The 9 Impressive and Beautiful Dolomite Parks of Italy

If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you’ve heard me talk about the Dolomites in Italy. 

In fact last week I dropped my first podcast about the Dolomites.

I’ve gushed about them. 

I’ve talked about how they have taken my breath away — three times now. 

The Dolomites are some of the most incredible destinations I’ve ever seen.

And, I’d say, they are even more stunning in person. 

Seriously. 

It’s one of those “it must be seen to be believed” places.

But what the hell are they? 

And where are they?

What are the Dolomites?

The Dolomites got their name from the 18th century French mineralogist Déodat Gratet de Dolomieu who was the first to describe the mineral that gives these limestone mountains their pale pink hue.

It’s now known as carbonate rock dolomite.

These peaks come in all shapes and sizes. 

You’ll see pinnacles, spires and towers that have contrasting horizontal surfaces such as ledges.

And you’ll see what look like more common mountain peaks — although I don’t think there is anything common about them.

Some of these peaks jut up abruptly from extensive rocky deposits or more gentle foothills. 

The Dolomites are regarded as one of the most stunning mountain landscapes in the world.

I agree 100%!

These peaks definitely have a unique look to them which, I think, makes them that much more beautiful and intriguing. 

As a mountain gal who has seen some gorgeous peaks such as the San Juans in southwestern Colorado, the Teton range in Wyoming and the Swiss Alps in the Grindelwald/Lauterbrunnen area, the Dolomites have been a favorite of mine — to hike in, to photograph and to simply drink in.

Where are the Dolomites?

The Dolomites are in northern Italy, mostly in the Trentino-Alto Adige region, although some are in the northern Veneto and the western Friuli-Venezia Giulia regions. 

So, here’s a funny story.

When I first decided to visit the Dolomites I had no idea they were scattered about as they are. 

I was traveling for a long period of time and planning as I went along. 

I said, “Hey, I’ll go to the Dolomites” thinking it was one specific place in northern Italy.

Uh…oops.

When I Googled it, 9 parks came up.

9!!

I looked at them scattered about the map, and thought, “Which one should I visit?”

I did some research and settled on the Parco Naturale Sciliar-Catinaccio with the Alpe di Siusi and the town of Kastelruth/Castelrotto.

But I was like, “What if I choose the wrong one?”

I will tell you that you can’t go wrong with any of them.

There are also other Dolomite areas not within designated parks, but that are still protected.

While I’ve not been to all of them, I’ve hiked in a couple, seen or driven through/near some of them and will say that each park is beautiful!

Okay. 

So now you know the where.

Let’s look at why these protected mountain areas are so special.

What are the Dolomites known for?

Most folks who visit the Dolomites in the summer are into hiking, cycling (road or mountain) or mountain climbing. 

There are also spots for rock climbing and, with the lakes, you can also do some kayaking or canoeing.

Those who love to ski or snowboard come in winter. 

You can also snowshoe and/or cross-country ski then.

But you don’t have to be an active outdoors person to get up into the mountains. 

There are gondolas and ski lifts that can take the not-so-active person up to areas where there might be a small settlement or restaurant. 

You can simply enjoy a meal and a fabulous view.

Or you can take some incredible drives through these peaks, stopping at pull outs for photo opps or in one of the charming towns.

Anyone can enjoy the Dolomites.

Of course, for me, there’s nothing like hiking in them.

One thing I want to point out is that the Dolomites became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in August 2009. 

They have to be pretty special to make that list.

Okay.

Let’s take a closer look at each park and some unique features of each one.

Parco Naturale Regionale delle Dolomiti d’Ampezzo

Regional Natural Park of the Ampezzo Dolomites borders another of the Dolomite parks, Parco Naturale di Fanes-Sennes-Braies (one of my favorites).

And in fact, when I stayed in Sennes Rifugio, I walked a trail that took me into Dolomiti d’Ampezzo.

Naturally, I also had views to the peaks of this park.

It’s beautiful for sure!

There are some beautiful narrow valleys here as well as some high alpine pastures.

The Fanes gorge is one of the highlights where you’ll find some stunning waterfalls.

One site of note is the ruins of the Botestagno castle, an ancient medieval fort that is open to the public.

Parco Naturale di Fanes-Sennes-Braies

One of my favorite parks, Fanes-Sennes-Braies, is located in the Alto Adige part of the Trentino-Alto Adige region.

It’s stunning!

Some of the main peaks include Cima Cunturines, La Varella and the Sasso di Santa Croce range.

While this park can seem like nothing but rocky peaks, there are some beautiful alpine meadows hidden within.

It’s quite a diverse park.

There are also some gorgeous lakes within Fanes-Senes-Braies such as Lake Braies which, while quite popular, is easy to get to so great for families.

It’s definitely the crown jewel of this Dolomite park.

Lake Dobbiaco is another pretty lake in the northeastern part of the park.

For me, the hiking here is fabulous.

The town of San Vigilio di Marebbe makes a great base for hikes to Sennes Rifugio and Fanes Rifugio.

I have now hiked to both twice and love both of them as each is a bit different, but both have gorgeous scenery.

And staying a couple of nights in Sennes was such a treat as the views to all the different peaks in both Fanes-Sennes-Braies and Dolomiti d’Ampezzo are amazing.

Fanes-Sennes-Braies is also known for its marmots which I love.

And yes, I saw and heard many marmots one morning as I photographed the alpine flowers.

They are cute but boy, they can be noisy.

I still love them!

Parco Naturale Paneveggio – Pale di San Martino

This natural park is located in the Trentino part of the Trentino-Alto Adige region.

It’s a good-sized park that includes 3 stunning valleys, rugged mountain peaks, a couple of glaciers and some pretty lakes.

Paneveggio-Pale di San Martino also is home to the magnificent Paneveggio Forest which covers an area of 2700 hectares.

The wood of the spruce trees in this forest have exceptional resonant qualities so it was used by Stradivarius to build his famous violins.

In the Val Venegia you’ll find the Cimon della Pala, some beautiful dolomitic rocky peaks.

The Val Canali is home to the southern chain of the Pale di San Martino.

And in the Valle del Vanoi you’ll find the mountains of Lagorai which are dark red, not the typical pale pink.

These 3 valleys are some of the most stunning destinations of this park.

I have to admit that I’ve not been to this park nor even close by

But I really want to visit Paneveggio – Pale di San Martino because it looks spectacular!

Parco Naturale Tre Cime

Formerly known as Parco Naturale Sesto Dolomiti, this park is located in the northeastern part of the Trentino-Alto Adige region.

The reason for the name change is due to the famous peaks, Tre Cime di Lavaredo, that dominate this park.

Rock climbers love to tackle these peaks and photographers love to photograph them.

These are some very famous peaks that I’m sure you’ve seen.

The park is definitely one filled with rugged peaks like their namesake.

The craggy Sesto Dolomites are characterized by high plateaus and deep valleys.

There’s only one major lake, Lago di Landro, but there are several small mountains lakes.

It’s a splendid park.

There are quite a few mountain huts (refugio) if you’re the adventurous type to hike into the mountains and stay overnight.

It’s a great way to get close to these gorgeous peaks.

On my recent visit to northern Italy I did make a drive that goes in between Tre Cime and Fanes-Sennes-Braies so I caught a glimpse of those famous spires.

And yes, it left me wanting to go see them up close.

Parco Naturale Puez-Odle

This park is also located in the Trentino-Alto Adige region and just northeast of Sciliar-Catinaccio and west of Fanes-Senes-Braies.

This is the heart of the Dolomites and the home of Reinhold Messner, one of the greatest mountaineers.

The saw-tooth Odle is one of the prominent massifs of the park as is the Puez, a huge block in the south.

Pretty valleys such as the Val Badia and the Val Gardena border the park.

And the glacier carved Vallunga is one of the most unspoiled valleys within the park.

It’s a wonderful place for hiking.

There are beautiful high alpine meadows filled with flowers in late spring.

And while there isn’t much water in this park, Lake Campaccio will draw the water lovers.

I’ve driven on the outskirts of this park and the peaks are stunning. 

The Passo Gardena is a stunning drive that skirts along the southern edges of Puez-Odle.

I also wandered around the Santa Maddelena and the Val di Funes area so I had excellent views of the awesome peaks of this park.

This is probably the park that is at the top of my list to explore that I haven’t yet.

It looks amazing!

Parco Naturale Adamello Brenta

The largest of the parks, Adamello Brenta is located in the Trentino part of the Trentino-Alto Adige region.

It’s a diverse landscape with lots of lakes and a glacier.

The Adamello-Presanella groups are 2 of the most predominant mountain ranges in the park.

What you’ll notice is that the mountains here are more pinnacles with sharp points and angles versus the blocky massifs of the Dolomites to the east.

The Brenta Dolomites are the western edge of the Dolomites.

In fact, they are the only ones west of the Adige River so they tend to be isolated from the other Dolomite massifs.

The Adamello-Presanella groups and the Brenta group are divided by the Rendena Valley.

It’s a stunner!

Of course, all these valleys are gorgeous.

One of the key attractions is the Adamello Glacier.

And you’ll find over 80 lakes in the park as well as an abundance of wildlife.

This is also a park that saw the reintroduction of brown bears which are now thriving in the park.

Chamois can also be found in the park.

Adamello Brenta is definitely a worth exploring as there is so much diversity as well as lots of trails for all levels.

Parco Naturale Dolomiti Friulane

This is the only park located in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region so this makes these Dolomite peaks the most eastern of them all.

Dolomiti Friulane may be the most unspoiled and wildest of the Dolomite parks.

Peaks such as the Cima Dei Preti, Duranno, Cridola, and the Monfalconi group are the stars.

Here you’ll find not only the typical Dolomite peaks, but some interesting rock towers and spires such as Campanile di val Montanaia, the bell tower, which stands at 2173m and looks a bit like a bell tower.

There are some beautiful valleys as well such as the Val Cimoliana, the Val Week and the Val Zemola.

The Val Zemola is a big hit with those who love canyoning (also known as canyoneering).

And the high altitude grasslands of Campoross are a distinctive feature as are the pastures of Malga Senons.

Dolomiti Friulane has a wealth of fauna so be on the lookout for chamois, roe deer, marmots, wood grouse, black grouse, deer and even golden eagles.

And the population of Alpine ibex is growing all the time.

Intrigued by the Dolomites?

Me too!

And here’s the thing — there are Dolomite mountains outside of the parks.

Drive around this part of Italy and you’ll see these peaks everywhere.

Monte Civetta and Marmolada are 2 famous peaks that come to mind that are just hanging out there — outside of a park, but still protected and still gorgeous.

The whole area of the Dolomites is spectacular and one that you could easily spend an entire summer or winter exploring.

For me, this whole area is one of my absolute favorite places on the planet.

All of the parks are stunning.

And there are plenty of small towns and villages to stay in or farm stays or mountain huts if you want to be away from it all.

*Sigh*

It may be my first post-pandemic trip.

Please note that Wander Your Way does not recommend international travel at this time due to the current global health situation with the COVID-19 pandemic. Although some countries are beginning to open, it is complicated.

If you do decide to travel internationally, please do your research or use a travel planning service such as Wander Your Way. Please stay up to date using official sources like the WHO and CDC.

I am continuing to write about incredible destinations and to offer tips on travel to Europe, so that you will find some solace in these posts — so you dream about travel and learn about places. And hopefully make that bucket list! This way when we can all fully travel again, you’ll be ready to go. For now, stay close to home and stay safe!

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