The Great Dolomites Road by Motorhome
Routing
The Dolomites Road leads right through what is perhaps the most spectacular part of the Alps with its massive rock formations. It runs for almost 320 kilometres from Bolzano to Cortina d'Ampezzo, passing the most famous of the Dolomite massifs: Catinaccio, Marmolada, Sassolungo, Sella, Fanes, Ampezza, Tofane, Cristallo, 3 Peaks. A fantastic round trip back to Bolzano is then possible via the Puster Valley.
The tour of the Dolomites suggested here follows most of the historic Great Dolomite Road, which has opened up the Dolomite region from Bolzano via the Val d'Ega since 1909. Today it is a classic, whether by car, motorbike, bicycle or motorhome. The road passes through three Italian provinces: South Tyrol, Trentino and Belluno. At 2,239 metres, the Pordoi Pass is the highest point on the Dolomites road.
Type of route: Holiday route
Theme: Mountains, natural panorama, hiking
Start / Finish: Bolzano - round trip
Length: 320 km
Region: South Tyrol, Trentino, Veneto
Holiday region: South Tyrol, Dolomites, Pustertal Valley
The distribution of the stages depends, on the one hand, on the means of transport and, on the other, on the interests of the travellers. The motorhome couch has orientated itself on some recommended campsites for the Dolomites tour.
Stages and Highlights
The Landscape
They stand like blocks: Catinaccio, Sella, or Marmolata. And in the evening sun, they glow red. Anyone who owns a motorhome is lucky, as they can simply stop along the Dolomite Road, pull out a camping chair, and enjoy the sunset against the backdrop of the glowing Alps. The spectacular glow of the Dolomites is due to the composition of their rock, which differs from the limestone Alps south of the main Alpine ridge: Dolomite is more resistant to weathering and erosion than limestone, thus remaining intact longer. As a result, these mountain massifs stand more or less solitary in the landscape today, allowing them to be illuminated almost horizontally by the setting sun. The very bright stone reflects the glowing light of the sun before it disappears on the horizon.
Even though the term "Dolomites" is sometimes used for areas outside this region, such as the so-called Brenta Dolomites west of the Eisack, it more narrowly refers to the funnel-shaped area between the Eisack and Piave valleys, bordered to the north by the Puster Valley and extending south to Bassano del Grappa. The most significant mountain ranges of the Dolomites are, in alphabetical order, the Ampezzo Dolomites, Bosconero Group, Civetta Group, Fanes Group, Feltre Dolomites, Kreuzkofel Group, Langkofel Group, Latemar, Marmarole, Marmolata Group, Monti del Sole, Pala Group, Peitlerkofel-Plose Group, Pelmo Massif, Pragser Dolomites, Puez-Geisler Group, Rosengarten Group, Schiara-Pramper-Tamer Group, Schlern Group, Sella Group, and Sexten Dolomites.
The highest peak of the Dolomites is the Marmolata at 3,343 meters. Other well-known peaks include Civetta, Monte Pelmo, Antelao, the Three Peaks (Tre Cime / Drei Zinnen), Sella, Catinaccio (Rosengarten), Schlern, Odle Peaks (Geislerspitzen), and Sassolungo (Langkofel). In the past, several of the Dolomite massifs had significant glaciers, but the only remaining large glacier today is found on the Marmolata.
The Rock
The name "Dolomites" only came into use in the 18th century; before that, these mountains were referred to as the Pale Mountains, in Italian, monti pallidi. It was the French geologist Déodat de Dolomieu (1750–1801) who analyzed and described the predominant rock in this part of the Alps: dolomite, which was named in his honor. However, it constitutes only part of the mountain ranges along the Dolomite Road, particularly in the areas of Fanes, the Three Peaks, and the Rosengarten. It is not always purely white but can sometimes appear yellowish or reddish due to a high iron content. The other mountains on both sides of the Dolomite Road mainly consist of whitish-gray limestone sediments with a lower dolomite content. Because of the similar mountain formations, the name has come to be used for the entire Dolomites in common parlance.
The development of the mountain range
The historic Dolomite Road is merely a part of the proposed Dolomite round trip, specifically in the first two stages from Bolzano to Cortina d'Ampezzo. The spectacular high-altitude road, which crosses three passes, was the first holiday road for opening up the Dolomites and was inaugurated on September 13, 1909, with a length of 109 kilometers. The idea of a Dolomite Road was conceived by the German and Austrian Alpine Clubs at the end of the 19th century to facilitate mountaineers' access to the spectacular mountain world. It was Theodor Christomannos of the Merano section and Albert Wachtler of the Bolzano section who advanced the project, aiming to open the road in honor of Emperor Franz Joseph on his 50th jubilee in 1898. Therefore, it was initially supposed to be called Emperor Road. In honor of Christomannos, a giant eagle can be seen high above the Karer Pass, on the southern descent of the Rosengarten Group. Although there had been a road through the Eggental since 1860 and over the Karer Pass since 1896, the higher sections often consisted of gravel paths that were frequently buried or washed away after winter.
With the new Dolomite Road, tourism in the region began at the start of the 20th century. Empress Sissi, who spent her summer vacation in 1897 at the Grand Hotel Karersee, could no longer use the road. She died a year later, assassinated during her vacation in Geneva. The hotel at the Karer Pass still exists, but it is unfortunately in a deplorable state. From the pass down to Welschnofen, there is a charming Empress Sissi Path.
Dolomite tourism came to an abrupt halt with World War I, during which Austria and Italy faced off in the high mountains with many casualties, and the important pass roads were reserved for the military. It wasn't until the 1950s that the road regained significance. It cuts through the Dolomites, passing the spectacular, block-like mountain ranges and leading to many winter and summer mountain sports destinations. However, some sections no longer follow the original route. The Italian Strada Statale 48 delle Dolomiti coincides with the historic Dolomite Road only between Vigo di Fassa and Cortina d’Ampezzo. The continuation of SS 48 from Vigo through the Fassa Valley to the south is also referred to as the Dolomite Road, and many proposals for a Dolomite round trip suggest turning from the Eisack Valley onto this Dolomite Road in Auer, south of Bolzano. The Reisemobilcouch's proposal takes the historic Dolomite Road through the Eggental and over the Karer Pass.
In the north, the roughly 35-kilometer extension of the tour from Cortina d’Ampezzo to Toblach in the Puster Valley is also called the Dolomite Road, with two variants: either south of Monte Cristallo over Passo Tre Croci to Lake Misurina at the foot of the Three Peaks or north around Monte Cristallo over the Gemärk Pass summit. Both variants meet again in Schluderbach, and the road leads down through the Höhlenstein Valley to Toblach. From there, the proposed Dolomite Road loop leads through the Puster, Gader, and Grödner valleys back to Bolzano.
This is how we put the tour together
If the Motorhomecouch were a portal for motorcyclists, who are often encountered on the Dolomite Road, the number of curves would certainly be a criterion for the route. However, this is less relevant for motorhomes. Nevertheless, it should be emphasized here: there are many curves on the numerous spectacular pass roads of the Dolomite Road, so items in the motorhome should be securely stowed. The Reisemobilcouch has divided the five stages of the round trip on the Dolomite Road according to campsites recommended by South Tyrol Tourism for the South Tyrolean part of the Dolomite Road. For the provinces of Trentino and Belluno, we have selected well-rated campsites from the portal www.camping.info. This motorhome route is explicitly designed for the summer, although winter tourism in the Dolomites is also very popular. Winter enthusiasts should check for themselves whether and when the proposed campsites along the Dolomite Road are open in winter, and which passes on the Dolomite Road are closed and when.
In addition, there are parking spaces outside of campsites in Bolzano and Bruneck, and some, though not many, along the route. Wild camping (tent or motorhome) is generally prohibited along the entire Dolomite Road, both in Trentino and South Tyrol. This is enforced, particularly in tourist regions like the Dolomites and especially within the nature and national parks along the Dolomite Road, and high fines can be imposed.
More campsites in South Tyrol off the Dolomites Road can be found here.
More campsites in Trentino off the Dolomites Road can be found here.
More campsites in Belluno off the Dolomites Road can be found here.
Bozen (Bolzano) - Fassa Valley
Northeast of the provincial capital of South Tyrol, an impressive gorge flows into the Eisack Valley. Today, most of the route up to the Eggental runs through tunnels, but in several places, one can still imagine how the road used to wind along steep rock walls, always at risk of being washed away by floods. Before Welschnofen, the landscape then widens, and the first two Dolomite massifs, Rosengarten and Latemar, appear. The journey continues through pastures and coniferous forests to Welschnofen, where you can take a cable car to the Kölner Hütte at 2,337 meters at the foot of the Rosengarten. There, you'll find challenging but well-developed and secured via ferratas, as well as an easy hiking trail. From Welschnofen, the Dolomite Road then winds up to the Karerpass, which passes between the two mountain ranges. Before the pass, spectacularly nestled before the steep Latemar and surrounded by dense forest, lies Lake Karersee with its deep turquoise water. A selfie hotspot with a viewing platform, shop, and tourist infrastructure, although the famous photo motif has been somewhat damaged in recent years because a winter storm deforested the entire mountain ridge directly in the line of sight where cameras need to capture the lake and mountain. On the pass stands the former Grandhotel where prominent figures like Empress Sissi once stayed. The pass marks the border to Trentino and simultaneously the language boundary between German and Italian. Again winding through forests, the road descends into Val di Fassa, where the first stage ends.
The two best campsites in Val di Fassa are both located in Pozza di Fassa; we recommend Camping Catinaccio / Rosengarten. From neighboring Vigo, a cable car ascends to the Rosengarten massif, offering all varieties of mountaineering activities: from challenging climbing routes to easy hikes, as on the South Tyrolean side.
Learn more about vacations in Eggental on the Dolomite Road.
Learn more about vacations in Val di Fassa on the Dolomite Road.
Fassa Valley - Cortina d'Ampezzo
The Dolomite Road continues north through Val di Fassa and through places where many people still speak Ladin, a remnant of Latin that has persisted in remote Alpine valleys since the end of the Roman Empire. Passing through Pera, Mazzin, and Campitello, you reach the tourist center of Canazei. To the left, in the distance, you can see the Langkofel Group, and closer by, the Sella Group with the 3,152-meter-high Piz Boè. The famous Sellaronda, the circumnavigation of this mountain massif, attracts not only skiers in winter but also hikers, cyclists, and motorcyclists in summer. Even with a motorhome, you can complete the slightly more than 50-kilometer-long circuit, which winds through three more passes. However, our route bypasses the Sella and, behind Canazei, ascends in 99 hairpin turns to the Pordoi Pass, the highest point of the Dolomite Road and once again a starting point for numerous mountaineering activities.
This marks the border with the province of Veneto. The road then descends into Val de Fodom, also known as Buchensteintal in German, to Arabba. To the south, the imposing massif of Marmolata, still partially glaciated at the top, rises, although it is not visible from the valley due to several intervening ridges. A cable car ascends to the Belvedere at 2,648 meters. From here, you can admire the glacier and the main peaks of Marmolata, which soar over 3,300 meters. The journey continues along the Cordevole River, with a view of the more eastern Dolomite massifs Le Tofane and Civetta in the distance. To the left lies the flat summit of Col di Lana, which looked very different when the Dolomite Road was opened. During World War I, the mountain, like the neighboring Monte Sief, was fiercely contested between Austrians and Italians. In 1915-1916, 12 Italian infantry and 14 Alpini companies made several costly and unsuccessful attempts to storm the summit held by Austro-Hungarian troops, before deciding to undermine and blow up the entire mountain with a tunnel. On April 17, 1916, the summit exploded. The Austrians subsequently had to abandon the mountain but managed to hold onto Monte Sief, preventing an Italian breakthrough in the area. Today, on the now flattened summit, there is a chapel in memory of those who fell in the war, as well as a museum. Also preserved are dilapidated trenches, dugouts, and some barrack remnants.
Beyond Pieve di Livinallongo, the Dolomite Road leaves the Cordevole Valley and ascends along the steep walls of Lagazuoi to Passo Falzarego, situated at 2,105 meters, a barren pass strewn with boulders. This pass, too, was a scene of fierce battles during World War I. Between the massifs of Tofane and Cinque Torri, the road now descends to Pocol and further down to the famous winter sports resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo, situated at 1,224 meters. Beyond, further east, rise the Cristallo group, Sorapiss, and Antelao.
In Cortina d’Ampezzo, there are two highly-rated camping sites:
Camping Rocchetta
Camping Dolomiti
Dolomites road: find out more about holidays in Cortina d'Ampezzo
Dolomites road: find out more about holidays in Arabba and the Marmolada
Cortina d'Ampezzo - Toblach
Even though the historic Dolomite Road ended in Cortina d'Ampezzo, today the approximately 35-kilometer continuation northward to Toblach in the Puster Valley is also included, either east or west around Monte Cristallo. For this tour, east of the mountain, the route goes over Passo Tre Croci to the beautiful Misurina Lake, situated at 1,751 meters and nestled at the foot of the iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Three Peaks). These distinctive rock formations are not only the symbol of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Dolomites but also arguably the most famous mountains in the world. Therefore, the Auronzo Hut at 2,320 meters, from where you can enjoy the famous view, tends to be quite crowded during the season, especially as it is accessible via a toll road that branches off shortly after the lake to the right. The toll fee is €45 for a motorhome, and the ticket is valid for 12 hours; exceeding this time incurs the same fee again. Therefore, campers can also stay overnight at the top and have ample time to hike around the Three Peaks. The camper pitch is located slightly below the Auronzo Hut.
For those who wish to linger longer in this high-alpine area, it's ideal to break the journey here and stay directly at Misurina Lake at the simple, family-run camping site Alla Baita. Additionally, a hike from the Dolomite Road to Monte Piana is recommended: the summit offers a magnificent panoramic view of the Dolomites and features an open-air museum about the battles of World War I. Others continue their journey on the Dolomite Road, descending from the high mountains via Val Babena Bassa in a northwestern direction. Schluderbach is already back in South Tyrol, and the Dolomite Road continues northward through the wonderful Höhlensteintal (Val di Landro) towards Toblach. The camping site recommended there by South Tyrol Tourism is not inexpensive but is beautifully located right on Lake Toblach. It is also described in this article by Motorhome couch about winter camping in South Tyrol.
Dolomites Road: find out more about holidays on the Three Peaks (Belluno)
Dolomites Road: find out more about holidays on the Three Peaks (South Tyrol)
Dobbiaco (Toblach) - San Vigilio di Marebbe
The Dolomite Road, which for simplicity's sake should also be called Dolomite Road on the return journey to Bolzano through the Puster, Gadera, and Grödner Valleys in this tour proposal, descends from Toblach down the Puster Valley – this important thoroughfare from the Eisack Valley to East Tyrol, connecting the formerly three parts of Tyrol. Those who do not want to miss one of South Tyrol's most popular photo motifs turn left behind Niederdorf to Lake Prags. Back on the Dolomite Road, continue westward, passing the famous Mount Kronplatz, on whose summit plateau Reinhold Messner opened his sixth Mountain Museum MMM Corones, telling the story of alpinism. The spectacular construction by architect Zaha Hadid impressively integrates the mountain world into the architecture. The view from probably South Tyrol's most magnificent viewpoint extends from the Lienz Dolomites in the east to Ortler in the west, from Marmolata in the south to the Zillertal Alps in the north. After Bruneck, in St. Lorenzen, the route turns left and follows the Gaderbach along the Gadertal, one of South Tyrol's less developed but all the more charming tourist valleys. The comfortable Al Plan campsite is located in St. Vigil directly at the entrance to the Fanes-Sennes-Prags Nature Park.
Dolomites Road: find out more about holidays in the Kronplatz region
Dolomites Road: find out more about holidays in Val Badia
San Vigilio di Marebbe - Bolzano
The final stage of the tour on the Dolomite Road leads from St. Vigil back to Bolzano, passing by some of the most famous and striking Dolomite massifs once again. The route heads up the valley through Badia to the tourism center of Corvara, spectacularly located on the north side of the Sella massif. Then, it goes westward over the Gardena Pass, which uses a narrow cut between the Sella and Geisler groups to transition into the Val Gardena, one of the most visited valleys in South Tyrol, with the popular Seiser Alm halfway up the slope to the Schlern’s hump. Before that, however, the route passes the mighty Langkofel massif at the height of Wolkenstein. Through St. Ulrich, Kastelruth, and Völs am Schlern, the tour on the Dolomite Road ends again in Bolzano.
Dolomites road: find out more about holidays in Val Gardena
Dolomites Road: find out more about holidays on the Seiser Alm
Text: Gerd Henghuber
Route guidance with parking space information
You can also find more information about the sights in our Explorer Map.