When coming upon Lake Sorapis, one could easily feel as if they have found a piece of heaven on Earth. Considered a classic trail in the Dolomites, this lake owes its pristine blue waters to the limestone that encompasses it. A play with light uncovers new blues that are so bright that we feel immersed in a fairy tale, especially having come from a trail that is born in the “Tre Croci” Pass and guarantees a succession of cliffs, ravines and slopes that are simply spectacular.

The Marmolada is the highest mountain in the Dolomites. A paradise on Earth characterized by its drooping crest from east to west, with Punta Penia as the highest peak (3,342 m). This classic route on the way to mount the top of the Dolomites starts off at Fedaia Lake, passes by the Pian dei Fiacconi refuge and goes on to a via ferrata until the Punta Penia glacier (must bring your own via ferrata gear, crampons and ice axe).

There are places that just resurfaced after having been abandoned for years all while preserving their potential. The Pordoi Pass is one of those places. At 2,239 m above sea level, this mountain pass set between the regions of Veneto and Trentino-alto Adigio join the trade routes between the valleys of Fassa and Cordevole. The highest peak in the Dolomites, the Marmolada, does not leave our sight for an instant as we follow along the trail which stays at a minimum of 2,500 m above sea level.

The most iconic place in the Dolomites is the ensemble composed of the so-called “Tre Cime di Lavaredo” (the Three Peaks of Lavaredo), a spectacle which is actually the primitive remnants of an old glacier. At the banks of the Misurina Lake or starting at the midway point from the Auronzo Refuge, we can opt for various routes to reach them. The classic route and its variations are made up of stone paths, as well as smoother ones coupled with streams camouflaged by nature.

Are you still waiting for that one road bike route that will mark you for life? Take note of the Stelvio Pass, a thrilling mountain pass in the Dolomites with 48 curves rising up to 2,757 meters above sea level, it is known to be one of the toughest classic stages in the Giro d’Italia cyclist competition. Hands down, this is a unique setting with snowy peaks in the background, making way for a pure rush.

Imagine a beautiful route dotted with flowers of all colors, cows out to pasture in the distance and a cabin that offers up a hearty bowl of “Peverà”, a soup made of ground pepper, cheese and bread crumbs to top it all off. This conglomeration of experiences is what is in store on the Adolf Munkel Trek, one of the most emblematic treks in the Dolomites and set at just a few kilometers from the town of Santa Maddalena.

It was in June 2009 that the Thinking Christ statue and its famous Cross were placed at the peak of Monte Castellazzo, converting it into a new travellers monument for those in search of the perfect trail in the Dolomites. From Rolle Pass (1,980 m), we begin a walk along the gentle hill covered in pine trees and clouds until we come upon the famous statue that unleashes various surprises: the panoramic view of the Pala group massif mountains or the commanding Lagorai mountain range.

The “Strada delle 52 Gallerie” (road of 52 tunnels) combines a hiking path with the enchantment of the history of the Dolomites’ peaks. Having a military background, this line of tunnels was built by the Austro-Hungarian empire during WWI to ease the transport of supplies while staying out of harm’s way.

Some of the routes in the Dolomites hide away natural gems, such as the Fanes Cascades. After crossing the town of Fiames, we reach the start of the path that takes you along a smooth and easy trail with the promised rapture of seeing water emerge from a fairytale-like backdrop, even more so when snow is abound. One of the main alluring attractions of this trail is the choice to climb the waterfall using a via ferrata.