The Best Hikes in The Dolomites, Cortina d’Ampezzo

The Best Hikes In Cortina d’Ampezzo, The Dolomites

The Dolomites are by far my most frequented mountain range due to its absolutely exceptional beauty; and with six return trips under my belt I can safely say that Cortina d’Ampezzo is one of the best bases for exploring the region. It is centrally located and acts as a convenient hub from which to explore some of the areas most iconic mountains, lakes, peaks and trails. I would highly recommend Cortina for first time visitors, as well as repeat adventurers who want easy access to a range of hikes and climbs.

Trip Planning Tips:

If your goal is to hike, I would recommend visiting between late June and late September.
The nearest airport is Venice, which is a 2 hour drive away – and yes I definitely recommend you rent a car.
A typical weather pattern in the Dolomites is clear mornings, cloudy afternoons and potential thunderstorms as the day continues on. Wake early and pack clothing for all eventualities.

Where To Stay In Cortina d’Ampezzo:

When staying in Cortina, there’s a whole range of accommodation options available to you from more affordable Airbnbs through to pricier luxury hotels. Here are some of my personal recommendations:

Fiori Dolomites Hotel – located just south of Cortina, this mid-range hotel has modern interiors, delicious food and a lush spa you can take advantage of. It benefits from slightly lower prices due to being out of town.

Hotel de Len – This is my kind of luxury hotel, it’s a smaller size with a personal touch, but has all the bells and whistles. Gorgeous interiors, great food and an incredible top floor spa with views of the mountains. Plus it’s right in the heart of Cortina so a great location.

Agriturismo Talamini de la Tela – This small and locally owned agriturismo is about a 20 minute drive south of Cortina, but well worth the journey. You stay in newly renovated rooms on the farm itself, and each morning there’s a fresh homemade breakfast spread available. It’s also fairly affordable for the area!

The Best Hikes in Cortina d’Ampezzo:

Distance: 13.8km

Elevation Gain: 921m

Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced

Trail Map: Here

A beautiful and challenging loop hike which goes past the famous Lago di Sorapis and its neighbouring rifugio (a great spot for lunch). The route climbs up above the lake and passes through the peaks of the neighbouring mountains, adding in some sweaty but rewarding ascents and descents to get your heart pumping. The views from the top are incredible! Lago di Sorapis itself is known for its milky blue waters and stunning surroundings. Personally, it was my favourite lake I saw in the Dolomites and I highly recommend giving it a visit. Just ensure you set off early to avoid the crowds and enjoy a peaceful trail.

Distance: 12.7km

Elevation Gain: 907m

Difficulty: Intermediate

Trail Map: Here

This varied and beautiful hike explores the small Croda da Lago chain of mountains and has phenomenal views on every turn. The highlight is of course, Lago Federa, a stunning lake with a rifugio located on its shores, but it also passes through rolling pastures, lush forests and rugged mountains. If you want to experience a range of different landscapes, this is a great trail to add to your itinerary.

Distance: 15km

Elevation Gain: 930m

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Trail Map: Here

This is an alternative to the typical Lago Federa Route, which I personally prefer if you want a slightly quieter experience. It starts at the iconic Passo Giau (make sure you get there early to secure a parking spot - we got the last one at 7.30am) and then loops across gorgeous rolling alpine meadows, past a herd of local donkeys and then down to Lago Federa where you can grab lunch at the neighbouring mountain hut. The views are varied and absolutely beautiful, plus there's the option to extend and summit Monte Mondeval if you fancy it.

Distance: 12.9km

Elevation Gain: 634m

Difficulty: Intermediate

Trail Map: Here

The Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop hike is potentially one of the most iconic walking routes in the Dolomites, so it isn’t to be missed. It circles the famous three peaks, providing outstanding views along the way and passing four unique mountain huts where you can refuel as you go. This particular route also includes an extension to the mind blowing Misurina viewpoint – my personal favourite viewpoint I visited in the Dolomites. It gives incredible panoramas of the most dramatic, rugged and wild peaks in the region. Due to new road restrictions, make sure you book an entry slot in advance and arrive early to secure a parking spot.

Distance: 15km

Elevation Gain: 1046m

Difficulty: Advanced

Trail Map: Here

This lesser known hiking route is not for the faint hearted, taking in over 1000m of elevation gain it is sure to get your legs burning. However, it is well worth the extra effort as you will be rewarded with a quieter trail, stunning views and wild landscapes. The loop surrounds one of the most iconic peaks in the Dolomites and pases by two rifugios where you can refuel, not to mention numerous historic military fortifications nestled under dramatic mountain peaks. Another option is to summit Tofana di Rozes but I recommend doing this through a via ferrata if you're up for it, as it's a truly stunning and iconic climb.

Distance: 14.6km

Elevation Gain: 804m

Difficulty: Intermediate

Trail Map: Here

This intermediate loop hike passes through two beautiful areas. Firstly it ascends up and conquers the peak of Nuvolau, giving impressive views along the way and passing by Rifugio Averau. It then circles through the famous Cinque Torri area, home to five iconic rock towers, another rifugio and numerous war ruins. In fact it is so densely covered in war relics that it is commonly referred to as an “open air museum”, so be sure to take your time wandering around this plateau and learning about its rich history. It is also worth noting that if you’re short on time or your legs are tired, you can catch a gondola directly up to Cinque Torri.

Distance: 11km

Elevation Gain: 600m

Difficulty: Moderate

The Route: Here

Just north of Cortina, is this lesser known route to a gorgeous high plateau, Prato Piazza, which feels like bit of a gem in the area. The trail climbs up next to a river and brings you out at the gorgeous open meadow with views of the surrounding peaks, where you can grab yourself some lunch at a scenic mountain hut. Dreamy.

Other Sights & Activities:

There are an abundance of outdoor and adventure activities available in the region of Cortina, more than you can shake a stick at! However, there are two key ones I want to bring your attention to:

1) Lago di Braies. Perhaps the most famous lake in the Dolomites, this popular spot is under an hour’s drive away and is home to crystal blue waters surrounded by towering mountains. It is undeniably stunning, but also extremely busy. Be sure to book parking in advance, take your swimwear and arrive early in the day to avoid the peak of the crowded chaos. I promise it is worth the effort!

2) Via Ferratas. A via ferrata is a mountain route equipped with fixed ladders, cables and rungs to allow non-expert climbers to access steep and tricky areas. You simply pop on a helmet and harness, clip in and climb. It is one of my personal favourite ways to experience the mountains, and Cortina is located nearby to some iconic routes such as:

– Via Ferrata Giovanna Lipella

– Via Ferrata Ra Gusela

– Via Ferrata Michielli Strobel

– Via Ferrata Punta Anna (my favourite, for advanced climbers only)

– Via Ferrata Sci Club 18

I would recommend doing your first via ferrata with a local alpine guide, and then building your confidence and experience from there.

Safe travels & happy hiking,

Zanna x