The Dolomites don’t have a widespread overtourism problem, but they do have a hotspot issue.
A handful of locations attract the vast majority of visitors, which puts increasing pressure on the environment and local community. As a result, new access regulations are introduced each year to help protect these fragile alpine landscapes. I’ll summarize these later.
When visiting these hotspots, popularized on social media, it’s important to plan ahead and pre-book parking and toll road access. However, I recommend choosing alternative approaches, which are lesser-known and far quieter, or skipping these overcrowded locations altogether.
I’ve been visiting the Dolomites 2-3 times per year for the last 10 years. And while I have seen a surge of traffic around places like Seceda, Lake Braies, and Tre Cime di Lavaredo, I rarely intersect with large crowds on the trail.
My advice is to slow down, visit during shoulder season (September & October for hiking, early December and March for skiing), and book half board.
Sabrina’s Tips
Your experience of the Dolomites depends on your willingness to step off the well-trodden Instagram trail. If you’re willing, the possibilities are both extraordinary and inexhaustible.
- Book half board – after a full day of adventuring, there’s nothing better than half board dining in your hotel.
- Honeymoon & Anniversary Tips – read my Dolomites Honeymoon guide.
- Visit in winter. Skiing in the Dolomites is magical, especially in early December and March. You can experience hotspots without the annoying crowds. Non-skiers: take a look at my Sexten winter itinerary.
- Slow down and take in one region at a time. For example, here’s how I would plan a 7-day trip to Val Gardena with or without a car.
- Multi-day hikers, save yourself a lot of hassle and book a self-guided hiking tour.
- Do not visit in August.
Current Restrictions and Measures Against Overtourism
Lake Braies
Current Restrictions | There are traffic restrictions in Braies Valley between July 1st and September 15th from 9 am to 4 pm. During this time, it’s only possible to visit the Lake by foot, transit (pre-booking required), by bicycle, or with a valid transit permit (pre-booking required). I explained everything in my Lake Braies guide.
Pro Tip | Visit by bicycle or on foot. If driving, I recommend arriving at Lake Braies around sunrise and hiking this incredible Hochalpenkopf peak trail.
More Things to Do in Braies Valley | Gaisl High Trail and Monte Specie Summit Hike starting on Prato Piazza Plateau.
Passo Gardena
Current Restrictions | None
Update | Although there were serious discussions earlier this year about closing the Gardena Pass in September and October 2026 to alleviate traffic congestion in both Val Gardena and Val Badia, the proposed traffic restrictions will no longer be implemented. Source: suedtirol.orf.
Seceda
Current Restrictions | Starting in summer 2026, the Ortisei-Furnes-Seceda cableways are limiting visitors via a time slot booking system. It’s essential to pre-book your cable car tickets.
Alternative Approach | Skip the Ortisei cable car and hike to Seceda from the Cristauta – Praplan Car Park above Santa Cristina. Alternatively, ride the Col Raiser gondola (no pre-booking required). From the mountain station, amble across meadows grazed by Haflinger horses to Rifugio Firenze and follow our Rifugio Firenze circuit trail to Seceda. More options described in my Seceda travel guide.
Pro Tip | Visit in winter and ski Seceda, located in the Val Gardena ski resort.
Alternative Hikes | Steviola Plateau (moderately-difficult), Piz Duleda (difficult), Col dala Pieres (difficult)
Where to Stay in Santa Cristina near the Cristauta/Praplan car park | Dorfhotel Beludei (4-star hotel, read my Dorfhotel Beludei review), B&B Kaserer (rooms & apartments), Charme Hotel Uridl (3-star hotel), or Hotel Touring (4-star hotel)
Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Current Restrictions | You must pre-book the Auronzo toll road which leads to Rifugio Auronzo, the starting point of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo Circuit.
Alternative Approach | Instead of driving up the Auronzo toll road, you can approach Tre Cime di Lavaredo from the north: Val Fiscalina or Val Campo di Dentro (quietest option). Naturally, these are more rigorous hikes, but well worth it.
Alternative Hike | Hike to Vallon Popera basin instead.
Cadini di Misurina
Current Restrictions | You must pre-book the Auronzo toll road which leads to Rifugio Auronzo, the starting point of the Cadini di Misurina viewpoint hike.
Alternative Approach | Skip the toll road and hike to the viewpoint from Lake Antorno. Expert hikers can hike the challenging Sentiero Bonacossa trail through the Cadini di Misurina range to the viewpoint as well.
Where to Stay | Chalet Lago Antorno
Seiser Alm
Current Restrictions | The road to Compatsch is restricted between 9 am and 5 pm. The P1 (Spitzbühl) or P2 (Compatsch) car parks must be reserved online in advance. It’s forbidden to park in these car parks between 11 pm and 6 am.
Alternative Approach | Given the restrictions, there’s no reason to drive to Compatsch atop Alpe di Siusi. Ride the Siusi-Alpe di Siusi gondola to Compatsch or ride the Ortisei-Alpe di Siusi gondola.
Pro Tip | Follow our Alpe di Siusi Meadows Trail across the plateau. With the earliest start possible, tackle this epic Rifugio Bolzano Circuit Trail.
How to Escape the Crowds in the Dolomites
Summer & Autumn
Winter
Overtourism is generally far less of an issue in winter than in summer, largely because most visitors choose a single ski resort as their base for the duration of their trip. As a result, road congestion is significantly lower.
However, there are still certain periods during the ski season I’d personally avoid, especially the Christmas holidays and February, when crowds peak. I particularly enjoyed skiing in the Dolomites in early December and again in March, when conditions were excellent and there were virtually no lift wait times.
My favorite ski resorts are Cortina d’Ampezzo Ski Resort, Val Gardena Ski Resort, 3 Zinnen Dolomites Ski Resort, Carezza Ski Resort, Arabba Marmolada Ski Resort. I also skied the Alta Badia Ski Resort, Kronplatz Ski Resort, Latemar Dolomites Ski Resort, Val di Fassa Ski Resort, and San Pellegrino Ski Resort.
While skiing is the main attraction, there are many ways to explore the Dolomites in winter without skis. See my Dolomites in winter guide for inspiration.
More Dolomites Travel Guides
- Where to Stay in the Dolomites in Summer
- How to Get to the Dolomites
- How to Visit the Dolomites Without a Car
- Best Time to Visit the Dolomites
- Day Hikes in the Dolomites
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Wow, so many options!