ISO the Gimmelwald of Northern Italy

The most beautiful place I know is Alpe di Siusi, a high meadow dotted with farms and hotels and surrounded by Dolomite peaks. It is mostly traffic-free, with hiking and biking trails right from your door.

https://www.val-gardena.com/en/alpe-di-siusi-italy/

https://travelandkeepfit.com/en/2021/11/29/alpe-di-siusi-seiser-alm-a-fairy-tale-plateau-in-the-dolomites/

I have been there several times, most recently 5 days last September with my family. We stayed in a small family-run hotel near Compatsch, but if you envision something more rustic, this nearby farm offers small apartments.

http://jagglschwaige.com/en/index.html

Good advice from Lola especially as to walking out your door to hiking and scenery. Compatsch not so much a village as a base for visitors” activities but at night and early morning, very peaceful and as one wanders the Alpi di Siusi, the crowds thin. Moso/Moos over in the Sexten Dolomites is quaint and quiet, more of a ski destination than a hiking one. We found it very nice in June. We actually stayed in a agriturismo on the main street. Transportation not as slick as the Val Gardena and AdS or Gimmelwald and surrounding area, but good hiking.

Reading your description (lovely, btw!) there is one place that comes to mind, as it is one of our favorite places in Italy: Ai Spiazzi Mountain Living Lodge. North of Trento, it sits at the top of the Funivia Monte Mezzocorona, i.e. "A place just difficult enough to get to that it discourages most tourists on a tight schedule." It is a beautiful little mountain inn (more inn than lodge if that makes sense) with great views. Food in the restaurant is hardy and delicious, and the staff is wonderful. The region has fantastic wines. There are a handful of hiking trails, or you can retrace your way back down to Mezzocorona and explore up and down the railway: Trento, Rovereto, Bolzano, etc. I would love to return again and again. Maybe someday... Website here

@Sardi

See if these make you salivate uncontrollably.

https://wanderyourway.com/pesariis-the-most-charming-village-in-northern-italy/

https://friuliveneziagiuliasecrets.com/en/art-style/pesariis-the-town-of-clocks/

https://www.sauris.org/en/lake-sauris/

Do not often share my favourite away from the roads paved with gold, but replies to your criteria are a bit light on so far.

Regards Ron

Agree with Lola and Laurel that Alpe di Siusi is a lovely choice. If you are looking for an even more remote location, consider the Alta Badia holiday region in the Dolomites. The mountains are dotted with quaint mountain farm villages that make you feel as if you just stepped out of a time machine! We adored our time in the village of La Val: https://throneandvine.com/la-val-alta-badia/. This part of the Dolomites is dominated by the ancient Ladin culture, which adds a layer of fascination on top everything you see and experience.

Thanks, everyone, for these tantalizing suggestions. It seems as though I'm going to need to plan a second trip entirely focused on visiting the quieter places in the Dolomites. And Pesariis...that really looks amazing!