{"id":13699,"date":"2019-09-24T13:05:00","date_gmt":"2019-09-24T11:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.tatonka.com\/?p=13699"},"modified":"2023-05-02T15:54:12","modified_gmt":"2023-05-02T13:54:12","slug":"dolomites-south-tyrol-italy-short-vacation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.tatonka.com\/en\/dolomites-south-tyrol-italy-short-vacation\/","title":{"rendered":"Short vacation in the Dolomites"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Weeks in advance I was already looking forward to this one weekend: Finally I was going back to my beloved Dolomites – this magical place with imposing mountains and surreal lakes surrounded by imposing peaks. I wanted to show my friend Bea places I’ve been to many times, places that are just always worth a visit. But also explore places with her, which I myself did not yet know (so well).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Friday evening we left Munich via Garmisch, Mittenwald and the Brenner Pass to Olang in South Tyrol. A small town located below the Kronplatz mountain – a very popular skiing area in winter. For us, Valdaora was the perfect starting point to head towards our first destination the next day: Lago di Braies (Braies Lake).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Pragser Wildsee – visitor magnet of the Dolomites<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Pragser Wildsee is a mountain lake in the Pragser Valley between Bruneck and Toblach and part of the Fanes-Sennes-Prags Nature Park – and thus a protected natural monument. It became known mainly through countless pictures on social media and since then it has become one of the visitor magnets in the Dolomites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Well-known photo motif: The boathouse at Braies Lake.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You can’t blame the visitors, because the color of the lake is almost emerald and with the view of the Seekofel (2810 m) in the background, the mountain-lake romance is just perfect. Bea and I walked around the lake for a bit and enjoyed the sun slowly streaming in, giving the lake a beautiful turquoise light. The day could not have started better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Bea<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For lunch we made a short detour to San Candido (San Candido). The town impresses above all with its pedestrian zone with many small stores, at the end of which the marketplace awaits with a view of the Haunold (2966 m) – simply ingenious. For us it was shopping right on the first day – with the many homemade souvenirs we just could not resist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Far away from the crowds – the Lago di Dobbiaco<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Next, we headed south and made a quick stop at Lago di Dobbiaco (Dobbiaco Lake). One of my favorite places to visit every time I’m in the Dolomites. Unlike Lago di Braies, here you won’t find crowds of people trying to take the perfect picture, but people who want to spend their day in peace and enjoy the idyll of the lake during a walk. Also gladly in connection with a picnic. The view of the mountains behind fascinates me every time anew and also Bea could only share my enthusiasm for this beautiful place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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view of Dobbiaco Lake (Lago di Dobbiaco). <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We continued to Cortina d`Ampezzo, where we had booked a hotel in the city for one night. For me, one of the most beautiful towns in the Dolomites. Almost all the houses are still really original – planted with colorful flowers and lovingly prepared. Our hotel (Hotel Corona) had a great location, and from our balcony we had a super view of the river, the small town center and the surrounding mountains. After arriving, we just sat outside for a few minutes and enjoyed the view that opened up before us. After the short rest, we then explored the city center a bit and treated ourselves to two pieces of cake with mountain views in the Pasticceria Lovat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

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\n\"Hiking\n\t<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\tPerfect for your hiking holiday<\/span>\n\t\t

Hiking backpacks by Tatonka with functional features and ventilated carrying system.<\/p>\n

In different sizes and colors.<\/p>\n\t\t

Go to hiking backpcks<\/a><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

Snack and sunset at the Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Three Peaks)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For dinner we had cooked up a very special plan: snack and sunset at the Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Three Peaks). For this we bought a little something in the local supermarket – a special mention should get here the mountain cheese Alta Badia, because it tastes simply ingenious!!! – and drove over the Lago di Misurina (Lake Misurina) to the Rifugio Auronzo. Since this route is partly a toll road, you have to pay a fee of 30 euros here. Arrived at the top, we were pleasantly surprised how few cars were at the parking lot. Again, early in the morning and in the evening there are not so many people on the road – to our delight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reading tip:<\/strong> How to treat and avoid blisters<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So off we went, hiking behind the Three Peaks past the Cappella degli Alpini and the Rifugio Lavaredo to the Paternsattel. From there you get the first real view of the front of the Three Peaks. And I am impressed every time anew by the rock formation that rises hundreds of meters into the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Also Bea could not get enough of this beautiful spot on earth. Because it’s not only the Three Peaks that you can see up here. You look at the Lavaredo Mountains, the Paternkofel, the Three Peaks Hut, the Haunold Massif, the Braies Dolomites and many more. And we saw all this in a wonderful soft evening light that made the green meadows look perfect and the mountains almost gentle. We had our snack right in front of the Three Peaks on a small rock and were just blissful in that moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What we unfortunately had not considered: Even in summer, it can get very cold up there in the evening, especially if, as in our case, there is also a strong wind. So packing a down jacket definitely can not hurt, possibly also the emergency gloves. We kept warm with movement and shivered towards the sunset. Due to the many clouds, we were at first unsure whether we would see the sun set at all, but then we got to see a beautiful spectacle in the sky – and already the cold was only a minor matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Sunset<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Hike to the Lago di Sorapis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Back in our hotel in Cortina d`Ampezzo, Bea and I had a hot shower and looked forward to the next day. Because there it went for us to the probably most beautiful lake in the whole Dolomites: the Lago di Sorapis (Sorapissee). Unlike the Lago di Braies, this one is not located at a parking lot, but wants to be hiked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Bea
Bea on the shores of Lago di Sorapis near the town of Cortina d’Ampezzo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The path starts at Passo Tre Croci and leads to the lake in about 1.5 hours. Just before the lake is the Rifugio Alfonso Vandelli, where you can also spend the night. However, we were first drawn to Lake Sorapi, which is only a few minutes away from the hut. As soon as you go over the last crest, you see the turquoise blue of the small lake and you can’t help but be completely in love for a moment. The next moment we noticed the crowds again and continued to the other end of the lake. Here you can always find a place (best on a rock) where you are undisturbed and can just enjoy the scenery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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