15 Best Views In The Dolomites: With Little To No Hiking
The Dolomites are full of great views. Honestly, the mountains are just BEAUTIFUL! It’s one of the few places in the world where I don’t mind getting stuck in traffic jams – they just give opportunities to take more pictures that are not blurry!
I chose these 15 best views in the Dolomites, though, because they require very little hiking – or none at all, for that matter.
Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Cadini di Misurina, or Val di Funes, for example, you’d need to hike for an hour or so, but for the lakes and mountain passes, no hiking is required at all!
So let me tell you more about my favorite Dolomites views with almost no hiking.
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Where to get the best views of the Dolomites
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To get to enjoy the view of many of the most beautiful locations in the Dolomites, you need to be in good physical shape.
For example, one of the most incredibly looking lakes in these mountains is Lago di Sorapis, and to get to it and back, you must account for a day hike!
But these sights that I’ve chosen? As I said, they are very easy to reach.
1. Tre Cime di Lavaredo
The view of Tre Cime di Lavaredo is arguably the most famous view in the Dolomites. It’s also the symbol of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site.
To reach the main viewpoint – the one that is in the picture above – it takes less than an hour.
If you’d like some more unique sights, consider hiking all the way to Rifugio Locatelli, which is located approximately half-way around the Tre Cime.
The whole loop offers some really interesting angles of the Three Peaks, so consider this day hike if you have the time and ability to do it.
If you can’t go up to the Rifugio Auronzo for some reason (toll road closure, for example, like what happened to us in April), there are other places from which you can see Tre Cime, for example, Lake Antorno and Tre Cime viewpoint by Lake Landro.
In winter, if there’s snow, you might be able to rent a snowmobile up to Rifugio Auronzo and then sled down the mountain – how fun is that?!
2. Cadini di Misurina viewpoint
Mordor of the Dolomites, Cadini di Misurina have been becoming more and more famous in the recent years. And let me tell you, it really is incredible – definitely one of the most dramatic views in the Dolomites on the whole trail.
The hike altogether took us approximately 2 hours (round trip). The trail is very narrow at points, so if you’re not keen on heights, it might be a better idea to check some other places to visit.
Surprisingly, in June, there was still snow up there. And we got to “enjoy” a rainshower, haha.
Lately, Instagram has been full of the Cadini di Misurina in all weather and at all times. But honestly, it is worth it. I still rave about our hike to the viewpoint to anyone who listens.
3. Val di Funes
Val di Funes is a charming valley not far from Val Gardena, and it’s best known for the view of Santa Maddalena church with the Puez-Odle in the background, as well as The Church of St. Johann in Ranui with the Puez-Odle peaks.
Both of these places are easy to reach and close to each other, so can they both be done in half a day.
The Church of San Giovanni is located very close to the parking lot – it literally takes approximately 5 minutes to walk to the photo spot, which is well marked.
For the photo point for the Santa Maddalena church, though, you’ll have to hike a bit. It’s approximately 1.5km and shouldn’t take you much longer than an hour round trip.
Both views are jawdropping, especially in autumn when there’s fall foliage and the possibility of Alpenglow which colors the mountains in shades of red.
4. Lago di Dobbiaco
Lake Dobbiaco is at the top of the list for my favourite lakes in the Dolomites. It offers the amazing colour of emerald green waters with the Val di Landro (Alta Pusteria) in the background.
Lago di Dobbiaco is also an easy lake to visit – there is a parking lot just next to the lake, and a bus stop right there on the road.
If you have the opportunity, consider a stay in the SkyView Chalets right next to the lake – sleeping in your bed and watching stars sounds like a dream.
You can go around the lake, too. And there are educational signs where you can find information about the fauna and flora in the area.
5. Seceda
Honestly, Seceda is one of the most impressive views that you can find in the Dolomites. Huge cliffs that look like they’ve been pushed up by some incredible force – and that you can walk to!
We visited Seceda in October, and it seemed like a great time to go. The weather was not too hot or cold, the sun shone, and there weren’t too many people.
The main viewpoint of Seceda is approximately 10 minutes’ walk from the cable car station, and there are signs showing where to go.
We walked a bit towards the cliffs, and from there, you get a unique view of Val di Funes and the Santa Maddalena town.
From the cable car station and the restaurant (can recommend!), there’s an amazing view of the Puez-Odle Nature park.
6. Alpe di Siusi
Alpe di Siusi looks like a dreamy painting instead of reality. The view is great already from the restaurant near the cable car station, but if you move a bit on the trail, it just gets better and better!
The view with the rolling hills and little huts is approximately 15 minutes from the cable car station. There are even benches, if you’re not feeling confident in walking.
7. Passo Giau
Passo Giau is a mountain pass that offers a view of the impressive Ra Gusela with the hotel-restaurant Passo Giau in front of it. It really gives you a perspective of just how huge the mountain is.
The best view of the pass is a bit of a walk away the opposite direction from the parking lot – just go a bit higher than the parking lot.
In the wetter months, there’s a pond approximately 5 minutes from the parking lot which reflects the Ra Gusela.
8. Lago di Braies
I think lake Braies needs almost no introduction, since it is the most Instagram famous lake of the Dolomites. It’s also known as the Jewel of the Dolomites.
So, whatever time you visit the Braies lake, know that there will be crowds. When we visited in April, the trails were full – and April is pretty much off season!
But still, the view with the boathouse, the emerald green waters, and Croda da Lago is worth it.
If you go a bit to the left, you’ll find Braies river and a bridge over it. The view from there is especially nice when there is snow.
And if you can go for sunset or sunrise, you will not regret it.
9. Passo Gardena
Passo Gardena is my overall favourite mountain pass in the Dolomites (although it is a close call between most of them).
Just after parking on the mountain pass, you get fantastic views of the Alta Badia and Val Gardena valleys.
If you walk a bit uphill, the view of the pass itself with the mountains around opens up. It looks especially magnificent with the rich greens and fresh flowers in the beginning of summer.
10. Lago di Carezza
Called also the Rainbow Lake of the Dolomites. When the weather conditions allow for it, you can see a perfect reflection of the Latemar range in the emerald waters of the lake!
If you’d like to see the best views, visit in the summer when the snow has melted and definitely on a sunny day. Some people say that the best reflection is either in the early morning or in the late afternoon.
There’s a short hiking trail around the lake – it takes approximately 20 minutes to go around. The best view, though, – the one that you can see in the picture above – is some 15 meters to the right from the viewing platform.
We actually stayed in a ski hotel not far from Carezza lake for a skiing holiday so we got to visit it in winter, too. It was very interesting, but the Hanging Bridge just by the parking lot was definitely more special!
11. Rifugio Lagazuoi
Rifugio Lagazuoi – and the monte Lagazuoi Piccolo – offers incredible views over all the Dolomites. You can see all the way from Dolomiti Ampezzane to Seceda and Puez Odle. And Marmolada with its glacier is visible from here, too!
To get to Rifugio Lagazuoi, you can simply take a cable car from Passo Falzarego or hike up through the Lagazuoi tunnels. There’s also a via ferrata, if you’re looking for something more challenging.
The view from the restaurant of the Rifugio is already amazing. We had lunch there and can definitely recommend it.
But if you have the chance, hike the short hike to the top of Monte Lagazuoi Piccolo. The view is awesome the whole way, and you can see all the way around in the mountains.
12. Cinque Torri
Cinque Torri literally means “Five Towers” – and they really are five huge granite towers up in the Dolomiti Ampezzane.
There’s a chairlift leading up to the Cinque Torri – Rifugio Scoiattoli. You get the best views already just a couple of minutes from the station. And it’s not just the Cinque Torri – there are views all over the mountains.
There’s a hiking trail – Grande Guerra – right here, too, where you can learn about the First World War, how it was in the Dolomites. There are also bunkers with informational placards where you can learn about the history of Austrian and Italian fights.
13. Marmolada
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Marmolada is the highest mountain range in the Dolomites, offering 360 views all around the mountains. You can get up the Punta Rocca Mountain with just cable cars – what can be better than that?
There’s also the Marmolada glacier on top, which you can reach by a panoramic lift from the viewing platform. In the winter, you can ski on the glacier, and in the summer, it’s popular for mountaineers.
Unfortunately, each time we’ve visited these mountains in the Northeastern Italy, we haven’t had a chance to go up the Queen of the Dolomites. But luckily, we did get to see the glacier from Lagazuoi!
14. Passo Sella
The mountains of the Sella group actually look a bit similar to the Tre Cime.
The first views are already from the parking lot at the mountain pass. But if you move on to the Citta dei Sassi – the Village of Rocks – the view becomes much more unique.
The area is full of stones of different sizes. There are even some you can practice climbing on!
15. Cortina d’Ampezzo
Cortina is a town that offers some of the best views in the whole Dolomites. You only need to walk or drive a bit above the town, and you get to experience an incredible sight of huge mountains with a picturesque little town by them.
On one of our first trips, we just drove to a random street and enjoyed the view from there. But on our trip in April, I parked at the free parking lot at the end of Cortina, and we walked up a trail – and the view from there was just perfect.
It’s actually one of the best places to stay for different types of trips, such as hiking or your first trip.
A map
Hotels with the best views
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There are many hotels offering amazing views of the Dolomites. Here are just a few:
Farm Hotel Gsoihof in Villnoss
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A family hotel with indescribable views of the Geisler Alps (Puez-Odle). It’s located not far from Passo delle Erbe, in a quiet location. The hotel has a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a garden and a terrace.
Monte Pana Dolomites Hotel in Santa Cristina
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Located at the foot of Sassolungo, straight on the slopes of Sellaronda and Dolomiti Superski.
From our room in the Monte Pana hotel, we could see the Alpenglow on the Monte Seura.
Passo Sella Dolomiti Mountain Resort
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What can be better than a view of one of the most beautiful mountain passes in the Dolomites?
Passo Sella resort is located straight on the mountain pass, and it has a sauna and a pool to boot!
Hotel Dolomitenhof in Val Fiscalina
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Hotel Dolomitenhof is located at the very beginning of Val Fiscalina, with a lovely view of the mountains of Tre Cime Nature Park. There’s an impeccable wellness area with several types of saunas, a panoramic indoor pool and an outdoor pool that invites you to relax and enjoy the unobstructed view to Fiscalina valley.
COMO Alpina Dolomites in Alpe di Siusi
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Large floor-to-ceiling windows in every room of Como Alpina offer panoramic views of Alpe di Siusi and the majestic massifs of Sassolungo and Sassopiatto or Scilliar in the background. The excellent wellness area features an outdoor and indoor pool and several saunas. There’s an extensive daily program of yoga, pilates and sauna rituals, as well as various revitalizing massages and treatments to ensure the well-being of all guests.
FAQs about the best views in the Dolomites
What is the most scenic spot in the Dolomites?
Alpe di Siusi looks like a painting, honestly. But Lago di Braies and lago di Dobbiaco are definitely at the top of the most scenic spots list.
What town has the best view of the dolomites?
The town with the best views in the Dolomites is Cortina d’Ampezzo. Going a bit above the town, you can see the Dolomiti Ampezzani with the charming Cortina at the base.
What is the most scenic pass in the Dolomites?
The most scenic mountain pass in the Dolomites, in my opinion, is the Passo Gardena. The views of the pass itself are wonderful, and the views towards the valleys – Alta Badia and Val Gardena – are magnificent.
What is the most photographed part of the Dolomites?
Oh, that really is a hard question. At the top is definitely Santa Magdalena church with Puez-Odle in the background. Lago di Braies is very photographed, too, as is Cadini di Misurina, Alpe di Siusi, and Seceda.
Where is the famous picture of the Dolomites?
I think the most famous picture of the Dolomites is the Cadini di Misurina viewpoint. It’s in the Tre Cime Nature Park, not far from Cortina d’Ampezzo. There’s a short hike to reach the viewpoint, but it’s definitely worth it.
In conclusion about the best views in the Dolomites
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I love the Dolomites, and for sure, these mountains have a lot of great views.
Which one is your favourite?
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