November is a risky time to visit the Dolomites. Rain is common throughout the month, and snow usually arrives by mid-November at the very latest. In some years, however, early November can be glorious, offering sunny days and the final golden glow of autumn before winter takes hold.
My advice is not to plan a November trip to the Dolomites far in advance. If a sudden spell of good weather appears, by all means go. But don’t commit to an international trip unless you’re already in Northern Italy, Austria, or Bavaria, and can make a quick detour to take advantage of the conditions.
We visited the Dolomites in early November 2024. Kati makes a daily ritual of monitoring the weather. The moment she spotted an unbelievable forecast for the first week of November in South Tyrol, we booked our dream hotel and packed our bags immediately.
Here are some helpful tips for visiting the Dolomites in November.
- November Daylight Hours: Days are quite short, with the sun rising around 7 am and setting by 4:30 pm.
- Fall Colors: Fall colors peak in mid to late October. By November the larches are past prime, often having shed over half their needles, the extent varying with sun exposure and altitude.
- Getting to the Dolomites: How to Get to the Dolomites
- Car-Free Travel: How to Visit the Dolomites Without a Car
- Road Trip Itineraries: 5-Day Dolomites Road Trip, 7-Day Dolomites Road Trip, 10-14 Day Dolomites Road Trip, and Munich to Dolomites Road Trip
- What to Do: Things to Do in the Dolomites
- Where to Go: Places to Visit in the Dolomites
What We Did in November
During our November trip, we stayed in Hotel Milla Montis in Meransen (Maranza), a South Tyrolean village above Val Pusteria and Valle Isarco, just outside of the Dolomites. Here’s our candid Hotel Milla Montis Review.
Our intention was to relax and fully enjoy the half-board experience, rather than undertake strenuous hikes. Nonetheless, we walked across the Lüsner Alm mountain pastures along the Dolorama trail, hiked the Adolf Munkel Trail (for the third time), and watched the sunset in Santa Maddalena.
Tip 1: Rent a Car with Winter Tires
Conditions can shift overnight. If it snows, winter tires are essential. Without them, you may need to use snowchains.
If you rent a car in Italy, you’re unlikely to be given winter tires. In Austria, however, rental cars must be equipped with them due to a winter tire mandate that begins on November 1.
Use Discovercars.com to easily find and book your rental car. This simple, reliable platform compares offers from over 500 trusted providers, helping you secure the best deal for your trip without the hassle.
Tip 2: Book a Self-Catering Apartment or Hotel with On-Site Restaurant
Throughout the Dolomites, many hotel and restaurant owners close in November to rest between the summer and winter holiday seasons.
Depending on the Dolomites region, hotels and restaurants begin closing as early as late September. By November, you can expect very few tourist facilities to remain open.
To avoid going hungry, book either a self-catering apartment or a hotel with an on-site restaurant.
In November, hotels offer significantly reduced rates, making it the perfect opportunity to enjoy luxury accommodations at a fraction of the usual cost.
Between Val di Funes and Brixen, several exceptional luxury hotels are open throughout November, including Santre dolomythic home (luxury), adults-only My Arbor (spa hotel). Read our My Arbor hotel review), adults-only Forestis ( high-end luxury).
In Val Gardena, Adler Spa Resort Balance (5-star luxury hotel in Ortisei), Adler Spa Resort Dolomiti (luxury hotel in Ortisei), Linder Cycling Hotel (midrange-luxury in Selva) and Hotel Granbaita (spa hotel in Selva) are open all month
In San Candido, Naturhotel Leitlhof (4-star luxury) is open all month. Read our Naturhotel Leitlhof review for a look inside this eco-friendly hotel.
Tip 3: Find Out Current Snow Conditions on Trails
Just because there’s no snow in the valley doesn’t mean that there’s no snow at higher elevations. Be cautious with high-altitude hikes; snow lingers when temperatures drop.
The best way to get up-to-date information about trail conditions is to contact the local tourist office. Webcams can also be helpful to some extent.
I highly recommend packing Lightweight Microspikes and Hiking Poles, so you can safely cross snow fields if necessary.
Tip 4: Hike Trails that Don’t Require Cable Cars
Most hikes in the Dolomites don’t require a cable car. Still, be aware that cable car services wind down between mid-September and late October, depending on the region.
Val Gardena November Trails
Monte Pic Hike | This little-known summit delivers some of the most breathtaking panoramas in the Dolomites, with the Puez-Odle, Sella, and even the Rosengarten all on display. When we hiked to Monte Pic, we extended the route to Seceda, which isn’t necessary.
Vallunga Valley | Kati and I hiked down Vallunga when we tackled this Val de Chedul – Vallunga Valley Circuit Trail. But, we’ve also just hiked the valley out-and-back as well, a scenic walk for hikers of all ages.
Alpe di Siusi Meadows Circuit Trail | The cableways from Ortisei and Siusi to the Alpe di Siusi plateau typically close by late October or early November. When they’re not running, you can drive up to Compaccio to start the hike. For more details on reaching the plateau, see our Alpe di Siusi travel guide.
Where to Stay in Val Gardena | Find out which Selva accommodations, Santa Cristina accommodations, Ortisei accommodations by selecting your travel dates. Also read my guide to Best Val Gardena Hotels.
Learn more: Best Hikes in Val Gardena
Val di Funes November Trails
Santa Maddalena Panorama Trail | The Santa Maddalena Panorama Trail winds between meadows, woodland pockets, and centuries-old Tyrolean farmsteads, following a mix of narrow footpaths and quiet paved lanes. Along the way, you’ll enjoy the most iconic views of the Odle/Geisler peaks, which rise dramatically behind Santa Maddalena village. If your goal is the famous Santa Maddalena church photo spot, this trail guide will take you there in just 20-25 minutes.
Adolf Munkel Day Hike | This celebrated trail traces the base of the Odle/Geisler peaks between Malga Brogles and Rifugio Genova. Since you can’t start the hike directly at either hut, most hikers begin from the Zannes (Zans) car park at the end of the Val di Funes road. The highlight of the hike is the section between Gschnagenhardt-Alm and Geisleralm.
Rifugio Genova Circuit Hike | This secret hike rises from the Zannes (Zans) car park to the stunning Kreuzjoch saddle and then traverses the slopes of Medalges and Sobutsch, before descending to Rifugio Genova (Schlüterhütte in German). The path returns to Zannes via the Gampen Alm mountain pasture.
Where to Stay in Val di Funes | Galreidhof (budget) is open the whole month of November. Viel Nois Guest House (midrange-luxury), Hotel Fines (midrange), and Raschötzhof (budget-midrange) are only open the first week of November. See all accommodations in Val di Funes.
Learn more: Val di Funes Travel Guide
Cortina d’Ampezzo November Trails
These trails should only be attempted when they are free of snow.
Passo Giau to Mondeval Hike | Starting from the photogenic Passo Giau, a moderate trail leads to the vast Mondeval plateau, with striking views of the sheer Lastoni di Formin cliffs and the imposing Mount Pelmo.
Croda da Lago Circuit Hike | This trail circles the Croda da Lago range, ascending first to Lago Federa, nestled within a larch forest.
Where to Stay in Cortina d’Ampezzo | I recommend staying in HOTEL de LEN (luxury). See all Cortina d’Ampezzo accommodations. Read Where to Stay in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Learn more: Cortina d’Ampezzo Hiking Guide
Val Pusteria November Trails
Exercise caution on most alpine hikes in the Braies (Prags) and Sesto (Sexten) Dolomites due to their north-facing slopes. Early-season snow tends to linger longer here, as these slopes receive less sunlight.
Val Fiscalina | This beautiful side valley of Sexten is a wonderful place to go on a long walk in late autumn. You can start the walk in the village of Sesto/Sexten (longest option), at the Croda Rossa (Rotwand) Cable Car parking lot, or at the Fischleinbodenhütte car park (shortest option)
Lago di Braies | An easy, though not always level, hiking path circuits the most famous lake in the Dolomites.
Where to Stay in Val Pusteria | I recommend staying in Naturhotel Leitlhof in San Candido, open all month. Find out which San Candido accommodations, Dobbiaco accommodation, and Sesto accommodations are open by selecting your travel dates.
Learn More: Alta Pusteria Travel Guide
More Dolomites Travel Guides
November:
When to Visit:
- Best Time to Visit the Dolomites
- May in the Dolomites
- August in the Dolomites
- September in the Dolomites
- October in the Dolomites
Where to Stay:
Winter in the Dolomites:
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