Cortina Showcases Slow Trekking, Narrative Walks , Family Hiking, Unspoiled Nature & Upcoming Olympics

With the arrival of summer, the Ampezzo Dolomites open up to all hikers thanks to the network of ski lifts operating in the area that goes from Cortina to Auronzo and Misurina, which transform access to the mountain into an experience suitable for everyone , including high-altitude walks, Alpine culture, historical memory and authentic flavours.

Thematic and narrative excursions

Walking at high altitude today becomes a way to tell the story of the territory, through paths dedicated to nature, geology, history and memory . And precisely for this reason Cortina offers a new nature trail, the Duca d'Aosta – Pomedes with educational panels on flora and geology. It is the novelty of the season: a panoramic walk of one kilometer between the Duca d'Aosta Refuge and the Pomedes Refuge, accessible with the Piè Tofana – Duca d'Aosta chairlift, which offers an educational itinerary thanks to a series of information panels on geology, flora and environmental curiosities of the Dolomites. The route is designed to bring even the less experienced closer to the knowledge of the Alpine natural heritage.

As “narrative” walks, with a focus on climate and geology, always in the Tofane area, you can take thematic paths such as the one dedicated to the “Rocce Parlanti” that starts from the Ra Valles station at 2475 meters in the Tofane Freccia nel Cielo area and goes up to 2740 meters, an excursion for sportsmen and women who are fit and who tell the story of the genesis of the Dolomites, a history that is millions of years old, through audio guides and interactive maps. And from Ra Valles also starts the “Permafrost” path, a scientific and naturalistic path at the foot of the Tofana massif that reaches up to about 2,770 m along which you will find 12 information panels that illustrate the functioning of the “Rescue Permafrost” project that aims to slow down the melting of the permafrost , using a geothermal system and an innovative refrigeration system powered by photovoltaic panels.

Both trails aim to enhance the high-altitude environment and “use” it as a place for education and awareness of climate change and geological history. Both routes start from Ra Valles (2,475 m), reachable by the Freccia nel Cielo cable car, and lead to spectacular landscapes including peaks, scientific stations and unique natural testimonies.

Finally, among the themed walks, there is the Sentiero del Kaiserjäger and Galleria di Mina , on the trail of the Great War. Considered one of the most iconic excursions, it is located in the 5 Torri – Lagazuoi area, among tunnels, trenches and fortifications. The facilities take you up to the Rifugio Lagazuoi, at 2,752 meters, from where you can reach the Piccolo Lagazuoi via the Sentiero del Kaiserjäger. The route touches the Galleria di Mina and the crucifix-memorial on the summit, in an itinerary that combines nature and historical memory.

Slow trekking e benessere outdoor

The future of trekking in Cortina aims to make the mountains accessible to everyone : occasional walkers, over 60s, families, people with mild disabilities through the use of facilities to reduce effort and broaden the target, clear signage and paths suitable for different levels and various environmental education projects , such as Rescue Permafrost.

Furthermore, Cortina is not only synonymous with sport and performance but is increasingly open to slow and meditative walks , to be experienced at dawn or dusk, perfect for those seeking silence, contemplation and reconnection.

And on these peaks there are many walks accessible at high altitude thanks to the facilities and which offer itineraries with panoramic views, such as the walk to Lake d'Ajal
or the one that leads to Malga Maraia from Col de Varda di Misurina, and alpine “forest bathing” experiences, such as in the Larches and Firs Forest between Fiames and Pian de Ra Spines, along the Sentiero dell'Aga in Cansiglio Ampezzo or along the former railway line between Cortina and Dobbiaco .

Added to these is the Sentiero della Val Padeon , an excursion that combines the beauty of uncontaminated Alpine landscapes, such as a unique view of Monte Cristallo, with the history and majesty of the Dolomites, a route suitable for those who want to spend a day immersed in nature, far from the most crowded routes. Finally, we cannot fail to mention the Sentiero Indro Montanelli , a panoramic and relaxing route in the Tofana – Freccia nel Cielo area of ​​Cortina that bears the name of the famous journalist who loved spending his summers in Cortina.

Family hiking and trails for children

And thanks to the ski lifts and a network of refuges ready to welcome even the littlest hikers , in Cortina trekking becomes a shared experience, between nature, games, history and flavours and walking at high altitude becomes an adventure accessible to all. With the chair lifts you can reach the peaks, effortlessly and in a few minutes, from which you can admire spectacular places. The new nature trail between the Duca d'Aosta and Pomedes refuges is ideal: an "outdoor lesson" that even the littlest ones can enjoy.

And more: children, but also parents, can discover the stories of war heroes along the path of the First World War, an easy circular hike that passes through the Open-Air Museum of the Great War , the largest open-air museum dedicated to the First World War in the Alpine region. On these mountains, which were the scene of clashes between the Italian and Austro-Hungarian armies, you can still see the trenches, shooting positions and tunnels dug into the rock. The route winds at high altitude, between 2,000 and 2,300 metres , starting from the Bai de Dones – Rifugio Scoiattoli chairlift , easily reached from Cortina. Here you walk along circular paths , between military posts and educational installations that tell – with explanatory panels in several languages ​​– the life of soldiers in the trenches.

Another family-friendly trail is the Camosci trail – so-called because of the high probability of encountering them along the route: an excursion considered iconic in Cortina that combines nature, alpine fauna and spectacular views of the Tofane starting from the Rifugio Duca d'Aosta (2,098 m), reachable by chairlift from Piè Tofana.

There is no shortage of legendary tales to be experienced on foot of Olympic glories : between the Duca d'Aosta and Pomedes chairlifts you can admire the “Schuss”, the famous initial part of the Olympia delle Tofane slope. The excursion can continue along paths 421 and 405 up to the Baita Piè Tofana, built for the 1956 Winter Olympics as a station for timekeepers. An opportunity to retrace sporting history in view of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics .

For the more sporty, these areas are also an opportunity to take the Ferrata "Ra Bujela" – known as the Via ferrata Maria and Andrea Ferrari – one of the most panoramic in the Tofane area, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, to be undertaken accompanied by an Alpine guide to introduce the little ones to a unique and typically Dolomite experience.

As for “baby-friendly” excursions, just outside Cortina, there are the areas of Misurina and Auronzo di Cadore , where for example you can find the longest fun bob in Italy: a 3 km alpine coaster on rails, with parabolic curves, hairpin bends and straights, immersed in the ski slopes of Monte Agudo, suitable for children over eight years old.

But here there are several suitable excursions From Col de Varda , with a view of Lake Misurina, a gentle path starts that leads to Malga Maraia . In Auronzo the chairlift to Monte Agudo opens the way to spectacular views of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo , among grassy paths, ibex and fabulous refuges, this route is also suitable for families of walkers.

Furthermore, at high altitude, stopping in refuges and mountain huts for lunch or a snack is a moment of pure pleasure and relaxation for the whole family.

Walking in the clouds with the Cortina Vertical Pass

For trekking enthusiasts, the Dolomites of Cortina, Auronzo and Misurina are a true paradise: over 400 km of marked trails , immersed in a landscape that is unique in the world, await hikers of all levels, from the simplest panoramic walks to the most technical and challenging itineraries .

The Cortina Skiworld ski lifts are a valuable aid for easily tackling even the highest excursions , perfect for easily reaching the starting points or for a comfortable return after a day in nature. Making the experience even more flexible and personalized is the Cortina Vertical Pass , the hiking pass designed for those who want to explore the peaks in freedom. Available in 1, 3, 5 or 7-day formulas , even non-consecutive , it allows you to use the lifts as you wish until the days purchased run out. A seasonal pass is also available , valid for the whole of summer 2025. The Cortina Vertical Pass thus allows you to choose a different adventure every day : on foot along the paths, running on the trails, or climbing with your bare hands among the via ferratas and open-air rock gyms .

The card can be purchased online and at the ticket offices of the facilities. It is not valid on the Col Drusciè - Ra Valles and Ra Valles - Cima Tofana facilities, and can only be used on facilities open during the validity period.

For those travelling on two wheels , the Cortina Bike Pass is also available , the card dedicated to bikers that allows access to all facilities that allow bike transport. Available for 1 or 3 days, it can be purchased online or at the ticket offices of the authorised facilities (including: 5 Torri Chairlift, Faloria Cableway, Rio Gere – Son Forca Chairlift, Freccia nel Cielo, Socrepes Chairlift, Pie Tofana – Duca d'Aosta, Tofana Express, Taiarezze – Malon in Auronzo Chairlift). Again, it is not valid on Lagazuoi, Col Drusciè - Ra Valles and Ra Valles - Cima Tofana.

Finally, for those who dream of a high-altitude summer without borders, there is the Dolomiti Supersummer Card 2025 , which allows access to all the facilities in the Dolomiti SuperSki area, and can be purchased at all the facility ticket offices.