The Dolomites

Is This the Most Beautiful Mountain Range in Europe?

The Dolomites in Italy are a famous mountain range to explore. It's a great mix of the Alps and Mediterranean life. The Dolomites are located in two northernmost provinces: South Tyrol and Trentino. According to many, it is also the most beautiful mountain range in the world because of its steep peaks. Where you can enjoy lovely hikes, for one day or several days via a hut to hut hiking. This article describes the most beautiful sights of the Dolomites.

UNESCO has placed the Dolomites on the World Heritage List. The diversity of outdoor activities and delectable cuisine makes this one of the most exciting areas of Europe. It’s perfect for touring around, either on foot or by bike. Though the latter is a real challenge.

The Dolomites stand for steep peaks, wide mountain meadows and delicious food. It's a wonderful mountain range in the north of Italy, where you can enjoy yourself any time of year. It's a great mix of active outdoor activities and fabulous cuisine in Michelin-star restaurants.

The best excursion in the Dolomites is hiking, which can be done at different levels. Both beginners and experienced hikers can enjoy themselves. If you take the Dolomites map, you will see many winding mountain roads, lakes and villages. Below you will find the most beautiful places to visit in the Dolomites. And there is plenty to choose from. 

Location of the Dolomites?

The Dolomites are located in the north of Italy. In the far north on the border with Austria, where the mountains turn into the Alps. The major city in the Dolomites is Bolzano (also called Bolzano). The oldest city is Bressanone (Brixen), while the medieval city of Chiusa (Klausen) is also worth a visit. Brunico (Bruneck) is also beautiful to visit. This certainly applies to Cortina d'Ampezzo, which is called the pearl of the Dolomites.

Pragser Wildsee / Lago di Braies

The beauty of Pragser Wildsee, also known as Lago di Braies in the Dolomites.

The Pragser Wildsee is a famous lake in the north of Italy. It is also called Lago di Braies and became known through social media, as well as through a long-running television series in Italy. And indeed, it is a beautiful lake. At this location, you can enjoy walking between the mountains that surround the lake. The water of the lake is often strikingly green in colour, but can also be blue due to the many minerals. Pay attention when you are there. You won't be disappointed. First of all, this is beautiful Italy. Secondly, even cloudy skies at Lago di Braies are beautiful.

Tre Cime di Lavaredo

Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Drei Zinnen) in Italy.

The Tre Cime di Lavaredo are three steep peaks in the middle of the Dolomites. It shows the roughness of this mountain range in Italy well. You can easily walk around the peaks and view the mountains. And an idyllic overnight stay in a mountain hut with a view of the mountains. So the choice is yours. Where you can never actually go wrong.

Read my article on Tre Cime di Lavaredo

Seiser Alm / Alpe di Siusi

The beautiful alpine meadow Seiser Alm or Alpe di Siusi. ©Sudtirol Marketing

The Seiser Alm is the largest alpine pasture in Europe. More than 360 mountain pastures, mountain huts and shepherd's huts, covering an area of 8,000 football pitches. And that at an altitude of 1,680 to 2,350 meters. Which you can discover for yourself from the various mountain villages in the area.

Read my article on Seiser Alm / Alpe di Siusi

Val di Fassa

View of Val di Fassa.

Val di Fassa is famous with hikers and winter sports enthusiasts. It is one of the most beautiful places in the Dolomites, with impressive views of the steep mountains everywhere. This is a special nature reserve, in every season of the year.

Read my article on Val di Fassa

Adamello Brenta Nature Reserve

Wild horses in Adamello Brenta Natural Park.

Adamello Brenta Natural Park is one of the largest protected areas in the Alps. The nature reserve is popular with nature lovers, hikers and mountaineers. It is one of the larger protected areas in Italy and is located in the province of Trentino.

Read my article on Adamello Brenta

Lake Molveno

The azure blue water of Lake Molveno. ©Marco Simonini

Lake Molveno has been voted the cleanest lake in Italy for years. The lake is a lake in the heart of the Dolomites. According to many, it is the most beautiful lake in this mountain area. And remarkably clean. An ideal place for walking, swimming or relaxing. In every season.

Read my article on Lake Molveno

Lake Ledro

Lake Ledro is a beautiful lake in the Dolomites. ©Trentino Marketing

Lake Ledro is less known, but it is one of the most beautiful lakes in the Dolomites. It is remarkably close to Lake Garda, but is too often skipped. The Italians love this lake, which is easy to walk around. You can also swim there and do many more excursions.

Read my article on Lake Ledro

Hut to Hut Hiking in the Dolomites

Hiking in the Dolomites.

One of the most popular activities is a hut to hut hiking tour, where you spend the night in a mountain hut. During the day you gain little to a lot of elevation gain, depending on the route. There are multi-day hikes for novice hikers, but also for experienced mountain hikers. I have listed the 6 most beautiful walking routes.

Accommodation in the Dolomites

You have a great choice of locations to sleep in this area. There are many hotels in the city, but also hostels. You will also find many Bed & Breakfasts in the countryside to enjoy nature. I have slept in various locations, both in a village and in the countryside and in the mountains.

Floating Infinity Pool in the Dolomites

The floating infinity pool in Geiselsberg. ©©Alex Filz

Hotel Hubertus in the town of Geiselsberg in the Dolomites has a unique infinity pool. In other words, a swimming pool where the water runs to the horizon and you can therefore also view the surrounding landscape. As if you were swimming in the landscape around you. They call it a Sky Pool themselves, which is also an appropriate name.

Read my article on the infinity Sky Pool

Most Beautiful Mountains in the World?

The Dolomites are amongst the steepest mountains in the world, and many believe they are some of the most beautiful as well. They were once upon a time a seabed, so that’s why they have such a unique colour.

The best way to explore the Dolomites.

UNESCO World Heritage Site

UNESCO has declared the Dolomites a World Heritage Site. The diversity of the landscape with perfect cuisine makes it one of the most special places in Europe. Where you can take a wonderful tour. On foot or by bike. Although the latter offers a real challenge. But then the electric bicycle offers a solution.

History of the Dolomites

It's hard to imagine, but the Dolomites were once a primeval sea. The mountains are actually fossilised algae and coral reefs that grew in a warm primeval sea 250 million years ago. When the water subsided, the reefs rose. Due to the light gray color, they are often referred to as the pale mountains. The reason: In 1788, researchers discovered that the rocks consist of limestone containing magnesium.

A mountain hut at Tre Cime di Lavaredo.

Alps or Dolomites?

The names Alps and Dolomites are continuously mixed up. Officially the Dolomites are the Southern Alps, although it is quite logical. A region with such an identity deserves a mountain range with its name. Especially when they are so impressive.

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