Our advice
Excursions and activities in the Cortina area
There are more than 400 kilometres of trails in the Cortina area.
It is essential to mention the tracks of the Great War with the open-air museums on the Cinque Torri and the Lagazuoi. The Kaiserjäger path, created by the Austrians, leads to the top of Lagazuoi, and the impervious tunnels (recently equipped), created by the Italian soldiers, lead to the starting point at the Falzarego pass.
The Museum of the Great War, where more than 2000 war relics are collected, is located in the "Tre Sassi" fort towards Valparola.
The area's oldest and most panoramic refuge is undoubtedly the Nuvolau, which offers a 360° view, between the Ampezzo and Agordino Valley, with the Civetta as the protagonist.
Another place in the Ampezzo Dolomites Natural Park that deserves a visit is the Val di Fanes with its waterfalls, which inspired the legends of the Kingdom of the Fanes.
In addition to the excursions that can be enjoyed on a single day, the Alte Vie is also worth mentioning. The Alta Via N. 1 has its first stages right in the Ampezzo Dolomites, an opportunity to admire the stars during this long trek; for the less trained, the chance to admire a magnificent starry sky is possible from the Col Druscié observatory at an altitude of 1,778 meters.
You cannot miss shopping in the center for moments of rest and leisure. The obligatory stop is undoubtedly the Cooperativa di Cortina. In this shopping center, you can find the most varied items: from souvenirs to wines, from sporting goods to clothing for adults and children, from toys to perfumes, to books, to even typical food...
For craftsmanship, from inlaying to filigree jewels, the Ampezzo Artistic Craftsmanship is not lacking in elegance and tradition.
Finally, a cultural moment can be satisfied with the museums of the Regole d'Ampezzo: the Museum of Modern Art "Mario Rimoldi," the "Rinaldo Zardini" paleontological Museum, and the "Regole d'Ampezzo" ethnographic Museum.
Dolomite Bike Road and MTB routes
The Dolomites cycle path retraces the old railway line abandoned in the 1960s, connecting Calalzo di Cadore to Dobbiaco in Alta Pusteria. The 60-kilometer-long railway had been built during the Great War to get supplies and troops to the front faster. Thanks to the Bike'n Bus service, you can load your bike onto an equipped bus and choose to do so only the stretches you prefer.
However, you can also leave directly from the Cortina bus station and, passing easily from the asphalt to the dirt road, quickly arrive in Fiames. Then continue towards Ospitale, crossing a few tunnels and the bridge over the Felizon, which deserves a quick stop to look at the ravine below.
Between old military barracks and the Négro Lake, we arrive at Cimabanche, which deserves a visit for refreshment at the chalet. The dirt road then continues to Dobbiaco and the lake of the same name
There are numerous mountain bike routes in the Ampezzo Dolomites Natural Park, which is more or less tiring, given the possibility of using the ski lifts.
With the cable car, you can reach the top of Faloria and go down to Rio Gere or go up to Son Forca on Cristallo to go down to the long and panoramic Val Padeon.
The tour to Fanes is one of the more demanding routes, crossing Malga Ra Stua, the Sennes refuge, and the Fodara Vedla refuge along the way to descend to Pederü and return along the Fanes valley and the Limo pass to Fiames.
