Italian Dolomites Alpine Driving Tour
The Dolomite Road from Bolzano to Cortina D'Ampezzo by Car
Jul 23, 2009
UNESCO only made official what travelers have known all along – that Italy’s Dolomites are among the most beautiful mountain landscapes on earth. The Strada delle Dolomiti – the Dolomite Road – reveals some of their most beautiful spots. The actual driving time is only three hours, but allow at least two days for the trip, in order to savor the views, walk a few trails, ride a mountain lift for higher views, explore some of the smaller side valleys and enjoy life (and the mountain cuisine) in the little Alpine villages.
Drive Through a Gorge
To follow the Strada delle Dolomiti, leave Bolzano, north of Verona in northern Italy, on SS-241, following the Ega River through the undulating curves of a deep, narrow gorge carved through the rock. A waterfall pours out of a cave on the wall of the gorge, and from a pull-out at the far end there is a view back at Castel Cornedo, perched on a rock above the river.
Views from Passo di Costalunga
The road climbs past the town of Nova Levante, whose tiny historic onion-domed church sits below the road level, and Nova Ponente, where the Chiesa Santa Elena has excellent 14th-century frescos. Walking trails lead into the surrounding hills. The road continues to climb, past tree-surrounded Lake Carezza and over Passo di Costalunga, one of the loveliest on the route, with tall pine trees framing views of mountain peaks.
Ladinos Descended from Roman Legionnaires
From this elevation, the road drops precipitously into the Val di Fassa, a center for the region’s Ladino culture. The Museo Ladino di Fassa, in Vigo di Fassa, looks at the traditions of this unique ethnic group descended from Roman soldiers. In Poza di Fassa, turn left onto S-48, following signs to Canazei, a good base for hiking or skiing. Homes here are painted with colorful Tyrolean frescoes, and a waterfall drops into the village center. Nearby in Campitello di Fassa, the Museo degli Sci shows ski and winter sports equipment from the past 100 years.
Cable Cars to More Dolomite Views
East of Canazai the S-48 climbs the 7300-foot Passo Pordoi, surrounded by three of the Dolomites’ 10,000-footers. Ride La Funivia, a cable car, to Sass Pordoi for the views from the terrace of Refugio Maria, at just under 10,000 feet elevation. Another funicular climbs from Arabba to Col Burz, for panoramic views. Views from the town itself are lovely, down into a green valley with farms below looking like toys.
World War I Battle Sites
Above the road in Andraz, the ruins of Castello di Andraz, built in the 14th century to protect the town from bandits, cling to a rocky crag. The road climbs dizzily to the Falzarego Pass, once the border between Austria and Italy and scene of bitter fighting in World War I. Memorials mark several places. One more panorama awaits at Pocol, before the S-48 reaches Cortina D'Ampezzo, site of the 1956 Winter Olympics.
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