Van Life in the Dolomites - 4 Day Road Trip Itinerary
Have you ever wondered if the Dolomites are as beautiful as they look in photos? Whether it’s worth taking a road trip around these insta-famous mountains?
Having travelled extensively around this stunning area of Italy, I can safely say that the Dolomites are one of my favourite, if not the best, place I’ve ever travelled. With incredible views that surpass even what you see in photographs, incredible hiking opportunities, stunning mountains and crystal clear lakes, this part of the Southern Limestone Alps is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and van lifers alike.
While it is possible to visit the Dolomites via public transport by basing yourself in a more populated town such as Bolzano and relying on the area’s network of buses, the best way to experience this area is undoubtedly by road trip due to the spread-out and remote nature of the region. Whether you hire a car, rent a motorhome or camper, or bring you own tiny home on wheels to this mountainous region, driving allows you to fully explore the Dolomites and access some of its most beautiful points of interest.
In this 4 day Dolomites itinerary, I’ll share what I consider to be the perfect short visit to this area of Italy. During these 4 days, you’ll witness the Dolomite’s most stunning locations, including Alpe di Suisi, Val di Funes, Passo Gardena, Lago di Braies, and Tre Cime di Lavaredo. If you’re planning to visit the Dolomites by van, camper, or motorhome, I’ll also share where I parked overnight during my visit, as I experienced some of my favourite van life park-ups while in the Dolomites - many of which were completely free!
4 Day Dolomites Trip Summary
Day 1: Drive to Alpe di Suisi and Val di Funes
Day 2 : Visit Vallunga Valley and Passo Gardena
Day 3 : Visit Lago di Braies, Lago di Landro and Misurina
Day 4: Hike Tre Cime di Lavaredo and Cadini di Misurina
When Should I Visit the Dolomites?
The time of year you choose to visit the Dolomites will depend on what activities you’d like to do during your trip. The Dolomites is a famously mountainous region and therefore receives a lot of heavy snowfall, thus making it a paradise for snow sports lovers. The peaks are at their best for skiing and snowboarding during the winter months, when you’ll find plenty of ski lifts and chalets throughout the area.
Top tip: If you’re planning to visit the Dolomites in winter, you may want to consider purchasing a My Dolomiti Car by Dolomiti Superski. These cards allow you to load any type of ski pass, ensuring quick and easy access to the lifts and can be topped up online, helping to to avoid queues and giving you a 5% discount on ski passes.
That being said, this road trip is focused on some of the Dolomite’s more diverse activities, from hiking and scenic drives to lake swimming and more. As a result, the best time to follow this guide is between early August to the beginning of October when most trails and roads are free of snow and you’re likely to get some sunny weather.
How to Get to the Dolomites
Located in North-East Italy, the Dolomites are easy to drive to from anywhere in Italy, Austria or Switzerland. Thus, if you’re travelling in your tiny home on wheels, it’s easy to add the Dolomites onto a larger trip to these surrounding countries. For example, I drove directly to the Dolomites after completing the Olpererhütte hike and a visit to the Krimml Waterfalls in Austria.
If you’re planning to fly into Italy before renting a car or campervan/motorhome for your trip, the nearest airport is Verona and therefore this is the fastest way to access the Dolomites. Alternatively, many people choose to fly into Venice or Treviso airports, or even Milan (although the journey from Milan to the Dolomites is the longest.) Below, you can find the driving times to Bolzano - one of the Dolomite’s largest towns - from some of its nearest significant cities:
Innsbruck - The Dolomites (Bolzano): 1hr 45 min
St Moritz - The Dolomites (Bolzano): 2hr 45 min
Verona - The Dolomites (Bolzano): 1hr 50 min
Venice - The Dolomites (Bolzano): 2hr 45 min
Treviso - The Dolomites (Bolzano): 2hr 35 min
Milan - The Dolomites (Bolzano): 3hr 20 min
When planning your trip, it’s important to keep in mind which areas of the Dolomites you’d like to visit, as the area is spread-out and thus some places will be much further to drive to than others. This itinerary begins in the Western Dolomites, near Bolzano, and thus the above driving times will be an accurate measure to the start of your trip.
Can you Use Public Transport to Get Around the Dolomites?
While I’d advise using your own vehicle to explore the Dolomites, it is possible to visit the Dolomites without a car and still see some of its most enchanting locations.
The Dolomites are well-connected by regional buses which make it possible to travel between popular destinations during the summer tourist season.
From any of the nearest airports, you should be able to get a train, bus or private transfer service to the Dolomites. For instance, you can get a train or Flixbus to Bolzano from Munich, Innsbruck, Venice, Verona, Milan, Bologna, and Florence.
Once in the Dolomites, you will have to navigate the network of buses that run between various areas. You should be able to pick up a list of timetables from any tourist information centre to help plan your routes.
I find the easiest way to plan any journey is to put your starting location and destination into Google Maps and set it to the public transport function. Alternatively, I’ve listed some sites below that can help you to find bus connections in specific areas of the Dolomites.
Bus connections around Val Gardena | Südtirolmobil.info
Bus connections around Bellini | dolomitibus.it
Day 1: Drive to Ortisei, Walk around Alpe di Suisi and Visit Val di Funes
Drive to Ortisei
From wherever you are starting your trip, whether it’s renting a car from the airport or bringing your tiny home on wheels from your previous destination, you’ll need to first drive to the village of Ortisei (Urtijëi) in the Val Gardena to begin our 4 day itinerary. While there are many underground parking garages for cars in the village, if you’re in a larger vehicle that won’t fit under the 2m height barriers I’d recommend parking at this car park next to the Mont Seuc - Alpe di Siusi cable car station. To park here, however, you’ll have to arrive as early as possible as the car park quickly gets full and there aren’t many spaces where you’re able to park a van so its imperative to get one before they’re gone!
Ortisei is a charming village to walk around. It became famous due to its carved wooden sculptures, which are artfully decorated and still crafted by local woodcarvers today. The pedestrian street connecting the chapel of Saint Ulrich to the Antonius church is described as the most beautiful shopping street in the Dolomites. If you have time, I recommend taking a stroll through the village and perhaps getting some breakfast from one of the local cafes of bakeries before beginning the day’s adventures.
Alpe di Suisi Walk and Cable Car
Alpe di Suisi is the largest mountain pasture in Europe and quite honestly one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited. Many places in the Dolomites will leave your jaw on the floor but this is certainly up there with the best of them. It’s important to plan your visit to Alpe di Suisi (or Seiser Alm as it’s known in German) prior to visiting as there are numerous hiking and biking trails around the meadow which can get confusing if you don’t know which to follow.
I’d recommend following the Alpe di Suisi circuit hike to see some of the most scenic spots in the meadow along with the best alpine huts.
To get to Alpe di Suisi, take the Ortisei-Alpe di Suisi gondola up to the Alpe di Sues plateau. From here, you will begin your circular hike. Although you can find detailed instructions in my Alpe di Suisi hiking guide, I will summarise the trails used below:
From the plateau, follow trail 9 down to Malga Schgaguler, then stay on trail 9 until you reach Saltria, a small settlement located at the lowest point of Alpe di Siusi.
Next, climb along the Steger Weg (trail 30) in the direction of Compaccio/Compatsch and then follow trail 30 to the Steger-Dellai hotel. Follow 12A and later 6B east to Malga Sanon.
Finally, complete the circuit to Malga Schgaguler and all the way back up to the Ortisei-Alpe di Siusi gondola mountain station.
Top tip: I would highly recommend stopping at Malga Sanon before finishing the final section of your hike. I rested here for a drink and to admire the views and it was a magical location. Malga Sanon is a small traditional hut serving traditional food and drinks. With a stunning spot overlooking some of the pasture’s most iconic views and an array of deck-chairs to lounge in and soak up the sun in summer, I could have stayed here for hours on end!
Visit Val de Funes
No trip to the Dolomites is complete without visiting Val di Funes, as here you’ll find some of the most breathtaking views and photo opportunities there are. Just a 40 minute scenic drive from Ortisei, it offers the perfect place to visit after your hike around Alpe di Suisi.
If you have more time, many tourists opt to do the Adolf Munkel Trail (a 9.2km circuit hike) to experience this valley’s best locations, however I will let you know here how to access my favourite Val di Funes highlight - the Santa Maddalena viewpoint - on a time limit.
When you see photos of Val di Funes, they’re most likely to be of Santa Maddelena Church nestled amongst green pastures in front of a backdrop of impressive typically spiky Dolomites peaks. To get to this viewpoint, you must simply take a short walk along the Panorama Trail (Panoramaweg) from Santa Maddalena village.
Though it’s a small village, I found parking in Santa Maddalena not to be a problem as there are a few designated pay and display sites. With my van, I chose to park at this car park due to its larger size and lack of height barriers. From here, you can see the church up on a small hill opposite the car park.
Head in the direction of Hotel Tyrol along Kirchweg street then continue uphill to Fallerhof farm. Here, turn left, passing a large barn before veering right up the hill directly to the church. The door of Santa Maddelena is always open and it is free to enter this tiny place of worship.
After visiting the church, continue along the signposted Panoramaweg trail to get to the famous viewpoint described above.
Overnight Van Parking Near Alpe di Suisi and Val di Funes
For my first night of camping in the Dolomites, I managed to find a safe and free park-up in the car park of a public swimming pool where wild camping is tolerated as long as van lifers don’t block up the car park during the day when locals want to use the leisure centre. Though not the most scenic, I found there to be a real community feel in this location as it essentially turned into a full campsite every night.
I have also found this small, flat gravel parking spot by the side of a quiet road. Though it can only fit a total of four vans, it is another free option in between Orisei and Val di Funes that would provide an ideal spot for night one of your road trip if you’re looking to save money. alternatively, a third free option halfway between Ortisei and Santa Maddalena is this sport’s field parking lot in Lajen.
For anyone looking for a more scenic location who don’t mind spending money to park up overnight, you can stay at the Stellplatz zum Gletscherhans, a highly rated RV park with 19 spaces just outside Santa Maddalena village which offers sanitary services as well as bread rolls, bacon and fresh eggs in the morning. With some of the best sunsets in the Dolomites and the convenience of being located directly in the Val di Funes, this parking option will set you back around 30 EUR a night.
Day 2: Take a Walk Through Vallunga Valley and Drive Passo Gardena
Vallunga Valley
After a busy day yesterday, it’s time for a more leisurely morning. Just a 15 minute drive from Ortisei, Vallunga Valley is located in Puez-Odle Nature Park in Val Gardena and offers a leisurely 9km flat stroll to the end of the valley and back. Though the full walk will take around 2hr 30 mins, as it is a linear hike you can choose how far you go before you turn back and thus this is the perfect activity for visitors of any hiking ability.
The Vallunga Valley is an absolutely stunning destination and a perfect picnic location with multiple benches available to stop for a snack or lunch. A well-paved path runs through the valley floor in between the towering walls of the Puez mountains. Look out for the life-sized carved wooden ibex statue, situated shortly after a scenic chapel. Additionally, towards the end of the valley there is a beautiful large mountain meadow where cows graze during the warmer months.
Vallunga Valley Parking
To begin your morning in Vallunga, drive to its designated car park at the entrance in Selva. Though the roads are fairly narrow, I managed to navigate the journey and park successfully in my 6m long van. The car park isn’t huge, however, so I’d recommend arriving as early as possible to secure a spot and be able to park as stress-free as possible.
The parking is pay and display and will cost you 8 EUR for one day, or 0.50 EUR/30 minutes. One important thing to note is that when I was here you could only pay with coins, so be sure to have some change with you!
Drive up Passo Gardena: One of the Most Stunning Drives in Italy
From Vallunga Valley, it’s just a 20 minute drive to the top of the Gardena Pass, a well-known Dolomites mountain road connecting Val Gardena with Val Badia. The windy drive up this high mountainous road is extremely popular with driver, bikers, and cyclists alike so while its beauty is not to be missed, I must preface this section by saying that the roads and parking locations are likely to be quite busy.
Passo Gardena sits at 2136m (7,008ft) and is a highly popular skiing centre in the winter, while also providing some lovely hikes for those driving up the pass in the summer season. From the heights of Gardena Pass, you can see:
West to the towering massif of Mt Sassolungo
East down the valley towards Corvara
North East to the cliffs and screes of the Puez Plateau
I managed to find a spot to park up midway down the Passo Gardena and stopped for an hour or so to admire the views and take photos of the surrounding area. If you’re looking for a more active way to spend the afternoon, however, you can hike to the Pisciadu Hut or to Lake Crespeina. For true adventurers, there are several incredible via ferratas beginning from the top of the Gardena Pass which you can book to do with a guide and the correct climbing equipment.
Stay Near Lago di Braies: Overnight Van Parking and Camping
From the Gardena Pass, it’s almost a 1.5 hour drive over to Lago di Braies - the next location on our itinerary. I recommend driving to the lake on the evening of your second night and staying nearby so that you’re well situated to explore the lake the next morning.
There are several car parks along the road leading up to Lago di Braies as, given its extreme popularity, it's usually a very busy location. For larger vans, there is only one parking area without a height barrier, which has the benefit of being the closest to the lakeside. Unfortunately, you will have to pay a high price for the convenience of camping here, however, with a 35 EUR / 24hr parking fee. Though this is a costly option, the fee does include access to sanitary facilities during high season.
For those in more regularly sized vehicles, there is a smaller car park close to the lake, just a couple of minutes down the road (a 5 minute walk to the lake) which has a height barrier of 2.5 metres but costs just 6 EUR per day. This car park also has a toilet block which can be used by campers.
In terms of free parking, there aren’t many options that are close enough to visit the lake, however there is this cost-free roadside parking area large enough for 4-5 vans. While this option is a longer walk to the lake (around an hours excursion along a footpath) and does get filled up quickly, if you can get a space it is worth it to avoid the high fees of camping closer.
Day 3: Visit Lago di Braies, Lago di Landro, and the Charming Village of Misurina
Lago di Braies
Arguably one of Italy’s most beautiful lakes, Lago di Braies is a clear blue mountain lake in the heart of the Dolomites.
If you chose to stay near Lago di Braies on your second night in the Dolomites, you’re now perfectly positioned to visit this ‘Pearl of the Dolomites’ early in the morning, before the crowds descend upon the lake. It’s worth mentioning, however, that whatever time you visit this stunning location, you will never be totally alone. Due to its immense popularity, there will always be other visitors admiring Lake Braies.
From any of its designated car parks, it’s just a short walk following the road towards the banks of the lake, where there are a number of hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops.
Lago di Braies Key Facts
Entrance fee: Free
Swimming: Allowed
Maximum Depth: 36 meters
Length: 1.2km
Public Toilets: Hotel Lago di Braies, car parks, or south-end of Lake Braies
Lago di Braies Boat Rental
One of the most iconic and romantic activities to partake in at Lago di Braies is a ride in one of its small wooden row boats, enjoying the views of the lake’s surrounding mountain ranges from the centre of its shimmering waters.
It is possible to rent a boat between late May and Early November, and up to 5 people are allowed in a single boat.
It’s not possible to pre-book the boats so I’d recommend arriving early, although there are a decent number of boats available so it should always be possible to secure a ride in one after waiting your turn. Renting a boat comes at the cost of 25 EUR for one hour, and an extra 15 EUR every 30 minutes after that.
Hiking Around Lago di Braies
Lago di Braies is the starting point for many hikes, including the multi-day Alta Via 1, a famous long distance trail throughout the Dolomites. The most famous hike in the destination, however, is far more manageable; it’s the 3.6km Lago di Braies Circuit Trail.
This popular and easy walk circles around the entire lake, following a well-paved path along the water’s edge. Though this trail is mostly flat, there is a small section of steps towards the East of the lake. The walk can be taken in either direction, though most people choose to go counter-clockwise.
Lago di Landro: Swim, Sunbathe, SUP
From Lago di Braies, it’s just a quick 30 minute drive to our next lake location - Lago di Landro. While this turquoise scenic lake is a stunningly tranquil location, set amongst some of the Dolomite’s most spectacular mountains and suitable for a number or water activities, it is surprisingly undiscovered compared to the area’s more popular lakes such as Lago do Braies or Lago di Sorapis. This makes it an easy lake to visit and one of the more peaceful to enjoy. In fact, I just happened to stumble upon the lake while driving past on my way to Misurina and the Tre Cime mountains, but when I saw the crystal waters of Lago di Landro, I decided to famous three peaks could wait.
Part of Drei Zinnen Nature Park, Lago di Landro is perched at over 1,400 m and offers a unique view of the Cristallo Group and the Ampezzo Dolomites. It’s amongst the three largest natural lakes in the Upper Val Pusteria.
Parking at Lago di Landro
In terms of parking, there is a sizeable roadside parking area which functions on a pay and display basis. It costs 3 EUR/hour or 22 EUR/24 hours. As a result, you can stop here for a short time to enjoy the lake’s hiking and swimming opportunities and viewpoints, or you can make this your camp spot for the night if you’re travelling in a van, camper, or motorhome.
Lago di Landro Circular Hike
If you’d like to soak in all the views that Lago di Landro has to offer, I recommend taking the 2km circuit hike around the lake’s edge. This is an easy flat hike that should only take around 40 minutes to complete.
From the car park, follow the wide path at the lake shore around to the beach on the Northern side of the lake. Here, you have a panoramic view over the lake along with the mountains of the Cristallo group behind it. this is the perfect spot for a picnic, sunbathe, or a swim in Lago di Sandro’s clear warm waters.
From here, continue along the path following signs for trail 6B, which will lead you to a viewpoint of Tre Time before leading through a small forest to the Southern shore and then ultimately back to the car park.
Swimming and SUP at Lago di Landro
As well as offering picturesque postcard views, Lago di Landro is the perfect place to enjoy a number of recreational activities, including swimming.
Due to its shallow depth, Lago di Landro is one of the warmest lakes for swimming in the Dolomites and is a perfect place to cool off in the summer months.
Additionally, for anyone with a stand-up paddle board I found Landro lake to be the ideal spot for an SUP session. The still, blue waters were the perfect place to paddle peacefully around, and due to its status as a hidden gem I was one of only two people on the water even in the middle of August.
Due to its sandy shores, the lake is also a lovely place to sunbathe, read a book, or take a picnic while soaking in the surrounding scenery.
Top Tip: If you’re still hungry, the Ristorante Lago di Landro is a charming eatery offering traditional Italian cuisine among other dishes.
Visiting Misurina: A Quaint Lakeside Village
A speedy 15 minute drive from Lago di Landro, Misurina is the ideal spot to end the third day of your Dolomites trip and is perfectly situated for visiting the Tre Cime mountains the following morning.
Known chiefly for its lake of the same name, Misurina is a beautiful village in the heart of the Dolomites which, despite its beauty, is one of the lesser-known tourist destinations in the area.
Lake Misurina (1,755 m) is one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in the Dolomites. Due to its special climate characteristics, the lake and village have especially clean air which makes it a fantastic place for anyone with respiratory issues.
The village itself is full of unique hotels and restaurants where you can end your busy day with a hearty Austro-Italian meal. Some of the top rated eateries in the village include:
Boat and Bike rental at Misurina
From Misurina, you can hire pedal boats from Hotel Lavaredo to enjoy the surrounding views from the centre of the lake. You can also rent e-bikes or traditional bike from here and head along the Lake Cycle track, part of the "Pista Ciclabile Auronzo-Misurina".
Information on Boat and Bike Rental | lavaredohotel.it
Cycling Routes | trecimebike.it
Stay Near Misurina: Overnight Van Parking and Camping at Tre Cime di Lavaredo
From Misurina, you’re perfectly situated for a stunning overnight stay close to the Tre Cime mountains and the following day’s activities.
The most popular camp spot in this area, and one that’s certainly worth paying for due to its spectacular views and convenient location, is the dedicated car park for vans and motorhomes near Rifugio Auronzo at the trailhead of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo hikes. Located at 2300m, this parking spot offers panoramic views over the most iconic mountain ranges in the Dolomites, along with easy access to food and toilets at the refugio. While this is a truly once-in-a-lifetime camping experience, it does come at a price. To access this parking spot, you must pay a 45 EUR toll/12 hours, making it 90 EUR for a 24 hour stay.
A slightly cheaper option for those preferring a dedicated camper area is this paid gravel car park equipped for 58 motorhomes at the bus stop for the departure to Tre Cime. The site has space to fill up with fresh water along with waste disposal and has a nice community feel. For this spot, it’s just 20 EUR/24 hours, making it significantly cheaper than its Refugio Auronzo counterpart.
Alternatively, I chose to stay at one of many roadside parking spots on the SP49 road leading to Misurina. These were completely free and just a 10 minute walk to Misurina and the bus stop to access the Tre Cime hikes. I was one of many vans parked up here and, though I had the road on one side (which was fairly quiet at night), the other had a stunning view across meadows full of horses with a mountainous backdrop. At sunrise and sunset, the mountains were set alight with pink alpenglow, creating a breathtaking view for no cost!
Day 4: Hike the Iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo and Cadini di Misurina
Hike Tre Cime di Lavaredo
The Tre Cime di Lavaredo circuit hike is one of the most beautiful experiences within the Dolomites and should not be missed. In fact, when you think of the Dolomites, this is probably the image that comes to mind. With its three towering spikes and moon-like landscape among lush greenery, there are endless sights for your eyes to feast upon. Additionally, this hike is more accessible than most others in this area.
The Tre Cime circuit trail begins at Rifugio Auronzo and takes around 4 hours to complete the full 9.7km loop.
Getting to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo Trailhead by Bus
If you’re staying at the Rifugio Auronzo camp spot mentioned above, you can begin the hike around Tre Time directly from your doorstep. However, if you’re staying in Misurina, you must first take a short bus ride up to the trailhead (if you want to avoid the 45 EUR toll).
Luckily, getting the bus is pretty convenient as they’re very regular and the stop is clearly marked. Not only do you not have to worry about the car park filling up with this option, but you skip the toll road queue too.
The bus stop is called Misurina Genzianella and it’s the DolomitiBus line 31 that will take you to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo trailhead. The bus runs every 30 minutes, with the first one leaving Misurina at 8am and the last one departing at 6pm. Tickets can be bought from a ticket stand within the car park directly opposite the bus stop. It costs 10 EUR for a “day pass” (round trip).
Tre Cime Circuit Trail Description
I recommend hiking the Tre Cime di Lavaredo trail counter-clockwise, walking with the three peaks on your left to begin with. This is the direction that most people choose to walk and offers increasingly good views as you go along.
From the parking lot, head towards Rifugio Auronzo. The trail begins to the left side of its terrace. Follow this path, trail 101, towards Refugio Lavaredo. The trail in this section is wide, gravelled, and mostly flat. On your right, you have fantastic views of the Cadini di Misurina.
You’ll pass a chapel, Cappella degli Alpini, after around 1km, from which it’s an easy 10 minute walk to Rifugio Lavaredo, where you may want to stop for food or to refill your water.
Here, the path splits in two directions: A short steep trail and a longer lower one. Both lead to the top of the same hill, where you’ll get your best views yet of the valley in front of Tre Cime with the mountains of the Dolomites stretching far beyond.
From here, continue along the wide gravel path until you reach a junction, at which point take the right-hand trail up to Rifugio Locatelli. Once here, you’ll find the best viewpoints of the entire walk.
To return, take trail 105, descending to the bottom of a valley then climbing the other side to the Malga Langalm hut. Then, follow the gravel path back to the Rifugio Auronzo car park, enjoying stunning views of the Cadini di Misurina as you walk.
The Cadini di Misurina Viewpoint
If you’re not too tired, there is a second, shorter hike (just 2 miles) which also starts from the Rifugio Auronzo car park and heads up to a stunning view of the Cadini di Misurina peaks as well as the “backside” of Tre Cime.
The Cadini di Misurina stand out from the other impressive peaks of the Dolomites as they look completely different.
This trail begins from the right side of the Rifugio terrace and is signposted as trail 117, heading in the direction of Rifugio Col De Varda. The path briefly descends before climbing up the opposite ridgeline. Remember to turn around every now and again as you climb to get views looking back towards Tre Cime!
Near the top of the hill, the trail splits. Both options get you to the viewpoint but the left runs along the edge of a cliff so is best for those who are not scared of heights. After a while, the Cadini di Misurina will come into view. Continuing along the trail, you will eventually see a long outcropping of rock with a thin path running along the top of it. This is the Cadini di Misurina viewpoint.
Take the time here to soak up the stunning environment and take incredible photos of this unique landscape.
Leaving the Dolomites
At this point in your trip you can either choose to stay another night near the Tre Cime mountains and Misurina, or leave the Dolomites to head back to the airport or your next destination. Or, perhaps you’ll decide to extend your stay as there is so much to see and do that this itinerary barely scratches the surface of the possibilities in this magical destination.
I Have More Days Available. What Can I Add to This Dolomites Itinerary?
If you’re lucky enough to have more time available to explore the Dolomites in more depth, here are my suggestions to add to your itinerary:
Lake Sorapis - One of the most beautiful lakes in the Dolomites which can be reached via a 5 hour hike (approximately).
Seceda: Close to Alpe di Suisi and available via gondola from Ortisei, Seceda is a beautiful mountain area with a famous ridgeline which is highly photogenic.
Passo Giau: I chose to include Passo Gardena in this itinerary but Passo Giau is another mountain pass with incredible views and hiking options.
Driving in the Dolomites
The Dolomites are bigger than you’d think. They cover a large area of stunning, mountainous Northern Italy. Deceptively, places on the map look quite close together, but in reality it usually takes over an hour to get from place to place by car. This is largely due to having to drive around mountains rather than passing over them.
As mentioned, I definitely recommend travelling the Dolomites by car rather than public transport, as waiting for relevant buses and making connections in addition to the long driving routes is going to eat into a lot of your time here.
So, what is the driving like in the Dolomites? Well, a lot of the roads are relatively small, as you’d imagine in such a remote region. There are many winding mountain passes with plenty of switchbacks and elevation changes. What’s more, many are single lane so it can make for a slow journey with having to continuously let people past going in the opposite direction, particularly during peak season traffic. For these reasons, I’d suggest being a confident driver to attempt this road trip.
Don’t let the cons put you off, though. The good news is that the vast majority of the roads are in great condition and the scenery while driving is unparalleled in its beauty.
Looking for More Vanlife Travel Inspiration?
If the Dolomites have given you a serious case of the road trip bug (you’re not alone!), why not keep the adventure rolling? I’ve got plenty more van life stories, destination guides, and travel tips to fuel your wanderlust—whether you're dreaming of coastal drives, mountain escapes, or off-grid hideaways.
Curious about what it’s really like living life on the road? Or maybe you’re planning your own escape and looking for practical tips to make van life a little easier (and a lot more fun)? You’ll find all that and more over on the blog.
And if you’re new here—hi, I’m Tamzin! I travel full-time in my self-converted van, chasing hikes, hidden gems, and unforgettable views across Europe. If that sounds like your kind of vibe, come along for the ride. There’s always room for one more in this van life community.
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Wherever you’re heading next—happy travels, and I hope our paths cross again soon.
