Budget Hiking In Dolomites, Italy Without a Car - One Week Itinerary

The Dolomites are a dream for hikers: jagged limestone peaks, rolling alpine meadows, and endless trails that range from gentle walks to challenging high-altitude adventures. Whether you’re an experienced trekker or a casual traveler who just wants to enjoy the views, this UNESCO World Heritage site has something for everyone.

One of the best things about the Dolomites is that you don’t need a car to explore. Val Gardena, one of the most popular valleys, is connected by an excellent network of buses and cable cars that link villages, trailheads, and mountain huts. This means you can step right out of your accommodation, hop on a lift or bus, and find yourself surrounded by breathtaking scenery within minutes.

Over the course of 7 days, you can experience the region’s most iconic highlights — from the ridgeline of Seceda and the wide pastures of Seiser Alm, to the mighty Sassolungo massif and quiet panoramic peaks like Monte Pic. Along the way, you’ll discover cozy mountain huts serving traditional South Tyrolean dishes, family-friendly adventure trails, and ridgelines that will stay in your memory long after the trip is over.

This itinerary is designed to balance famous must-see locations with peaceful, less-crowded trails, giving you the best of both worlds. Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or with children, the Dolomites are accessible, rewarding, and unforgettable.

A hotel or an apartment?

When traveling in Val Gardena, one of the first decisions is whether to stay in a hotel or rent an apartment. Hotels are convenient if you want things like daily cleaning, breakfast included, and easy check-in. However, they are usually more expensive, and eating out for every meal can quickly add up. Even simple dishes in South Tyrol restaurants can easily cost 12–15 euros or more.

For budget-conscious travelers, apartments are often the better choice. Having a kitchen allows you to cook your own meals, prepare lunch boxes for hikes, and save money overall. Grocery stores in Ortisei, Santa Cristina, and Selva are well-stocked, and many offer regional products. While some people don’t want to cook during vacation, preparing even one meal a day in your apartment can make a big difference to your budget and give you more flexibility on the trails.

Where to Stay in Val Gardena

Val Gardena is made up of three main villages: Ortisei, Santa Cristina, and Selva di Val Gardena. Each of them has its own character and makes a good base for exploring the Dolomites without a car.

Ortisei is the largest and most tourist-oriented village. It has plenty of shops, restaurants, and direct lift access to Seceda and Alpe di Siusi. It’s convenient if you like having everything at your doorstep, but it can feel busy, especially in the high season.

Selva di Val Gardena sits deeper in the valley, surrounded by dramatic peaks and close to the Sella and Puez-Odle groups. It’s a favorite for skiers in winter and hikers in summer, with direct access to Dantercepies and high alpine trails.

Santa Cristina, tucked between Ortisei and Selva, is smaller and quieter. This is where I personally prefer to stay. It feels less touristy, has a more local vibe, and the views of the Sassolungo massif from the village are absolutely stunning. You still have excellent access to lifts like Col Raiser and Monte Pana, but with a calmer, more authentic atmosphere.

If you’re traveling without a car, all three villages are well connected by buses, so you won’t miss out on any major hikes regardless of where you stay. But if you want beautiful views, peace and quiet, and easy access to trails without the crowds, Santa Cristina is the sweet spot.

Val Gardena Mobil Card

Most accommodations in Val Gardena provide guests with the Val Gardena Mobil Card, which is extremely useful. With it, you can use local buses for free throughout Val Gardena and to nearby villages. This makes it possible to reach trailheads without renting a car.

Be aware that the card is personal: you must write your name and dates of stay on it. Drivers often check, and if the card is left blank, you might not be allowed on the bus. Always keep a pen handy so you can fill it in properly the moment you receive it.

Val Gardena Lift Pass

While the Mobil Card is great for buses, to reach the most scenic hikes you’ll need to use cable cars and chairlifts. Hiking up from the valley every time can take 2–3 hours and will leave you exhausted before the real trails even start. That’s why Val Gardena offers several lift passes that cover unlimited use of cable cars for a set period.

The Val Gardena Card is the most convenient option if you plan to do several hikes in a week. It gives you unlimited access to a wide network of lifts, including popular ones to Seceda, Dantercepies, Col Raiser, and Alpe di Siusi. For this itinerar you should choose a 6-day version.

It may seem expensive at first, but if you plan to take multiple lifts per day, the card quickly pays for itself. Plus, starting hikes at higher elevations saves time and energy, allowing you to explore more of the incredible landscapes in Dolomites.

Day 1: Arrival in the Dolomites

Getting here is surprisingly easy even if you’re flying into airports outside Italy. You can take a train from major hubs like Munich, Verona, or Innsbruck to Bolzano/Bozen, the gateway city to South Tyrol. From Bolzano, frequent regional buses connect directly to the three main villages of Val Gardena — Ortisei, Santa Cristina, and Selva di Val Gardena - making the final stretch of the journey simple and scenic.

Once you’ve checked into your accommodation, take some time to get oriented. Pick up a Val Gardena Mobil Card from your host (which gives you free access to local buses), check the schedules for the routes you’ll be using during your stay, and maybe do a short evening walk through the village to stretch your legs after the trip. The atmosphere is relaxed, with traditional alpine houses, cozy cafes, and mountain views in every direction - the perfect way to ease into your adventure before hitting the trails the next day.

Day 2: Seceda

• Length: 6.3km
• Elevation: +90m/-420m
• Difficulty: Medium

Begin your day in Ortisei, where the gondola swiftly carries you up to the Seceda ridgeline. The ascent is effortless, but as soon as you step out, you’re met with one of the most dramatic landscapes in the Dolomites. The jagged spires of the Odle group rise straight out of the meadows, creating the iconic silhouette that has made Seceda famous. It’s worth taking your time here — wander along the ridge, pause at the viewpoints, and soak in the incredible panorama before setting off on your hike.

From Seceda, follow the trail across high alpine pastures toward Col Raiser. The walk is not too demanding and offers a mix of sweeping meadows, rocky backdrops, and plenty of opportunities to stop at traditional mountain huts. Many hikers choose to enjoy lunch here — whether it’s a platter of speck and cheese, hearty dumplings, or just a slice of apple strudel with coffee, the food always tastes better when paired with mountain views.

As the afternoon sets in, continue your descent to the Col Raiser gondola station. Riding the lift down brings you directly to Santa Cristina, completing a scenic loop without the strain of a long downhill hike. It’s the perfect combination: a spectacular ridgeline at the start, a relaxed alpine walk in the middle, and a comfortable ride back into the village at the end.

Back in Santa Cristina, you can spend the evening unwinding. A gentle stroll through the village streets, a drink on a terrace with views of Sassolungo, or a quiet dinner at your apartment makes for a relaxing finish to the day.

Day 3: Seiser Alm (Alpe di Siusi)

• Length: 6.8km
• Elevation: +150m/-150m
• Difficulty: Easy

Today, head to Seiser Alm (Alpe di Siusi), Europe’s largest high-altitude meadow and one of the most scenic areas in the Dolomites. The rolling pastures are dotted with wildflowers in summer, grazing cows, and charming mountain huts, creating a landscape that feels both vast and peaceful. Wide, well-marked trails make it ideal for hikers of all levels, so it’s a great day for families, couples, or solo explorers alike.

Start your adventure by taking a gondola from Ortisei to Alpe di Siusi. From there you can go in the loop to return back to the starting point. A path offers a gentle walk across the meadows with uninterrupted views of the Sassolungo and Sella groups.

Around midday, stop at a mountain hut (rifugio) for a traditional South Tyrolean lunch. I highly recommend taking apple strudel with coffee, paired with fresh mountain air and stunning views. After lunch, continue wandering through the meadows.

By late afternoon, make your way back down to the cable car, taking time to savor the peaceful scenery along the way. The wide-open landscapes, gentle trails, and unmatched Dolomite vistas make Seiser Alm a perfect contrast to the dramatic ridges of Seceda, offering a full day of unforgettable hiking.

Day 4: Sassolungo

• Length: 7km
• Elevation: +20m/-570m
• Difficulty: Medium

Today’s adventure takes you to the Sassolungo massif, one of the Dolomites’ most iconic peaks. From the village where you are staying take a bus to the Sassolungo lift area, where you can ride the cable car to the top. This saves a steep ascent and gives you instant access to breathtaking alpine views. As soon as you step off the lift, the towering rock walls of Sassolungo rise dramatically around you, creating a landscape that is both rugged and awe-inspiring.

From the summit, go down by cable car and follow the marked trails that goes in the direction of Santa Christina. The route offers plenty of opportunities for close-up views and photos, from sheer cliffs to panoramic ridges. You’ll pass open meadows, scattered boulders, and small alpine huts where you can pause for a snack or just soak in the scenery. The trail winds up and down, allowing you to experience the massif from multiple angles without retracing your steps.

In the afternoon, continue descending on foot toward Santa Cristina, completing a scenic day that blends gondola convenience with immersive hiking. By the time you reach the village, the dramatic peaks of Sassolungo will remain etched in your memory, and you’ll have enjoyed one of the Dolomites’ classic hikes in a way that’s accessible, efficient, and full of stunning vistas.

Day 5: Adventure Trail PanaRaida

• Length: 2.7km
• Elevation: +60m/-60m
• Difficulty: Easy

Today is a relaxing day designed for families with children. Head to the PanaRaida Adventure Trail with chairlift from Santa Cristina, where the focus is on fun and exploration rather than strenuous hiking. The trail winds gently through forests and meadows, with themed stations, rope bridges, and natural play areas that will keep kids entertained for hours.

While the little ones climb, balance, and explore, adults can enjoy a peaceful stroll along the shaded paths, taking in views of the surrounding peaks and breathing in the fresh mountain air. There are also several spots along the trail to pause for a picnic or a snack, making it a perfect half-day or full-day outing for families. This easygoing pace gives everyone a break from more challenging hikes while still enjoying the beauty of the Dolomites.

By the end of the day, you’ll return to your village feeling refreshed, with children happily tired and adults ready for a quiet evening in the village.

Day 6: Selva – Dantercepies

• Length: 5.9km
• Elevation: +390m/-390m
• Difficulty: Medium

Today’s hike takes you on a scenic loop from Passo Gardena to Rifugio Jimmi, up to Forcella del Cir, and down to Rifugio Dantercepies, finishing with a cable car ride back to Selva di Val Gardena. Start the day by taking a a bus to Selva and then a gondola to Passo Gardena, where the trail begins. The path to Rifugio Jimmi winds gently through alpine meadows and rocky terrain, offering sweeping views of the surrounding peaks and the Sella Group.

From Rifugio Jimmi, continue upward toward Forcella del Cir, a saddle that frames some of the Dolomites’ most dramatic rock formations. Here, the panoramic vistas are spectacular, perfect for photos and a short rest before descending. The trail down to Rifugio Dantercepies takes you along gentle ridgelines with open terraces overlooking Val Badia and the forests below. Stop at the rifugio for a snack or a warm meal — the views make it one of the most memorable huts in the valley.

Finally, take the Dantercepies cable car back down to Selva. This route combines moderate hiking with iconic Dolomite scenery, giving you a full day of adventure without the strain of climbing all the way from the valley. Returning to Santa Cristina in the evening, you’ll have experienced one of the most rewarding hikes in the Val Gardena area.

Day 7: Monte Pic

• Length: 6.2km
• Elevation: +270m/-480m
• Difficulty: Medium

For your final day in Val Gardena, head to Monte Pic for a peaceful and scenic hike away from the busier trails. Go by bus to Santa Cristina and take a short walk to the trailhead. The path winds gently through forests and alpine meadows, offering quiet moments surrounded by nature and uninterrupted views of the valley below.

As you ascend, the panorama over Val Gardena gradually unfolds, with distant peaks of the Sassolungo and Sella groups providing a stunning backdrop. The trail is less frequented than Seceda or Sassolungo, which makes it perfect for a reflective, slower-paced hike. Along the way, you’ll find spots ideal for a picnic or a short rest, where you can soak in the fresh mountain air and the serenity of the Dolomites.

Descending back toward Santa Cristina in the afternoon either on foot or by taking a cable car. You'll finish your trip on a calm, rewarding note. Monte Pic offers the perfect combination of gentle hiking, breathtaking views, and quiet reflection — a peaceful conclusion to a week of unforgettable Dolomites adventures.

Day 8: Departure

On your final day, pack up and prepare to leave the Dolomites. From your village, take a bus down to Bolzano/Bozen, the main transport hub in the region. From Bolzano, you can catch a train to your chosen airport, whether it’s Munich, Verona, or Innsbruck, depending on your flight.

If you have some extra time before your journey, take a leisurely stroll through the village one last time. Enjoy the views of the surrounding peaks, grab a final coffee or pastry, and soak in the alpine atmosphere before heading home. The calm and beauty of Val Gardena will linger long after your trip ends, leaving you with memories of breathtaking landscapes, scenic hikes, and charming mountain villages.