Introduction
When you think of Cortina d'Ampezzo you think of skiing, but our valley is also beautiful in the summer, when activities such as hiking allow you to approach the mountains in a more natural way, without lifts and bulky equipment. In this page we want to talk about what we think are the most beautiful easy hikes of Cortina d'Ampezzo. By easy we mean that they can be done with little training by almost everyone and that allows you to enjoy, without too much effort, the most interesting views and glimpses of the valley.
... always use suitable and tested clothing...
The page is divided into three levels, from walks to the most challenging excursions, but always remaining in the context of excursions suitable for the family. All the recommended excursions are more than tested, are made personally at least once a year with friends more or less trained, the time taken is the average for a person accustomed to walk in the mountains, but not sporty.
Even though these trails are easily accessible, never underestimate the mountains. When you go on a hike, we always recommend you to use appropriate clothing, starting from the shoes, which must be specifically made for the mountains. Always bring a backpack with at least some water, a snack and a jacket for the rain. Remember not to litter and not to leave garbage around.
The paths in Cortina are usually always well marked, but try not to venture into places where you don't feel safe. If you find yourself at a crossroads, it is generally a good idea to choose the most walked path. If you are not sure which direction is the right one, look for the correct red and white signposts drawn on trees or rocks: they are the safest way not to get lost. If you want more tips for novice hikers, here you can read our articles about it.
Remember that for each excursion there are different variants, each hike that you'll find on this page has been selected trying to find the right balance between effort, panorama and possibility of refreshment in the mountain lodges. If you want to try some more challenging experiences or you don't feel too safe to go alone, you can always hire a professional guide, you can find them on the website of Alpine Guides of Cortina d'Ampezzo. In case you are not very trained, remember to proceed a little at a time and do not start immediately with the more challenging hikes. If you have any suggestions don't hesitate to contact us, clicking here.
Easy walks
We have collected in this section all the easy walks, suitable for those seeking tranquility or an excursion to do with children. If there are some more challenging sections that will always be optional and clearly described. For these walks it's suggested the use of mountain clothing, but nothing too technical is necessary. Remember however to take some water and something to eat.
Easy hikes
These hikes are almost for everybody and can be done in half a day, even by those who are not trained. They are however relatively long, which require the use of appropriate equipment: mountain shoes and a backpack with water, rain jacket and something to eat. They can also be done with young people, but they are not suitable for small children, as they can have steep climbs or long paths.
Slightly challenging trekkings
This category includes all the hikes suitable for those who have a minimum of training. They are not excessively technical routes, do not include via ferrata (iron path) or exposed passages, but they do have steep climbs and demanding height differences. To be able to face these excursions it's necessary to have a certain experience with the mountain, to use adequate shoes and clothing. These treks are not recommended for families with children or younger people, as it takes some endurance to reach the destination.
Winter walks and hikes
On this page we'd like to describe the best walks to take in Cortina d'Ampezzo in winter. These excursions are accessible to everyone and take place along snow trails groomed by snowmobiles and snowcats. All trails allow you to come back sledding, and can also be done as ski mountaineering. The winter walks are an excellent alternative to alpine skiing and allow you to relax even during the cold season.
Closeout
Before saying goodbye, we want to give you some more information about Cortina. The town of Cortina d'Ampezzo is the third largest in the Veneto region, so from the point of view of hiking, it offers a wide variety of treks, given the vastness of the territory. Cortina is surrounded by the Dolomites, which give to the valley a beauty unique in the world. Among the most famous mountains there are the Tofane, the Cristallo, the Pomagagnon, the Becco di Mezzodì, the Faloria, the Sorapiss, the Croda da Lago and the Nuvolau group. The altitude of the territory varies from 1057 to 3244 meters, so it's possible to practice different sports: from walks in the woods, to high altitude trekking, to rock climbing in equipped routes. Cortina d'Ampezzo has more than 400 km of marked trails, controlled and maintained in good condition by the volunteers of the C.A.I. of Cortina, the Regole d'Ampezzo and the Alpine Guides.
... over 400 km of marked trails...
In addition to the natural beauty of the landscape, Cortina is the home of the Regional Natural Park of the Ampezzo Dolomites, a protected natural area of 37,000 hectares,
a quarter of which are nature reserves.
The area has a very diversified flora and fauna. The flora is composed mostly of conifers, which hide a very diversified and complex undergrowth.
I personally do not recommend eating wild plants, but you could easily find blueberries, strawberries and mushrooms along your hikes.
For flower lovers, the area of Ra Stua hides a great variety of orchids.
The fauna is typical of the mountain, with roe deer and foxes that can now even be seen in the town, as well as squirrels, chamois, ibexes and
marmots. It's not uncommon, in winter, to have large groups of wild animals crossing the roads, so be careful and drive slowly.
Is clear that the excursion offer of Cortina d'Ampezzo is very varied, so all you have to do is to take your mountain shoes and go for a nice walk. We take this opportunity to remind you that the mountain is first of all nature, so try to forget for a few hours the phone, the city, the chaos and the work. Instead, observe the wonders that Mother Nature has to offer, which in Cortina d'Ampezzo have found a wonderful way to express themselves.
Conclusion
We hope you liked our page on the best and easiest hikes of Cortina. Before saying goodbye, we would suggest you read all the articles we wrote about Cortina d'Ampezzo by clicking here.
If you like our website and you'd like to thank us for the work done, you can give us a little help or a contribution by visiting the page ❤Support us.