7 Days in the Dolomites: Wine, Meadows & the Great Passes

Your bases

Day by day

1. Day1

   Land soft in Bolzano

   Bolzano

   Arrive by train or pick up the car at Verona or Innsbruck. Settle into South Tyrol's bilingual capital, wander the arcades and the market, and let dinner, speck, canederli, a glass of Lagrein, set the tone.

2. Day2

   Ötzi, vines, and a first ridge

   Bolzano

   Meet the Iceman at the archaeology museum, then ride the Renon cable car to the plateau for the earth pyramids and a first long view of the Dolomites. An easy day to acclimatise before the peaks.

3. Day3

   Into Val Gardena

   Ortisei

   The short drive up to Ortisei. Up the lifts to Seceda for the tilted ridgeline, then a meadow hike with a rifugio lunch. Sunrise photographers: this is the morning to set an alarm.

4. Day4

   Alpe di Siusi

   Ortisei

   Europe's largest alpine meadow, easy, jaw-dropping walking under the Sassolungo. Go early before the road access window closes to day traffic, and save the afternoon for the spa.

5. Day5

   Over the passes to Alta Badia

   Corvara

   The scenic transfer over Passo Gardena into Alta Badia. Settle in Corvara under the Sassongher, then a high hike to a gourmet mountain hut. Book the table ahead; the lunch is the point.

6. Day6

   The great pass road to Cortina

   Cortina d'Ampezzo

   Drive the Falzarego pass to Cortina, stopping at the Cinque Torri for the open-air WWI trails and a sunset over the towers. Evening passeggiata along the Corso.

7. Day7

   Tre Cime finale

   Cortina d'Ampezzo

   Early start for the Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop, the most famous hike in the range, then begin the drive out. Reach the toll road by 8am in peak season, or take the shuttle from Cortina.