I often write in my articles that from a photographer’s perspective, autumn is the best time of the year to take photos. It’s not just down to the obvious—the vast array of fall colours and contrasts.
As I’m not a morning person, autumn usually allows me to sleep a few hours longer before the sun rises. Because, let’s face it, 4 AM sunrise photo shoots in the summer are no fun. Cooler temperatures also bring relief from the summer heat. Who else doesn’t enjoy hiking when it’s hotter than 20 degrees Celsius? I spent a lot of time in the Dolomites during the Fall, and today, I am bringing you the countdown of my favourite autumn photography locations.
My Favourite Autumn Photography Locations In The Italian Dolomites
Above, you can see the map of all the locations. Click on the icon at the top left to see the list. If you click on each location, a photograph will be displayed. This will enable you to pinpoint each spot more accurately.
What’s the best month to see the autumn colours in the Dolomites?
Before I get to the countdown, let me answer an essential question that many of you may be seeking an answer to: When is the best time to visit the Dolomites to see the fall colours? This can vary slightly from year to year, depending on the summer and the speed at which cold weather arrives.
From what I have observed, fall colours begin to appear slowly at the end of September or early October at higher elevations. However, the peak autumn colours are between mid-October and early November. That’s when most of the photos in this article were taken.
TIP: If you plan an autumn hiking and photography road trip around the Dolomites, check out my itinerary.
1. Along the road to Rifugio Auronzo
The road to the Auronzo refuge offers the easiest and quickest access to the most visited National Park in the Dolomites – Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Since it’s a private road, you must pay to drive on it and pre-book your parking space in advance. In return, you will gain access to the top day hikes, via ferratas and photography spots in the Tre Cime Nature Park.
The road takes you from Lago Antorno through the Cadin di Longeres valley, filled with larches. There are a couple of viewpoints where you can stop safely to snap a photo without interfering with traffic. My favourite (pictured above) is located just a short walk from the parking lot near Rifugio Auronzo.
In the summer, buses operate a few times daily from Lago Antorno to Rifugio Auronzo, but if you want to visit in the Fall when the mountain huts are shut, you will either have to pay the fee or hike from the valley bottom.
2. Along the Lake Sorapiss trail
When I first hiked this trail at the beginning of September, I observed that the valley where the pathway runs is filled with larch trees.
Larch trees are widespread in the Dolomites. For those who may not know, they are the only conifers that shed their needles for the winter. They bear the most incredible shades of yellows and oranges during the autumn transition.
The Lake Sorapiss trail, particularly the first half hour, crosses a couple of incredible viewpoints. The best one is Monte Cristallo, framed with the larch forest, with a stream running below.
3. Val Di Funes
Val Di Funes is one of the Dolomites’ most famous year-round photography spots. Particularly the little chapel of San Giovanni, with the Seceda ridgeline towering over it (pictured above). There is a pine forest interwoven with larch trees in the background.
However, my favourite spot to give this place justice in autumn is the viewpoint of the second church, Santa Maddalena. You will need to walk from town to access it. The road leading to the viewpoint is inaccessible to tourist car traffic. The good news is that it only takes around 20 minutes to walk to this spot from the town’s parking lot.
4. Along the hike to Cinque Torri
When hiking along the trail to Cinque Torri, you will again pass through a larch forest. As you gain elevation, the views will open towards the valley, unveiling some exciting photo compositions.
Passo Falzarego, where you can start the famous hike through the Lagazuoi tunnels, and Rifugio Lagazuoi, one of the most photogenic huts in the Dolomites, will be visible in the distance.
A dome-shaped peak named Tofane di Rozes, famous for the via ferrata Giovanni Lipella going to its summit, will catch your eye too.
This is a spot where you can let your creativity run wild. The Cinque Torri is worth exploring, but don’t obsess over it when there is so much else you can photograph here, especially during autumn.
5. Alpe Di Siusi
The first time I visited Alpe Di Siusi was in early November. I saw it on the verge of autumn and winter after the first snowfall, when the autumn colours were still prevalent on the larch trees dotted around the area. I don’t have to tell you how amazing it all looked.
Alpe di Siusi is challenging to access, especially if you want to arrive for sunrise or sunset. The access road is only open for traffic during certain hours, and if you are caught driving on it outside of those hours, you risk a hefty fine.
TIP: If you want to learn how to avoid it, see my article about the most iconic spots in the Italian Dolomites, where I explain in detail how to visit Alpe di Siusi.
6. Along the Lago Di Braies circuit
Autumn is the only time I enjoy hanging out at Lago di Braies. This place is so busy in the summer that the authorities introduced road restrictions during the busiest times.
If you are not fond of crowds, you should plan your trip to the Dolomites in October, particularly if you want to spend some time at this lake without fighting for a spot to take a photo.
With that said, don’t expect to be alone here either. The photography community is growing in numbers, and photo tours are popping up like mushrooms after the rain.
Photography tourists tend to obsess about getting the same shot as everyone else, so most can be found at the boat jetty, 100 meters from the car park. It doesn’t take much to escape the crowds at Lago di Braies.
Just hike the Lago di Braies circuit early in the morning, which only takes an hour, and you will be amazed by how quickly you escape the crowds and enjoy the beauty of this place.
7. Passo Gardena
Whether at sunrise or sunset, Passo Gardena is a must-see spot, particularly if you travel around the Dolomites during autumn.
There is a great beginner via ferrata to the summit of Gran Cir, starting right at the pass. You can look down on Sassolungo and the Sella mountain group from the top.
The connecting valley is filled with larches, and as you have learnt by now, they bring another level of epic to photographs during the fall. Passo Gardena connects Badia Valley with Val Gardena. Both are approximately a 20-30 minute drive along a very curvy road.
8. Val Fiorentina
Autumn was still a few weeks away when I took a photo at this viewpoint of the Fiorentina Valley, with Mount Pelmo towering over it.
I promised to return here when the larch trees in the valley turn yellow. Unfortunately, the weather had other plans for me. Nevertheless, I decided to share this spot with you if you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path photo location.
The tiny town visible in the distance is called Selva di Cadore. During the shoulder season (mid-September to November), it becomes a ghost town, like many other Dolomiti towns.
The photo was taken from a roadside stop near the Colle Santa Lucia church. This view is tough to miss when driving along this road.
9. Val Venegia
I don’t think there is another trail in the Dolomites that offers so much but requires so little effort. The hike through Venegia Valley is a literal stroll through the park. You won’t break a sweat on this one.
At the valley’s end is a little stone hut called Malga Venegiotta, with the Pale Di San Martino range as the fantastic backdrop. With thousands of yellow larch trees in the background, this location is great in the Fall. If you travel to the Dolomites in October, be sure to add the Venegia Valley hike to your list.
10. Lago Federa
Last but not least, my personal favourite autumn photography spot in the Italian Dolomites is Lago Federa. This high alpine lake can be reached within a couple of hours of hiking along the Croda Da Lago circuit trail.
Most mountain huts in the Dolomites are closed by the end of September. Still, Rifugio Palmieri, built on the lake’s shoreline, remains operational until late October to cater to guests who flock to this lake during autumn.
If you have some extra time, I highly recommend staying overnight in this hut to enjoy sunset and sunrise at the lake. You won’t regret it.
11. Lake Welsperg
Let’s continue with the lake theme. Currently on the radar is Lake Welsperg. Unlike Lake Federa, which you have to hike to, Lake Welsperg is just a roadside stop.
The lake is located in Val Canali (Val means Valley in Italian) in the Pale Di San Martino range. It can be reached within 10 minutes (5 kilometres / 3 miles) by car from Fiera Di Primiero, the nearest town or 30 minutes from San Martino Di Catrozza.
The lake is well sheltered from the wind, thanks to its surrounding trees, which means there is a high chance that the water will be still and the reflections will be clear.
12. Lake Calaita
Lake Calaita is another alpine lake located in the close vicinity of Fiera Di Primero (approximately 30-minute drive). Similar to the previously mentioned Lake Welsperg, you can also reach it by car. The mountain ranges light up as the sun sets, making Lake Calaita a great location for watching the sunset.
If you do make it to the lake, be sure to take a walk to the Calaita saddle, from where you get a fantastic panoramic view of the Pale Di San Martino range. It is an almost flat walk across a high mountain plateau that takes ca. 1 hour round trip and can be done before catching sunset at the lake.
Hi there, may I ask those stunning photos uve taken are during sunset or sunrise? Im heading there on the 28th of october till 3rd of November. Do you think I can experience what you had?
Hi Lee. Both Sunsets and sunrises.
1. Sunset.
2. Sunrise.
3 Sunrise and Sunset.
4.Sunset
5. Sunrise
6. Sunrise
7. Sunset
8. Sunset.
9. Sunrise
I hope that helps! Have an amazing trip!
The one in lago federa was sunrise?
Yes!
By the way, how bout lago di braeis? Would u recommend sunrise or sunset?
Sunrise 🙂
Marta,
When was your Lago Federa photo taken? Just for reference when you’re talking mid-October to early-November. Thank you for your time and details of your trip!
Hi Dave. It was taken in the last week of October. I hope that helps!
Hi Marta,
I am in awe with your post, really mesmerized to see how you have landed yourself in such amazing spots of Dolomites.
Just wanted to check if you have any suggestions for the trip that we are planning during mid November 2023 to see beautiful autumn colors. I and my husband will be travelling with my mum-in-law who is of 65 years of age. We just love hiking and get immersed into it, but with my mum-in-law unfortunately it might not be a good idea to hike for hours together to get to a spot+ we will be relying completely on public transport/ or we might consider tours or hiring a taxi if it doesn’t dent our pockets of course. We plan to land in Venice as it seems to be the closest starting point for Dolomites. Please let me know should you have any ideas around all my aspects. Thank you very much!!
Hi Rashmi. Thanks for stopping by. Mid-November really isn’t a great time to visit the Dolomites. Most of the trees loose their leaves by then, the autumn colours are gone. Public transport isn’t running as it does during the summer and it is very irregular. It’s pretty much a dead season, before everything restarts again for the ski season in December. If you still insist on going I would strongly recommend that you rent a car, but you do need to take under consideration that there may already be snow on the mountain passes and the car will need to be equipped with snow chains for the possibility that you have to use them. As for your question. I have a great itinerary for travelling the Dolomites during autumn, which can be adjusted to your need. If you need help with working on the itinerary I do recommend trip planning advice. Let me know if you are interested.,
Hi Marta, Great site and articles about the Dolomites!
I did the Alta Via 1 this summer and consider to return next week to the Dolomites for dedicated autumn landscape photography. Is anyone else up there next week? It would be great to meet other photographers! Menno
Hi again! I would recommend checking some lives on instagram, once you are there. Plenty of people post live stories from the Dolomites. Maybe you catch someone this way. If not there are always plenty of other photographers at Lago di Braies and Seceda!
hi. I am visiting Italy the first 2 weeks of oct 2022, intention to enjoy autumn scenary in Italy. I am keen to visit some the above places. Which of the above places will I get such beautiful colours shown above in the first two weeks of Oct. I will not drive to places that I would not see such colours if I am too early for them. I would appreciate you giving me such tips so that I would drive all the way there and be disappointed. Thank you.
Hi Alice. Thanks for stopping by. Unfortunately, I cannot promise you that any of the places mentioned in the post will already have beautiful autumn colours. I was in the Dolomites last year during autumn and the peak was between October 20th – The first week of November. The rule is the higher you go the faster the changes happen as it gets colder sooner at higher elevations. With that said mountain passes (Passo Tre Croci, Passo Falzarego, Passo Gardena) might already show autumn colours earlier. Lago Federa is another one. Alpi Di Siusi might already have some colours too. At the start of October, the trees will have a faint yellow/green colour, but won’t be bright orange/yellow. If you can push your trip by a couple of weeks, then I highly recommend it!
Lovely guide and pictures!! You inspire me to make a trip down to the dolomites from sunny singapore 🙂
From initial research, the Dolomites is huge and hard to navigate around even with a car. Could I check if i were to plan a 4 days trip there, where or which area would you stay and base yourself at?
Thanks!
Hi Janice. Thank you for visiting. I am so glad to hear my blog inspired you to visit the Dolomites. 4 days is really short. If you are mostly after photography then I reckon Ortisei is a good place to visit as you have a plenty of nearby gondola access to beautiful photography spots and the bus connections are pretty decent. Let me know if you have any more questions!
This was such a helpful post, THANK YOU! Im planning out my own hiking and photography trip here this year. I realize that timing larches is no easy business (Im from Banff area and am all too familiar with the struggle haha) but I was wondering what you have found to be the best 2 weeks to be there in October to witness the most amount of color – the first two, end two, or right in the middle? Trying to plan out dates I could go and dont want to miss the autumn colors but also not be stuck in snow. Thanks so much for your beautiful content as always!
Hi Melissa! Thanks for stopping by. Autumn in the Dolomites lasts a lot longer then in the Rockies. I felt like in the Rockies trees were yellow for 2 weeks and then we went into winter mode. I returned last year to the Dolomites to take photos of autumn colours and I was there from October 17th until October 31st and it was the perfect timing. In mid October in the valleys the colours are starting to turn but on higher slopes the colours are beginning to be in full swing. As for snow, you can even get snowed in in August (I did), but the snow usually doesn’t stick around. I have done many new hikes last year and will be updating this list soon. I will also release a full autumn road trip guide in the next few months with day by day breakdown so stay tuned! Autumn in the Dolomites is unreal! I am glad you chose this time to visit.