Dolomite Mountains
A compact loop through South Tyrol pale limestone peaks: high meadows, turquoise lakes and a chain of paved mountain passes, all within about 450 km.
A 450 km loop through South Tyrol
The Dolomites pack a lot into a small area. Most of the classic sights sit within an hour or two of Bolzano, so the driving days are short and the walking days are long.
Plan around access rules rather than distance. The road up to Alpe di Siusi is closed to private vehicles from 09:00 to 17:00, Lake Braies limits car access in summer, and the Tre Cime road is a toll road that fills up by mid-morning. Passes such as Gardena, Sella and Pordoi are fully paved and manageable in a camper, but expect first gear and hairpins.
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Top attractions
See what's worth seeing in the Dolomites
Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Three limestone towers above a 10 km loop trail from Rifugio Auronzo. The access road is a toll road and the car park is usually full by 09:00.
Lake Braies
A 1 km lake below the Croda del Becco. From July to September car access is restricted during the day and rowing boats must be booked ahead.
Alpe di Siusi
Europe largest high alpine meadow, at around 1,800 to 2,000 m. Between 09:00 and 17:00 you reach it by cable car from Seis, not by road.
Passo Gardena
A 2,121 m pass linking Val Gardena and Alta Badia, part of the Sella Ronda circuit of four passes that can be driven in a single day.
Route suggestion
Day by day
Bolzano and the Eisack valley
Start in Bolzano at 265 m. Walk the arcaded old town, see the Oetzi museum, then move up the valley to a campsite near Seis. Roughly 30 km.
Alpe di Siusi
Take the Seis cable car up to Compatsch and walk the meadow trails towards Rifugio Molignon. Six to seven hours on foot, almost no driving.
Tre Cime di Lavaredo
About 120 km east via Val Badia and Cortina to Misurina, then the toll road to Rifugio Auronzo. The loop under the three peaks takes four hours. Overnight at Lago Antorno.
Lake Braies and Val Pusteria
Fifty kilometres north to Braies. Arrive before 09:00 to drive in, or use the shuttle from Villabassa. Spend the afternoon in Val Pusteria.
Sella Ronda and back to Bolzano
Close the loop over Passo Gardena and Passo Sella, then drop down Val Gardena to Bolzano. About 120 km and four hours with stops.
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