Welcome to the Dolomites, a stunning region of the Italian Alps known for its breathtaking natural beauty and world-class hiking trails. This travel guide will provide the perfect itinerary for 5 days in the Dolomites, filled with the best hikes, activities, and sights that the Dolomites have to offer.
This itinerary is designed for the more sunny months (start of May until halfway November) before everything turns very snowy for the ski season!
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Accommodation
For the whole 5 days in the Dolomites we stayed in Apart Residence Rautal in San Vigilio di Marebbe, an absolutely perfect base for the itinerary. The apartment was great and they had a spa we could use all to ourselves – for free!
Rental Car
I’d always recommend booking your car through Rentalcars.com as they offer lots of options and protection in case anything goes wrong during your trip.
Restaurants
Evening meals:
- Garsun – Traditional food cooked by a grandma who will come out and chat to you between courses. There is a set starting time (I believe around 7 p.m.), and everyone eats the same thing. It is a fantastic experience and an absolute must!
- Pizzeria Arnolds – This lovely pizza restaurant also serves a range of other local foods and wines
Lunch stops:
- Agriturismo Soleseid – In San Vigilio (where you’re staying) with amazing views over the valley
- Ütia de Göma – Situated on the Sass de Putia hike of day one, the best polenta we’ve ever eaten in our whole lives.
- Baita Daniel – Situated on the Seceda hike with absolutely outstanding views, again I have to recommend the polenta!
Sim Card
Being from the UK means travelling around the EU is, sadly, not as easy as it used to be. For travels I now opt to use an eSim from Airalo, who offer a great service for sooo many countries (I’ve used them in Italy, Turkiye and the Caribbean to name a few).
- Seceda
- Nuvolau
- Sass de Putia
- Tre Cime di Lavaredo (and Cadini di Misurina offshoot)
Day One
Sass de Putia
The Sass de Putia circular hike in the Dolomites is a trail that offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The route winds its way through the Puez-Odle Natural Park, passing through forests, alpine meadows, and rocky slopes. This off-the-beaten-path trail offers incredible views and delicious food stops along the way. Be sure to try the local polenta, it’s the best you’ll ever have!
Check out the route here
Santa Maddalena
The San Giovanni church in Santa Maddalena is a popular photo spot which you may have seen during your research for the Dolomites (aka… on insta). The church and surrounding village are ridiculously scenic and well worth a stop to take some photos!
Day Two
Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Located in the heart of the Tre Cime Natural Park, this iconic trail offers hikers a chance to witness the majestic beauty of three towering peaks, the Tre Cime di Lavaredo.
As you navigate the well-marked paths, you’ll be surrounded by stunning alpine scenery, with jagged rock formations, lush green meadows, and crystal-clear mountain lakes. Taking around 4-5 hours to complete, I’d recommend doing the hike counter-clockwise and starting with the Cadini offshoot (which I’ll talk about below).
Check out the full route here
Cadini di Misurina
The Cadini di Misurina offshoot of the Tre Cime hike is a hidden gem well worth the extra 40 minutes or so of hiking. As you venture along the path, you’ll be immersed in a world of towering rock towers, dramatic cliffs, and intricate rock formations. Easily the easiest hike with the biggest reward in the entirety of the Dolomites!
Check out the route here
Day Three
Lago di Braies
Also known as “Pragser Wildsee”, this enchanting lake is one of the most awe-inspiring in the world, making it an essential stop when exploring the Dolomites.
A delightful way to embrace the beauty of Lago di Braies is by embarking on a scenic hike around the lake. This approximately 1.5-hour loop trail offers a relatively easy trek, though it incorporates several sets of stairs so is not accessible for strollers or wheelchairs.
I’d also recommend renting out one of the boats and going to a paddle on the lake for the full Lago di Braies experience!
Lago di Braies is one of the most popular spots to visit in the Dolomites, to make your visit as painless as possible be sure to get there early!
TRAVELLER TIP
From July 10th to September 10th, access to Lago di Braies by car is restricted between 9:30 am and 4 pm. During these hours, reaching Lake Braies is possible via public transportation, on foot, by bicycle, or upon presentation of an online reservation or valid transit permit. To ensure a hassle-free visit make sure you remember to pre-book parking through prags.bz!
San Vigilio di Marebbe
The afternoon of day three can be spent relaxing and exploring the lovely San Viglio, which is where you’re based for the trip. Here’s how I’d recommend spending the remainder of your day:
- Lunch at Agriturismo Soleseid with amazing views over the valley
- Relax at the spa in the hotel
- Dinner at Garsun, traditional local food all cooked by a lovely grandma who will come and chat to you – seriously go here!
Day Four
Nuvolau Hike
This hike is a total hidden gem and the only hike on this itinerary that is a more traditional ‘hike to a peak.
The journey begins at the spacious car park of the Lagazuoi cable car on the Falzarego pass in Belluno, just beyond the South Tyrolean border. From there, you’ll embark on the wide hiking trail no. 441, which leads you towards the Averau mountain hut. As you follow the trail, you’ll be treated to remarkable vistas of the striking Averau, traversing a grassy ridge adorned by the majestic Croda Negra. The path gradually becomes steeper and rockier, taking you through a limestone-white, rock-strewn, and gravel-filled steep gully.
The summit of Nuvolau offers an unforgettable panorama, encompassing renowned peaks like Lagazuoi, Civetta, Sorapis, and the glaciated Marmolada.
Check out the full route here
Stop at the rifiugo at the top of Nuvolau for a coffee and, more importantly, homemade tiramisu
TRAVELLER tip
Day Five
Seceda Hike
Located within the Puez Odle Nature Park, Seceda stands as one of the most iconic peaks in the Dolomites, thanks in part to its popularity on Instagram.
The highlight of this hike is undoubtedly the famous view of the Seceda ridge, with its jagged Odle ridgeline and evocative atmosphere, evoking the feeling of being on another planet. The rest of the trail meanders through high alpine pastures adorned with charming rustic huts and rifugios, while occasional rocks seemingly erupt from the ground, as if captured in the moment before launching skyward.
The beauty of hiking Seceda lies in the flexibility to tailor the route to your preference, as there are multiple access points and cable cars, with the shortest hike being just 10 minutes to the Seceda ridge.
The circular route we’d recommend starts at the top of the Col Raiser cable car. From there, you’ll follow the signs to Fermeda/Seceda. Once you’ve reached the summit, simply follow the directions back to Col Raiser to catch the cable car for a descent back to the car park.
Check out the full route here
Getting There
Fly into Venice airport and rent a car for a 3-hour drive to the Dolomites. On the way home, spend a day in Venice to round out your trip.
That’s it, folks! With this itinerary, you’ll experience the best of 5 days in the Dolomites and create unforgettable memories in the heart of the Italian Alps. Happy travels!
