Cortina d'Ampezzo

Tre Cime di Lavaredo

The three iconic limestone peaks; a ~10 km loop (3–4 hrs, moderate, customisable) with rifugios for coffee and cake. Start at sunrise; the first section is busiest and quietens further along.

Getting there — ~40–45 min NE by car via the Rifugio Auronzo toll road (~€30, reservation increasingly required); car-free, take a DolomitiBus to Misurina and the seasonal Tre Cime shuttle (Bus 444 also runs from Dobbiaco).

Cadini di Misurina

The famous ridge panorama over Tre Cime; a short 30–45 min walk from the Rifugio Auronzo lot. Best at sunrise or sunset — light improves about an hour after sunrise.

Getting there — Same Rifugio Auronzo toll lot as Tre Cime, ~45 min by car; car-free via DolomitiBus to Misurina plus the Tre Cime shuttle, then a short walk.

Lago di Sorapis

A milky-turquoise glacial lake; a demanding 12–16 km round trip (4+ hrs, ~450 m gain) with exposed, cabled cliff sections. Proper boots required; start early for solitude and parking.

Getting there — ~15 min east by car to the Passo Tre Croci trailhead; car-free on the DolomitiBus toward Misurina/Auronzo, which stops at Passo Tre Croci.

Cinque Torri

Five rock towers with an open-air WWI museum and trenches; an easy 2 km loop. Combine with the short climb to Rifugio Averau and Rifugio Nuvolau (6 km total), repeatedly called a trip highlight.

Getting there — ~15 min SW by car toward Passo Falzarego, then the Cinque Torri chairlift; car-free via the seasonal DolomitiBus toward Passo Falzarego.

Croda da Lago Circuit

A 13 km moderate loop (4.5–6 hrs) to the alpine Lago Federa — 'one of the quietest trails' with big views.

Getting there — ~20 min south by car to the Ponte de Ru Curto trailhead; no scheduled bus reaches it, so a taxi from Cortina is the only car-free option.

Tofana di Mezzo (Freccia nel Cielo)

Three cable-car stages to the third-highest Dolomite summit (~€40 round trip) for jaw-dropping 360° views — clear weather only.

Getting there — The Freccia nel Cielo base is a short walk or local town bus from the Corso, and the cable car carries you up in three stages.

Via Ferrata (Ra Pegna · Nuvolau · Col Dei Bos)

Beginner-friendly Ra Pegna and Rifugio Nuvolau routes, local-favourite Col Dei Bos, and the Fanes Waterfall climb (100 m through waterfalls). Guides: Guide Alpine Cortina (guidecortina.com).

Getting there — Routes ring Cortina within ~15–30 min by car plus a lift; car-free climbers can have town guides (Guide Alpine Cortina) arrange transfers.

Corso d'Italia & Bell Tower

The pedestrian Corso d'Italia and bell tower; browse the shops, then eat on the side streets where locals go.

Lago di Braies

The emerald lake with its iconic boathouse; rowboats June–late Sept. Pre-sunrise is essential. By car ~1 hr (summer driving banned 9:30am–4pm — reserve parking at pragsparking.com); car-free via train to Dobbiaco then Bus 442 (28 min).

Lago di Misurina

An easy lakeside stroll with golden-hour reflections and lakeside restaurants; a natural pairing with Tre Cime. ~20 min by car NE; car-free on the DolomitiBus toward Misurina/Auronzo.

Passo Giau & Passo Falzarego

Spectacular hairpin drives; Falzarego's Lagazuoi cable car climbs to 2,778 m with WWI tunnels and a 4 km downhill walk. ~30–45 min by car; car-free via seasonal DolomitiBus over the passes.

Marmolada & Lago di Fedaia

The highest Dolomite peak with cable cars to Punta Rocca, a glacier and a Great War museum, en route to the western valleys. ~1 hr by car; car-free is limited — seasonal buses toward Canazei/Passo Fedaia plus the cable car.