The 5 Best Family Hikes in the Dolomites

The Fanes Waterfalls (Cascate di Fanes) hike is a must-do hike in Cortina d'Ampezzo, in the heart of the Ampezzo Dolomites Regional Nature Park. This loop trail follows the Rio Fanes through deep gorges and a coniferous forest. Along the way, you will see a series of waterfalls. The main waterfall, around 100 meters high, is one of the most spectacular in the Dolomites.

This route is accessible to everyone, including families, and has no via ferrata sections. It allows you to admire the waterfalls from superb viewpoints.

The Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop encircles three iconic peaks of the Dolomites: Cima Grande (2,999 m), Cima Ovest (2,973 m), and Cima Piccola (2,857 m), in the Sesto Dolomites Nature Park. Starting from Rifugio Auronzo, the route is accessible to most hikers and passes through four mountain huts and two passes, offering impressive views of the north faces of the Tre Cime.

The downside is that it is one of the most popular hikes in the Dolomites and access is now strictly regulated.

The loop around Lago di Braies is a short, easy hike, located in the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park, circling one of the most photographed lakes in the Dolomites, at an altitude of nearly 1,500 meters. The emerald-green waters of the lake, dominated by the imposing rock face of Croda del Becco (Seekofel), offer one of Italy's most iconic landscapes. The downside is that the area is extremely crowded for much of the year, particularly around the rowing boat pier, the site's Instagram icon.

The Val Fiscalina valley is located in the Sesto Dolomites, enclosed within the Tre Cime Nature Park. The nearly flat route follows the valley up to Rifugio Fondovalle, which is set against a spectacular backdrop of vertical rock faces and jagged peaks: Croda dei Toni, Cima Una, Cima Undici, and Punta dei Tre Scarperi.

This very easy hike is accessible to everyone. The second half sees more foot traffic, while the first section remains wilder and more charming.

The Lago Federa hike is a round-trip route to one of the most beautiful high-altitude lakes in the Dolomites. It is located at the foot of the eastern face of Croda da Lago. The lake's waters reflect the distinctive silhouette of the Becco di Mezzodì peak, and the larch trees lining its shores turn golden in the fall, attracting many photographers. It is a short and easy route, but very popular.