A road trip to the Dolomites.
The Dolomites are a divine travel destination any time of the year. The massif features several peaks over three thousand metres and is a sight spectacle that makes visitors eager to discover more. So, during our trip from Munich, we were not surprised that parts of this mountain landscape have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage natural site. On this M Routes tour, you’ll experience pristine nature and enjoy some of the most beautiful passes the Alps have to offer, along with luxurious hotels.
12 highlights of this trip:
DAY #1: FROM MUNICH OVER SELLA PASS TO GARDENA PASS – 429 KILOMETRES.
Our cars for this M Routes road trip await us in Munich. We’ll be driving a BMW M3 Sedan and a BMW M3 Touring. We’re leaving early so we’ll have enough time for sight seeing along the way and flexibility along the route.
A RAINBOW INSTEAD OF A MERMAID.
The higher the mountains tower around us, the more we start looking forward to the discoveries this mountainous world holds. We take our time along the way, for example, for a stop in Val de Funes. This valley in the South Tyrolean Alps has an east-west length of 24 kilometres and is quieter than the neighbouring valleys, where there are more tourists. Our route takes us along blooming mountain valleys and through small villages until we reach Puez-Geisler Nature Park at the end of the valley. This region has wonderful views in store, as well as inviting huts for hikers. The hiking trail Alta Via Dolomiti no. 2, which is 185 kilometres long, also runs through the park and offers fantastic opportunities for varied hikes and climbs in addition to cultural highlights.
Our next stop is the small village Carezza on the eponymous lake. Its impressive colours have also earned it the name “Rainbow Lake”. We didn’t meet the mermaid who, according to a legend, lives in the lake; however, the beauty of small Lake Carezza – 300 metres long and 130 metres wide – was impressive enough as it was. It takes about 20 minutes to walk around the lake.
FOUR PASSES, ONE TRIP.
Sella Pass, one of the most spectacular passes in the Alps, awaits us. With a length of 53.4 kilometres, it takes us up to the top of the pass at 2,240 metres above sea level. It is one of four passes that make up the round trip around the Sella Group massif known as the Sellaronda. In the winter, we could manage the Sellaronda on skis in about six hours, and in summer it is equally popular among motorists, motorcyclists and cyclists. The 66-kilometre trip takes about two hours by car or motorcycle. Very fit cyclists should plan at least 5 hours.
Gardener Pass, or Passo Gardena in Italian, follows on it heels and spirals up to a height of 2,121 metres, impressing us with a fantastic view of four massifs at once: the Pizes de Cir in the north, the summits of Badia Valley in the east, the Sella Group in the south and Langofel in the west. Gardener Pass is also one of the four passes in the Sellaronda. Many hiking trails and climbing trips start here. There is limited parking available, so we recommend arriving early.
HIGHLIGHT: GARDENER PASS.
A SPECTACULAR VIEW: 4-STAR KOLFUSCHGERHOF MOUNTAIN RESORT.
Our accommodations for tonight are reserved in Kolfuschgerhof Mountain Resort, whose glass front gives guests a spectacular view of the rugged cliffs about 2,000 metres above sea level. Its large spa is worth a visit before or after a meal: Five types of saunas, a pool, the steam bath and chimney room invite guests to relax.
DAY #2: OVER FALZAREGO PASS – 141 KILOMETRES.
The most direct route to the next hotel would be only a bit over 50 kilometres long. But if we took that, we would miss some gorgeous sites: The longer route’s 141 kilometres are also easily manageable and allow time for excursions. First we’ll drive over Falzarego Pass with its 38 hairpin curves. But we don’t want to drive up and back down in one go: we’d much rather enjoy the view of Marmolada, the highest mountain of the Dolomites which towers up to a height of 3,343 metres and is covered in glaciers. The Cinque Torri (“Five Towers”) are five strikingly shaped buttes we can see to the south.
GIAU PASS.
Next, we’ll get the wonderful curves of the 2,233-metre-high Giau Pass under our wheels. The view during this rough section of the Dolomites with rugged cliff faces is astounding.
OFF TO THE PEAKS.
Another place that is worth a stop is gorgeous Lake Misurina, which is one kilometre long and 300 meters wide, but only five metres deep at most. From Lake Misurina, you can catch a glimpse of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo (“Three Peaks of Lavaredo”), which are among the most sought-after climbing cliffs in the Alps and one of the most famous emblems of the Dolomites. We had to decide whether to get up early or come in the afternoon. That’s the only way we have a chance of getting a free parking space at Rifugio Auronzo hut, which is usually extremely crowded the rest of the day. After walking 30 minutes, we reach the outlook point Cadini di Misurina, which is also an ideal place for a sundowner.
ACTIVE YET TRANQUIL: 5-STAR HOTEL ALPEN TESITIN.
We’re spending the night in the 5-star hotel Alpen Tesitin. The family-managed luxury hotel is in tranquil surroundings yet close to various active adventures. We enjoy the exceptional food – traditional dishes with international influences – and visit the hotel’s own panorama indoor swimming pool. The outdoor pool is heated to 34 degrees and can be reached through a double door, so guests can swim here with a view of the Dolomites all year long.
DAY #3: FROM LAKE PRAGS TO ALTFASSTAL VALLEY – 185 KILOMETRES.
THE BEST OF THE BEAUTIFUL.
After breakfast, we head straight for another highlight on this route: Lake Prags, or Lago di Braies in Italian, is located in the middle of a romantic mountain basin and is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the Dolomites. It takes about an hour to walk around the lake on foot. You can let a wooden boat there as an alternative. There’s going to be a special traffic regulation from 10 July to 10 September 2024: during this period, you can reach Pragser Valley between 9.30 am and 4.00 pm only using public transit, on foot, by cycle or – with an advance online reservation – by car.
A ROAD WITHOUT TRAFFIC.
Now we head through Toblach Valley and past the earth pyramids of Platten and St. Martin in Thurn to Würzjoch Pass. This pass is 1,982 metres high and takes us through very different landscapes. In the south, the slopes of Würzjoch located in Puez-Geisler Nature Park climb to Peitlerkofel Mountain; in the north, you can marvel at the mountain meadows, which are full of colourful blossoms in the spring. You don’t want to miss the drive via Lüsen, also known as Wandertal, German for “Hiking Valley”, owing its name to the many different trails. A very narrow and isolated road with nearly no traffic runs through this valley. It’s both wild and romantic!
4-STAR TRATTERHOF MOUNTAIN SKY HOTEL: FIRED UP FOR SAUNAS.
Our hotel for the night is the 4-star Tratterhof Mountain Sky Hotel. It’s located at the entrance to Altfasstal Valley at an altitude of 1,500 metres, and we admire the marvellous view of the forest and Dolomites. After that, we take some time to relax in the hotel’s wellness area, which covers 4,000 square metres and features eight saunas, two infinity pools and much more. It gives us an oasis of tranquillity before we return to Munich the next morning.
DAY #4: From ALTFASSTAL VALLEY TO MUNICH – 235 KILOMETRES.
LUSCIOUS LUXURY.
On the fourth day, we drive back to Munich via Innsbruck and Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The Dolomites provide an impressive setting of dramatic cliff formations and idyllic Alpine valleys that delight all nature lovers. The wide range of activities in this region promise unforgettable experiences, whether you choose to hike, climb, ski or – like us – drive to discover the spectacular curves and mountain passes, which are among the most beautiful in the world. A visit to the Dolomites combines enjoyment of nature with cultural highlights, luxury and the culinary delights of South Tyrolean cuisine.
WELL PLANNED.
During this road trip through the Dolomites, you must keep in mind that many mountain passes are closed in the winter. These winter closures normally last from October/November to May/June. Additional fees may be due for certain sections of the trip.
EXPERIENCE M ROUTES.
BMW M Routes are more than just road trips – they promise unforgettable experiences. The trips combine luxury, gourmet cuisine and driving pleasure to create incomparable moments. Pack your bags and immerse yourself in the marvellous world of the Alps and freedom on four wheels.
