Dolomites tour from Cortina d'Ampezzo: Five passes and cable cars

Five mountain passes in one loop, starting and ending in Cortina

A half-day or full-day tour through the Dolomites departing from Cortina d'Ampezzo, with private transport and an English-speaking guide. The route crosses Falzarego pass, Val Badia, Passo Gardena, Passo Sella and Passo Pordoi, with optional cable car ascents at Lagazuoi and Sass Pordoi, and returns via the Giau pass. Children from age 5 are welcome. The vehicle is air-conditioned with WiFi on board.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day Dolomites tour from Cortina

• Depart from Cortina d'Ampezzo
• Stop at Lake Misurina
• Pass by alpine lake on road to Dobbiaco
• Enjoy breathtaking Dolomites views
• Visit famous Dolomites lake
• Pass through Alta Badia village
• Pass through Corvara village
• Pass through Colfosco on ascent to Passo Gardena
• Admire breathtaking Dolomites views
• Pass through Arabba ski resort village
• Enjoy one of the most beautiful Dolomites views
• Return to hotel in Cortina

The experience

The tour starts in Cortina and heads straight into the high passes. You stop at Falzarego pass first, where the Lagazuoi cable car is available if you want to ride up, no obligation. From there the route drops into Val Badia, passing through San Cassiano and Villa Corvara, two of the villages that make up Alta Badia. Short stops in the villages let you step out and look around, though the pace keeps moving through the valleys.

The heart of the day is the three passes: Passo Gardena, Passo Sella and Passo Pordoi. At Passo Pordoi, a second cable car, the Sass Pordoi, takes you higher still if you choose it. Lake Misurina sits on the road to Dobbiaco and offers one of the most famous views in the Dolomites, with the Tre Cime di Lavaredo rising at its far end. The route also crosses Arabba, a ski resort village on the Sella Ronda circuit. The return to Cortina runs over the Giau pass, one of the most uncontaminated roads in the range.

Private transport means no shared minibus or fixed group size. Your guide speaks English and travels with you the whole day. The vehicle is air-conditioned, has WiFi on board and provides bottled water. Pickup is included. You start and finish in Cortina. Cable car tickets are separate, so you decide at each pass whether to ride or stay in the valley.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• English-speaking guide for the full tour.
• bottled water on board.
• WiFi on board.
• hotel or central pickup in Cortina and return at the end of the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (30 to 60 years) · Senior (61 to 80 years) · Youth (11 to 29 years) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 16 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Is this one for you?The eight-hour full-day version covers all five passes and both cable car options, leaving little time for long village walks or meals outside the vehicle. The half-day tour trades some passes for a shorter commitment if you want to explore Cortina or the surrounding towns on your own.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 29 years); Child (5 to 10 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

Can I ride the cable cars at Lagazuoi and Sass Pordoi, or do I have to skip them?

Both cable cars are optional. You can ride one, both or neither. The choice is yours at each pass, and the guide will wait. Cable car tickets are not included and you pay separately at the station.

What is Lake Misurina and why is it on the route?

Lake Misurina is one of the most famous alpine lakes in the Dolomites, sitting at the foot of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. The tour stops there so you can see the lake and the mountain backdrop. It is a landmark most visitors to the Dolomites want to see.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the starting point, or is pickup included?

Pickup is included in the tour price. You start from Cortina d'Ampezzo and return there at the end of the day.