Discover Italy’s dramatic alpine playground — the iconic Dolomites, part of the spectacular Italian Alps. From soaring limestone peaks and serene glacial lakes to hidden valleys and historic mountain trails, this UNESCO World Heritage Site delivers unforgettable scenery and an outstanding walking holiday from June to September.

Day Walks in the Dolomites, by renowned guidebook author Gillian Price, known for her extensive expertise in the Italian mountains, transforms walking in the Dolomites into a straightforward and rewarding experience. The guide presents 50 graded day walks, ranging from easier valley and meadow walks to more demanding high-mountain excursions, allowing you to select outings that match your fitness, experience, and available time.

• Every walk (3 - 21km) includes clear, step-by-step route descriptions accompanied by 1:50,000 mapping for confident navigation through dramatic limestone landscapes and alpine terrain
• The 50 routes are carefully graded, making it simple to choose a walk that suits your ability, whether you prefer a gentle scenic outing or a more strenuous mountain day, so you can explore the Dolomites at your own pace
• Walks are based around key centres including Cortina d’Ampezzo, San Vito di Cadore, Sesto and Misurina, allowing you to plan rewarding day hikes directly from well-located accommodation
• Practical information is woven throughout, with helpful guidance on access, local transport and facilities so you can organise each walk efficiently and make the most of your time in Italy 
• GPX files are available to download for use on GPS devices and smartphones, providing an additional layer of navigational support for independent hiking in the Italian Alps 

Each route has been carefully selected to showcase the very best of walking in the Dolomites: iconic views, hidden corners, and unforgettable viewpoints. With trusted guidance and detailed mapping, you can focus less on logistics and more on the pure enjoyment of day walks in the Italian mountains. 

Dolomites – Key Facts

Trail/Destination name: Dolomites
Location: Italy (Veneto, South Tyrol, Trentino)
Distance: 3 - 21km per walk 
Typical duration: 1hr - 7hrs per walk 
Start/Finish: Walks based around key centres including Cortina d’Ampezzo, San Vito di Cadore, Sesto, Misurina
Trail type: Circular day walks/graded hikes
Difficulty: Easy to strenuous (graded for all abilities)
Terrain: Valleys, alpine meadows, high mountain passes, limestone peaks, glacial lakes
Navigation: Step-by-step guide with 1:50,000 mapping; GPX files available for download
Best season: June to September
Accommodation: Walks accessible from hotels, guesthouses, and alpine lodges in key centres
 

Author Highlight

“Nowadays, the fantastic Dolomites are an exciting and prime holiday destination in both summer and winter. Superbly located resorts are connected by excellent public transport and well-maintained roads, while an ultra-modern system of cable cars and lifts whisks visitors to dizzy heights in a matter of minutes. Nature lovers will be delighted by the fascinating wildlife in the magnificent forest and high-altitude rockscapes, along with sweet alpine meadows that summer transforms into oceans of wild flowers straight out of The Sound of Music.” 

- Gillian Price, author of Day Walks in the Dolomites 

“CONTENTS

Map key
Overview map
Route summary table
Preface
INTRODUCTION
The Dolomites
Valleys and bases
Languages and place names
Geology
Plants and flowers
Wildlife
Nature parks
Getting there
Local transport
Information
When to go
Accommodation
Food and drink
What to take
Maps
Dos and don’ts
Emergencies
Using this guide
THE WALKS
Walk 1 Lago di Braies
Walk 2 Rifugio Biella Loop
Walk 3 Monte Specie
Walk 4 Alpe di Sennes Circuit
Walk 5 Landro to Cortina on the Old Railway Line
Walk 6 Torre dei Scarperi Circuit
Walk 7 The Val Fiscalina Tour
Walk 8 The Tre Cime di Lavaredo Loop
Walk 9 Through the Cadini di Misurina
Walk 10 Monte Piana
Walk 11 Lago di Misurina
Walk 12 Val Popena Alta
Walk 13 Rifugio Vandelli Traverse
Walk 14 Forcella Zumèles and the Cristallo
Walk 15 Below the Antelao
Walk 16 Rifugio Padova and Rifugio Tita Barba
Walk 17 The Pramper Circuit
Walk 18 Lago Coldai and the Civetta
Walk 19 The Pelmo Tour
Walk 20 Gores de Federa
Walk 21 Around the Croda da Lago
Walk 22 The Cinque Torri
Walk 23 Up the Nuvolau
Walk 24 Skirting the Tofana di Rozes
Walk 25 The Lagazuoi Tunnels
Walk 26 The Kaiserjäger Route
Walk 27 Round the Settsass
Walk 28 Santa Croce Sanctuary
Walk 29 Sass de Putia
Walk 30 Sentiero delle Odle
Walk 31 The Rasciesa Ridge
Walk 32 Across the Puez-Odle Altopiano
Walk 33 The Bullaccia Tour
Walk 34 Alpe di Siusi Circuit and Rifugio Bolzano
Walk 35 Castel Presule
Walk 36 Val Ciamin
Walk 37 The Inner Catinaccio
Walk 38 Sentiero del Masaré
Walk 39 The Latemar Labyrinth and Lago di Carezza
Walk 40 Circumnavigating Sassopiatto-Sassolungo
Walk 41 The Sella and Piz Boè
Walk 42 Viel del Pan
Walk 43 The Sas de Adam Crest
Walk 44 The Marmolada and Punta Serauta
Walk 45 Rifugio Falier in Valle Ombretta
Walk 46 Rifugio Mulaz
Walk 47 The Pale di San Martino Altopiano
Walk 48 Val Canali and Rifugio Treviso
Walk 49 The Brenta Dolomites Tour
Walk 50 Val d’Ambiez
 
Appendix A Useful contacts
Appendix B Rifugi
Appendix C Italian–German–English glossary
Appendix D Further Reading

Seasons

July-September best for walking with good conditions and all lifts, public transport and huts open. Low altitude routes from May if winter snowfall has been light; paths are quiet in October

Centres

Cortina d'Ampezzo, San Vito di Cadore, Sesto, Misurina, La Villa, Ortisei, Alpe di Siusi, Vigo di Fassa, Passo di Costalunga, San Martino di Castrozza, Alleghe, Forno di Zoldo, Madonna di Campiglio

Difficulty

Selection of walking routes from Grade 1 simple strolls, Grade 2 routes over rocky mountain terrain requiring some experience and fitness, to challenging Grade 3, sometimes with a little exposure and extra distance. Some routes contain aided sections.

Must See

Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Brenta Dolomites, Civetta; old smuggler's route Viel del Pan, high altitude Piz Boè circuit; Ammonite fossils on Puez-Odle and dinosaur tracks on the Pelmo; sparkling lakes Carezza, Misurina and Sorapiss; alpine wildflowers; marmots, chamois, ibex, birds of prey

February 2025

Alpine Clubs

September 2023

p208 Main route

Free Royal Mail 48 postage on UK orders. European postage is £3.50 per item. Worldwide postage is £5.50 per item. If you're not happy with your purchase for any reason, we'll give you a full refund.