Are you looking for the best places to photograph the Autumn foliage in the Dolomites? No need to look any further cause this blog post pretty much covers them all!
365 days…
That’s how long I was looking forward to my road trip to the Dolomites during Autumn season.
For more than a year I looked up the best locations, the most beautiful hikes and I tried to find as many hidden gems as possible! All to be able to create the best guide possible on where to find the most beautiful places in the Dolomites to photograph the Autumn foliage!
The Best Places To Photograph Autumn Foliage in The Dolomites
If you ask me what’s my favourite time of the year to visit the Dolomites I definitely have to say Fall season!
The temperature is cooler, the air crisper and there’s a lot less people on the hiking trails as during the ever crowded Summer months!
A lot of times it actually feels like it’s just you, surrounded by the most beautiful nature.
When is the best time to photograph Autumn foliage in the Dolomites?
Before we get to the list there’s one very important factor that you need to take into account.
When should I plan my trip to the Dolomites to capture the peak Autumn colours?
To be honest, this is not an exact science! There’s no way I can predict the exact date when it will be but for the Dolomites your safest bet will be the last 3 weeks of October!
There is however a chance that you’ll also be greeted by snow like I was this year. But not to worry, the roads in the Dolomites are maintained really well and if your car has good winter tires you’re good to go!
Planning your trip to the Dolomites
🏨 Find the best accommodations on Booking.com
💰 Get reliable travel insurance from World Nomads
🎒 Pack a power bank, hiking shoes and trekking poles.
🚗 Rent a car to drive to the most beautiful places in the Dolomites with SunnyCars.com
📚 Read Photographing the Dolomites and Walking in the Dolomites
The Best Autumn Photography Locations in The Dolomites
Val di Funes
Val di Funes is one of those places in the Dolomites that is beautiful during any season but to be honest, it’s that little more special during Autumn.
If you’re traveling by car you can find a couple of parking spaces in Santa Magdalena. This is also the village where you’ll see Val di Funes at its most beautiful.
For one there is the church of Santa Magdalena and the incredible Seceda ridgeline in the background.
A little further down you’ll also find the church of San Giovanni. For this church there is a specific photography platform and the meadow surrounding the church is fenced off so please respect that when you’re taking photos here!
Val Negra
Val Negra is located in the province of Bergamo close to Cortina and is one of those lesser known places in the Dolomites.
During Fall season this part of the region turns all shades of yellow and orange thanks to the thousands and thousands of larch trees on the hills.
You’ll find the best view point of Val Negra on the Croda da Lago hike.
Lago Dobbiaco
Lago Dobbiaco is a beautiful lake located right behind the town of Dobbiaco and right before you enter the Tre Cime National Park. It’s a beautiful place in the Dolomites to go for an afternoon stroll and there’s an official car park next to it. Make sure to carry some cash with you cause the ticket machine here doesn’t accept cards.
The entire lake is surrounded by Autumn leaves and the mountains in the back have a ton of larches which makes for the perfect backdrop!
Lago di Landro
This is another easy find right in the middle of the Tre Cime National Park and just a few minutes driving from Lago Dobbiaco. There’s free parking spaces right next to the lake so it would be pretty much a crime to not take the time to stop here for at least a few minutes!
Lago Antorno
You’ll find this beautiful lake right before you drive up to rifugio Auronzo! Plus it’s also the starting point for a beautiful hike that will lead you all the way up to the Tre Cime! There’s a ton of free parking space available right at the lake and it’s at its most beautiful during Fall season when the larches turn yellow and orange!
Lago Federa
Lago Federa is by far one of my favourite places to capture the Autumn foliage in the Dolomites! The hike up to the lake is absolutely stunning and the entire time you’re surrounded by colourful larches.
The lake is part of the Croda da Lago circuit and if you have enough time you should definitely complete the entire hike cause rumour has it it’s one of the most beautiful hikes in the Dolomites.
READ MY FULL GUIDE ON HOW TO REACH LAGO FEDERA HERE.
Seiser Alm/ Alpe Di Siusi
Seiser Alm is beautiful all year round but turns extra magical during Fall season! If you’re really lucky there might already be some snow on the ground as well!
The Seiser Alm measures over 56 km² and is Europe’s largest expanse of high alpine meadowland.
READ MY FULL GUIDE ON HOW TO VISIT SEISER ALM HERE.
Stiergarten
This is one of those hidden gems in the Dolomites, one that will offer you incredible views over the entire Tre Cime National park once you reach the top! And with that view come hundreds of beautiful yellow and orange coloured larches!
During Fall season all of the cable cars are closed so the only way to reach the top is to hike up. The hike starts down at the start of the Tre Cime cable car but trust me, the views are worth the hike!
Val Venegia
Located in the province of Trentino, this beautiful high altitude valley is a really fun day hike and a must visit in the area!
You’ll already be greeted by some of the best views during the first 30 minutes of the hike!
Along the Col Raiser hike to Seceda
This is by far one of my favourite and one of the most beautiful hikes in the Dolomites, especially during Autumn. You’ll be climbing between the larches, discover a beautiful hidden lake and be surrounded by Fall foliage.
When we started the hike I had no idea it would be this beautiful and offer so many possibilities to photograph the Autumn foliage in the Dolomites!
CLICK HERE FOR MY FULL GUIDE ON THIS BEAUTIFUL HIKE TO THE SECEDE RIDGELINE.
Where to stay to photograph the Autumn foliage in the Dolomites
I always tell people that it’s best to divide a visit to the Dolomites in two parts. This way your daily driving time will be held to a minimum and you can spend more time enjoying the beautiful nature.
Stay in Sesto or Dobbiaco : visit Val Negra, Lago Dobbiaco, Lago Federa, Lago Antorno, Lago di Landro, Tre Cime National Park and Stiergarten.
Stay in Bolzano or Val Gardena: visit Seiser Alm, Val di Funes, Seceda, Passo Gardena and Val Venegia.
These are my absolute favourite locations so far to photograph the Autumn foliage in the Dolomites. But as you may know this area is also one of my absolute favourites so I can’t wait to be back one day and make this article even better!
Planning a trip to the Dolomites?
RESTAURANTS – The best restaurants in South Tyrol
VAL GARDENA – The most beautiful hike to the Seceda ridgeline
PHOTOGRAPHY – The 18 most beautiful places in the Dolomites
FIRST TIME – The perfect 5 day itinerary for the Dolomites
ADVENTURE – Go paragliding in Trentino
HIKING – The best and most beautiful day hikes in the Dolomites
LAGO DI BRAIES – The Complete Photography Guide
ALPE DI SIUSI – How to plan the perfect visit
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Charlotte Lint is the founder of Charlies Wanderings.
Charlotte has traveled all over the world and is based in Belgium where she also owns her very own dental practice.
She is an expert on writing efficient travel guides and finding unique places to stay.
Every month she helps over 134.000 people discover the most beautiful places in the world through her detailed travel guides.
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