Jun 25 → Jun 29 · South Tyrol, Italy
South Tyrol & Dolomites Loop
Four days of car-camping, hiking, and high-altitude adventure through the best of the Dolomites — from the turquoise shores of Lago di Sorapis and the WWI tunnels of Tre Cime to the legendary krapfen at Rifugio Friedrich August and a hilltop party above Ortisei. A raw, rewarding loop through one of Europe's most dramatic mountain landscapes.
Miha Rek
@miharek · creator's guide
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5
DAYS
24
STOPS
261 km
ROUTE
8h 42m
TRAVEL
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Useful for this trip
1
Misurina
1 stops
A late-afternoon arrival at Lago di Misurina sets the tone for the trip — windows down, mountains up, and a car boot doubling as a bedroom for the night.
Parking
Auronzo di Cadore
A parking spot beside the lakeside pizzeria turned out to be one of the finest pitches imaginable — front-row views over Lago di Misurina with the Dolomites rising behind. This became our base for the first night, sleeping in the back of the car beneath an extraordinary mountain backdrop.
2
Lake Sorapis
5 stops
An early start for the hike to Lago di Sorapis — one of the Dolomites' most rewarding trails, with vivid turquoise water waiting at the end.
Parking Lake Sorapis
Cortina d'Ampezzo
The trailhead for Lago di Sorapis, with all-day parking at €10 — excellent value for a full day in the mountains. Lace up here and set off early before the crowds arrive.
HIKE
Lago_di_Sorapis
12.8 km · 539 m↑ · 5h 36m
↑ 1937 m
↓ 1735 m
1 km · 2m
Lago_di_Sorapis
The payoff for every uphill metre: Lago di Sorapis in its full, almost unreal turquoise glory. The colour comes from glacial sediment and shifts with the light — take your time and soak it in.
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Valbona da Sent 209-rifugio Vandelli
Cortina d'Ampezzo
Perched just above the lake, Rifugio Vandelli is the ideal place to reward yourself after the hike. We settled in for a well-earned beer with views that made the climb feel entirely worth it.
hike
Cortina d'Ampezzo
Cortina d'Ampezzo
20 km · 23m
Parking
San Vito di Cadore
A spectacular free overnight pull-out on the SP 638 — genuinely one of the best car-camping spots of the entire trip. The views from here are hard to beat, and the silence even harder to leave.
3
Tre Cime and Dobbiaco
10 stops
The biggest day of the trip: a full loop around Tre Cime di Lavaredo, including WWI mountain tunnels and the via ferrata up Monte Paterno, before descending toward Dobbiaco.
Parking
Auronzo di Cadore
Driving up to the parking near Rifugio Auronzo costs €40 for the day — pre-book if you can. It places you right at the start of the loop and spares you the shuttle-bus scrum, which gets extremely crowded in high season.
HIKE
Tre_Cime_loop_with_Monte_Paterno_ferrata
9.9 km · 630 m↑ · 6h 22m
↑ 2658 m
↓ 2175 m
0 km · 1m
Tre_Cime_loop_with_Monte_Paterno_ferrata
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Start Of Ferrata
Dobbiaco
The gearing-up point before the via ferrata on Monte Paterno. A helmet and climbing harness are non-negotiable here — come prepared or hire equipment before you leave the valley.
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Tunnels And Cliffs
Dobbiaco
One of the most memorable stretches of the entire loop: original WWI tunnels carved into the living rock, followed by exposed climbing on the cliff faces of Monte Paterno. History and drama in equal measure.
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Food Stop
Dobbiaco
A mountain refuge perfectly placed mid-route for refuelling. We stopped for sausages and beer — exactly the right order of business after the via ferrata section.
hike
Beer Stop
Dobbiaco
hike
Auronzo di Cadore
Auronzo di Cadore
HIKE
Cadini_di_Misurina
3.5 km · 172 m↑ · 1h 27m
↑ 2364 m
↓ 2265 m
0 km · 1m
Cadini_di_Misurina
hike
View Point
Auronzo di Cadore
57 km · 42m
Passo Sella
Selva di Val Gardena
Our last night in the car — a fitting end to three nights of sleeping under the Dolomites before a proper roof beckoned the following evening.
4
Krapfen, Seceda and Party
7 stops
A sociable final full day: fresh krapfen at a mountaintop rifugio, sweeping ridgeline views from Seceda, a restorative dip in the wellness pool, and an evening party reached by mountain train.
Rifugio Friedrich August
Campitello di Fassa
Rifugio Friedrich August is famous across South Tyrol for its krapfen — the filled doughnuts that hikers make the climb specifically to eat. We met friends here and worked through a plate of them with panoramic Dolomite views as the backdrop. Worth every step of the ascent.
16 km · 18m
Parking
Urtijëi
The best free parking we found within reach of the Seceda cable car. Street parking nearby runs around €5 per hour, so an early arrival here pays off handsomely.
1 km · 11m
7 km · 1h 27m
Food And Drinks
Santa Cristina Gherdeina
10 km · 11m
Hotel Garni August
Kastelruth
Hotel Garni August in Kastelruth made for a comfortable base after three nights of car camping — a warm welcome and a proper bed to recharge ahead of the evening's plans.
1 km · 8m
Piscina Mar Dolomit
Kastelruth
A swim at Piscina Mar Dolomit — included with our hotel stay — was the ideal way to unknot tired legs before the evening. Highly recommended after back-to-back days on the trail.
3 km · 2m
Chalet Resciesa
Ortisei
The evening ended at Chalet Resciesa, reached by mountain train from Ortisei. A hilltop party with sweeping Dolomite views — an unexpected highlight and a brilliant way to close out the trip.
5
Lago di Braies
1 stops
A gentle farewell at one of the Alps' most iconic lakes before the long drive home.
MORNING
Lago di Braies
Prags
Lago di Braies is the perfect final stop — impossibly blue water, wooden rowing boats drifting beneath sheer limestone cliffs, and a boathouse framing the whole scene. A quiet, beautiful send-off after four big days in the mountains.
