From Bolzano Day Tour Highlights of the Dolomites

Departing from Bolzano, the gateway to the Dolomites and the capital of the province of South Tyrol, we'll cross the Ega Valley, which begins in Bolzano and runs east between the Catinaccio and Latemar mountains. This road was built in 1894 when the area was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. We'll stop at Lake Carezza, the most beautiful lake in the western Dolomites: a 30-minute stay with a walk around the lake, if you like.

Then we will arrive to Costalunga Pass. Near the Pass we will see the historical “Grand Hotel Carezza”, built in 1893, the first luxury hotel in the Dolomites which hosted very important guests like the Empress Sissi, Winston Churchill, Agatha Christie. From the Costalunga Pass we will reach the Fassa Valley in Trentino: we will pass through the towns of Vigo di Fassa and Canazei to arrive under the imposing peaks of the Sella Group.

The Karerpass is a high mountain pass in the province of South Tyrol in Italy. It connects Bolzano through the Eggental and the Welschnofen Valley with the Fassa Valley.

Canazei is an Alpine resort in northern Italy. Sitting near the Pordoi, Sella and Fedaia passes, it’s part of the Dolomiti Superski area, which offers numerous downhill runs.

We'll then arrive at the Costalunga Pass. Near the pass, we'll see the historic Grand Hotel Carezza, built in 1893, the first luxury hotel in the Dolomites, which has hosted very important guests such as Empress Sissi, Winston Churchill, and Agatha Christie. From the Costalunga Pass, we'll reach the Fassa Valley in Trentino: we'll pass through the towns of Vigo di Fassa and Canazei to arrive beneath the imposing peaks of the Sella Group. From here, a long series of 27 hairpin bends (bends) begins, leading us to the famous Pordoi Pass, at an altitude of 2,239 meters (7,350 feet) above sea level. It's a one-hour journey if you decide to take the cable car to Sass Pordoi (2,950 meters; the cable car is open from late May to late October and from Christmas to Easter).

Just beyond the Falzarego Pass towards Alleghe is Andraz Castle, one of the oldest castles in the Dolomites. Built in 1027 on a large landslide, it was built to defend the foundries and the road carrying the iron mined at Monte Pore. The material underwent initial processing at the Castle, before being transported throughout Europe. The quality of the iron was excellent and allowed the production of highly prized swords. They were even used in Scotland during the 13th-century rebellions depicted in Mel Gibson's film "Braveheart."

We reach the Falzarego Pass through which we enter the eastern Dolomites. Ideal place for easy hiking at 2150 meters above sea level with amazing 360' view

From the Pordoi Pass, we descend to the village of Arabba and continue east until we reach the Falzarego Pass, the gateway to the eastern Dolomites. We then reach Cortina d'Ampezzo, the "Pearl of the Dolomites," Italy's premier mountain resort and host of the 1956 Winter Olympics. Cortina, along with Milan, will once again host the Winter Olympics in 2026.

In Alta Pusteria, in the Landro Valley, lies Lake Landro (Dürrensee), whose turquoise-green waters are a delight. Accessible from Dobbiaco, it is located in the Tre Cime Nature Park and borders the Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park.

From Cortina, we then reach Lake Misurina, with its incredible panoramic view of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. The lake, with its view of the Tre Cime to the north and the Sorapis mountains to the south, is the most famous image of the Dolomites in the world.

The Three Peaks of Lavaredo are one of the most famous symbols of the Dolomites and South Tyrol. These imposing mountains, with their remarkable rock formations, emerged over 200 million years ago and attract visitors from all over the world. In 2009, their extraordinary beauty earned the Dolomites, along with the Three Peaks of Lavaredo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Just 20 minutes from Misurina, we'll have the opportunity to make a short stop at another important lake in the eastern Dolomites, Lake Dobbiaco.

From Dobbiaco, in about 20 minutes, we reach the far northeast of Italy, just a few kilometers from the Austrian border, for the day's grand finale with a visit to the famous Lake Braies. From Braies, we return to Bolzano in an hour and 40 minutes through the Pusteria Valley and then the Isarco Valley.