The national parks of the Dolomites

Individual arrival at the hotel in Villabassa (Niederdorf). Free, unguarded public car parking near the hotel. Handing over your travel documents

Today’s first walk starts at the idyllic “Pragser Wildsee”, which fascinates the sightseer with the clear turquoise waters of the lake. The valley will fascinate you with its dark-needled coniferous forests, the white rock walls of the mountains, and the clear turquoise waters of the Lake. You reach the alpine pasture “Rossalm” and you continue to the high plateau of the “Plätzwiese”, considered the most treasured walking areas in the country, over which the mountains “Dürrenstein” and “Hohe Gaisl” sit in state majestically. Besides silence and nature, you encounter here also a perfect panoramic view: of the mountains “Cristallo”, “Tofana” and the world-famous “Three Peaks” (Drei Zinnen). The charismatic magnetism of the unusual flora and natural lakes has an enthralling charm on even the most discerning visitor.

More leisurely walkers have the possibility to choose a shorter variant for the first stage, at which they are taken to the guesthouse “Tuscherhof” and start their walk from there. Following the river “Stolla” you will reach the homonymous “Stolla” hut and “rock paintings” (cases of erosion, which are produced by the constant influence of water and the different composition of the rock) to reach the “Plätzwiese”.

Longer route:

Overnight with breakfast in Plätzwiese

Distance: 14 km / 8,7 miles

Ascent & Descent: + 1100m – 580m

Walking time: 6/7 hrs

Shorter route:

Overnight with breakfast in Plätzwiese

Distance: 11 km / 6,8 miles

Ascent & Descent: + 790m – 0m

Walking time: 4/5 hrs

The starting point of today’s stage is the alpine pasture “Plätzwiese”, which together with the mountains “Hohe Gaisl” and “Kreuzkofelgruppe” are very attractive for walkers; the charismatic magnetism of the unusual flora and natural lakes has an enthralling charm on the discerning visitor. The bizarre and fascinating fables according to legends of the ancient tribes of the Fanes Empire are relevant here.

In the Nature Park “Fanes Sennes Prags”, the largest nature park in the Dolomites, you can make your choice between two walking options. Starting at the “Plätzwiese” depending on the variant you reach either the “Strudelkopf” (short variant) or the “Dürrenstein” (longer variant). Both options offer you a spectacular view on the “Hohe Gaisl”, the “Three Peaks”, the “Tofana” and the “Monte Cristallo”.

Variant A:

Overnight with breakfast in Plätzwiese

Distance: 8,2 km / 5,1 miles

Ascent & Descent: + 850m – 850m

Walking time: 4/5 hrs

Variant B:

Overnight with breakfast in Plätzwiese

Distance: 9 km / 5,6 miles

Ascent & Descent: + 360m – 360m

Walking time: 3/4 hrs

Walking time: 3/4 hrs

You hike through the “Plätzwiese” and descend through the Knappenfuss Valley to the “Gemärk/Cimabanche” – the frontier between South Tyrol and Belluno. Here are two possibilities to continue: either the direct way using the public transport to Cortina d’Ampezzo or the longer variant to the hut “Ra Stua” and under the “Col Rosa” to Cortina d’Ampezzo. Your today’s destination, the former Olympic city, impresses with its unique location in the middle of famous Dolomite peaks. There are various possibilities di shorten the route: 25 km / 15,3 miles or 20 km / 12,4 miles or 12,2 km / 7,6 miles or 10,5 km / 6,5 miles

Longer route:

Overnight with breakfast in Cortina d’Ampezzo

Distance: 20,5 km / 12,7 miles

Ascent & Descent: + 610m – 1300m

Walking time: 6/7 hrs

Shorter route:

Overnight with breakfast in Cortina d’Ampezzo

Distance: 4,5 km / 2,8 miles

Ascent & Descent: + 0m – 460m

Walking time: 1,5 / 2 hrs

The panorama of the starting point of this stage is quite simple and stunning. The panorama has an understated elegance and is simply incredible. The colossal rocks of the Ampezzaner Dolomites push high into the sky. The Cristallo, Tofane and Fanes mountain groups are the principal features in this spectacular scene.

There are two options for today: the longer route leads you to towards Forcella Faloria and the shorter one is following the new Dolomite Panoramic Trail. Both of them are heading towards passo Tre Croce. The descent to Cortina d’Ampezzo is for both routes the same. Let yourself be enchanted by the natural beauty of the fascinating nature of the Dolomite peaks. If you do not want to take the cable car, there will be the opportunity to have a nice circular route in Cortina.

Longer route:

Overnight with breakfast in Cortina d’Ampezzo

Distance: 15 km / 9,3 miles

Ascent & Descent: + 270m – 1150m

Walking time: 5 hrs

Shorter & easier route:

Overnight with breakfast in Cortina d’Ampezzo

Distance: 11 km / 6,8 miles

Ascent & Descent: + 100m – 990m

Walking time: 3-4 hrs

Circular route of Cortina

Overnight with breakfast in Cortina d’Ampezzo

Distance: 12 km / 7,5 miles

Ascent & Descent: + 650m – 640m

Walking time: 4/5 hrs

After breakfast with a bus transfer (ticket not included) you will reach the mountain hut “Auronzo” Three Peaks (Tre Cime /Drei Zinnen), the best-known rock formation of the Dolomites. From her you descend into the Rienz Valley and a relaxing walk will bring you to the Three Peaks viewpoint. This was a region where terrible battles took place during the First World War. By bus you go back to your hotel starting hotel in Dobbiaco/Villabassa It is also possible to choose an easier route around the Auronzo Mountain hut passing the Three Peaks. Then you take the bus from here to the starting hotel (ticket not included) in Dobbiaco/Villabassa.

Longer route:

Overnight with breakfast in Villabassa/Dobbiaco

Distance: 12 km / 7,5 miles

Ascent & Descent: + 120m – 1000m

Walking time: 3,5-4 hrs

Shorter route:

Overnight with breakfast in Villabassa /Dobbiaco

Distance: 9 km / 5 miles

Ascent & Descent: + 350m – 350m

Walking time: 3-4 hrs

After breakfast ends your tour through the National Parks of the Dolomites