About the Dolomites UNESCO Geotrail

Dolomites
country
Italy
length
176 km(109 mi)
Type of trail
Long-distance, Hut to hut
difficulty

Difficulty is highly personal. Be aware of the weather conditions as bad weather turns easier trails in difficult trails especially in the mountains.

Moderate
accommodation

Lodging means a mix of hotels, hostels or AirBnB’s.

Mountain huts, Lodging
Elevation gain
11400 m(37402 ft)
terrain
Mountains, Forest, Hills
remoteness
Some of the time
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Hike the 176-kilometer Dolomites UNESCO Geotrail, a UNESCO World Heritage site, designed for people seeking a challenging and rewarding experience. This trail offers a great opportunity to understand the geological history that shaped these mountains, with informative plaques and viewpoints along the way. Hikers can navigate from hut to hut, experiencing the diverse landscapes of the Dolomites.

This trail is like a journey back to a time of ancient oceans, coral reefs, and dramatic geological transformations. With a variety of terrains, from sheer cliffs to deep valleys, each stage has unique geological wonders that show the character of the Dolomites.

Suitable for seasoned hikers, the Dolomites UNESCO Geotrail is a perfect trail if you want to discover this area from hut to hut into the heart of one of Italy’s most spectacular mountain ranges.

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Editor

Elmar Teegelbeckers

Passionate hiker Elmar spends months of his time on the trail. He’s usually on the lookout for hidden gems in one of his favourite countries such as Slovenia, Switzerland and Japan. He founded hiking-trails.com in need for a community and detailed information about the trails. Before this, he worked for the Alpine asscociation in the Netherlands[ (NKBV) but lost his heart to the trails.

Not long ago, Elmar published the book (in Dutch) Hiking Trails – best long-distance trails in Europe. With this book, website and socials, he hopes to inspire and shape an inclusive community for hikers all over world. No matter your speed, experience or level, you can get out there to enjoy the trails and connect with the heartwarming hiking community. Life is so much better outside and he hopes to inspire hikers to take their first, or next, step on the trail.

You can reach Elmar at info@hiking-trails.com.

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The Trail

The trail passes through four nature parks, each with distinct features and terrains. Highlights include the Schlern-Rosengarten and Puez-Odle Nature Parks, known for their landscapes and biodiversity. The trail also provides a chance to explore the Fanes-Sennes-Prags Nature Park’s wilderness and the Tre Cime Natural Park’s famous peaks: Tre Cime or the Drei Zinnen.

The trail begins at the Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park, where the dramatic Schlern massif and Rosengarten group paint a picture of the Dolomites’ geological past. Continue to the rugged beauty of the Puez-Odle National Park, a nod to the area’s dynamic earth movements, where a stay at the Puez Mountain Hut at 2475 meters elevation will give breathtaking vistas.

Next, the trail leads to the serene Parco Naturale Fanes-Sennes-Braies, a haven of untouched wilderness and dramatic landscapes. Here, the trail meanders through alpine meadows, dense forests, and past crystal-clear lakes, including Lake Braies, a must-see gem of the Dolomites.

Concluding the journey is the Tre Cime Natural Park, home to the iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo peaks, which symbolize the Dolomites’ beauty. Also well known as the Drei Zinnen. The park offers serene evenings and crisp mornings at the Dreizinnenhütte, with unparalleled views of the Tre Cime – Drei Zinnen, away from the day-hiker crowds.

After ten days, the trail descends to Sexten, where you can unwind from your journey through the Dolomites. Along the way, don’t miss the chance for a coffee break at the Büllelejochhütte and Zsigmondyhütte, perfect spots to soak in the views and celebrate the completion of the trail.

Stages

The Dolomites UNESCO Geotrail can be hiked best in 10 stages. You’ll stay at mountain huts along the way, which means you won’t have too much flexibility on shortening or lengthening each stage.

Stage 1:

Bletterbach – Lavazèjoch, 12 km | 7 mi

Stage 2:

Lavazèjoch – Karerpass, 20 km | 12 mi

Stage 3:

Karerpass – Tierser Alpl Hut, 16 km | 10 mi

Stage 4:

Tierser Alpl Hut – St. Ulrich, 17 km | 11 mi

Stage 5:

St. Ulrich – Puez Hut, 23 km | 14 mi

Stage 6:

Puez Hut – Armentarola, 21 km | 13 mi

Stage 7:

Armentarola – Pederü, 17 km | 11 mi

Stage 8:

Pederü – Plätzwiese, 19 km | 12 mi

Stage 9:

Plätzwiese – Dreizinnenhütte, 16 km | 10 mi

Stage 10:

Dreizinnenhütte – Sexten, 16 km | 10 mi

Accommodations

When hiking this trail you’ll mainly stay in one of the mountain huts alongside the trail. Only after the end of the first stage, you won’t find a mountain hut nearby. In this case, you can stay in the mountain hotel at the Lavazèjoch pass. Book all accommodations a few months in advance as the Dolomites are a popular place for hikers. Especially around the Tre Creme (Drei Zinnen or Three Peaks), it’s quite busy and huts are mostly fully booked from April. One great thing about the huts in South Tyrol is that they offer really tasty food keeping you fueled for your next big hiking stage. Make sure you don’t miss out on the local sweet “Kaiserschmarrn” and a good plate of pasta with mountain cheese.

Where to sleep

Stage 1:

Lavazèjoch Berghotel

Stage 2:

Paolina Hütte

Stage 3:

Tierser Alpl Hut

Stage 4:

Brogles Hütte

Stage 5:

Puez Hut

Stage 6:

Camping Sass Dlacia (cabin on the camping)

Stage 7:

Sennes Hütte (or Seekoffelhütte)

Stage 8:

Plätzwiese berghotel (or Dürrensteinhütte)

Stage 9:

Dreizinnenhütte (or Büllelejochhütte)

Best time of the year

The best time of the year to hike the Dolomites UNESCO Geotrail is undoubtedly in summer and early September. As you’re hiking in the mountains, be aware that there might be snowfields in early summer and there might be early snowfalls in late summer and early autumn. Generally, the hiking season in the European Alps is limited to the summer months when the weather is milder and the snow has melted, making the trails accessible.

Keep in mind that the weather in the high mountains can change rapidly, and it’s essential to be prepared for various conditions, including sudden rain or snow showers. Always check trail conditions, and local weather forecasts before embarking on a high-alpine hike. Additionally, consider your hiking experience and skill level, as some trails in the high Dolomites can be challenging and require proper equipment and experience.

Safety & Gear

While hiking in the mountains always stay informed about the weather conditions in the area where you intend to hike. Alter your itinerary during severe weather conditions, including thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, or extreme heat, as these can pose risks with no help nearby.

Staying properly hydrated and nourished is essential. Ensure you have a lot of water and snacks to maintain energy levels and prevent dehydration and exhaustion. Bring at least two liters of water with you.

Invest in the right hiking gear, including comfortable, supportive footwear, proper hiking clothing, such as warm base layers and a hardshell rain jacket, hiking poles, a well-fitted backpack, and essential equipment like maps, GPS devices (or the GPX on your mobile), and a first-aid kit. Check out our comprehensive gear list for long-distance trails like this.

Respect the principles of Leave No Trace by minimizing your impact on the environment. Stick to designated trails, pack out all trash, and show respect for wildlife and natural habitats.

Good to know

The Dolomites are a mountain range in the northeast of Italy that is part of the Alps. It is one of the world’s most beloved mountain chains due to its distinctive peaks, picturesque mountain panoramas, and incredibly delicious cuisine. Book the mountain huts well in advance to ensure you have a place to sleep. Always carry enough water and food, and prepare for changing weather conditions by checking the weather daily and bringing the right (rain) clothing. Don’t forget your sleeping bag liner for the hut.

The Dolomites are a very popular destination among hikers all over the world. Make sure you book the mountain huts a few months in advance to secure a sleeping place during the night. Most huts can be booked by sending them an email or applying on their website.

Check out a full recap of this trail on our Instagram.

Route
Point to point
Highest point
2639m (8658 ft)

Guidebooks

cover guidebook

Dolomites UNESCO Geotrail

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Terms of Use: important to all visitors on this website. We strive to publish high quality content and information on this website. However it’s always possible that we’re missing out on some crucial information. In spite of the fact that this route, associated GPS track (GPX and maps) were prepared under diligent research by the specified contributor and/or contributors, the accuracy of such and judgement of the author is not guaranteed. Therefore, hiking-trails.com and contributors are in no way liable for personal injury, damage to personal property, or any other such situation that might happen to individuals hiking or following this route. Should you choose to hike this trail, this is always at your own risk. Check out our guidelines for safety hiking and Leave No Trace principles at the hiking 101 page.

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