From easy lakeside to bucket-list ridgeline: 4 Dolomites trails I keep recommending...

Hi Reader,

Currently writing this from our new home in Belgium, on borrowed furniture and waiting for our household goods to arrive (they just left Vicenza today, and my Apple Airtags tell me the driver is in Austria!)

It's been a long month of new routines and finding my rhythm here in Belgium, and when I can catch my breathe I'd love to tell you all about it (and our new neighbors!)

For right now, I want to talk about Day Hikes in the Dolomites! Trails you should put on your radar if you are planning a trip to the Dolomites and wondering which trail might be the best for you!

There's no single right answer; it depends on what you want from the day. So here are four trails I keep sending people to, each for a very different kind of traveler.

🟢 The "I want a beautiful day without killing myself" hike

​Panevaggio Forest & Sentiero Marcio (Val Venegia)​

If you want jaw-dropping views without earning them via 1,000m elevation gain, this is it. Easy, family-friendly, and the Pale di San Martino reveal at the end of the meadow is one of the best in the Dolomites for the effort required. Bring a picnic. Stay longer than you think you should.

I know the PERFECT hotel to stay at, too, Hotel Stalon Alpine Chic. Why? It was the day before my big Palaronda Trek, and a belt in my engine snapped as I was driving up to San Martino. The hotel jumped into action to make sure I was taken care of. They set me up with a mechanic and got me squared away. Later that night, they told me, " Dinner was on them." It was the staff and management jumping in to take care of me that made a lasting impression.

🔵 The "I want a turquoise lake photo" hike

​Lago di Sorapis​

The milky blue lake everyone posts. Yes it's worth it. No it's not as easy as Instagram makes it look, there are some exposed ledge sections that solo hikers should mentally prepare for. My full guide covers parking, timing to avoid the crowds, and the safety considerations I wish someone had told me.

🔴 The "I'm here for the bucket-list shot" hike

​Tre Cime di Lavaredo​

The three iconic peaks. The hike most people fly to the Dolomites for. My full solo hiking guide breaks down the loop, where to start, where to stop for lunch (Rifugio Locatelli is a must), and how to handle the 2026 parking reservation system without losing your mind.

🍂 The "I'm planning ahead for September/October" hike

​Lago Federa: Golden Larch Hike​

Saving this one for last on purpose. If you're booking fall travel, get this on your radar now. For about two weeks in late September to mid-October, the larch trees around Lago Federa turn brilliant gold, and the whole basin glows. It's one of the most magical fall hikes in Europe, and it's earned the trip on its own.

This one makes the PERFECT girls' trip hike! The sauna, the homemade grappa..UNO with strangers who become friends!

Update on my Iceland group trip:

Spots are still open for Iceland, and I want you to come with me. Still looking for 13 women to join me in January for an epic adventure in Iceland. I've got 1 traveler so far, and we're both psyched for the Northern Lights and a beautiful adventure in Iceland. Check out my Trova Group Trip Page.

I have till October 28th for people to sign up, but I caution against waiting till the last minute because the down payment will be hefty.

I sat down and ran the real January 2027 numbers. What would it cost Solo vs My Group Trip? I calculated EVERYTHING!

My group trip is $3,928. That's 6 nights of lodging, private coach all week (so nobody's white-knuckling an icy road), an Icelandic guide for 7 days, most of your meals, the Golden Circle, South Coast, Snæfellsnes, the glacier lagoon, Blue Lagoon, Krauma, and three separate nights chasing the Northern Lights.

The same week solo? Once you add up solo-occupancy hotels, a 4x4 with Iceland's new kilometer tax, fuel, tours, entries, and meals, you're at $4,500–$4,700. Solo always runs higher than people expect, because everything's cheaper split two ways. Most budget guides quietly tack on 50–70% for solo travelers.

At least with this group trip, you won't have to plan, nor will you have to worry about driving in Iceland (ask me how I felt about that when I went Solo last time?! LOL)

So, my friends, it's a deal!

That's all for this week, stay curious, my friends!

Kimberly

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