08/07/2025
Summer 2025 in Cortina is all about slow trekking, narrative walks and family hiking, immersed in unspoiled nature and the anticipation of the upcoming Olympic Games
Thanks to the lift systems, hiking in this area is becoming increasingly accessible and immersive. And for the summer season, there are new experiences to enjoy, such as the nature trail between the Duca d’Aosta and Pomedes mountain huts.
Cortina d’Ampezzo, July x 2025 – With the arrival of summer, the Ampezzo Dolomites open up to all hikers thanks to the network of lifts operating across the area, from Cortina to Auronzo and Misurina. These make access to the mountains easier and more inclusive, offering an experience for everyone that includes high-altitude walks, alpine culture, historical memory, and authentic mountain flavors.
Thematic and narrative hikes
Hiking at high altitude today becomes a way to tell the story of the territory, through routes dedicated to nature, geology, history, and memory. For this reason, Cortina now offers a new nature trail between Duca d’Aosta and Pomedes mountain huts, featuring educational panels on local flora and geology. It’s the season’s new highlight: a panoramic one-kilometer walk between Rifugio Duca d’Aosta and Rifugio Pomedes, accessible via the Piè Tofana – Duca d’Aosta chairlift, offering an educational itinerary with informative panels on the geology, flora and environmental curiosities of the Dolomites. The route is designed to help even less experienced visitors learn about the alpine natural heritage.
As “narrative walks,” with a focus on climate and geology, thematic trails in the Tofane area include the “Talking Rocks” trail, which begins at the Ra Valles station at 2,475 meters in the Tofane Freccia nel Cielo area and climbs up to 2,740 meters. This hike, suitable for well-trained hikers, tells the story of the Dolomites’ formation, a history dating back millions of years, through audio guides and interactive maps. From Ra Valles also starts the “Permafrost Trail,” a scientific and naturalistic route at the foot of the Tofana massif that reaches about 2,770 meters in altitude. Along the way, 12 information panels explain the workings of the “Rescue Permafrost” project, aimed at slowing the melting of permafrost using a geothermal system and an innovative refrigeration system powered by photovoltaic panels.
Both trails are intended to highlight the high-altitude environment and “use” it as a place of education and awareness about climate change and geological history. They both start from Ra Valles (2,475 m), which can be reached via the Freccia nel Cielo cable car, and lead through spectacular scenery among peaks, scientific installations and unique natural features.
Finally, among the thematic walks, there is the Kaiserjäger Trail and Mine Tunnel, following the traces of the Great War. Considered one of the most iconic hikes, it is located in the 5 Torri – Lagazuoi area, amid tunnels, trenches and fortifications. The lifts take visitors up to Rifugio Lagazuoi, at 2,752 meters, from where the trail leads to the summit of Piccolo Lagazuoi via the Kaiserjäger Trail. The route passes the Mine Tunnel and the memorial cross on the summit, offering a journey that unites nature and historical memory.
Slow trekking and outdoor wellbeing
The future of trekking in Cortina is geared toward making the mountains accessible to everyone: casual walkers, seniors, families, and people with mild disabilities. With the help of the lifts to reduce the physical effort and broaden accessibility, combined with clear signage and trails suitable for different skill levels, Cortina also promotes various environmental education initiatives, such as Rescue Permafrost.
Moreover, Cortina is not only about sport and performance but increasingly embraces slow, meditative walks, to be experienced at dawn or sunset, perfect for those seeking silence, contemplation and reconnection.
Thanks to the lifts, many high-altitude walks are easily accessible and offer panoramic views, such as the walk to Lago d’Ajal or the trail leading to Malga Maraia from Col de Varda in Misurina, and experiences of alpine forest bathing, such as in the woods of larch and fir between Fiames and Pian de Ra Spines, along the Sentiero dell’Aga in the Ampezzo Cansiglio, or along the former railway route between Cortina and Dobbiaco.
Added to these is the Val Padeon Trail, an excursion that combines the beauty of untouched alpine landscapes, including a unique view of Monte Cristallo, with the majesty and history of the Dolomites – ideal for those looking to spend a day immersed in nature, far from the crowds. Lastly, not to be missed is the Indro Montanelli Trail, a scenic and relaxing route in the Tofana – Freccia nel Cielo area of Cortina, named after the famous journalist who loved to spend his summers here.
Family hiking and trails for children
Thanks to the lift system and a network of mountain huts that also welcome younger hikers, trekking in Cortina becomes a shared experience combining nature, play, history, and local flavors. Walking at high altitude becomes an adventure accessible to all. With the help of chairlifts, it’s easy to reach the summits in just a few minutes and without effort, to enjoy spectacular landscapes. The new nature trail between Rifugio Duca d’Aosta and Rifugio Pomedes is ideal: an “open-air classroom” also suitable for children.
Children – and their parents – can also discover the stories of war heroes along the First World War trail, a simple loop route that crosses the Great War Open-Air Museum, the largest of its kind in the Alps. In these mountains, once the scene of fighting between the Italian and Austro-Hungarian armies, one can still see trenches, gun positions and tunnels carved into the rock. The route is located at an altitude between 2,000 and 2,300 meters and starts from the Bai de Dones – Rifugio Scoiattoli chairlift, easily accessible from Cortina. Here you walk along loop trails through military sites and educational installations with multilingual information panels that explain life in the trenches.
Another family-friendly trail is the Camosci Trail – so named for the high chance of spotting chamois along the way. It is one of Cortina’s iconic hikes, combining nature, wildlife and stunning views of the Tofane, starting from Rifugio Duca d’Aosta (2,098 m), accessible via the Piè Tofana chairlift.
There are also legendary Olympic stories to be discovered on foot: between the Duca d’Aosta and Pomedes chairlifts, you can admire the “Schuss,” the iconic start of the Olympia delle Tofane World Cup downhill course. The hike can continue along trails 421 and 405 to Baita Piè Tofana, built for the 1956 Winter Olympics as a timekeeping post. A chance to retrace sports history ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games.
For more athletic families, the area also offers the chance to try the “Ra Bujela” via ferrata – also known as the Maria and Andrea Ferrari route – one of the most scenic via ferratas in the Tofane area. It’s an ideal introduction to this classic Dolomite experience when done with a mountain guide.
For “baby-friendly” excursions, just outside Cortina, the Misurina and Auronzo di Cadore areas offer several options. One highlight is Italy’s longest fun bob track: a 3 km alpine coaster of curves and slopes built along the ski runs of Monte Agudo, suitable for children over eight years old.
There are also other family-friendly hikes: from Col de Varda, overlooking Lake Misurina, an easy trail leads to Malga Maraia. In Auronzo, the chairlift to Monte Agudo opens up spectacular views of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, through grassy paths, mountain goats, and picture-perfect huts, also perfect for families with children.
High-altitude huts and mountain dairies offer ideal spots for a lunch break or afternoon snack – a moment of pleasure and relaxation for the whole family.
Walking among the clouds with the Cortina Vertical Pass
For trekking lovers, the Dolomites of Cortina, Auronzo and Misurina are a true paradise: more than 400 km of marked trails wind through a landscape unlike any other in the world, waiting to be discovered by hikers of every level – from easy scenic walks to the most technical and demanding routes.
The Cortina Skiworld lift system makes even the highest trails easier to reach, whether for the beginning or the end of a day in nature. And to make the experience even more flexible and personal, there's the Cortina Vertical Pass, a hiking lift pass designed for those who want to explore the mountains freely. Available in 1-, 3-, 5- or 7-day versions (also non-consecutive), it allows access to the lifts up to the number of days purchased. A seasonal pass valid throughout summer 2025 is also available. The Cortina Vertical Pass lets you choose a new adventure every day – whether walking, trail running, or climbing along via ferratas and open-air rock gyms.
The pass can be purchased online and at lift ticket offices. It is not valid on the Col Drusciè – Ra Valles and Ra Valles – Cima Tofana lifts, and is only valid on lifts operating during the validity period.
For those exploring on two wheels, there's also the Cortina Bike Pass, a ticket specifically for cyclists that allows access to all bike-transport-enabled lifts. Available for 1 or 3 days, it can be purchased online or at the ticket offices of the participating lifts (including: 5 Torri chairlift, Faloria cable car, Rio Gere – Son Forca chairlift, Freccia nel Cielo, Socrepes, Piè Tofana – Duca d’Aosta, Tofana Express, and Taiarezze – Malon in Auronzo). This pass is also not valid on the Lagazuoi lift, Col Drusciè – Ra Valles and Ra Valles – Cima Tofana lifts.
Lastly, for those dreaming of a limitless high-altitude summer, there's the Dolomiti Supersummer Card 2025, giving access to all lifts in the Dolomiti Superski area. It can be purchased at all participating lift ticket offices.
