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Dolomites question + Itinerary Help

Posted by on

Hey!

I am planning a late May / Early June 2026 trip to Italy with my wife, toddler (3YO) and possibly my mom. The itinerary includes Dolomites (Ortisei & Lago di Braies), Venice and Rome. I plan on flying to Venice then renting a car to first do Dolomites. I originally planned to do 2 full days in Ortisei, one day I'd go up to the Seceda then another day Alpe de Siuisi. The 3rd day after I was planning to drive to Lago di Braies then back to Venice.

Looking at google maps it seems like it's a ton of driving. About 1.5 hours to Lago di Braies from Ortisei then another 3 hours to Venice Airport. I don't want to add more days than I have to, so was wondering if I can fit Lago di Braies after Seceda or Alpe de Siusi. Would that be feasible or is doing one of the 2 + Lago di Braies alot in one day alot?

As for the time of year, am I possibly going a little early if I go like late may (last 10 days the earliest) or should I delay to like first week of June? I asked some users on Reddit and someone told me some stuff isn't open until late May. I'm also worried about weather, is it chilly still or nice at that time of year?

As for Rome/Venice, I plan on doing 3 full days in each city. After 2 full days in Ortisei I would set aside 1 day driving back to Venice, dropping off rental then getting into the city. 1 day from Venice to Rome for travel day to not exhaust ourselves trying to fit in more stuff.

Hopefully this is not too confusing and hope to get some answers/recommendations!

Posted by
12105 posts

By all means go as late as you are able to. The Val Gardena and environs is slow to open in June. This year the Seceda lifts opened May 23 but chances are it was still quite chilly. Snow in late May is not uncommon. Many other lifts don’t open until mid-June.

Can’t comment on driving to Lago di Braies. We never drive to or in the area. There is plenty to see and do in the Val Gardena for two full days…or two full weeks!

Posted by
696 posts

I can only address your question about timing. Most of the lifts near Ortisei don't open until mid-June but there are a few that open a week or so earlier. 2026 schedules are not posted yet but you can look at the 2025 schedule to get a good idea and see whether any of the ones you want are likely open when you would be there.

Posted by
1983 posts

Ortisei is not really a base for Braies, it is a long drive.

Posted by
3539 posts

It is a long drive and your drive time estimates are not realistic. . We just spent four nights in the Dolomites basing in Selva di Val Gardena with a car rental and found all the drive times were underestimated by Google Maps by about 35% to 50%.

With 3-4 passengers in a car —including a toddler— you will need to add about 50% to the drive times for bathroom breaks, slow trucks and drivers ahead of you, road construction that stops traffic in one direction, missed turns etc.

Driving from Ortisei to Lago di Braies is a half-day job. Don’t even think of continuing to Venice on the same day.

I think you’ll have a much better trip foregoing the western Dolomites ( Ortisei, Alpi di Siusi) and focusing on the eastern Dolomites near Cortina d’Ampezzo ( Lago di Braies. CINQUE TORRE, Colle Santa Lucia etc.). The scenery is far more spectacular and it will work in well with your plan to visit Venice, which is a drive of 2+ hours.

Have a great trip!

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