When I began organizing my 15-day vacation to the Dolomites, I didn’t realize how time-consuming and complex it would be to plan a trip to the mountain range, which spans across three regions and five provinces in northeastern Italy.
Even though the Dolomites are popular among the adventurous set, I found it surprisingly tough to locate certain information about the Alta Via 1 and Alta Via 2, the two multiday hikes I was planning.
I spent weeks combing through blogs, social media posts, tourism websites, YouTube videos, and physical guidebooks. Looking back, these are some of the biggest (and most avoidable) mistakes I made.
I prioritized tourist hot spots instead of exploring off-the-beaten-path sights
If you search the Dolomites online, you’ll find photos of some of its most iconic sights: Seceda’s jagged pinnacles, wooden row boats on Lago di Braies, and Tre Cime di Lavaredo’s dramatic peaks.
Although these attractions are beautiful, the crowds they drew during my trip put a damper on the experience.
I preferred sights like the Lagazuoi Tunnels, Monte Civetta, and Cinque Torri, all of which were less touristy but still had equally showstopping views and hikes.
On my next trip, I’ll skip some of the most popular paths and instead rely on blogs or a travel agent familiar with the area to find off-the-beaten-path spots.
I’ll also avoid social-media recommendations, as most of the videos and pictures I found on my feed highlighted tourist hot spots.
Arriving too late to popular spots meant getting stuck in crowds
Numerous blogs I read before my trip described June as the “offseason” for the Dolomites, noting that snow would still be melting from the mountain peaks.
With that in mind, I mistakenly didn’t think I needed to get to popular sights early. When I arrived at Lago di Braies around 11 a.m., I found a nearly full parking lot, a wraparound line for boat rentals, and a crowded walking path around the lake. The situation was similar when I visited Seceda.
I still recommend going to the Dolomites in June or September, both of which are technically shoulder months, as July and August are even busier.
However, if I were to repeat my trip, I’d arrive at popular sights in the early morning or evening to avoid peak tourist crowds.
The Alta Via 1 and 2’s rough terrain was more challenging than I expected
The main goal of my Dolomites trip was to hike parts of the Alta Via 1 and 2, multiday treks through mountainous terrain. Rifugi (think: cozy huts) are stationed along the routes, offering backpackers a place to eat and rest each night.
I seriously underestimated just how taxing the terrain would be, even for someone like me who’s hiked difficult, multiday routes in California, Colorado, Vancouver Island, Switzerland, and Costa Rica.
I planned for my boyfriend and me to do roughly 12 miles on our second day hiking the Alta Via 1. This distance isn’t unheard of, but I later learned that most people cap their daily mileage at 5 to 7 miles.
After stopping at a rifugio to fuel up for the last half of our hike, we encountered loose scree and steep slopes, which slowed us down. We also ran out of water with about 3 miles left, had blisters on our feet, and were completely exhausted.
Even though we still had a few miles remaining to the rifugio I’d put a nonrefundable deposit down for that night, we found a different one nearby and booked it. Pushing ourselves too hard ended up costing me money and causing quite a bit of physical pain.
If I were to do it again, I’d plan on hiking no more than 7 miles per day.
The ski lift I planned on using was closed during the summer
One of the most challenging parts of building my itinerary was piecing together a route that included portions of the Alta Via 1 and 2, which are both over 70 miles long.
I planned to take a ski lift while hiking the Alta Via 2, but when I reached it, I realized it was only open during the winter months.
Thankfully, I had cell service and was able to get us back on track using public transit. However, it was stressful (to put it lightly), and the mishap cost us a lot of time.
My advice is to consult with the local tourism offices in the areas where you’re planning to hike. For example, the Val Gardena region has a tourism site with a listed email address, so you can reach out ahead of your trip and ask basic questions to ensure your route is feasible.
Remember, tourism offices aren’t full-service trip planners, but they can be a helpful resource for confirming public transit routes, verifying ski lift hours, or sharing important information you might’ve missed.
My itinerary didn’t include nearly enough time for relaxation
The Dolomites are a playground for hikers, mountain climbers, and skiers, but they also offer some of the most luxurious rest and relaxation opportunities I’ve ever seen.
Nearly every hotel I stopped at had spa facilities, like pools with heavenly views, state-of-the-art saunas, and steam rooms. Many of the rifugi are also accessible for day hikers and offer lunch or a cocktail with breathtaking views.
I regret not slowing down and taking a day or two to indulge in these offerings. On my next trip, I’ll be sure to pencil in time for some R&R, especially after a long day of hiking.
I overpacked for my multiday treks, leaving me with neck and shoulder pain
I recommend backpackers lay out what they’re planning to pack and cut it in half. That said, I made sure to have my nonnegotiable hiking items (a CamelBak, multiple portable phone chargers, hats, a first aid kit, a digital camera, extra socks, and a jacket).
I overpacked snacks and ended up not reaching for most of them during the hike. Although I’m glad I had emergency food in case I got lost, I overdid it.
I also packed extra toiletries, but should’ve just stuck to basics like facewash, moisturizer, sunscreen, and soap.
When I was making my itinerary, I didn’t factor in fuel stops
As one might expect, there aren’t many gas stations in Italy’s remote mountains. However, I failed to consciously factor that into my itinerary ahead of time.
My travel companions and I spent about 45 minutes on a steep, two-way road in the mountains hoping and praying that our car wouldn’t run out of gas.
The takeaway? Plan to always have your tank at least halfway full while driving in the Dolomites. That way, you can focus your energy on the unbelievable hikes.
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