I'm trying to figure out the best way to Castelrotto from Venice. Most guide books (including Rick's) recommend going via Verona on the Autostrada. Has anyone gone straight up the A27 via Belluno and through the National Park? We're planning on driving part of the Great Dolomite Road anyway (Passo del Fasso/Passo del Sella, Val Gardena), so I was thinking this might be a good (albeit long) way to do it. If we go via Verona, Ive heard that there can be long delays on the Brenner due to heavy truck traffic. Even though the Brenner is quite away away from Castelrotto, does anyone know if they go that far south.
Posted by
edmonds
13 posts
Just back from a RS tour. We went from Castelrotto to Venice via Verona. No real traffic problems. Have no info on the other route you mention.
There are trucks on the AutStrada, but nothing different than on an interstate in US.
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
I have gone the autostrada route and traffic was not a prob. I have driven the abbreviated dolomite route and it was great but exhausting for one driver in one day, slow, buses,narrow tight turns etc. Depending on the month you plan weather can be an issue for short or great dolomite route. I hope to go next yr but will def allow many days for the great route.
Posted by
NYC area
2981 posts
Hi Marcus,
We've been to the Dolomites 4 times since 2003 and as recently as last September.
Going via Verona/Bolzano shouldn't be a problem. You'll never even reach the Brenner, as it is much further north (about 45 minutes) of the exit on the A22 for Castelrotto.
Just a suggestion, get off the A22 at Klausen/Chiusa/Val Gardena and go to Castelrotto that way. We took the exit for Castelrotto (last Sept) on the A22 just north of Bolzano and it took us forever. The scenery and drive via the Val Gardena is much better IMO and probably saves time.
Another suggestion, There's no need to drive "The Great Dolomite Road" as laid out by RS or other guide books. Simply drive a few passes in the area. The Gardena Pass is our favorite for simply amazing, spectacular scenery.
If you want to drive the Dolomites on the way from Venice to Castelrotto, drive north to Cortina d'Ampezzo, head west and drive the Valporola Pass, then through the Alta Badia and over the Gardena Pass to Castelrotto.
One more suggestion (sorry, I just can't help myself)...
Since you'll have a car, I'd look into either the Val Gardena or the Alta Badia instead of Castelrotto. Not that Castelrotto isn't nice, it's just that the scenery is much better (IMO) in Val Gardena and even better yet in the Alta Badia. Castelrotto isn't really "in" the mountains. If interested, we have places we can recommend to stay in both areas.
We have photo's at:
www.worldisround.com/articles/355539/index.html
www.worldisround.com/articles/324504/index.html
www.worldisround.com/articles/351565/index.html
Hope this helps.
Paul