Road trip to make you fall in love with the Dolomites

Heavenly mountains, green valleys and lakes with crystalline waters declared World Heritage... Welcome to our car route through the Dolomites! The Dolomites are one of the world’s most amazing mountain ranges due to the rich natural beauty of their alpine landscapes, forests, rivers and magnificent valleys. No wonder that it has become one of the most visited hiking spots for nature lovers at any time of year, and that it is making a great impression among bloggers and Instagrammers from around the world.

If you are a mountain-boot-wearer who is to be found beyond the beaten path, then this route is for you. Let’s get started!

Car route that will make you fall in love with the Dolomites

We start our car trip by renting our vehicle for the Dolomites with Centauro Rent a Car, at the Bergamo Airport or at the office of Milan Malpensa and we get going. We head towards the Alps, northwestern Italy, where we will drive through the Dolomite regions that extend through Trento, Bolzano, Belluno, Udine and Pordenon.

Day 1: Bolzano and Trento

Our first stop on the Dolomite rental car route is the town of Trento, nestled in the heart of the Eastern Alps. Here you can take a stroll through the historic old town and the square of the Duomo where you will find the cathedral. Don't forget to visit the famous Castle of Buonconsiglio and, if you have time, take a look at the Science Museum.

One hour from Trento is Bolzano, another spot we recommend you discover since the city is surrounded by magnificent medieval castles and includes a Museum of Archaeology that preserves the oldest mummy in the world.

Day 2: Valle di Funes, waterfall of Barbiano and Brunico

For our second day's drive through the Dolomites we recommend visiting the Valle di Funes and its small church of San Giovanni in Ranui, one of the most photographed spots in the Dolomites.

After visiting the church you can enjoy a one-hour walk to the Barbiano Waterfalls, where abundant torrents of water stream over the edge and down the mountain, a natural spectacle well worth seeing.

In the afternoon, we suggest you take your rental car and head over to Brunico, a small town with picturesque facades, and visit St. Catherine’s Church and the Sternbach Palace.

Aerial view of the houses of the funes valley

Día 3: Lake Braies and Cortina d'Ampezzo

Our first stop on the third day of the Dolomites route is Lake Braies, the largest lake in the Dolomites and one that will most impress visitors. In summer, the lake is emerald-colored, and in winter, it is frozen over and covered with snow. We are still not sure which of the two seasons is best to admire its beauty…. You can take advantage of the opportunity for fishing and hiking.

After this glimpse of natural beauty we head towards Cortina d'Ampezzo. This small village, surrounded by mountains such as Becco di Mezzodì, Tofane and Pomagno, has a long history as a tourist attraction, since it is home to one of the main ski resorts in northern Italy

Crystal clear lake surrounded by mountains in di Braies

Day 4: Lago di Sorapis and Lago di Misurina

We begin our fourth day of travel through the Dolomites by entering a terrain full of the lakes, with a hiking route fromPasso Tre Croci to Lago di Sorapis. On this route we will hike through mountainous landscapes until arriving at Lago di Sorapis, with its turquoise waters.

From there, we will continue our route to Lake Misurina, where we will be able to admire the sunset with the Three Peaks of Lavaredo, the Mecca of the Dolomites, in the background.

Small crystal clear lake surrounded by mountains in di Sorapis

Day 5: The Three Peaks of Lavaredo

Today is a day for trekking, we set course for the Three Peaks of Lavaredo with a trekking excursion to enjoy its picturesque peaks, which are called Piccola, Grande and Ovest. The three summits are formed by vertical walls that ascend for 700 meters. If you are not in very good shape, then you can choose to make a fairly simple circular excursion, which lets you to get to the top in about 3.5 hours and enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the legendary Dolomites. During the route, you can take a peek into different caves dug into the rock that open onto the path at the base of the mountains where the soldiers of the First World War took refuge.

Man hiking on the three peaks of Lavaredo

Day 6: Giau Pass, Alleghe and Marmolada

After enjoying hiking, trekking and strolling through natural landscapes in the Dolomites, we arrive at the last day of our route, when we will explore Giau Pass, Alleghe and Marmolada. Take your car and head to the top of Giau Pass, nestled at an altitude of 2,236 meters, where you can enjoy beautiful mountain scenery. Once you reach the top, you will be able to relish unforgettable panoramic views of the Dolomites.

After enjoying these views, we continue our road trip through the Dolomites until we reach the village of Alleghe, located at the foot of Monte Civetta and bathed by Lake Alleghe. We suggest that you enjoy the day with a stroll around the lake and the town, and through the surrounding forests.

As the conclusion of your journey through the Dolomites, we suggest you follow the route to the highest mountain in Italy, the Marmolada, which is home to the only great glacier in the entire mountain range. There you will find a cable car which will take you up to Punta Rocca, at an altitude of more than 2,600 meters.

So much for our Dolomite adventure! To wrap up your route by car we will be waiting for you at our Centauro Rent a Car offices, where you can return your car before travelling back home.