September suits hikers in the Dolomites. The lifts are running, the high trails are open, and afternoons in the valleys stay mild. The Tre Cime loop, the Seceda paths and the Alpe di Siusi are all within reach.
The month has a few limits. Nights in Cortina d’Ampezzo drop to 44°F (7°C), and the free guided tours of the Cadini del Brenton end on September 13. Plan the early days of the month for those, and keep a warm layer in the daypack.
At a glance
- Cortina d’Ampezzo, afternoon high: 63°F (17°C)
- Cortina d’Ampezzo, night low: 44°F (7°C)
- Bolzano, high and low: 75°F (24°C) and 55°F (13°C)
- Rainy days: 8 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, 7 in Bolzano
- Sunshine in Bolzano: 6 hours a day
- Free Cadini del Brenton guided tours: until September 13
- Lifts of Dolomiti SuperSummer: open from May to November
What is the weather like in the Dolomites in September?
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 51°F (11°C) | 4.1 in (104 mm) | 12 |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 44°F (7°C) | 2.9 in (73 mm) | 8 |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 37°F (3°C) | 2.9 in (75 mm) | 7 |
*Long-term monthly averages.*
September is mild and a little cool in the mountains. Cortina d’Ampezzo reaches 63°F (17°C) in the afternoon and falls to 44°F (7°C) at night. Down in Bolzano it’s warmer, with 75°F (24°C) by day and 55°F (13°C) at night. A day on the high trails starts cold and warms up, so dress in layers.
Cortina d’Ampezzo has eight rainy days in September, Bolzano seven. Bolzano gets 6 hours of sunshine a day. Carry a rain jacket for the days that turn wet.
August is warmer and wetter. Cortina d’Ampezzo reaches 71°F (22°C) in August and has more rainy days than in September, and Bolzano climbs to 85°F (29°C). October is cooler: Cortina d’Ampezzo drops to 53°F (12°C) by day and 37°F (3°C) at night, and Bolzano reaches 64°F (18°C). September sits between the two.
Where to go in the Dolomites in September
Tre Cime di Lavaredo
The Tre Cime di Lavaredo lie between the Province of Belluno and South Tyrol, within the Tre Cime Nature Park. The area stretches between Auronzo di Cadore, Misurina and Dobbiaco. In September the loop walk is comfortable in cool, mostly dry weather.
Seceda
The Seceda meadows lie beneath Mt. Seceda, 8,264 feet (2,519 m) high, in the Odle Group. In summer the area is a hiking ground with many paths to mountain huts such as the Curona Hut. September is still summer for the lifts and trails.
Alpe di Siusi
The Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm) is a wide high alp, described as the largest in Europe. Churches, chapels, castles, ruins, museums and viewpoints surround it. Base yourself on the alp or in Kastelruth, Seis am Schlern, Völs am Schlern or Tiers am Rosengarten.
Val Gardena
Val Gardena is in Alto Adige (South Tyrol) and has three villages: Ortisei, Selva di Val Gardena and S. Cristina. Ortisei has a lively pedestrian zone with shops, food and Ladin tradition. Selva sits at the foot of the Sella massif, and S. Cristina lies below Sassolungo.
What to do in the Dolomites in September
Cadini del Brenton guided tour in early September
The Cadini del Brenton are among the most iconic sights of the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park. The park offers free guided tours there, running from July 5 to September 13. The meeting point is the Infopoint Cadini in Valle del Mis, municipality of Sospirolo, near the botanical garden Campanula morettiana.
The tours stop on September 13, so September visitors should aim for the first half of the month.
Tre Cime loop in cool light
The loop is about 6 miles (9.5 to 10 km) and takes 3 to 4 hours, easy to moderate. It runs from Rifugio Auronzo to Rifugio Lavaredo, Forcella Lavaredo and Rifugio Locatelli, then returns by a scenic loop.
Pack a layer for the huts and the stops along the way.
Seceda hiking to the mountain huts
The lifts of Dolomiti SuperSummer, open from May to November, make the UNESCO Dolomites accessible in summer.
Panorama hikes on high trails and bike and mountain bike tours are among the summer activities. September falls well inside the lift season, so there’s no need to rush to get a high-altitude day in.
LUMEN Museum of Mountain Photography at Plan de Corones
LUMEN sits at 7,431 feet (2,265 m) on Plan de Corones. It occupies a former upper station of the cable car, transformed into a museum of 1,800 square meters.
It’s a good pick for a day when the clouds come in. Dress warmly, as the altitude is cooler than the valley.
Auronzo-Misurina on foot, by canoe or by toboggan
In Auronzo-Misurina there’s a summer toboggan run of about 2 miles (3 km) near Monte Agudo. You can also fish and canoe there.
The Somadida forest nearby can be explored on foot, on horseback or by bike, close to the Palus San Marco nature reserve. It makes an easy day for children.
Are the Dolomites busy in September?
Rooms in the Dolomites come in many forms: hotels, holiday apartments, guesthouses, private rooms, farm holidays and mountain huts around the Seiser Alm. The 3 Zinnen region has five holiday villages: Prags/Braies, Niederdorf/Villabassa, Toblach/Dobbiaco, Innichen/San Candido and Sexten/Sesto. The Dolomiti Bellunesi park has apartments and B&Bs, hotels and huts, hostels and guesthouses.
South Tyrol charges a tourist tax on top of the room rate, set by law and paid on site by guests aged 14 and over.
What to pack for the Dolomites in September
September asks for layers: mild afternoons, cold early mornings and nights, and a rainy day every few days.
- A warm fleece or light down jacket for nights near 44°F (7°C) in Cortina d’Ampezzo
- Sturdy hiking shoes for the Tre Cime loop of 3 to 4 hours and the Seceda paths
- Sun protection and a short-sleeve layer for afternoons that reach 75°F (24°C) in Bolzano
- A warm layer for LUMEN at 7,431 feet (2,265 m)
What to know before visiting the Dolomites in September
The lifts of Dolomiti SuperSummer run from May to November, so September is inside the season. The free Cadini del Brenton tours end on September 13.
South Tyrol’s tourist tax is paid on site, in addition to the room rate. It applies to all guests aged 14 and over.
Is September a good time to visit the Dolomites?
Yes, September is a good month for hikers who want mild weather and open lifts. Afternoons are comfortable, and the trails and huts are accessible.
August is warmer, with 71°F (22°C) in Cortina d’Ampezzo, but has more rainy days. October is colder, with 37°F (3°C) at night in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Shifting four weeks earlier gains warmth and loses the cool, drier feel. Shifting later brings colder nights.
For the Cadini del Brenton tours, choose the first half of September, as they end on September 13. With children, the toboggan run, canoeing and the Somadida forest near Auronzo-Misurina give easy days. For a long hiking week, the Tre Cime loop and the Seceda paths fit the month well.
Sources
- seiseralm.it (https://www.seiseralm.it/en/plan-your-holiday/search-book/all-accommodations.html?%3Futm_source=seiseralm.it), checked 2026-10-30
- valgardena.it (https://www.valgardena.it/it/), checked 2026-10-30
- seiseralm.it (https://www.seiseralm.it/en/enjoyment-experience/experience/sights.html), checked 2026-10-30
- ncei.noaa.gov (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/wmo-climate-normals), 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/passes-and-mountains/tre-cime-di-lavaredo), 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
- suedtirol.info (https://www.suedtirol.info/en/en/experiences-and-events/plp-experiences/regions/dolomites/culture-sights.page4), checked 2026-10-30