Easy Walks in the Dolomites

Whether you’re planning a Dolomites trip with young children or elderly parents, or simply looking for an “easy on the legs” trail to tackle on a rest day between bigger, more challenging hikes, here are some of my top recommendations.

I define “easy” primarily in terms of terrain and technical difficulty. These trails generally follow wide, well-defined tracks with no exposure or technical sections. Many are relatively flat, but not all, so be sure to check the trail stats for each hike and choose the one that best suits your needs and fitness level.

Please note that time needed strictly signifies walking time without breaks.

And if you’re traveling with someone with limited mobility or an injury, read my Dolomites for Non-Hikers guide.

Best Base: Where to Stay in the Dolomites
Where to Go: Places to Visit in the Dolomites
What to Do: Things to Do in the Dolomites
Getting Here: How to Get to the Dolomites
Car-Free Travel: How to Visit the Dolomites Without a Car
When to Visit: Best Time to Visit the Dolomites
Honeymoon Tips: Dolomites Honeymoon

Val Pusteria Easy Walks

Val Fiscalina / Fischleintal Walk

Val Fiscalina / Fischleintal hiking trail, Dolomites, Italy

Accessible all-year-round, the Val Fiscalina valley trail offers plenty of reward for very little effort. This side valley of Valle di Sesto (Sextental) leads to the base of Cima Una (Einserkofel) in the Northern Sexten Dolomites.

Starting in Moos, a gentle path winds through a larch meadow to the Fischleinbodenhütte car park and Dolomitenhof hotel. From here, the trail continues along a gravel track to Talschlusshütte, all the while facing the Sexten Sundial.

To extend this hike, start in the village of Sexten. To shorten this hike, drive or take the bus to Fischleinbodenhütte.

Monte Specie / Strudelkopf Summit Hike

Monte Specie Strudelkopf, Alta Pusteria, Dolomites

Monte Specie (Strudelkopf in German) is an easy-to-reach summit in the Braies Dolomites, high above Valle di Landro (Höhlensteintal), which commands a stunning view of Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Cadini di Misurina, and the Cristallo Group.

This straightforward hike starts atop the Prato Piazza / Plätzwiese high plateau (2000 m), accessible by bus or car (see current restrictions) from Braies Valley.

From Rifugio Prato Piazza, the trail crosses alpine meadows and gently ascends to the summit. Return to the starting point via Rifugio Vallandro and the hut access road.

Plan Your Trip to Val Pusteria

Easy Walks in Val Badia

Armentara Plateau

Armentara Plateau is a vast meadowscape at the foot of Sas dla Crusc on the edge of the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park.

The plateau can be reached on foot from La Val, San Cassiano, La Villa, and Badia. The easiest approach, however, is from Badia, taking the La Crusc 1 & 2 gondolas up to the La Crusc Pilgrimage Church and Rifugio La Crusc.

From here, a gravel path winds gently downhill towards the Armentara Plateau, crossing a succession of scenic meadows along the way. The farm road continues to Ranch da Andrè, a managed hut, before descending to San Linert and eventually back to the valley station.

Throughout the walk, Sas dla Crusc dominates the landscape, a dramatic fortress of rock rising above rolling hay meadows. The contrast between the rugged mountain and the soft, open pastureland makes this one of the most enchanting landscapes in the Alta Badia.

Though this is an easy hike, 800 meters of downhill walking can be difficult for many.

If you’re traveling with children, there’s a family park and two huts at the middle station.

Pralongia Plateau

Pralongia plateau, the main ski area of the Alta Badia ski resort, attracts walkers and mountain bikers in summer. You can access the plateau swiftly by gondola from San Cassiano (Piz Surega lift), Corvara (Col Alt lift), or La Villa (Piz la Ila lift).

For an “easy on the legs” day, I recommend riding the Piz Surega lift and hiking to Rifugio Ütia Bioch. Continue the hike to Rifugio Alpino Pralongià and then descend to San Cassiano via Rifugio Malga Saraghes along trail 22.

This is a variation of my Störes Meadows hike.

Colfosco High Trail

The Colfosco High Trail (aka Kolfuschg High Trail) connects Edelweiss Valley in Colfosco with Passo Gardena. You can ascend the path to Passo Gardena and return to Colfosco by bus, or reverse, if you prefer to walk downhill.

This trail runs along the base of the Cir Group, but its main appeal lies in the sweeping views of the Sella Group.

Either eat at Jimmy Hütte or Edelweiss Hütte.

Ütia Da Rit

Ütia Da Rit is a charming alpine pasture hut that serves very delicious Ladin-South Tyrolean food at the base of Pares Peak above La Val. The way from Ciurnadù car park (pre-book parking in high season) to the Rit Meadows exclusively follows a wide forest road.

Passo delle Erbe to Munt de Fornella

Passo delle Erbe connects Val di Funes and Val Isarco with Val Badia. It’s the starting point of the stunning Sass de Putia circuit trail, which is probably too taxing for small kids. However, you can take in the beauty of Sass de Putia, the northernmost massif of the Dolomites, by simply walking the gravel path from the pass to the Munt de Fornella alpine pasture hut at the base of the mountain.

Trailhead | Passo delle Erbe Paid Car Park (arrive early, because it fills up quickly)
Distance | 2.5 km out-and-back
Time Needed | 45 minutes
Elevation Gain/Loss | 78 meters
Where to Stay near Passo delle Erbe | Ütia de Börz (3-star refuge) or Edelweißhütte (budget-friendly)

Plan Your Trip to Val Badia

Easy Walks in Val Gardena

Vallunga Valley

Flanked by vertical cliffs on both sides, Vallunga is a side valley of Val Gardena that leads northeast from Selva di Val Gardena into the Puez Group. I recommend hiking to Pra da Ri out-and-back, or a shorter variation.

If someone in your group wants to embark on a longer, more strenuous hike, check out my Val de Chedul and Vallunga circuit trail.

Resciesa Plateau to Rifugio Brogles

Resciesa Plateau, Ortisei, Val Gardena, Dolomites

The Resciesa High Plateau rises between Val di Funes and Val Gardena. From Ortisei in Val Gardena, ride the funicular to the plateau, which usually operates between end of May and mid-October. From the mountain station, follow Trail 31 and later Trail 35 to Brogles Sattel and and onwards to Brogles Hütte.

The route is especially spectacular thanks to its sweeping views of the jagged Odle/Geisler Peaks, which increasingly dominate the landscape as you progress. You may encounter grazing donkeys along the way.

Trailhead | Resciesa Funicular mountain station
Distance | 9.6 km out-and-back
Time Needed | 2:50 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss | 300 meters
Where to Stay in Ortisei | Residence Cesa Sassela (aparthotel), Casa al Sole (B&B, read my Casa al Sole review), or Boutique Hotel Planlim (3-star hotel)

Plan your trip to Val Gardena

Easy Walks in Val di Funes

Santa Maddalena Panorama Trail

Santa Maddalena, Val di Funes in November

Santa Maddalena (St. Magdalena in German) is a village in Val di Funes home to the historic Santa Maddalena Church, which is one of the most popular photo motifs in the Dolomites. It’s also the start of an excellent panoramic hike.

This Santa Maddalena panorama trail weaves through meadows, pockets of forest, and historic farmsteads. There are stunning views of the Odle Peaks rising above the valley throughout.

Plan your trip to Val di Funes

Easy Walks in Arabba & Val di Fassa

Sentiero Viel del Pan

Sentiero Viel del Pan (Bindelweg in German) is a hiking trail that crosses the southern slopes of the Padon chain from Passo Pordoi to Lago di Fedaia. This hike is extremely popular due to its unbeatable views of Marmolada, the highest mountain in the Dolomites.

After a 167-meter ascent to Rifugio Fredarola, the trail eases and continues to Rifugio Viel del Pan. I recommend hiking to this hut out-and-back.

We hiked this Viel del Pan & Alta Via Della Cresta Circuit Trail, which is a bit more adventurous.

Dolomites Travel Guides

Road Trip Routes:

Easy Walks in the Dolomites: easy on the legs days, families with children, and elderly parents

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