DOLOMITES, ITALY / 7-DAY ROAD TRIP
Dolomites Road Trip: 7 Days from Bolzano to Lake Braies
Pale mountain towers, turquoise lakes and two unforgettable passes. Follow a 7-day route with stops in order, named roads, overnight bases and the driving mistakes to avoid.
At a glance
Why this road trip is worth doing
Give the Dolomites seven days and the drive becomes a holiday rather than a race between viewpoints. This west-to-east route follows the Great Dolomites Road from Bolzano through the Fassa Valley, crosses Pordoi and Falzarego, then finishes with Cortina and Lake Braies. It works particularly well for a first visit because the overnight bases move with you. Leave a whole day around Cortina and another around Dobbiaco instead of collecting distant lakes in a single afternoon.
Stops in order
Bolzano → Lake Carezza → Canazei → Passo Pordoi → Passo Falzarego → Cortina d’Ampezzo → Dobbiaco → Lake Braies.
The roads to follow
SS241 via Lake Carezza and Passo Costalunga; SS48 through Canazei and Passo Pordoi; SR48 via Arabba and Passo Falzarego to Cortina; SS51 to Dobbiaco; SS49 and the signed Braies valley road for the lake excursion.
How to spread the trip over 7 days
Day 1 Bolzano; day 2 Carezza–Canazei; day 3 Pordoi–Falzarego–Cortina; day 4 Cortina; day 5 Dobbiaco; day 6 Braies excursion; day 7 depart from Dobbiaco.
Where to stay
- Night 1: Bolzano. Choose accommodation with confirmed parking.
- Night 2: Canazei. Choose accommodation with confirmed parking.
- Nights 3–4: Cortina d’Ampezzo. Choose accommodation with confirmed parking.
- Nights 5–6: Dobbiaco. Choose accommodation with confirmed parking.
The routing mistake to avoid
Do not let navigation replace Pordoi and Falzarego with a faster valley transfer. Lake Braies has seasonal access management: check the dated rules before committing to a drive.
Distance and pacing
Approximately 250–300 km, including the Lake Braies return to Dobbiaco. This is a planning estimate, not a measured navigation track. Hotel approaches, parking searches and extra excursions add distance. Save the named intermediate places before departure; do not rely on a single start-to-finish search.
Mapped and ready
See the real route before you set off
Open the interactive map before travelling and save an offline map for the journey.
Sass Pordoi, Dolomite
Take time between the main stops: Bolzano → Lake Carezza → Canazei → Passo Pordoi → Passo Falzarego → Cortina d’Ampezzo → Dobbiaco → Lake Braies.
Useful overnight bases
Overnight accommodation
Compare places to stay near the route →Live prices from Booking.com. Affiliate link: Days Out Now may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Bolzano
Bolzano, Italy
Compare stays in Bolzano →Canazei
Canazei, Italy
Compare stays in Canazei →Cortina d’Ampezzo
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
Compare stays in Cortina d’Ampezzo →Dobbiaco
Dobbiaco, Italy
Compare stays in Dobbiaco →Accommodation links are affiliate links. Days Out Now may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices and availability are set by the booking provider.
Route itinerary
Build the journey day by day
Bolzano
Allow half a day for the arcaded streets and a relaxed first evening. Collect the car after city sightseeing if possible.
Road to follow: Start in Bolzano.
Route advice: Start in Bolzano.
Parking or booking: Choose accommodation parking outside restricted central streets.
Lake Carezza
Allow 1–2 hours for the lake viewpoints and an unhurried break below the Latemar peaks.
Road to follow: SS241 east through Val d’Ega.
Route advice: SS241 east through Val d’Ega
Parking or booking: Use the signed lake parking; do not stop on the main road.
Canazei
Spend the evening in the Fassa Valley and keep any cable-car excursion separate from the pass-driving day.
Road to follow: Continue SS241 over Costalunga, then SS48 north through the valley.
Route advice: Continue SS241 over Costalunga, then SS48 north through the valley.
Parking or booking: Book a hotel with parking; check lift operations separately.
Passo Pordoi
Pause at the summit for the mountain panorama. Allow extra time if taking the cable car, subject to weather.
Road to follow: SS48 east from Canazei over the Pordoi hairpins.
Route advice: SS48 east from Canazei over the Pordoi hairpins.
Parking or booking: Use designated summit parking; cable-car tickets are separate.
Passo Falzarego
A second mountain stop with a very different outlook. Keep it a viewpoint visit unless you have booked extra time for walking.
Road to follow: Descend through Arabba, then follow SR48 via Livinallongo to Falzarego.
Route advice: Descend through Arabba, then follow SR48 via Livinallongo to Falzarego.
Parking or booking: Use marked parking and remain off the carriageway.
Cortina d’Ampezzo
Allow a full day for the town and one chosen mountain outing. Do not combine every cable car and lake on the same day.
Road to follow: SR48 east down from Falzarego.
Route advice: SR48 east down from Falzarego.
Parking or booking: Use town parking or your hotel; seasonal traffic can be slow.
Dobbiaco
Use this as a two-night base for the northern lakes and the last stage of the trip.
Road to follow: SS51 north via the Landro valley.
Route advice: SS51 north via the Landro valley.
Parking or booking: Arrange overnight parking with your accommodation.
Lake Braies
Allow a half-day excursion for the lake and a waterside stroll suited to your ability. Return to Dobbiaco afterwards.
Road to follow: SS49 west, then the signed Braies valley road; return the same way.
Route advice: SS49 west, then the signed Braies valley road; return the same way.
Parking or booking: Check current reservation, shuttle and vehicle-access rules before travelling.
Before you go
Practical information
Some accommodation and activity links are affiliate links. If you book through them, Days Out Now may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Bookings are made with the provider; this is an independent route guide, not a package holiday sold by Days Out Now.
For a different trip, compare Bernina Express to Lake Como: The Ultimate 5-Day Itinerary. Another option is Austria Road Trip: Ultimate 7-D
Parking
Choose accommodation parking outside restricted central streets. Specific stop advice appears below.
Tickets and booking
Book accommodation with confirmed parking, then any timed attraction visits. For car hire, confirm the permitted road use, excess and return location. Include fuel or charging, parking, attraction tickets and any ferry, road charge or one-way return fee in the budget. Current prices are not fixed by this guide.
Seasonal considerations
June to September offers the broadest summer sightseeing options; pass weather and individual attraction access still need checking. October can be quieter but mountain services reduce.
Toilets and refreshments
Use Bolzano, Canazei, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Dobbiaco for meals, shopping and overnight facilities. Carry water and a snack for the scenic sections; do not assume a viewpoint has toilets, a café or phone signal.
Terrain
Public-road sightseeing with optional walking at stops. SS241 via Lake Carezza and Passo Costalunga; SS48 through Canazei and Passo Pordoi; SR48 via Arabba and Passo Falzarego to Cortina; SS51 to Dobbiaco; SS49 and the signed Braies valley road for the lake excursion.
Accessibility
Driving access does not mean step-free sightseeing. Town centres can have slopes and cobbles; beaches, ruins and viewpoints can involve uneven ground or steps. Ask each attraction and accommodation about the exact facilities you need before booking. Longer walks are optional.
Dogs
Check each accommodation, attraction and transport provider before bringing a dog. Beach and site restrictions can be seasonal. Keep dogs under control around livestock and wildlife. This is not a verified pet-friendly itinerary.
Public transport
This itinerary is designed for a car. Public transport may serve individual towns, but it does not automatically connect these viewpoints in the same order. Check a separate bus, rail or guided-tour plan if travelling without a car.
Road conditions, tolls or permits
Do not let navigation replace Pordoi and Falzarego with a faster valley transfer. Lake Braies has seasonal access management: check the dated rules before committing to a drive. SS241 via Lake Carezza and Passo Costalunga; SS48 through Canazei and Passo Pordoi; SR48 via Arabba and Passo Falzarego to Cortina; SS51 to Dobbiaco; SS49 and the signed Braies valley road for the lake excursion. Check current road notices, local access zones and any charge on your exact approach; no universal toll-free claim is made.
Safety
Follow road signs, weather warnings and current access restrictions. Pull fully into authorised parking before taking photographs. The KML is a planning resource, not turn-by-turn navigation.
Important cautions
Do not let navigation replace Pordoi and Falzarego with a faster valley transfer. Lake Braies has seasonal access management: check the dated rules before committing to a drive.
Days Out Now Free Travel Club
Take the useful bits with you
Join free for GPX route files and access to Days Out Now member benefits, including eligible days-out savings.
Useful answers
Dolomites Road Trip: 7 Days from Bolzano to Lake Braies FAQs
How long should I allow?
Allow 7 days and 6 nights for this version. Day 1 Bolzano; day 2 Carezza–Canazei; day 3 Pordoi–Falzarego–Cortina; day 4 Cortina; day 5 Dobbiaco; day 6 Braies excursion; day 7 depart from Dobbiaco.
Which roads should I put into navigation?
SS241 via Lake Carezza and Passo Costalunga; SS48 through Canazei and Passo Pordoi; SR48 via Arabba and Passo Falzarego to Cortina; SS51 to Dobbiaco; SS49 and the signed Braies valley road for the lake excursion.
Can I use the KML as a driving route?
No. It contains named planning stops only. Add a directions layer using the written roads, check each approach and follow current signs and restrictions.
What is the main route-planning mistake to avoid?
Do not let navigation replace Pordoi and Falzarego with a faster valley transfer. Lake Braies has seasonal access management: check the dated rules before committing to a drive.
When is the best time to go?
June to September offers the broadest summer sightseeing options; pass weather and individual attraction access still need checking. October can be quieter but mountain services reduce.
Keep exploring
Related Days Out Now guides
For local businesses
Own somewhere visitors should discover near Dolomites, Italy?
Showcase a relevant place to stay, food stop, attraction or activity while Days Out Now keeps editorial control.
MAKE MORE OF YOUR DAY
Nearby places to visit, eat and stay
Nearby suggestions will load here.
MAKE MORE OF YOUR DAY
Explore more places on the map
Choose what you need, then use the map to compare locations and plan the rest of your day.
Leave a Reply