedisiusi-seiseralm.com/index.html From here continue on over the Gardena Pass, through the Alta Badia (Colfosco, La Villa, etc.) to Cortina d'Ampezzo and then on to Venice. We can recommend the Garni Ariston in St. Christina (Val Gardena). http://www.garniariston.com Just my opinion, the Alta Badia, in general, has better over all scenery than the Val Gardena. We stayed twice at the Ciasa Montanara in La Villa (Alta Badia). About 30 minutes from here, the Lagazuoi cable car runs into late October. http://www.dolomiti.org/dengl/cortina/laga5torri/info/impianti.html http://www.montanara.it Simply driving the spectacular Gardena Pass is a great way to see the Dolomites up close. Paul