Cortina d'AmpezzoStory N° 19
Dolomites Scenic Drive — Italy's Alpine Crown
Traverse the UNESCO Dolomites on legendary mountain passes with sheer pink peaks, emerald lakes and authentic South Tyrolean villages
The itinerary.
5 days · 13 stops
Saturday
Day One
Arrive Venice or Innsbruck, drive into the Dolomites and check into a rifugio
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Cortina d'Ampezzo Arrival
The queen of Dolomite resorts — ringed by the Tofane, Sorapiss and Cristallo massifs. Walk the Corso Italia, browse the luxury shops and take the first cable car up for evening views.
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Tofane Cable Car
Take the Tofana di Mezzo cable car (3243m) for the first overwhelming Dolomites panorama. The entire amphitheatre of peaks turns pink at sunset — unforgettable. dolomiti.org
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Ristorante El Camineto Cortina
Traditional Cadorin mountain cuisine — canederli (bread dumplings), venison goulash and local Valpolicella in a warm wood-panelled rifugio atmosphere.
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Hotel
Hotel Melodia del Bosco Cortina booking.com
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Getting around
- Drive Venice → Cortina d'Ampezzo (165 km, 2.5 hrs via A27 motorway and SS51)
Sunday
Day Two
Tre Cime di Lavaredo — the Dolomites' most iconic three rock towers
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Tre Cime di Lavaredo
The most photographed rock formation in Europe — three vertical towers rising 900m from the plateau. The classic 9.7 km circuit walk takes 3-4 hours with 570m ascent. Go very early morning (before 7am) to avoid crowds. Toll road: €30/car in season.
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Lago di Misurina
The alpine lake at the foot of the Tre Cime road. The perfect glassy reflection of the Tre Cime on calm mornings. Worth the dawn drive just for this.
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Rifugio Auronzo
At the top of the toll road, this rifugio serves the essential post-hike lunch — speck and cheese boards, pasta e fagioli soup, excellent local beer.
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Hotel
Hotel Melodia del Bosco Cortina booking.com
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Getting around
- Drive Cortina → Lago di Misurina → Tre Cime toll road (35 km, 45 min)
- Walk the 9.7 km Tre Cime circuit — park at Rifugio Auronzo
Monday
Day Three
Passo Giau and Lago di Braies — two of the Dolomites' greatest drives
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Passo Giau
At 2236m, Giau is one of the most beautiful mountain passes in Europe. The views from the pass of the surrounding Dolomite groups are extraordinary. The road is spectacular from either side.
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Passo Falzarego
The famous WW1 Lagazuoi via ferrata starts from Falzarego. Even without climbing, the pass viewpoint looking toward the Tofane is magnificent. Cable car to Lagazuoi summit available.
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Lago di Braies
The 'Pearl of the Dolomites' — an emerald lake mirroring vertical rock walls. Rent a wooden rowing boat and row across the glassy surface. Arrive before 8am or after 5pm to avoid the crowds.
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Hotel
Hotel Lago di Braies booking.com
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Getting around
- Drive Cortina → Passo Giau → Passo Falzarego → Lago di Braies (110 km scenic route, allow 4-5 hours with stops)
Tuesday
Day Four
Alpe di Siusi — Europe's largest alpine meadow — and Bolzano
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Alpe di Siusi by Cable Car
Europe's largest high-altitude meadow (60 sq km) at 1800-2350m, ringed by the impossibly dramatic Sassolungo and Sassopiatto peaks. Take the Siusi cable car from Ortisei. seilbahn-seiseralm.it
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Castelrotto Village
The most picture-perfect South Tyrolean village — Austrian-looking with ornate painted houses, flower boxes and one of Italy's finest baroque church towers.
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Bolzano Old Town
The capital of South Tyrol is Italy at its most Austrian. Visit Ötzi the Iceman at the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology — the world's oldest natural mummy (3300 BC).
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Hotel
Hotel Cavallino d'Oro Castelrotto booking.com
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Getting around
- Drive Lago di Braies → Ortisei → Castelrotto → Bolzano (120 km via Val Gardena, allow 3 hours)
Wednesday
Day Five
Return to Venice or Innsbruck and fly home
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Trento Piazza del Duomo
If routing via Venice, stop in Trento for coffee on the magnificent Renaissance piazza. The frescoed Torre Civica is stunning. Just 1 hour off the motorway.
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Getting around
- Or Bolzano → (120 km, 1.5 hrs on A22)
Location.
Frequently asked
How many days do you need for Dolomites Scenic Drive — Italy's Alpine Crown?
5 days. The itinerary runs from Saturday to Wednesday and covers 13 curated stops across 5 days.
How much does Dolomites Scenic Drive — Italy's Alpine Crown cost?
Premium — €300–600 per day per person, premium lodging included.
Where do you stay during Dolomites Scenic Drive — Italy's Alpine Crown?
Hotel Melodia del Bosco Cortina is the recommended base for the trip; the full hotel list per day is in the itinerary section.
What's included in the Dolomites Scenic Drive — Italy's Alpine Crown itinerary?
Day-by-day stops at 13 restaurants, museums, viewpoints and landmarks; transportation hints between each leg; and a hotel base in Cortina d'Ampezzo.
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