The most beautiful hikes and walks in Cortina d'Ampezzo

Introduction

Would you like to discover the most beautiful hikes and walks in Cortina d'Ampezzo, the pearl of the Dolomites? We have selected the most scenic trails for you, through Alpine lakes, waterfalls, enchanted forests and flower-filled meadows.

You can also try the typical mountain cuisine in the numerous mountain lodges. What are you waiting for? Let's discover our selection together:

Easy walks

Below are collected the easy walks, ideal for those who want to walk while admiring the wonderful panoramas of the Ampezzo Dolomites. They are simple strolls, within everyone's reach.

The former railway The most famous walk in Cortina. It is simple, for everyone, and accessible all year round. 2h 00' - 7 km - Easy

The loop of Pianozes A circular walk through the woods that, from the village of Zuel, leads to Lake Pianozes. 1h 30' - 6 km - Easy

Hike from Larieto to Mietres A hike from Larieto to Mietres, with the possibility of a detour to "Forcella Zumèles". 1h+30' - 4+2 km - Easy

The "Crepe de Cianderòu" A hike along the Montanelli path to the "Crepe de Cianderòu", an amazing scenic point. 1h 30' - 6 km - Easy

To the ruins of Podestagno A walk to the Podestagno Ruins, one of the most important points in Cortina's history. 40 min - 3 km - Easy

Walk to Lake Pianozes A walk from the center of Cortina to Lake Pianozes, along a road surrounded by green. 1h 45' - 6,5 km - Easy

Walk from Fiames to Cadin An easy and short walk through the woods, along the Boite River, from Fiames to Cadin. 1h 30' - 7 km - Easy

"Pian De Ra Spines" A walk in the locality of Fiames, we'll get to Pian de Ra Spines, alongside the Boite river. 1h 30' - 7 km - Easy

Intermediate hikes

These hikes are suitable for everyone, you only need a bit of training. These are simple, but relatively long hikes, which require the use of adequate equipment.

Walk to "Malga Ra Stua" A hike from the car parking of "Sant'Uberto" to "Malga Ra Stua", avoiding the paved road. 2h 30' - 6 km - Intermediate

From Pianozes to Lake Ajal A short but intense hike to see two beautiful alpine lakes: Lake Pianozes and Lake Ajal. 2h 00' - 4,5 km - Intermediate

Hike to Rifugio Dibona A short and easy hike. From the car park on Falzarego Pass, towards Rifugio Dibona. 2h 30' - 8 km - Intermediate

Carbonin to Plätzwiese From the Carbonin parking area to Prato Piazza and the other mountain lodges of the area. 3h 00' - 9,5 km - Intermediate

From Valbona to Maraia A hike in the area of Auronzo that will lead you to eat at an appreciated mountain lodge. 2h 30' - 9 km - Intermediate

From "Ra Stua" to "Fodara" Hike from "Malga Ra Stua" to "Fodara Vedla" refuge, in the Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park. 3h 00' - 10 km - Intermediate

Pian dei Menìs to 5 Towers A lesser known route from Falzarego Pass to the Cinque Torri and its mountain lodges. 2h 00' - 5 km - Intermediate

Difficult hikes

These hikes should be considered only by those who are in good shape. These are not overly technical routes, but they have steep climbs and big height gains. In a few cases, there may be via ferratas or exposed passages, but they are always optional, and you can always avoid them. To tackle these hikes, you need to be used to walking in mountains.

The lower Fanes Waterfalls A hike to the Fanes falls, with the optional possibility of doing two small via ferratas. 3h 00' - 10 km - Difficult

Cimabanche to Plätzwiese An alternative, more scenic, path to Prato Piazza, Plätzwiese, through the Chenopi trail. 3h 00' - 9 km - Difficult

From Fiames to Posporcora A scenic hike from Fiames to Posporcora, passing through the panorama of "Cianderòu". 3h 30' - 12 km - Difficult

Panoramic trail Dolomieu The Dolomieu scenic path: from the car park of Rio Gere to the top of Mount Faloria. 3h 00' - 8 km - Difficult

Ra Góres de Fedèra The Gorges of Federa, a new trail that starts from Lake Pianozes, to "Malga Federa". 3h 30' - 10 km - Difficult

From Ra Stua to Sennes A hike from Malga Ra Stua to the Rifugio Sennes, in the Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park. 3h 00' - 11 km - Difficult

Winter hikes

This page contains the most beautiful walks to take in winter in Cortina d'Ampezzo. These hikes are accessible to all, on roads where the snow has been packed by snowmobiles or snowcats. All trails allow sledding on the way down and can also be done with mountaineering skis.

Winter hikes in Cortina The most beautiful winter hikes in Cortina, easy walks, for everyone, on packed snow. Reading time: 12 min

Recommendation

Before saying goodbye, we want to give you some more information about Cortina. The town of Cortina d'Ampezzo is the third largest town in the Veneto region, so from the point of view of hiking, it offers a wide variety of paths, given the vastness of the territory. Cortina is surrounded by the Ampezzo Dolomites, which give to the valley a beauty unique in the world. Among the most famous mountains there are Mount Tofane, Mount Cristallo, Mount Pomagagnon, Mount "Bèco de Mesodì", Mount Faloria, Mount Sorapiss, the Massif of Croda da Lago and the Massif of Nuvolau.

The altitude of the territory varies from 1,057, 3,467 feet, to 3,244 meters, 10,643 feet, so it's possible to practice different sports: from walks in the woods, to high altitude trekking, to rock climbing in equipped routes. Cortina d'Ampezzo has more than four hundred kilometers, two hundred and fifty miles, of marked trails, controlled and maintained in good condition by the volunteers of the C.A.I. of Cortina, the Regole d'Ampezzo and the Alpine Guides.

The fauna is the typical one of the mountain regions, with roe deer and foxes which can also be spotted in the inhabited centers, as well as squirrels, chamois, ibex and marmots. It's common, in winter, to come across large groups of wild animals while you drive, so be careful and drive slowly, especially at night. If you want more information on the animals that can be found in Cortina, we have written a page about it, you can find it below:

The animals of Cortina A brief description of Cortina's fauna: from the smallest to the most majestic animals. Reading time: 6 min

In addition to the natural beauty of the landscape, Cortina is the home of the Regional Natural Park of the Ampezzo Dolomites, a protected natural area of 37,000 hectares, a quarter of which are nature reserves. The area has a very diversified flora and fauna. The flora is composed mostly of conifers, which hide a very diversified and complex undergrowth.

Eating wild plants should be done only if you perfectly know what you are doing, but you could easily find blueberries, strawberries and mushrooms along your hikes. For flower lovers, the area of Ra Stua hides a great variety of orchids.

Those described on this page are hikes within everyone's reach, but remember to never underestimate the mountains. When you go on a hike, we always recommend you to use appropriate clothing, starting from the shoes, which must be specifically made for the mountains. Always bring a backpack with at least some water, a snack and a jacket for the rain. Remember not to litter and not to leave garbage around.

The paths in Cortina are usually always well marked, but try not to venture into places where you don't feel safe. If you find yourself at a crossroads, it is generally a good idea to choose the most walked path. If you are not sure which direction is the right one, look for the correct red and white signposts drawn on trees or rocks: they are the safest way not to get lost. If you want to know our recommendations for novice hikers, below you can read our article about:

Safety tips for hikers Tips for safely going hiking in the mountains and prepare your backpack with all you need. Reading time: 8 min

All the hikes we recommend are tested by us, we do them at least once a year with more or less trained friends. The time taken is the average for a person used to walking in the mountains. A sportsman will need less time, a tourist who wants to relax and look at the view will take a little longer.

Remember that, for each path, there are different variants. Each hike that you'll find on this page has been selected trying to find the right balance between effort, panorama and the possibility to stop to eat or drink something in a mountain lodge. If you want to try some more challenging experiences, or you don't feel too safe to go alone, you can always hire a professional guide, you can find one in the official website of the Alpine Guides of Cortina. In case you are not trained, remember to proceed a little at a time and start with the easier hikes.

Always be responsible and, when in doubt, stop. CiaoCortina cannot be held responsible for any damage to things or people, variations, wrong paths, errors, or inconveniences that may occur along the route. For more information, click here.

Conclusion

We hope you liked our page on the best easy hikes of Cortina. Before saying goodbye, we would suggest you read our home page, with all the articles we wrote about Cortina d'Ampezzo.

If you want to thank us you can read the page Support us. If you only want to suggest a change, propose something or just say hello, in the section contacts and info you'll find all the ways to reach us.