Pet-Friendly Places in the Dolomites
With impressive mountain ranges all around, the Dolomites are definitely worth visiting in northeastern Italy. The mountain range offers a variety of vacation activities depending on the season, although many people tend to miss out on the spectacular views in favour of visiting the famous Swiss Alps or more known destinations in Italy like Rome. Despite this, the Dolomites are slowly rising in popularity as a major tourist destination and there’s no surprise as to why.
An added benefit to visiting the Dolomites is that it is a very pet-friendly destination. With numerous hikes littered throughout the mountain range, it’s reassuring to know that many of the trails allow pets to tag along and several of the cable cars also allow well-behaved pets to join you at many of the best viewpoints. We found that many of the surrounding restaurants and accommodations were also willing to host cats and dogs which was extremely convenient.
Although many trails will be pet-friendly, it’s always good practice to research each trail ahead of time as you don’t want to arrive at a trail only to be greeted with a no pets sign. Here are some of the spots we recommend exploring if you’re visiting the Dolomites with a pet.
Cadini di Misurina
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 4km out-and-back
Estimated time: 1.5 hours
Other considerations: Steep cliffs in some sections and wet weather can make the trail dangerous
If you’re looking for a slightly challenging but highly rewarding hike, then definitely add the Cadini di Misurina Viewpoint to your list. The mountain group is awe-inspiring and has aptly been nicknamed the Towers of Mordor--it truly feels as though you’ve been transported into a fantasy world when you face the jagged peaks. The starting point for this hike is the Auronzo Rifugio which is easily accessible so long as you are willing to pay the 30€ vehicle fee. It is also possible to hike to the start of the trail, but this could take several hours and is known to be quite challenging.
The hike itself consists of a few uphill sections but is not considered to be overly difficult or complex. The views along the way can be quite stunning, although a bit scary for those with a fear of heights, and the end result is truly breathtaking. Pet owners should be particularly watchful along the steep sections and at the actual viewpoint where the trail narrows and the sides plummet down.
This viewpoint has become increasingly popular over the years (and for good reason), so be prepared to encounter other hikers and photographers. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself in a queue waiting for others to finish taking their photos at the lookout point, especially if you visit midday or at sunset. When we visited, we had to wait around 15 minutes for a group of girls to finish taking drone shots and making TikTok videos. If you’re finding there are too many people, you can always find your own vantage spot as the pale mountains remain impressive from several angles.
Tre Cime di Lavaredo circuit
The start of this hike is the same as the Cadini di Misurina hike, so you could attempt both in the same day if you want to avoid paying the vehicle entry fee.
Lago Atorno
Auronzo di Cadore
Seceda
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Length: 9km for the full circuit
Estimated Time: 3.5 hours (additional 6km if hiking from the parking lot)
Other Considerations: The high elevation can cause you to feel faint or make it more difficult to breathe.
While it’s possible to reach this view through sheer physical exertion, we chose to take the easy route by paying to take the Ortisei-Furnes-Seceda cable cars. You will actually need to take two cable cars, but in total your leisurely trip to the summit should only take around 15 minutes. The roundtrip cost for the cable cars was €39,50 for an adult and your pet can join the fun for an additional €5. If you plan to take your pet up, be mindful that some pets will not enjoy being at such high elevations and may start to show signs of distress.
The most popular viewpoint requires a short uphill trek that is roughly 10 minutes, but you can also lengthen your hike to complete the full Seceda circuit. If you continue your hike, you’ll encounter the Pieralongia Hütte which has a few snack options. We decided to head back since the cats were getting antsy, but further on you will reach Rifugio Firenze which provides a stunning spot for a lunch.
Lago di Braies
Restaurants
If you’re looking for a pet-friendly restaurant with great service and good food, look no further than La Tambra in Val Gardena. We were warmly encouraged to bring the cats inside the restaurant and even had the opportunity to meet the owner who informed us that, unfortunately, Reinhardt didn’t win the title of the biggest cat to visit the restaurant! If you arrive early, you can even ask for a window seat to enjoy views of the surrounding mountains.
