The Best Time to Go Hiking in the Dolomites

Spring in the Dolomites: May & June

Why Visit the Dolomites in the Spring?

Take it from WT—mid- to late-June is arguably the best time to travel to the Dolomites. The weather is ideal for hiking adventures, hovering in the mid 50sF during the day, though you’ll encounter the occasional afternoon shower. And during the spring, the rolling meadows in the mountain’s foothills burst into color.

The Dolomites in May

Early May can still be cold and snowy in the Dolomites. But by late May, the snow is beginning to melt and the meadows start to come alive with color—hike through these breathtaking meadows of springtime wildflowers on WT’s Treasures of the Dolomites and Ultimate Dolomites adventures. Expect everything from white edelweiss blooms and purple petals of snowbells to the yellow cups of the alpine poppy. The meadow of Alpe di Siusi is home to almost 800 species of wildflowers.

The Dolomites in June

June is, in our opinion, the best time to hike the Dolomites. It’s before the crowds arrive but after the chairlifts have opened. And the snow has cleared from most roads and trails (but not the mountaintops!). June is also the month of the solstice, providing longer days for adventure.  On our June journeys you can expect gondola rides, exhilarating hikes among towering rock faces and over high plateaus, and stays at hike-in lodges.

Summer in the Dolomites: July & August

Why Visit the Dolomites in the Summer?

July is the start of peak season in the Dolomites and for good reason, with pleasantly warm temperatures. Peak season continues into August. Even during the busier weeks, WT’s Hiking in the Cortina Dolomites and Ultimate Dolomites itineraries feature overnights in hike-in lodges among the high peaks, which will feel like having the majestic mountains to yourself. Note that while clear skies are most common in the Dolomites in summer, afternoons sometimes see light rain. When deciding on your Dolomites packing list, it’s important to bring a light rain jacket no matter what month you choose to visit.

The Dolomites in July

Early July still has shoulder-season perks, like fewer crowds, which grow in number starting mid-month. Daytime temperatures hover in the high 50s to low 70s, depending on elevation, and clear skies are occasionally interrupted by light showers. By July, the snow has usually all melted and the roads, trails, and rifugios opened.

The Dolomites in August

Ideal hiking conditions and Europe’s summer break makes August the most popular time of the year to visit the Dolomites. Daytime temperatures stay in the high 50s to low 70s. August is also filled with festivals, including the important Ferragosto holiday, which further adds to the crowds. That’s why WT waits until the end of the month, when visitors thin from the Dolomites hiking trails and scenic spots, to embark on its Hiking in the Cortina Dolomites, Treasures of the Dolomites, and Ultimate Dolomites itineraries.

Fall in the Dolomites: September & October

Why Visit the Dolomites in the Fall?

Even as the season starts to wind down, there are still plenty of things to do in the Dolomites in fall. The hiking conditions are fantastic this time of year—cool and dry. With the dropping temperatures in the higher elevations, any weather that does come through the Dolomites will mean a sprinkling of snow, offering great photo opportunities. The warmer temperatures at lower elevations, averaging in the low 50s, means this snow melts quickly.

The Dolomites in September

September is a spectacular month to visit the Dolomites, with slightly fewer crowds as the peak season is past—but the weather is still lovely. September often experiences the least amount of rainfall, and you’ll find quieter trails and fewer people at popular sites like Alpe di Siusi and Latemar Labyrinth, which feature in WT’s Treasures of the Dolomites and Ultimate Dolomites adventures.

The Dolomites in October

While October remains a feasible time to go on a Dolomites hiking adventure, this month is when the season winds down. Chairlifts, gondolas, and rifugios begin to close for the winter, and the weather turns cool, averaging in the mid 40s. We don’t run our Dolomites journeys in October, but for those who don’t mind the cold and shorter days—and are open to the potential snowfall and icy trails in the morning at higher elevations—October can be a great time to visit the Dolomites. The biggest draw for coming this month is catching peak foliage; the larches blanket the landscape in gold.

Winter in the Dolomites: November-April

Why Don’t we Visit the Dolomites in the Winter?

For a hiking journey, we recommend skipping November through April, since trails are muddy and icy and most amenities are shut for the season. Instead, winter is ski season in the Dolomites. Starting in December is when the winter Dolomites come alive with ski resorts opening, towns decked out for the holidays, and residents celebrating the holidays. For better ski conditions, though, opt to visit from January to March, when everything is fully open and powder days are plenty.