Dolomites Base Town: Dobbiaco
Dobbiaco - also known as Toblach - in the Pusteria Valley of South Tyrol Province was our chosen base town while exploring Tre Cime National Park and Fanes-Senes-Braies National Park in the eastern region of the Dolomites. Using public transportation (buses) from Dobbiaco, we did several day hikes that covered all the major attractions, including Tre Cime, Lake Misurina, Lago di Braes, and Prato Piazza. We also stored our extra luggage in Dobbiaco during a multi-night mountain hut excursion in Tre Cime National Park that included Via Ferrata Nord Croda Rossa and Via Ferrata Strada degli Alpini.
Lake Dobbiaco and Tre Cime National Park
Lake Dobbiaco and Tre Cime National Park
Dobbiaco was an ideal base town for us. We arrived via train from Bolzano, the gateway to the Dolomites. The town is small enough to walk everywhere, but with buses to all the major attractions. It is picturesque, with typical German alpine-style buildings. A bike trail and train line connect Dobbiaco with all the major towns along the northern periphery of the Dolomites in South Tyrol. Side Note: This area was part of the Austrian Empire until the end of World War I, when it was ceded to Italy. The culture - food, language, architecture, attitude, and punctuality — is undoubtedly German.
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We stayed in two historic hotels while in Dobbiaco. Park Hotel Bellevue is a four star family-run hotel currently managed by the family’s fourth generation. Sandra and Andres are impeccable hoteliers, with superb attention to little delightful details. Their off-the-beaten-path day hike recommendations were spot on! We particularly enjoyed the hot spa, the amazing breakfast, and the daily newsletter with exploration ideas.
We also stayed at Hotel Baur am See on Lake Dobbiaco, another historical hotel dating back to the turn of the 20th century. The rooms are apartment-style, with a sitting area, kitchenette, and private bathroom. It’s also on the bus line running through Tre Cime National Park to Cortina d’Ampezzo, making it easy to access major attractions. The lake is quiet and serene, with a circumnavigating trail shared with a variety of colorful ducks, loons, and swans. The hotel is chock full of antiques and stories.
Our next base town was Ortisei in Val Gardena, perfect for exploring: Seceda, Alpe di Suisi, Sassalungo, and several via ferratas VF Oskar Schuster, VF Sas Rigas, VF Pitla Gran Cir, and VF Col Rodella.
