My husband and I are planning a trip to northern Italy the middle of Sept. 2013. We do not plan to rent a car and would like to stay in one central location for taking day hikes in the Dolomites. We don't mind taking the bus, walking, or lifts up the mountain. Could you suggest 2 or 3 locations where we can stay and hike for 3 days, go out for dinner, and enjoy the scenery? Thank you.
Posted by
Woodstock, ny, usa
2 posts
I am planning on hiking in the Dolomites in September, as well. Rick Steves recommends a couple of nights in Castlerotto, but I am also interested in hearing from others as to any other lovely places as a base for moderate hikes.
Ellie
Posted by
Woodstock, ny, usa
2 posts
I am planning on hiking in the Dolomites in September, as well. Rick Steves recommends a couple of nights in Castlerotto, but I am also interested in hearing from others as to any other lovely places as a base for moderate hikes.
Ellie
Posted by
Kansas City
462 posts
We've stayed a number of times in Kastelruth/Castelroto. The bus station is right in town and a number of buses can take you to other places in the Dolomites. The Seiseralm is just a quick bus/cable car ride away and there is a TON of hiking up there, from very easy to challenging. If you'd like hike as well as lodging recs, just let me know.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11851 posts
We did a no car vacation in the Dolomites last summer, stayinh in the Val Gardenia, specifically in Ortisei. Castelrotto is not as "in" the Dolomites as the Val Gardenia or other locales. From Ortisei we could hop a gondola to the Alpe di Siusi for hiking. You can read about our experiences here. Be sure you by a Val Gardenia pass and save on gondala/funivia/cable car/bus rides. We took a train to Bolzano then an easy, clean and cheap bus to Ortisei.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17598 posts
We have been there for hiking twice before, and will return this September. If you have time for 3 locations, 3 days each, I suggest Val Gerdena (Ortisei or Santa Cristina); Alpe di Siusi (Saltria or Compatsch), and Colfosco or Corvara in Val Badia. These are all easily accessed by public transport and will give you a varietey of trails and terrain to choose. Note that up on Alpe di Siusi there is no town, but there are lots of hotels an dthey provide half-board with great food. It is worth staying up there for the views and the experience, as well as for ready access to the hike up to Bolzanohütte and the circumambulation of Sassolongo/Sasso Piatto. In Colfosco we stayed at Garni Delta which is small, friendly and well-priced. It is a short walk into town on a nice path for dinner. Or consider Ciasa Montanara in La villa, which I believe is the place recommended by paul who posts here a lot.