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Non-driving quick walking tour Dolomites

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Need help from the experts on my tentative itinerary and plans:

Aug 24 - 31 Arr MUC take train/bus to Seefeld, Au for 7 days at our favorite hotel and hiking trails around Mittenwald & Seefeld.

Aug 31 - Sept 3 Train/bus to Chiusa/Klausen walk hills around Klausen with side trip to Dolomites.
Sep 3 - Sep 6 Train to Venice, flying out of Venice on Sep 6.

Have been to Seefeld many times and Venice once and did the usual tourist stops, traveling companion has not been to Venice so that will probably be a repeat of the high points (assuming it survives the devastating high water) .

We are anxious to experience a little taste of walking the Dolomites, but also want to hike with river views. Is it practical to take a bus (about 1 hour has I read the tables) to the San Gardena area and hike one day then bus back to Chiusa Klausen? Will we regret not staying in farther into the valley?

I originally looked at staying in the valley, but didn't see accommodations that would work for two individuals needing separate beds (twins) with half-board in those areas. As a result we tentatively decided on Chiusa Klausen. We do not like larger communities or people and traffic congestions. We don't shop, we hike, we take in nature, we eat, we sleep. We prefer half-boards because we don't want to be distracted by looking for restaurants.

I'm sure there are folks on these boards who have valuable input for us on accommodations and/or favorite intermediate trails.

Posted by
500 posts

Klausen is a delightful little village with ancient city walls and a beautiful if uphill hike to the Sabiona monastery on a cliff overlooking the area; but remember that Klausen is at the bottom of a deep valley and quite low in elevation, so it could be hot and Dalpine peaks are not in sight from Klausen. In order to hike you have to go into the Gardena valley, as you have discovered.
Most people here know only the Gardena valley, that is one of the better for hikes and colourful villages, but if you are interested in hiking there are other Dolomites areas as well. The Fassa valley (think Canazei or Pozza) is as good as the Gardena but never named here - access time is longer. Cortina is top for mountain views if expensive. The Pusteria valley is a bit more distant from the most beautiful peaks but has very easy access through a dedicated railway line.

Posted by
27396 posts

The point about the summer heat down in that valley is important. Many budget-priced lodgings are not air-conditioned. If you stay at altitude, it's likely to be more comfortable.

Posted by
5 posts

Thank you for bringing to my attention the heat at that time of year in the valley. If we were to move out to Ortisei would we find the temperatures more moderate? Would we find the area over-touristed? I want to stay within relatively easy access to the rail lines for our last leg to Venice.

Posted by
11466 posts

Ortisei in the Val Gardena will indeed be cooler than the valleys. We go there every year. Also look at Selva and Santa Cristina, just a little further along in the valley. It is busy in August but you will be there after the mid-August peak. Most Italians will have returned from their summer holidays by the end of August. (We will arrive in Ortisei Sept 2 this year ourselves.) Lodging rates go down a bit.

Hotel Grones has come up here a few times and it seems nice though we have not stayed there. I can recommend the Hotel Albion with half-pension.

You could also go to the Alpe di Siusi for three nights and stay at Hotel Saltria or Alpenhotel Panorama, each with fine half-board and divine hiking, uncrowded in the high meadow, usually cool.

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