Two Days in the Dolomites
Introduction
The best way to get around the Dolomites is by car. I am sure there are great tour buses, but if you want the freedom of going where you want, when you want, then renting a car is a must. I purchased the lowest priced car that had next to zero horsepower, and did just fine driving up and down the mountains.
Don’t want to book a car? Consider some of the tours below:
Book Your Dolomite Mountains Semi Private Day Trip from Venice HERE
Book Your Dolomites Full-day Tour from Lake Garda HERE
Book Your Hike the Dolomites - One Day Private Excursion Near Bolzano Tour HERE
Book Your Dolomites Hiking Excursion From Cortina HERE
Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Parking at Tre Cime di Lavaredo
We began our journey from Venice and drove straight to Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Parking at Tre Cime di Lavaredo costs thirty euros. There are free parking spots on the road leading up to Tre Cime di Lavaredo, but be warned it will be a strenuous hike up. If you have the money, then I would recommend paying thirty euros to park at the top. The parking lot is right beside the trailhead and saves you precious time.
Hiking at Tre Cime di Lavaredo
There are a variety of trail combinations you can hike at Tre Cime di Lavaredo, ranging from a couple miles to ten plus miles long. We commenced our hike at the parking lot and trekked to Rifugio Lavaredo, a mountain hut with an accompanying restaurant and bathrooms. From Rifugio Lavaredo we hiked to the base of Tre Cime di Lavaredo and were presented with spectacular views of the surrounding mountain ranges. There are quite a few detours you can take along the way that will eventually join with the main trail. Venture off the beaten path and discover the many hidden gems that Tre Cime di Lavaredo unravels to you.
We had another location we wanted to experience before nightfall, so we made our way back to the parking lot from the base of Tre Cime di Lavaredo. You can easily spend an entire day at Tre Cime di Lavaredo, however if you are pressed for time you can see all of the highlights in a couple hours. The views at Tre Cime di Lavaredo are otherworldly and an overall great introduction to the Dolomites.
Cinque Torre
From Tre Cime di Lavaredo we ventured to Cinque Torre, a massive rock formation that is popular among rock climbers. From the parking lot the hike to Cinque Torre is not far but it is entirely uphill. Cinque Torre has historical significance dating back to the first world war. The italians built a complex bunker network around Cinque Torre to defend against the invading austro-hungarian empire. Besides Cinque Torre’s rich history, it is also a truly beautiful place to behold. The alpine field at the top is particularly alluring. My wife and I passed the time by frolicking in the field and laying on our backs whilst staring out at the marvelous landscape. As evening was settling upon us, we made our way back to the car and continued our journey deeper into the Dolomites.
Tesero
Where to Eat
We stayed in the town of Tesero, due to its close proximity to Alpe di Siusi. Our host recommended we eat at La Trattoria. My wife and I both had the Venison Ragu, and it was absolutely delicious. La Trattoria has a rustic mountain charm about it, and is an excellent spot to have dinner at if you find yourself near Tesero. With our bellies full, we made our way to our hotel and crashed into a deep slumber excited to see Alpe di Siusi the following day.
Coffee & Breakfast
We woke up and hastily made our way to a local cafe called Cafe Filo. There we ordered some Italian chocolate donuts and coffee for breakfast. From there, we made our way to Alpe di Siusi.
Alpe di Siusi
Parking at Alpe di Siusi
The best place to park for accessing Alpe di Siusi is at Compatsch. It costs twenty euros to park at Compatsch, however if you get there before the parking attendants arrive, then you can park for free. I would recommend getting there before eight o’clock if you want to park for free.
Hiking & Eating at Alpe Di Siusi
From Compatsch, we took trail 30a to Rauch, in the direction of Saltria. At Rauch we ate lunch Rauchuette, where I had polenta mountain cheese, and my wife had venison ragu. It is in my top five meals of all time, and the views alone are worth stopping for a meal. To cap off our meal we had apple strudel for dessert and espresso for some much needed energy.
After lunch, we continued on trail 30a towards Saltria. From Saltria, we merged onto trail 9 going towards Sonne. Arriving at Sonne, we took trail 19, and then trail 16 back to Compatsch. Some of the highlights for this hike were the following: excellent views of the surrounding mountains, walking through alpine fields full of cows and horses, and a delicious meal at Rauchuette.
Conclusion
Although our time in the Dolomites was short, it was nothing short of spectacular. In my opinion, the Dolomites are the most beautiful place on planet earth. I have not witnessed beauty that comes even remotely close to touching the Dolomites. Two days in the Dolomites was not enough time, two weeks would not be enough, and two months would still not be enough time in the Dolomites. It is a place that draws you in. The air refreshes your soul and the mountains inspire you. If I could only travel to one place for the rest of my life, then it just might be the Dolomites.
