Cortina d’Ampeezo, Castelrotto
The Dolomites are a mountain range in northeast Italy, and with the rich beauty of this region, there is much to see. Travel by car and bus.
Cortina d’Ampeezo
After staying in Innsbruck, we headed to the Italian Dolomites by car, about a 2.5- hour drive. The Dolomites can also be reached from Innsbruck via train/bus, but may take longer.
Lago di Braies
Our destination was the resort town of Cortina. Enroute, we stopped to view Lago di Braies a crystal-clear smooth alpine lake encased on all sides by mountains. Melting snow continuously feeds into the lake making the depth over 100 feet. After parking the car, which wasn’t a problem as there were a few options, we began our two mile walk. Starting at the rental boat house, we walked through the pine trees, crossed a wooden bridge, and occasionally stopped to enjoy a view of the peaceful cold glacier lake.
A full walking cycle returned us to the boat house. Additionally, there were longer, and more difficult pathways as well, most progressing to higher elevations. Lago di Braies is one of the most recognized lakes in Italy, and it was stunning.
Cima Tofana
Further south of Lago di Braies is Cortina, and just west is the Cima Tofana di Mezzo, one of the highest peaks in the Dolomites and the highest peak near Cortina. To access Cima Tofana, there were a series of cable cars. Starting with a cable car from the parking lot, the first stop was Col Druscié at 5,800 feet. At this location, the Col Druscié restaurant is available for a meal or coffee and nearby pathways, ranked from easy to advanced, for hiking.
Leaving the evergreens behind, the next cable car stop was Ra Valles at 8,000 feet where the topography is more barren. An observation deck with amazing views of the surrounding mountains can be accessed from the Capanna Ra Valles restaurant. Also a perfect location to grab a bite to eat.
To reach the summit of Cima Tofano di Mezzo required taking the final cable car. Then hiking on trails of gravel stones to venture near the cliff edges. It’s a bit precarious at the summit and requires a watchful eye.
Lago di Sorapis
Leaving Cortina, we headed to Lago di Sorapis, a turquoise colored lake on the top of a mountain. After parking our car at Passo Tre Croci, we chose the shorter route #215 to hike. We started out in a meadow, which was easy enough. But then the trek became progressively more challenging. By this time, we were too committed in the hike to turn around. So onward we pressed.
The dirt path trail wrapped around the side of the mountain, with an occasional ladder to climb, and exposed cliff edges with a plunging drop. The hike was not for the weak-of-heart who fear heights. Once we reached the lake, the view was amazing and the feeling of accomplishment was euphoric! Near the summit was a shack style cafe and toilets. We then had the return hike to make and thankfully it was without incident. Overall, the total time up and back took several hours to complete.
Another awesome hike in the Dolomites is the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, or the three peaks of Lavaredo. We ran out of time, but it was on our list. From our understanding and research, it would have been an easy hike with spectacular views.
Castelrotto
Seceda
The following day we headed for Castelrotto. This alpine town was a great base for our nearby hiking adventures. We unloaded our luggage at our hotel and drove to the village of Ortisei, one of the cable car locations for reaching the Seceda mountain. Another option was the village of Col Raiser. Seceda is an 8,000 foot jagged mountain within the Puez-Odle Nature Park and offers breathtaking views and multiple hiking paths.
After leaving our car in Ortisei, we took a gondola to reach the first level of Seceda. There was a hotel, lookout, and walking paths in a vast expanse of meadows. We then took a cable car to the Seceda summit, with a goal to walk along the famous Seceda ridge. When in need of a break or refreshments, there were food huts available, which enabled us to stay for hours. The mountain peaks became more impressive and majestic on the summit, drawing a stark contrast with the meadows below.
Alpe di Siusi
Next we drove to Alpe di Siusi, the highest alpine meadow in Europe. After parking our car, we took a gondola to the meadow. It was a peaceful time spent amid an unobstructed nature of grassland and evergreen trees. Biking is popular on the meadow due to the extensive size and available suitable paths. We rented our e-bikes early from the nearby village on the meadow, although there were other bike rental options in the towns. With over 30 square miles to explore, and restaurants to choose from, we spent several hours enjoying this mountain plateau.
The four days in the Dolomites were some of our best hiking adventures in Europe. If the weather had not been pleasant, the outcome would have been totally different.
Our focus now turned west to the lakes of Northern Italy!