Dolomites in June: itinerary and how to guide
I loved our visit to the Dolomites in June.
You get the summer feeling with half of the crowds. The days are long enough that there is time to explore many things, and most of those things are actually accessible, unlike in spring.
On our trip in June, we did quite a few hikes (Cadini di Misurina, Prato Piazza, Cascate del Pisciadu, Cinque Torri, and Rifugio Lagazuoi), ziplined down a mountain through a forest next to Cascate di Riva, did boating on Lago di Braies, and I actually went Tandem Paragliding! And that’s among other things.
As you can see, there’s plenty possible in June.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t do some things that I wanted, though. The lifts to Marmolada opened at the very end of June, a few days after our trip. And we couldn’t hike Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop, as the Rifugio Locatelli and the trail nearby was closed because of too much snow – yes, in June.
But overall, although June is not yet officially in the summer season, I think it’s an amazing time to go to the Dolomites.
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Why visit the Dolomites in June
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As I said, the Dolomites in June are less crowded than the rest of the summer – it’s still the “low” part of the summer season. When we visited in June last year, there were barely any people on the hiking trails that we did.
Just keep in mind that some places are not yet accessible, for example, the Marmolada cable car sometimes starts running in the last days of June.
The prices are a bit lower, too, for the accommodation. So you can stay in a better hotel for the same price as for a lower-rated one, or just save on the accommodation altogether.
The higher peaks still have snow – sometimes patches, sometimes huge amounts. Together with the wildflowers that have started to bloom it looks simply magnificent.
The water levels in the rivers and lakes are higher, too, as the snow has started to melt. This makes for incredible roaring waterfalls and pretty reflections in the lakes.
There are also interesting biking events happening, for example, the Sellaronda bike day and the Maratona dles Dolomites.
What things can be done in June
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I’ve already mentioned some things that you can do, such as the bike events and some hikes.
So, yes, you can go hiking in the Dolomites in June – most of the trails are open and rather empty when compared to the high summer season.
We also went ziplining on Cascate di Riva, which was quite cool.
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From more adventurous activities, consider going tandem Paragliding – it’s the perfect time, as the weather is warmer already, but the peaks still have snow, making for beautiful sights.
Of course, you can go on road trips and try to cover as much ground as possible. The days are longer, there are barely any cars on the roads, and the sights are much emptier.
The weather
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You can expect to have snow in the higher altitudes. In fact, as I already mentioned, when we visited in June 2024, there was so much snow by Tre Cime di Lavaredo that Rifugio Locatelli was pretty much inaccessible.
And if we could be in shorts and t-shirts at the lower altitudes, I had a coat on when hiking Cadini di Misurina.
So you can definitely expect lower temperatures than in July and august. In general, they don’t reach 20 degrees, especially in the higher altitudes. That’s the perfect weather for hiking!
As for rain, June is generally quite a dry month. But of course, it’s the mountains, so make sure to have water and windproof clothes with you.
The best thing is that the days are quite long, so you have lots of time to explore the mountains.
What to pack with you
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Layers, layers, layers. June is changeable weather wise, so pack layers. And a big enough backpack where to store them when you take them off!
This is just a basic list of essentials to pack with you for a June trip. Of course, it’s not the full packing list.
So:
Clothes:
- Hiking pants
- Middle layer jacket
- Outer layer – waterproof and windproof jacket
- Long and short sleeve t-shirts
- Socks
- Underwear
- Leggings
- Jeans
- Jackets for everyday
- Hat
- Scarf
- Gloves
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Essentials
- Passport
- Wallet
- Chargers
- Travel insurance
Hiking accessories
- Backpack
- Hiking poles
- Refillable water bottle
Toiletries and hygiene
- Hairbrush and ties
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Sunscreen
- Hand cream
First aid kit
- Pain medicine
- Fever medicine
- Anything you need to take regularly
- Band-aids
How to get around
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The best way to get around the Dolomites, no matter the season, is a car. I always suggest driving a car in the mountains, as it’s just so much more comfortable and offers incredible freedom.
The roads are well maintained, and there are parking lots available everywhere. And of course, with a car, you can visit the spots that interest you at pretty much any time.
For example, sunrise at lake Braies or sunset at Alpe di Siusi is magnificent – and inaccessible by public transport, as the buses don’t run at these times.
If you can’t afford a car, the public transport in the Dolomites is quite good. There are buses connecting most of the places you’d like to visit. And the best thing? Almost all public transport in South Tyrol, and in the Dolomites in general, is for free! Just ask your accommodation for the Sudtirol card.
Where to stay
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There are two best places to stay in the Dolomites in summer, and those are Cortina d’Ampezzo or Dobbiaco and Val Gardena. Dobbiaco and Cortina are great bases for exploring the Eastern Dolomites and Val Gardena – for Western.
Another interesting area is Alta Badia, which is rather central to everything. And it’s perfect for foodies!
If possible, it’s a good idea to stay in two or even three places during your trip. The distances to travel from one side of the Dolomites to the other are relatively short in distance, but they take a lot of time.
Our trip in June – almost 9 days of fun
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We arrived in the Dolomites in the evening on the 14th of June and departed in the early afternoon of 22nd. So officially we spent 9 days there.
Since the trip was together with Emma, we did less things than we’d do as a couple, just Michal and I. But at the same time, this was one of the first trips since becoming parents that we actually could leave Emma in the hotels’ kids’ club and go hiking, for example.
But yes, the trip was slower than what we’d do if it was just the two of us. If you’d like a relaxing vacation while still seeing some of the highlights of the Dolomites, follow our itinerary!
Otherwise, you can shorten the trip and do the activities that we did, or just add some more things to do to the free-er days.
Day 1 – arrival
Since we drove our car from Czechia, we arrived from Austria. This gave us an opportunity to stop at the border of Austria and Italy on Passo Stalle. The view from there is amazing – you see both Austria and Italy, since the pass is literary the border, and the road in Italy is so narrow that you will probably need to wait at the traffic light.
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And then we stopped at lago di Anterselva. We felt like it was a good alternative to lake Braies – definitely less crowded.
We spent the evening enjoying the spa in our hotel. For the first part of our trip we stayed in Family Hotel Garberhof in Rasun di Anterselva.
Day 2 – longest slide in South Tyrol in Mondo Bimbi
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For this trip, we stayed in Val Pusteria – Rasun di Anterselva. One reason this place is great for families is the large number of outdoor playgrounds!
So for the first full day of our trip, we decided to enjoy one of them – which has the longest slide in South Tyrol, no less!
Mondo Bambini has a lot of interesting things for kids – and grownups, as well. So if you’re nearby, definitely check it out!
The evening we spent exploring the area around the hotel. We loved the trail in the forest!
Day 3 – Cadini di Misurina and Lake Auronzo, Lake Braies for sunset
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Our original plan was to do the Tre Cime loop and Cadini di Misurina, but since there was still a lot of snow, the Tre Cime couldn’t be done.
Yes, keep in mind that in mid-June some of the mountain huts might still be closed! The hiking season really starts in July, as that’s when the weather is more reliable.
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Anyways, Cadini di Misurina is probably my favourite short hike in the Dolomites. The views are magnificent the whole trail. And in the middle of June, the trail is quite empty.
On the way back to the hotel, we stopped at lake Auronzo. It’s a great place to see the South face of the Three Peaks of Lavaredo – much more unique.
As an added bonus, Michal went to Lake Braies for the sunset. Beautiful!
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Day 4 – Paragliding, Val Fiscalina, and Prato Piazza
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Day four of our trip was one of the craziest ever for me – I went paragliding! I never thought I’d do it, as I’m just terrified of heights (funny coming from a flight attendant, right?).
But I enjoyed it just so much! I felt like I’m sitting in a cinema seat, it was so unbelievable.
After lunch, Michal and I went to explore a bit. On the agenda – Val Fiscalina and Prato Piazza!
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I didn’t have high expectations for Val Fiscalina, but honestly, it’s quite gorgeous.
And as an added bonus, if you’re looking for a unique day hike, look into hiking from there to Rifugio Locatelli – yes, that one, by Tre Cime. The trail was closed during our visit, but it looks like an interesting hike.
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As for Prato Piazza, it’s a high-altitude alpine meadow above Lake Braies. In the middle of June, the wildflowers are in bloom already, making for the most beautiful views. And again, little crowds, especially in the afternoon!
Day 5 – Lake Braies boating, Cascate di Riva ziplining, drive through Alta Badia to Val Gardena
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On day 5, we were changing our base from Val Pusteria to Val Gardena. On the way, we decided to go to Lago di Braies again.
June is perfect for visiting Lake Braies, as the road is not yet limited and the weather is generally nice.
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We decided to go boating on the lake – it was so cool! Seeing the views from the top of the lake was really interesting.
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And another thing that we did that’s great for families in Val Pusteria? Ziplining by waterfalls! June is perfect for it, as there’s so much water in the falls.
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For this specific zipline ride, you hike up the trail to Cascate di Riva, and at the end, there’s a booth where you get a ticket and ride down. The trail is easy – even easy enough for Emma.
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On our drive to Val Gardena, we went through Alta Badia. It gave us a chance to explore it a bit in summer, and let me tell you, the views are beautiful!
In Val Gardena, we stayed in the hotel Biancaneve in Selva. It’s perfect for kids and has a great location overall!
Day 6 – Rifugio Lagazuoi, Monte Lagazuoi Piccolo, and Cinque Torri
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We were contemplating quite long if we’d like to go to Rifugio Lagazuoi, as it’s not that close to Selva di Val Gardena where we were staying. And I’m so glad we went!
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It’s possible to take a cable car up to Rifugio Lagazuoi from Passo Falzarego or hike up through tunnels that were dug during WWI. We took the cable car, as the tunnels were closed because of snow.
The view from Rifugio Lagazuoi is indescribable really. You can see pretty much everywhere – all the way from Cortina to Puez Odle. And it’s possible to see the Marmolada glacier, so if you’re visiting in June and the lift to Marmolada is still closed, come here!
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And definitely do the short walk to the top of Lagazuoi Piccolo mountain. Make sure to wear waterproof shoes, though, as the trail will most probably be wet.
After visiting Lagazuoi and having lunch there, we decided to try and catch the Cinque Torri. We had less than an hour before the last lift down, so we really had to hurry to see as much as we can.
We couldn’t do the full trail, obviously, but still, we managed to get a glimpse of the Open-air Museum, the Five towers, as well as some climbers. It’s nice up there!
Day 7 – Cascate di Pisciadu and Passo Gardena
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In the morning of the 7th day, we decided to just relax in the hotel together with Emma. It’s not so easy, when travelling with little kids, to balance the things that us grownups want to do and what the kids want and are able to do.
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In the afternoon, though, Emma went to the kids’ club again, and we went on another hike. This time, it was Cascate di Pisciadu in Alta Badia.
It took us 23 minutes to do the 1.4km hike (one way) to the waterfall, and that was with photo stops and in the rain! So if you’re looking for a really easy hike in the area, this is definitely one that you can do.
But instead of turning back to the parking lot, we decided to continue on the trail. We didn’t really know what will be there, but just decided to check.
And lucky that we did!
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We found a waterfall from Val di Mezdi. It looked beautiful! And is definitely an undiscovered thing. The views from the meadow are amazing, too.
On the way back to the hotel, we at last stopped on the passo Gardena. I can honestly say that this is at the top of my favourite mountain passes in the Dolomites. The views are great all around, and it doesn’t require almost any hiking.
Day 8 – Passo Sella and Citta dei Sassi; Lago di Carezza; town of Canazei; Bikeride to Vallunga
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I really wanted to see lake Carezza on this trip – we did go to it in winter, but seeing the reflection of Latemar in the emerald waters was on my bucket list!
So I talked Michal into going to Lago di Carezza. On the way, we stopped at Passo Sella and explored the Citta dei Sassi a little bit. It looks pretty cool there, and you can even practice climbing!
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The Carezza lake, though? I didn’t get to fulfill my bucket list item (but I did manage it on another trip!)
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There was Sahara sand in the air, and it was raining a little bit. We could kind of see the reflection, but it wasn’t “it”.
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On the way back to the hotel, we decided to stop in Canazei for a bit, as it looked very cute. And we were right!
The small streets, stream, and information tables about the Dolomites were interesting to see.
In the evening, Michal borrowed a bicycle from our hotel and went for a ride in Vallunga. It’s another gorgeous valley, which is accessible from Val Gardena. There’s also a sensory trail there.
Day 9 – walk in Selva, Passo Sella and Citta dei Sassi; and the long drive home
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At night, there was a huge thunderstorm, so our last day in Dolomites started with clear skies.
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We took the chance to explore Selva a little bit to see the views with clear skies all around. It’s a nice little town with everything you might need in it – we even bought hiking shoes for Emma for a good price.

Since Emma got really into climbing on this vacation, we went back to Passo Sella so she could enjoy a bit of climbing on the rocks in Citta dei Sassi.

And because the air was extra clear, we could even see Seceda!

What a nice end to a great trip!
In conclusion

June is an amazing time to visit the Dolomites, especially if you’re willing to sacrifice some things for lower prices and less people.
We really enjoyed our trip, and can definitely suggest going to the Dolomites in June.
Do you have any questions?
Don’t hesitate to ask them here in the comments, send me a message, or join our Facebook group!

