Italy
Must visit dog friendly places in the Dolomites, Italy
The Dolomites are one of those places that completely live up to the hype, with dramatic mountain views, beautiful lakes, and some of the most rewarding hikes I’ve ever done. I explored this area with my dogs and was surprised by how dog-friendly it felt, with plenty of trails, open landscapes, and quiet paths once you’re out hiking. We visited in October, which turned out to be the perfect time. Cool but comfortable temperatures, far fewer people, and stunning autumn colours in the valleys. It’s an incredible destination if you love hiking, fresh mountain air, and sharing those moments with your dog.
The ultimate guide to the Dolomites | dog friendly hikes & spots to visit
Passo Gardena
Passo Gardena is such a beautiful drive and honestly one of those places where you’ll keep saying “okay, last stop” and then stop again a few minutes later. The views are incredible the whole way, and there are lots of easy pull-offs where you can park, take a short walk, or do a quick photoshoot with your dog. It’s perfect if you want to enjoy the mountains without committing to a big hike. Just keep in mind that some parking spots are paid, especially in high season, but it’s definitely worth it for the scenery.
Val di Funes | St. Magdalena
Val di Funes is such a lovely area to explore, both by car and on foot, with loads of hiking options in every direction. Make sure to stop in St. Magdalena and walk up to the little church, the views over the village with the Odle mountains behind it are absolutely stunning. Along the way you’ll likely pass cows grazing in the meadows, which makes it feel extra special (and very exciting for the dogs). It is quite touristy and parking is paid, but the walk is easy, beautiful, and definitely worth it for a relaxed outing with your dog.
Lago di Carezza
Lago di Carezza is one of those places that almost doesn’t look real, the colours of the lake are absolutely insane. The walk around the lake takes about an hour if you take your time, stop for photos, and just enjoy the views. Parking is right next to the lake, which makes it very easy to visit but also means it can get quite crowded. Even so, it’s absolutely worth it for such a beautiful and easy stop with your dog.
Cascate di Barbiano
Cascate di Barbiano is a really nice stop if you’re looking for a relaxed walk with a rewarding view at the end. We visited it after Lago di Carezza, and the walk up to the waterfall was peaceful and scenic, with beautiful views over the surrounding mountains that felt quite different from other spots in the Dolomites. The trail is enjoyable for dogs, and ours loved the walk just as much as the destination. Reaching the waterfall was the highlight, especially since the dogs could splash around and cool off in the water. There's not too much parking at the start of the trail, visiting off season or early in the day might be the best.
Cinque Torri hike
The Cinque Torri hike is absolutely incredible, but definitely not an easy one. We visited in early October, and because the cable car was already closed for the season, we were able to drive all the way up to Rifugio Cinque Torri where the trail starts, something you can’t do in high season when the rifugio is open. Do make sure to arrive early though, as the parking spots can still fill up quickly. We first hiked up to Rifugio Averau and Nuvolau (both closed for the season), and even though the elevation gain is serious and the climb is tough, the views along the way are more than worth it. After that, we did the Cinque Torri loop itself, which also serves as an open-air war museum and is both beautiful and really interesting to walk through. There’s a lot of loose rock on this hike, so I brought boots for my dogs, especially helpful for Dunya, who has more sensitive paws. You can find the hike we did here.
Tre Cime hike
The Tre Cime hike is one of those classics that really lives up to the hype. To get to the start of the trail you need to reserve a time slot for the toll road in advance (€40 per car), but once you’re there, it’s absolutely worth it. I highly recommend continuing all the way to Rifugio Locatelli, the views over the Tre Cime on one side and the lakes on the other are just stunning. We went in early October and already had some snow on the trail, which made a short section a bit slippery, so good shoes (and paw protection for dogs) are important because there are a lot of loose stones. The first part towards Tre Cime itself was quite crowded, but once we hiked further on, it became much quieter and even more enjoyable. It’s a very rewarding hike overall and can be perfectly combined with the Cadini di Misurina hike if you’re up for more adventure. You can find the hike here.
Lago di Braies
Lago di Braies is one of those places that almost doesn’t feel real when you see it in person, with its insanely blue water and dramatic mountain backdrop. We visited after our Tre Cime hike towards the end of the afternoon, which was perfect for escaping the biggest crowds. It’s a lovely spot for a relaxed walk with your dog and to take in the views, but I wouldn’t plan too much time here, once you’ve walked around a bit and enjoyed the scenery, you’ve kind of seen it all. It can feel quite touristy, especially earlier in the day, but as a short stop, it’s absolutely worth it.
The best dog friendly cafes & restaurants in Italy
Pedrutscherhof
Pedrutscherhof is a great dog-friendly spot if you’re looking to combine good food with amazing views. You can either hike up here (which makes it a perfect stop for a drink or lunch) or drive, though the road is quite narrow and not the easiest to navigate. Once you arrive, you’re rewarded with a beautiful, relaxed terrace overlooking the mountains, the kind of place where you want to linger a little longer. The food was solid and comforting with plenty of Germanic-style dishes, the staff were very laid-back, and the dogs were more than welcome to chill alongside us.
Ladritscher Hof
Laditscher Hof is a fantastic dog-friendly spot, especially if you’re exploring the Dolomites and want to combine stunning views with amazing food. You can hike up here or drive, and once you arrive, the terrace offers absolutely breathtaking mountain views, it’s the kind of place you want to linger on a sunny afternoon. The food is incredible, with hearty, comforting dishes, though service can be a bit slow, so bring your patience, it’s totally worth it. Dogs are more than welcome to relax by your side while you enjoy the surroundings. It’s also perfectly located between Lago di Carezza and Cascate Barbiano, making it a great stop when visiting both spots.
Dog-friendly stays in Italy
La val, Dolomites
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