Lago di Braies
If you want to catch Lago di Braies at its best, go in early summer—June is perfect—or in the fall, around late September or October. By late summer, the water drops, and the magic fades a bit. Here’s the thing: Lago di Braies is the Dolomites’ poster child. Everyone wants that iconic shot, so in high season, it gets absolutely packed. Most folks just snap a few photos or stroll the trail around the lake. But if you’re up for something better, go at sunrise and hike up to the nearby peaks, like Hochalpenkopf. That’s when you get the place almost to yourself, and the views are unreal.
Prato Piazza
Prato Piazza (Plätzwiese) is a wide, green alpine plateau sitting high above Valle di Braies—not far from Lago di Braies. It stretches between Picco di Vallandro/Dürrenstein and Monte Croda Rossa d’Ampezzo/Hohe Gaisl, right inside the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park. The big draw here is the hike up Monte Specie/Strudelkopf. It’s not tough, and once you’re at the top, you get sweeping views of Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Cadini di Misurina, and the whole Cristallo Group. Not a bad reward for a pretty mellow walk.
Val Fiscalina
Val Fiscalina (or Fischleintal) is a stunning little side-valley branching off from Sesto in South Tyrol. It leads you straight into the northern Sexten Dolomites and the Three Peaks Nature Park. For a relaxed day out, follow the Val Fiscalina trail from Bad Moos to Rifugio Fondovalle/Talschlusshütte. You can also start in Sesto itself if that’s more convenient. Either way, you’re surrounded by mountains the whole way.
Alpe di Siusi
Alpe di Siusi—also known as Seiser Alm or Mont Sëuc—is Europe’s biggest high-alpine pasture, and it’s massive: over 56 square kilometers of rolling meadows. It stretches from the base of the Sassolungo Group to the foot of Sciliar, right in South Tyrol. This place draws photographers, hikers, cyclists, and skiers from everywhere. Getting up there is easy—just hop on a gondola from either Ortisei in Val Gardena or from Siusi allo Sciliar.
Seceda
Seceda towers over the Puez-Odle Nature Park in South Tyrol, part of the Odle/Geisler Group. The summit sits at 2,518 meters, and honestly, it’s one of the best viewpoints in the Dolomites. The Odle peaks look like a row of blades, slicing through the sky. It’s wild, especially when the clouds roll in.
Val di Funes
Val di Funes (Vilnösstal) is a dreamy valley running from Valle Isarco to the Odle/Geisler mountains. It’s hard to beat the fairytale vibe here—those jagged Odle peaks rise straight out of green pastures and deep forest. For the classic view, head to the village of Santa Maddalena and walk the panorama trail above the pretty little church. You’ll want to linger.
Passo Gardena
Passo Gardena (Grödner Joch or Ju de Frara) is the jaw-dropping mountain pass connecting Val Badia and Val Gardena. It sits between the Sella and Cir mountain groups at 2,136 meters. From here, you can launch into hikes up Sass da Ciampac, Gran Cir, and Cima Pisciadu. The scenery is next-level, and the trails start right at the pass.
Armentara Meadows
The Armentara Meadows (Prà de Armentara, Armentarawiesen, or Prati dell’Armentara) sprawl right below the cliffs of Sasso di Santa Croce, one of the Fanes Group’s signature peaks. You’ll find these meadows on the western edge of the Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park, between 1,600 and 2,000 meters. They’re easy to reach from Badia or La Villa in Val Badia, and they’re every bit as magical as they sound.
Tre Cime di Lavaredo
The legendary Three Peaks—Tre Cime di Lavaredo—straddle the border of Italian-speaking Belluno and German-speaking South Tyrol. Up until 1919, these peaks marked the frontier between Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. World War I left its mark here: you can still spot old trenches, tunnels, ladders, and fortifications. The easiest way to see the Three Peaks is to drive the toll road from Lago d’Antorno up to Rifugio Auronzo. Just keep in mind, this road only opens from late May or early June to late October or early November, depending on snow.
Val Venegia
Val Venegia feels like something out of a storybook. It’s tucked between Passo Rolle and Passo Valles in Trentino, with San Martino di Castrozza and Predazzo nearby. There’s a lot to do here—wander the valley trail, grab a hearty lunch at a Malga (alpine hut), or head up into the Pale di San Martino mountains for bigger adventures. No matter what you pick, the scenery is pure Dolomites magic.
