Mountain hiking in the Dolomites
The Dolomites
In order to understand the Dolomites and what fascination they hide, you have to experience them up close. The enchanting appearance of the mountains attracts mountaineers and hikers. And once you've seen it, you can't escape it.
The typical alpine landscapes, the untouched nature, the gorges, the ridges and the wonderful forests and particularly beautiful mountain peaks await you when hiking in the Dolomites. All hiking trails are well marked and lead you to the most beautiful viewpoints. A wide variety of tours await you here, from hut hikes to the magnificent Dolomite peaks and the crystal-clear mountain lake.
The delightful Rose Garden, the magnificent Three Peaks and the rugged walls of the Seceda are just some of the spectacular mountain ranges in the Dolomites.It may be that the sight of this mountain landscape seems strange at first when you go on a journey of discovery amidst the striking peaks and towers.
It doesn't matter whether you explore the majestic Dolomite landscape from the picturesque mountain villages in mountain boots, by bike or on skis, countless adventures, moments of pleasure and enchanting natural landscapes await you. Experience the world of the Dolomites on a strenuous hike on adventurous via ferratas, on a leisurely hike for the whole family in Eggental, on steep climbing walls at the foot of the Drei Zinnen or on sporty bike tours on Kronplatz.
The views of the wild rock formations are particularly breathtaking. It was even officially confirmed. The beauty and unique origin story have proven that part of the Dolomites has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009.
The Dolomites as a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE (The most beautiful mountains in the world)
On the 26th In June 2009, parts of the Dolomites were recognized by UNESCO as a serial world natural heritage site.
The nine areas of the Dolomites World Heritage Site are of exceptional beauty. The sublime, monumental and colorful landscapes of the Dolomites have fascinated numerous travelers for a very long time and have been the source of numerous scientific and artistic interpretations. Here are the exceptionally special places in the Dolomites that have been placed under protection:
- Pelmo-Croda da Lago
- Marmolada
- Belluneese Dolomites, Pale di San Lucano, Pale di San Martino and Vette Feltrine
- Friulian Dolomites and Dolomiti d’Oltre Piave
- Northern Dolomites
- Puez-Geisler
- Schlern-Rosengarten, Latemar
- Bletterbach
- Dolomiti di Brenta
Most of the visitors always agree with us that the Dolomites are among the most beautiful mountains in the world. The uniqueness of the region, its geological significance and its unique beauty were recognized by UNESCO in 2009, which named the mountain region “Dolomites” a World Natural Heritage Site. Only regions that have a special value for humanity and should be protected in order to preserve this invaluable value are recognized as world heritage sites.
Based on these insights, one cannot contradict the South Tyrolean cross-border commuter Reinhold Messner, who once wrote: “For half a human life I climbed, walked or crawled to the edges of the earth. On your knees to the top of Mount Everest. I marveled at the largest mountains in the world and exotic rocks in New Guinea, Patagonia and in the middle of the Sahara. But nowhere else have I found such an impressive rocky world as the Dolomites.”
Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Terrace in Val Gardena
Two Dolomite UNESCO World Heritage terraces in South Tyrol are located on the Mastlé-Alm/Col Raiser in St. Christina. Here you can see what makes the Dolomites so extraordinary, namely their geological and landscape features. There are two such viewpoints here.One of them is in the Puez-Geisler Nature Park, near the mountain station of the Col Raiser lift.Here it was set to 2.A world heritage terrace was completed at 200 meters above sea level, offering a view of the breathtaking mountains of the Dolomites.
The 10 best hiking routes in the Dolomites
Almost all hikes in the Dolomites have magnificent views with rugged peaks, embedded in breathtaking Alpine panoramas. In addition, this region, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has the power to convince us to take excellent hiking trips.Alpine pastures, forests, gorges, mountain passes and a lot of pristine nature await hiking and trekking fans in the Dolomites. Some steep climbs can, but do not have to be, part of a hike in the Dolomites. This region simply has something to offer hikers of all fitness levels. Since the hiking trails in the Dolomites are well marked and maintained, orientation is not difficult, even on multi-day tours.
There are almost 150 hiking trails in the Dolomites. We have listed the 10 most interesting routes for you:
1. Waldbergbauernweg - (In the Vinschgau region near Latsch – Martelltal)
This route goes through the varied natural and cultural landscape of the Waldberg district, past farms and private properties, where you have the opportunity to take a look at how people live and work there to throw living people.
The start is at Niederhof. You then follow the forest road up to Oberhof, where path no.26 leads uphill through the forest. This path leads to the intersection path no.24A, where the family hike continues left to Suachbichl. Now it's just above trail no.15A back and on path no.15 continue west until you reach an unmarked but clearly visible path that leads again down to trail no.15 leads. Here you pass the Stallwieshof and Greithof and from there follow the sign 15A slightly downwards. As soon as the path leads out of the forest, the hike continues to the left and returns over the path and partly over the forest path no.8 back to Niederhof.
2. Drei Zinnen - (In the Dolomites region near Innerfeldtal)
The Three Peaks are one of the most striking rock formations in the Dolomites and offer an excellent destination for an extraordinary hiking tour. This region can be hiked from different sides. You can see the Three Peaks e.g.b Set your sights on a hike from Innerfeldtal. The Innerfeldtal lies between Innichen and Sexten. The moderately difficult hiking route leads over 1.030 meters up to the Three Peaks. Waymarks on the route are the Dreischusterhütte, the Antoniusstein and the Toblinger Knot. The destination is the Drei Zinnen Hut. However, you can also reach this via a different route from Fischleintal in Sesto. You just have to brave the 950 meters in altitude with average fitness and experience in mountain hiking.
The panorama of the Sesto sundial and the Altensteintal is particularly impressive. A third hike to the landmark of the Dolomites leads through the wild and romantic Rienz Valley. The start of this hiking route to the Three Peaks is the parking lot at the Drei Zinnen Blick in the Hohlensteintal. Good fitness is required, as this tour also has 1.000 meters in altitude is really impressive. However, the reward on all tours is a magnificent view.
3. Ausserraschötz - (In the Dolomites region near Laion)
Exceptionally convincing alpine hike on the Raschötz, with a 360° panoramic view of the Dolomites. This is not the only reason why the view from the Rasciesa is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the entire Alpine region.
The route begins with the funicular from St. Ulrich on the Raschötz. From the mountain station, a short hike to the summit cross on the Ausserraschötz with a breathtaking view of the Eisack Valley. Above path no. 35 Descent to the Ramitzler Schwaige and the Unterpulghütte. From there you can follow the same path to Laion.
4. Peter Mitterhofer cultural hiking trail - (In the Merano region near Partschins)
The hiking trail begins at the Etsch dam near Töll. The route continues via the well-known Etsch cycle path Via Claudia Augusta to the Töll Bridge. Turn left over the bridge and continue along Bahnhofstrasse to K. u K Bad Egart Museum. The “Badlweg” is our companion, where we continue to Rabland to the Saringer Bridge.
Continue left along Cutraunstraße to Vingschgauerstraße (main street) in Rabland (approx. 1 minute) on the sidewalk towards Merano, then turn left into Lahnstraße, turn right into Hans-Guet Straße and then continue, following hiking trail marker 1 on a forest and meadow path towards the valley station of the Texelbahn cable car. We continue along Peter-Mitterhofer-Straße past the birthplace of the well-known inventor Peter Mitterhofer to the center of Partschins. At Kichplatz past the parish church of St. Peter and Paul, continue along Hubenstrasse, here you can see the well-known gravestone from Roman times. Continue right onto Römerstraße and then turn left onto Zehnt-Straße in the direction of Töll until you reach the signposted crossroads (sign Peter-Mitterhofer-Weg). Follow the meadow path to the left to Vertigen. From Vertigen follow the signs to the Etsch barrage Töll.
5. Nature Park Fannes-Sennes - (In the Dolomites region near Gadertal)
If you are also a fan of relaxed hiking tours and quiet walks on a hiking trip, then you are in the Nature Park Fanes-Sennes is just right. Fans of panoramic hikes in particular will get their money's worth in this region. There are plenty of hiking routes here from a variety of categories, lengths and levels of difficulty. For example, a 12 km long circular hike in the medium category with start and finish at the Pederü mountain inn offers great views and unique experiences. Lakes, alpine meadows and streams wait along the way, surrounded by a magnificent alpine panorama.
Anyone who is planning a walk can choose the circular route around Lake Toblach. It is only 3 km long, leads over easy-to-walk terrain - and offers a view of a picturesque mountain lake, typical of the Dolomites. If, on the other hand, you want to really challenge yourself while hiking in the Dolomites in the Fanes-Sennes Nature Park, you can choose the panoramic hike to the memorial stone from 1915 - a difficult Alpine hike that requires alpine experience. The start of this 10 km long route is at Berggasthof Platzwiese. On this route you not only pass the memorial stones, but also reach the summit of the Strudelkopf.
6. Almenweg Ratschings - (In the Ratschings region near Ratschings)
From the mountain station of the Texelbahn cable car via hiking trail 2B and 8 towards Rammwald-Hof (1.305 m).Via the 8B to the Fletscher-Hof (1.300 m) we continue, past the Gasthaus Wasserfall (from there you get to the viewing point), to the famous Partschins waterfall with a drop of 97 m (1.060 m). Continue descending on path 8B to the Birkenwald inn and continue along path 1 along the Zielbach to the Winklerhof snack station to the valley station of the Texelbahn cable car.
7. Marmolada - (In the Dolomites region near Rifugio Contrin)
The Marmolada is the highest mountain in the Dolomites. The highest point, Punta Penia, is at 3.343 meters high.At the Rifugio Contrin we start along the Hans-Seyffert-Weg over the Westgrat via ferrata up to Punta Penia.The tour is 9km long. And is only recommended for hiking enthusiasts with alpine experience. Good fitness and suitable equipment are required for a glacier crossing. Because here you not only conquer the highest mountain in the Dolomites, which is almost 1.The climb is 600 meters high, but the Marmolada glacier is also crossed during the tour.By the way, the Rifugio Falier, at the foot of the south face in the Marmolada mountain section, is recommended for climbers.If you want to spice up your hiking trip in the Dolomites with a bit of climbing adventure, you've come to the right place.
8. Rosengarten - (In the Dolomites region near Rosengarten)
The Rosengarten, or more precisely, the Rosengarten group, is a mountain massif in the Dolomites that extends over around eight kilometers and connects the Sciliar massif in the north with the Carezza Pass in the south. The Rosengarten group can be hiked, for example, via a three-pass tour that starts at the Kölner Hütte. The hut is on 2nd floor.337 meters high and can be easily reached from the Frommeralm with the Laurin lift. From the Kölner Hütte the route leads to the Tschagerjoch on 2.630 m, quite a strenuous climb, but with a wonderful view of the Marmolada to top it off.A little further steeply downhill and then up to the Cigolade pass, which is on 2.560 m above sea level.From here you can enjoy a great view of the Vajolon basin, the Mugoni peaks, the Masaré ridge and the Teufelswand.
The third pass of this hiking day comes after the rest, namely the Vajolon pass. The height is 2.550 m altitude. At the end you have to tackle a steep descent over the west side. During the entire high-altitude hike you have a clear view of the unique rock formations of the Dolomites. On this moderately difficult hike in the Dolomites you have to climb around 800 meters and descend 800 meters.
9. Urelsteig - (In the Bozen region near Sarntal)
It starts from the valley station of the cable car in Reinswald and then the path leads to the Pfnatschalm, past huge and funny wooden animal figures. The starting point can also be reached with the Reinswald cable car. At the Pfnatschalm everything revolves around the theme of water: Here children can play with water wheels and streams or glide across the pond on a wooden raft.
Then we go via the Pichlbergalm to the Getrumalm with the theme of history and culture. From the Getrumalm down to the hairpin bends, it’s all about the flora. The family learns educational things about the forces of nature from the hairpin bends to the Reinswalder mills, where the last part deals with the topic of alpine meadows. The family hike can be shortened as desired.
10. Seiser Alm - (In the Dolomites region near Tyrol)
The ideal time for a hiking holiday in the Dolomites with hiking routes in the Seiser Alm hiking area is from March to November. Tours around the picturesque Tyrolean villages at the foot of the Alpe di Siusi are recommended for spring and autumn, but in summer you can go all the way up: on summit tours and circular hikes on the alpine pastures you can enjoy the entire beauty of the Alps in the sunshine. In total, this hiking area offers 450 kilometers of hiking trails - enough for an extended hiking trip to the Dolomites. Most routes are easy to moderately difficult and therefore ideal for families or mixed hiking groups.
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