The Dolomites stretch across northern Italy. They suit hikers who want a day on a classic trail, such as the loop around the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, about 6 miles (9.5 to 10 km) long, which takes 3 to 4 hours. They also suit skiers, who have Val Gardena and its link to Dolomiti Superski. The closest airports are Verona and Innsbruck.
Getting around takes some planning. Car access to the Tre Cime parking at Rifugio Auronzo has needed online booking since May 23, 2026, and the Stelvio Pass is open only in summer. Summer lifts run until November, so check what is running before you plan a high-altitude day.
At a glance
- Location: South Tyrol and the Province of Belluno, Italy
- Closest airports: Verona (VRN) and Innsbruck (INN)
- Tre Cime loop: about 6 miles (9.5 to 10 km), 3 to 4 hours, easy to moderate
- Summer lifts: open May to November under Dolomiti SuperSummer
- Cortina d’Ampezzo in November: high 42°F (6°C), low 29°F (-2°C)
Where are the Dolomites and what is it like?
The Tre Cime di Lavaredo belong to the Sesto Dolomites, the most north-eastern group of the range, and the famous north face lies in the municipality of Dobbiaco in South Tyrol. Cortina d’Ampezzo is surrounded by the mountains, and Val Gardena is in Alto Adige. The closest airports are Verona and Innsbruck.
The landscape changes from valley to valley. Val Gardena has three villages: Ortisei, with a lively pedestrian zone and Ladin tradition, Selva di Val Gardena, the highest village at the foot of the Sella massif, and S. Cristina, the sunny one at the foot of Sassolungo. Cortina d’Ampezzo is called the Queen of the Dolomites. On the Seceda the slopes are steep and crumbly in places, then ease into a gently rising high alp to the south-east.
Climbers have been coming for a long time. The first ascent of Cima Grande was made in 1869 by Paul Grohmann, Franz Innerkofler and Peter Salcher. The name Seceda comes from the Latin siccus, meaning dry. Val Gardena calls itself the valley of the Dolomites in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage, and describes itself as the cradle of wood carving art.
Where to go in the Dolomites
Val Gardena
Val Gardena is a Ladin valley in South Tyrol, ringed by well-known Dolomite massifs. Ortisei suits visitors who like a walkable center with shops and food, S. Cristina suits those who want sun and a view of Sassolungo, and Selva sits highest, at the foot of the Sella.
In winter the valley joins Dolomiti Superski, with modern lifts leaving directly from the three villages. It offers 311 miles (500 km) of slopes and 71 miles (115 km) of cross-country trails. It will also host the 2031 Alpine Ski World Championships.
Seiser Alm
The Alpe di Siusi, known in German as Seiser Alm, is described as the largest plateau in Europe. You can sleep on the plateau itself or in Kastelruth, Seis am Schlern, Völs am Schlern or Tiers am Rosengarten.
The villages have sights of their own: Castle Prösels in Völs, the Salegg ruins and the Holy Cross parish church in Seis, and the church steeple in Kastelruth. The Visitor Center of the Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park is in Seis. Völser Weiher, in Völs, is listed as a swimming lake.
The 3 Zinnen Dolomites region
This region has five holiday villages: Prags/Braies, Niederdorf/Villabassa, Toblach/Dobbiaco, Innichen/San Candido and Sexten/Sesto.
The Pragser Wildsee lake is in Prags/Braies. The Three Peaks Nature Park visitor center is in Toblach/Dobbiaco, a good first stop for trail information.
Auronzo and Misurina
Auronzo and Misurina are described as a holiday by the lake. Misurina has direct views of the Dolomites, and the ascent to the Tre Cime starts from the Misurina and Lake Antorno area.
Auronzo-Misurina has a summer toboggan run near Monte Agudo, about 2 miles (3 km) long, plus fishing and canoeing. The Somadida forest can be explored on foot, on horseback or by bike, near the Palus San Marco nature reserve.
Dolomiti Bellunesi park
This park lies in the Province of Belluno. Its Cadini del Brenton are among the most iconic sights, in the Valle del Mis in the municipality of Sospirolo.
Lodging here runs from apartments and B&Bs to hotels, huts, hostels and guesthouses. Twenty tourist facilities in and around the park have carried the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism brand since November 2018.
What is there to do in the Dolomites?
The Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop
The Tre Cime are three peaks: Cima Grande at 9,839 ft (2,999 m), Cima Ovest at 9,754 ft (2,973 m) and Cima Piccola at 9,373 ft (2,857 m). They stand inside the Tre Cime Nature Park, between Auronzo di Cadore, Misurina and Dobbiaco.
The loop runs from Rifugio Auronzo to Rifugio Lavaredo, Forcella Lavaredo and Rifugio Locatelli, then returns by a scenic loop. The loop is about 6 miles (9.5 to 10 km), takes 3 to 4 hours and is rated easy to moderate.
If you reach the trailhead by car, you must book parking online.
Seceda and the Odle Group
The Seceda Meadows lie beneath Mt. Seceda, 8,264 ft (2,519 m), in the Odle Group. They border the Rasciesa High Alp and the Mastlè Alpine Pasture, and the Pic, a 2,363 m panoramic mountain, is visible from the meadows.
In summer it is a hiking area with many paths to huts such as the Curona Hut. In winter it is a ski area.
Cadini del Brenton
The Cadini del Brenton are glacial pots, shaped over centuries by a mountain stream. They are in the Valle del Mis, in Sospirolo.
LUMEN, the Museum of Mountain Photography
LUMEN is at Plan de Corones, at 7,431 ft (2,265 m). It occupies a former upper station of the Plan de Corones cable car, turned into a 1,800 sqm museum.
It suits photographers and travelers who want a museum day at altitude. If you want a trail day, choose the Tre Cime loop.
Where to stay in the Dolomites
Seiser Alm has hotels, holiday apartments, guesthouses, private rooms, farm holidays and mountain huts.
In the Dolomiti Bellunesi park you will find apartments and B&Bs, hotels and huts, hostels and guesthouses. The Seiser Alm site lists 570 accommodations, which gives a sense of how much choice a single area offers. Val Gardena, with its three villages, suits skiers who want lifts close to the door.
How do you get to the Dolomites and get around?
The closest airports are Verona (VRN) and Innsbruck (INN). Venice, Treviso, Bergamo, Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate and Brescia are also useful. Bolzano Airport has daily flights to Rome Fiumicino and seasonal flights to other places. Distances to Cortina: Treviso Canova is 81 miles (130 km), Venice Marco Polo 100 miles (162 km), Innsbruck 106 miles (170 km) and Verona Catullo 162 miles (260 km).
The main railway line is Verona, Trento, Brennero and Munich. The main stations are Bolzano, Bressanone, Vipiteno and Brennero. For Cortina, the nearest stations are Calalzo di Cadore (35 km) and Dobbiaco (31 km). The A22 Brenner Motorway crosses South Tyrol from south to north. Cortina’s motorway exits are A27-Belluno to the south (72 km) and A22 Bressanone to the north (87 km).
Cortina is crossed by the S.S.51 di Alemagna north to south and the S.R.48 bis delle Dolomiti east to west. A seasonal summer ‘linea mare’ bus runs from Belluno FS to Lido di Jesolo.
The Stelvio Pass is open only in summer. For the Tre Cime, car access to the Rifugio Auronzo parking has needed online booking since May 23, 2026. Lifts such as the Funivia Cabrio Tires, which climbs from 1,131 to 1,752 m, and the Seggiovia panoramica Paolina, 1,630 to 2,130 m, shorten the climb.
When should you go to the Dolomites?
For hiking, plan between late spring and September, when lifts are open (Dolomiti SuperSummer runs from May to November) and highs are mild. Cortina reaches 73°F (23°C) in July and 63°F (17°C) in September. July sees 12 rainy days, while September has 8, so September is the drier choice for trails.
November is quieter and colder. Cortina d’Ampezzo has a high of 42°F (6°C) and a low of 29°F (-2°C) and 7 rainy days. Bolzano is milder, with a high of 52°F (11°C) and little sun, 3 hours a day. Pack for cold on the heights and plan valley days.
Autumn brings food festivals. The Merano WineFestival runs November 6 to 10, 2026. MagnAmour Autumn runs in Malé and Cles until November 15, and the chestnut festival in Lana until November 8. The Ossana nativity scenes, almost 1,000 of them, open November 27 and run to January 6, 2027.
What to know before visiting the Dolomites
According to the U.S. State Department (travel.state.gov), U.S. citizens can stay in Italy for 90 days without a tourist or business visa.
- Passports must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned date of departure from the Schengen area. A 6-month validity is recommended, and passports must have 2 blank pages for the entry stamp.
- You will need proof of sufficient funds and a return plane ticket.
- Italy sets a 10,000 euro currency limit on entry and on exit, or equivalent.
- Level 2, Exercise increased caution, date issued September 10, 2026. Exercise increased caution in Italy due to terrorism.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Buy insurance before you travel.
Booking the Dolomites for November: what to know
Lodging in the 3 Zinnen Dolomites region can be booked online. The Seiser Alm site offers a search and book function and a non-binding enquiry.
Sources
- ncei.noaa.gov (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/wmo-climate-normals), checked 2026-10-30
- dolomiti.it (https://www.dolomiti.it/en/passes-and-mountains/tre-cime-di-lavaredo), checked 2026-10-30
- open-meteo.com (https://open-meteo.com/en/docs/historical-weather-api), checked 2026-10-30
- valgardena.it (https://www.valgardena.it/it/), checked 2026-10-30
- travel.state.gov (https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/italy.html), checked 2026-10-30
- valgardena-groeden.com (https://www.valgardena-groeden.com/en/highlights/the-dolomites/high-plateaus-and-alpine-pastures/seceda-meadows/), checked 2026-10-30
- dolomiti.it (https://www.dolomiti.it/de/sospirolo/veranstaltungen/gefuhrte-besichtigungen-der-cadini-del-brenton), checked 2026-10-30
- dolomiti.it (https://www.dolomiti.it/en/places-to-visit/how-to-get-to-south-tyrol), checked 2026-10-30