If you are looking for a quick mountain escape, Cortina d’Ampezzo is the perfect hub. It is easily accessible from major Italian cities and offers dozens of mountain trails. You can base yourself here for a few days and hike to your heart’s content or test your adventurous side on a via ferrata.
About Cortina d’Ampezzo
Cortina is situated in the Central Dolomites and is surrounded by three mountain groups: the Pomagagnon and Cristallo to the North, the Sorapiss to the East, and the Tofane to the West. Last but not least, the majestic Monte Pelmo, one of the Dolomites’ highest peaks, overlooks the entire town from the South.
The town rose to fame during the 1956 Olympics and will soon repeat its host duties during the upcoming XXV Olympic Games in 2026.
Cortina is considered an upscale mountain resort, yet it has retained its charm. Despite being touristy, I return to Cortina regularly. I adore the main cobblestone street with shops, the Italian cafes, and the ice cream parlours, where I always get a few scoops after spending a day on the trails.
TIP: See my other articles about Cortina d’Ampezzo
How to get to Cortina d’Ampezzo
As a renowned mountain resort, Cortina boasts the ideal infrastructure for numerous outdoor enthusiasts. Although there is no train station in town, it is easily accessible by bus from other Italian cities.
By bus
If you happen to be visiting Venice first, you can easily plan an escape into the mountains and reach Cortina by using a shuttle bus. You can book a shuttle on a daily bus from Venice Airport or Mestre Train Station. It’s undoubtedly a more environmentally friendly way to travel. You can also catch the budget-friendly FlixBus to Cortina from Milan or Munich in Germany.
By car
Although this itinerary doesn’t require a car, having one will make things easier. If you are travelling to Cortina d’Ampezzo by car, here are the approximate travel distances and times from the nearest airports:
- Venice Marco Polo: 148 km / 92 mi / 1h 45 min
- Venice Treviso: 137 km / 85 mi / 1h 40 min
- Innsbruck: 164 km / 102 mi / 2h 30 min
- Munich airport: 358 km / 222 mi / 4h
- Milan Bergamo: 370 km / 230 mi / 4 h
- Milan Malpensa: 453 km / 281 mi / 4h 30 min
TIP: If you need to rent a car for your trip to the Dolomites, consider using Discover Cars. It’s an award-winning comparison site that I have been using for years.
Where to stay in Cortina d’Ampezzo
Being a world-class ski resort, Cortina d’Ampezzo doesn’t fall short on accommodation. Still, you must be prepared to pay slightly higher prices here than in other Dolomite regions.
TIP
Budget and mid-range accommodation in Cortina books out faster than in other areas, so book your hotel well in advance. Please avoid Airbnb and renting from private owners. As a local living in the Alps and paying exorbitant rent, I advocate for sustainable tourism.
Best Value
Located on Cortina’s main promenade, just meters from the pedestrian zone with all the shops, cafes, and restaurants.
Top Rated
Located in a quiet area of Cortina with beautiful views across the valley and the mountains. The wellness centre and shuttle to Cortina centre are included.
A day-by-day hiking itinerary for Cortina d’Ampezzo
Day 1: Lake Sorapiss Trail
Roundtrip Distance: 12.1 km / 7.5 mi
Elevation Gain: 520 m / 1706 ft
Time Required: 4-5 hours
Lake Sorapiss is the perfect trail to kick off this itinerary. It’s neither too long nor too strenuous, which makes it ideal for the first day. The trail culminates at the turquoise alpine lake, fed by the nearby glacier, underneath a prominent Punta Sorapiss peak.
The trailhead lies 20 minutes’ drive or 30 minutes ‘ bus ride from Cortina on the Tre Croci mountain pass. This is one of those iconic hikes in the Dolomites, and it becomes extremely crowded during the summer. By 8 AM, most parking spots are taken. By 10 AM, I have seen people park as far as 2 kilometres away from the main trailhead. Be sure to arrive very early to avoid the crowds.
Read More: 12-Step Guide to Lake Sorapiss Hike
Day 2: Croda Da Lago Circuit
Roundtrip Distance: 12.5 km /7.8 mi
Elevation Gain: 854 m / 2801 ft
Time Required: 5-6 h
Whenever I am asked about my favourite hike around Cortina, my answer has been the same for many years: the Croda da Lago circuit. This challenging trail traverses numerous alpine environments, ranging from fir forests to alpine lakes and rocky mountain passes.
The Croda Da Lago circuit is wonderful in autumn when the larch trees that grow abundantly along the trail turn bright yellow. The Palmieri Refuge, built near the shoreline of Lake Federa (pictured above), caters to hungry hikers wanting to try the local cuisine. You can also stay here overnight.
Read More: 8-Step Guide To The Amazing Croda Da Lago Circuit Trail In The Italian Dolomites.
Day 3: Cinque Torri and Lago Limedes + optional Via Ferrata Averau extension
Roundtrip Distance: 9.7 km / 6 mi
Elevation Gain: 600 m / 1950 ft
Time Required: 4-5 h
The Falzarego mountain pass is just 25 minutes west of Cortina d’Ampezzo. A network of trails crosses this area, and one of my favourites is the Lake Limedes and Cinque Torri circuit, which starts just below the pass.
Just 30 minutes into the trail, you will come across a tiny alpine lake with great reflections of the surrounding peaks. It is called Lago Limedes. It completely dries out during autumn, but don’t worry, there are plenty of other jaw-dropping vistas to look at. For example, the triangle-shaped Sass Di Stria (pictured above), the rose-shaped Tofane Di Rozes, or the famous Cinque Torri – an interesting rock formation. History buffs will be delighted to discover the open-air museum located beneath Cinque Torri.
Read More: Guide to Cinque Torri and Lake Limedes Hike
Day 4: Lagazuoi Tunnels or Via Ferrata Michielli Strobel
Option 1: Lagazuoi Tunnels Hike
Roundtrip Distance: 6 km / 4 mi
Elevation Gain: 673 m / 2200 ft
Time Required: 3-4 hours
Today, you will spend another day exploring the area around Passo Falzarego. This is a history-packed location that was a strategic fighting ground during World War I. The Lagazuoi Tunnels are among the most prominent remnants of that era. Their history is both fascinating and terrifying.
The tunnels, which were drilled in Mount Lagazuoi, were constructed without following a specific plan. The soldiers just drilled through the rock until they reached the light, then estimated their location and repeated the process until they reached the top. Deaths from dust inhalation and hypothermia were common. Pack a torch, a helmet, and a warm jacket to keep yourself safe and warm in the tunnels.
Read More: Guide to hiking through the Lagazuoi Tunnels.
Option 2: Via Ferrata Michielli Strobel
Roundtrip Distance: 10 km / 6.2 mi
Elevation Gain: 950 meters / 3100 feet
Time Required: 4-5 hours
For great panoramic views of Cortina d’Ampezzo, consider tackling Via Ferrata Michielli Strobel. I like this route for its accessibility and the fun that it provides. This is also a fantastic route for those who have never done a via ferrata before. Most of it has the difficulty level A/B, with only one short, harder B/C Section. If you have never been on a via ferrata before, check out my beginner’s guide to see what you can expect from these routes.
Via ferrata Michielli Strobel was set up in the Pomagagnon range, just a 7-minute drive north of Cortina.
Read More: Guide to Via Ferrata Michielli Strobel
Day 5: Col De La Puina Hike or Via Ferrata Ivano Dibona
Option 1: Col De La Puina Hike + Lake Alleghe
Roundtrip Distance: 7.6 km / 4.7 mi
Elevation Gain: 550 m / 1800 ft
Time Required: 2.5 – 3 h
Col De La Puina is a small ridgeline above the Citta Di Fiume Alpine hut and at the foot of Monte Pelmo. This hike offers numerous great views, despite its short distance and moderate elevation gain. From the top, you will get a perfect vantage point of the pyramid-shaped Monte Antelao – the second-highest peak in the Dolomites.
It takes approximately 1 hour by car to reach the trailhead for this hike from Cortina. This is the only hike in this itinerary that requires a car. On the way, you will pass Passo Giau, an iconic spot where you can stop for a quick photo. Since Col De La Puina is only a half-day hike, you will also have plenty of time to visit Alleghe. It’s a beautiful little town built on the shoreline of a turquoise lake at the foot of Monte Civetta – one of the Dolomites’ highest peaks.
Read More: Guide to Col De La Puina hike
TIP
On the way back, stop at Biar Bianco in Santa Fosca for coffee and ice cream. This is my favourite ice cream place in the Dolomites.
Option 2: Via Ferrata Ivano Dibona
Roundtrip Distance: 8 km / 5 mi
Elevation Gain: 1200 m / 3940 ft
Time Required: 8 h
If you don’t have a car to reach the Col De La Puina trailhead, you can test your adventurous side on the iconic via ferrata Ivano Dibona instead. This route is mainly known for its suspension bridge, but trust me, there’s a lot more to this route than just the bridge.
Via Ferrata Ivano Dibona is situated in the Monte Cristallo range and is rich in World War I history. The Buffa Di Perrero alpine bivouac, which is located approximately halfway along the route, has been restored since 2022. This is the coolest alpine structure I have ever come across. Go to my other post to see a photo of it.
Read More: How to Tackle the Most Famous Via Ferrata In The Italian Dolomites – Ivano Dibona
That’s a wrap for my Cortina d’Ampezzo itinerary. If you have a few more days in the Dolomites, you can spend them exploring another region or doing a hut-to-hut trek.
Other regions in the Dolomites worth visiting
- Puster Valley (Val Pusteria)
- Fassa Valley (Val Di Fassa)
- Gardena Valley (Val Gardena)
- Funes Valley (Val Di Funes)
- Primero Valley (Val Primero)
- Badia Valley (Val Badia / Alta Badia)
- Cortina D’Ampezzo & Central Dolomites
- Tre Cime Nature Park
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If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below!
Hi Marta, Love the site and the info. I am doing a 6 day bike trip in the Dolomites and have 3 nights and 4 days to hike.
I like challenging but am not a technical climber. Where would you base to accomplish the top 4 hikes on your list of demanding day hikes? Appreciate any info. There are so many spectacular options. Melissa
Hi Melissa. Thanks for visiting. I would probably base myself in Puster Valley and do Seekofel, Durrenstein, Croda Fiscalina Circuit and Passo Monte Croce – Rifugio Berti and back hike. I hope that helps! Have a fantastic time.