Walking in the Dolomites

The Dolomites are one of the world's great mountain walking destinations. These extraordinary pale limestone towers, rising from the valleys of northeast Italy, form a UNESCO World Heritage Site of exceptional natural beauty, and the network of hut-to-hut routes threading between them offers some of the finest multi-day walking in Europe.

Ranging from 11 to 41km (7 to 25 miles) and taking 2 to 4 days to complete, the 25 mostly circular routes in this third edition Cicerone guidebook by Gillian Price span the full breadth of the Dolomites. Suitable for experienced hikers with a head for heights, routes range from moderate to challenging, with some traverses involving scrambling and exposure.

• 25 multi-day hut-to-hut routes covering the full breadth of the Dolomites, from the Tre Cime di Lavaredo and Cortina Dolomites to the Marmolada, Sella, Civetta, Pale di San Martino and Dolomiti di Brenta
• Iconic highlights include the Tre Cime tour, the Sella traverse, the Catinaccio loop, the Civetta tour and the Tofane-Lagazuoi circuit above Cortina d'Ampezzo, some of the most celebrated mountain walks in Italy
• Routes across UNESCO-listed mountain groups are also described, including the Puez-Odle altopiano, Sassolungo, Latemar and the remote Dolomiti Friulane, covering the full range of landscapes within the World Heritage Site
• 1:100,000 mapping provided for every route alongside detailed information on hut accommodation, public transport connections, access points and route difficulty
• Comprehensive practical guidance covering the best season to walk (mid-June to late September), accommodation in mountain rifugi, food and drink, equipment, waymarking and an Italian-English glossary

The Dolomites are at their most spectacular when explored over multiple days, moving from hut to hut through the high passes and rocky cols that connect each mountain group. Gillian Price, Cicerone's foremost Italy author, has crafted the definitive multi-day walking guidebook to one of Europe's most breathtaking mountain landscapes.

Seasons

Mid-June to late September, when the majority of the refuges are open. Peak Italian holiday time is August, especially around 15th August.

Centres

Main centres for the Dolomites include Cortina, Belluno, Selva di Cadore, Arabba, La Villa, Selva, Bressanone, Dobbiaco, Canazei.

Difficulty

Moderate and challenging routes, including some mountain traverses involving scrambles and exposure.

Must See

Spotting your first chamois, marmot or Ibex. The majestic Marmolada and Pelmo, the towering Civetta, and the Cinque Torre (now only four of them!).

Map key

Overview map

Preface to the third edition

Introduction

The Dolomites

Geology

Plants and flowers

Wildlife

Getting there

Local transport

Information

When to go

Accommodation

Food and drink

What to take

Waymarking and maps

Dos and don’ts

Emergencies

Using this guide

Dolomiti Friulane

Walk 1

Anello delle Dolomiti Friulane

Marmarole

Walk 2

Along the Marmarole

Dolomiti di Sesto

Walk 3

Vallon Popera

Walk 4

Tre Cime tour

Walk 5

Tre Scarperi tour

Fanes–Senes–Braies

Walk 6

Croda Rossa tour

Walk 7

Sasso della Croce–Cunturines

Cortina Dolomites

Walk 8

Tofane–Lagazuoi

Walk 9

Nuvolau–Cinque Torri

Walk 10

Croda da Lago–Pelmo

Civetta

Walk 11

Civetta tour

Dolomiti Bellunesi

Walk 12

Cime de Zita traverse

Walk 13

Alpi Feltrine

Pale di San Martino

Walk 14

Palarondatrek

Walk 15

Over the Pale di San Martino

Marmolada

Walk 16

Behind the Marmolada

Sella

Walk 17

Sella traverse

Puez–Odle

Walk 18

Around the Puez–Odle Altopiano

Walk 19

Odle di Eores

Sassopiatto–Sassolungo

Walk 20

Sassopiatto–Sassolungo tour

Sciliar and Catinaccio

Walk 21

Sciliar–Antermoia traverse

Walk 22

Catinaccio loop

Latemar

Walk 23

Latemar traverse

Dolomiti di Brenta

Walk 24

Western Brenta

Walk 25

Eastern Brenta

Appendix A

Route summary table

Appendix B

Tourist offices

Appendix C

Italian–English glossary

Appendix D

Further reading