Making the Most of a Short Trip to the Dolomites

The Dolomites, with their dramatic peaks and alpine meadows, offer some of the most stunning landscapes in Europe. Even if you’re short on time, it’s possible to experience the magic of this region by focusing on a few key highlights. This guide will help you make the most of a brief trip, showcasing some of the best hikes—Cadini Di Misurina, Tre Cime di Lavaredo, and Seceda. From the convenience of staying in Ortisei to the scenic cable car rides and hearty meals at mountain huts, here’s how to maximize your adventure in the Dolomites.

Planning a Dolomites Short Trip

There is so much to explore in the Dolomites that it can be overwhelming to plan for if you only have a couple days to visit. Here are some tips on how we approached making the most of our time:

• Prioritize Your Hikes – With limited time, choose your top must-do hikes and plan around those. Since some of the top hikes are spread out, your best bet is to choose locations which are relatively close. Earth Trekkers’ list of epic day hikes was a great resource that we used when choosing hikes.
• Choose Your Base – Once you have your hikes selected, choose a centrally located location to stay at which will minimize your transportation time. Look for accommodations close to the town center so you can enjoy the local cafes and restaurants after a day of hiking. Ortisei in Val Gardena is a popular base town and where we chose to stay (more info on that later in this post).
• Plan For Weather – The weather in the Dolomites can change rapidly, so pack accordingly. Bring layers, a waterproof jacket, and sturdy hiking boots. Even in summer, temperatures can drop at higher elevations. Being properly prepared for weather will help make the most of your short Dolomites trip so that you can adapt to any conditions.

Rifugio Auronzo Area

Rifugio Auronzo is a mountain hut located in the high-alpine region of the Sexten Dolomites range. The Rifugio Auronzo area is your starting spot for our first two hiking recommendations: Cadini Di Misurina & Tre Cime di Lavaredo. These are iconic hikes of the Dolomites and can easily be done back to back with a break at the rifugio between them.

Parking & Transportation

To access Rifugio Auronzo there is a paved toll road. A gate at the base of your ascent controls traffic and will close due to inclement weather or road issues. When we visited we had to wait over an hour for work to clear a small rock slide. It’s important to note that this parking area can fill up quickly, especially during peak hiking season. To secure a spot, arriving early is essential – ideally before 9 AM. The toll road/parking fee is €30 which grants you access for the day. Once full, the toll road operates on a one out, one in policy.

Between mid-June and early October, you can take a bus to Rifugio Auronzo from Cortina d’Ampezzo (Bus 30/31), Dobbiaco/Toblach (Bus 444), and Lake Misurina (Bus 31).

Cadini Di Misurina

For a hike that’s both exhilarating and slightly off the beaten path, head to Cadini Di Misurina. This striking group of jagged peaks offers some of the most impressive views in the Dolomites. Outside of the famous viewpoint, the trail isn’t as crowded as some of the more popular hikes, making it a peaceful retreat for nature lovers.

Begin your hike from Rifugio Auronzo with a trail off the front side of the terrace. Look for the correct signs as there are several trails starting in this location. After a short ascent, you’ll reach panoramic viewpoints that seem straight out of a postcard. The dramatic cliffs, combined with sweeping vistas, create an unforgettable experience.

Continuing on from the initial viewpoint seen above you will find a second location with an Instagram famous shot. When we visited there were lines of individual waiting in hopes of that perfect shot. Unfortunately the clouds did not cooperate well which is common in the area. Regardless of the weather it is still impressive to see this unique outcrop rock formation.

Overall the out & back hike is just over 2 miles and not technically challenging. Since the hike isn’t too demanding, it’s perfect for a short trip in the Dolomites. We always recommend downloading the hike in AllTrails for use in navigation. This was especially useful on this hike as the trail wasn’t always clear.

Tre Cime di Lavaredo

No trip to the Dolomites is complete without visiting the iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo. These three massive peaks are among the most famous in the Alps. The loop trail around Tre Cime offers breathtaking views from every angle, with the dramatic peaks towering above you. Fortunately the start to this hike is right next to Cadini Di Misurina!

Start your hike at Rifugio Auronzo, and follow the well-marked trail that takes you around the peaks. Along the way, you’ll encounter alpine meadows, rocky landscapes, and stunning viewpoints. The trail is accessible to hikers of varying levels, making it a great option for a day hike.

To fully enjoy Tre Cime, consider an early morning start. This helps you avoid crowds and catch the peaks bathed in soft, golden light. The loop takes around three to four hours, so it’s perfect for a half-day adventure. The standard loop of the hike is 4.3 miles long with over 1,000 feet of gain so it does present a moderate physical challenge. At the halfway point of this loop you have the opportunity to stop for a break at Rifugio Locatelli. Making a stop here does add some distance to the trail and pushes the length to over 5 miles.

Rifugio Amenities

Rifugio Auronzo is more than just a starting point for your hikes; it’s also a great spot to take a break and recharge. Located at an elevation of 2,333 meters (7,654 ft.), the refuge offers stunning views of the surrounding peaks, making it an ideal place to rest before or after your hike. Inside, you’ll find a cozy atmosphere with plenty of seating and a menu featuring local dishes. There are also bathrooms available for customers and staff to offer help. Along with a place to rest on a day hike, there are 25 rooms available to rent for those looking to extend their stay.

Seceda Area

After a day hiking in the Rifugio Auronzo area, our recommendation would be to make the roughly 2 hour drive to Ortisei and prepare for a day hiking the Seceda area.

Ortisei is an ideal base for exploring the Dolomites, especially Seceda. This charming village offers plenty of accommodation options, ranging from cozy guesthouses to luxurious hotels. The town itself is picturesque, with its traditional Alpine architecture and lively atmosphere. We enjoyed stopping at several restaurants and bars in town, all that offered great service.

Getting to Seceda

From Ortisei, you can easily reach Seceda by taking the cableway. You’ll first take a gondola from the station in Ortisei to Furnes and then transfer over to a cable car for the final ascent. The station in Ortisei is easy to find with signs leading the way from the center of Ortisei. If using GPS you can search “Seceda Cable Car” or “Funivie Seceda Spa” for walking directions. After a series of moving sidewalks and escalators you’ll reach the station. It’s a bit confusing as you need to take steps up one more level for the actual platform and ticket office.

To avoid lines, we’d recommend buying your tickets online ahead of time. Also the earlier in the day you go the better. The gondola and cable car combo ticket costs €45 for round trip. You do have the option to just buy one way if you’re interested in a longer hike on one end of the trip. Pay attention to the cable car hours for the day you’re visiting so you have plenty of time to make it back down before it closes.

The journey offers stunning views as you ascend, and within minutes, you’ll find yourself at the top of a breathtaking mountain plateau. The contrast between the lush green meadows and jagged peaks is striking.

Hiking in Seceda

Once you’re at Seceda, there are numerous hiking trails to explore. The gentle rolling hills make for pleasant walks, while the dramatic ridges offer thrilling views. Seceda is perfect for both leisurely walks and more challenging hikes, so you can tailor your experience to your fitness level and time constraints. The area is particularly beautiful in the late afternoon, as the sun casts long shadows over the peaks.

The best part of Seceda is that you’re immediately greeted with jaw-dropping views from the top of the cable car station. If you’re short on time and want to see the iconic view of Seceda’s jagged edge, it’s just a 10 minute walk up from the station. There are plenty of signs and a gravel path to follow. Note that this short walk is straight up hill and can be a physical challenge for some.

After a stop at the initial viewpoint. we’d recommend taking the hike out to the Pieralongia hut area. With this hike you’ll get different views of the Seceda ridgeline. As you approach the Pieralongia hut the hike opens up to a whole new section of Seceda. Though the linked AllTrails hike stops at the hut, there are many trail options that split off from here. We went another half a mile on the northern side of this area and saw some amazing scenery. Go as far as you’d like before starting to loop back. The overall loop for us was around 4 miles.

Mountain Huts

A visit to Seceda wouldn’t be complete without stopping at one of the mountain huts (rifugi) scattered across the plateau. These huts offer hearty local fare and a wide variety of drinks. Try the traditional speck with bread, a popular local dish, or warm up with a bowl of goulash. Relaxing on a sun-drenched terrace while enjoying a meal is one of the highlights of any trip to the Dolomites!

The Pieralongia Hut hike that we recommended above passes many huts to choose from, some larger than others. We stopped for a delicious lunch at Troier Hütte and grabbed beers at a few other stops.

Bonus Tip

If you find yourself too far down the Seceda mountain and not wanting to hike the mile incline back up, take the Fermedes chair lift. It is a bit pricey at €22 per adult, but worth it if you need to save time and your knees! We ventured down to the Malga Nëidia Hütte for some drinks after our hike before taking this chair lift back up.

A short trip to the Dolomites can be packed with unforgettable experiences. By focusing on key hikes like Cadini Di Misurina, Tre Cime di Lavaredo, and Seceda, you can make the most of your time in this stunning region. Staying in Ortisei adds convenience and charm, while the mountain huts of Seceda provide a taste of Alpine hospitality. Whether you’re an avid hiker or simply looking for a scenic escape, the Dolomites won’t disappoint. Check out our International Travel posts for more trip inspiration.