The Dolomites has the most wow-factor mountain scenery in the world. The mountains around Machu Pichu in Peru and those of Interlakken in Switzerland are IMO the most beautiful, but the Dolomites blows everything else out of the water for sheer outrageous awe-inspiring wow and should be top of your list if mountain scenery and hiking is something you appreciate.
And it is all just so well done – the cable-car, hiking trails and road infrastructure in place makes it accessible; the views and general vibe is protected from any signs of rampant commercialisation; and the German / Italian vibe gives you good food, pretty alpine villages and typically friendly locals. No wonder it is so famous and Instagrammer’s wet dream.
But . . . Instagrammers means crowds. To be fair, the set-up and general scale of the place means that crowds are managed pretty well, even at the most famous spots. But, in order to enjoy the Dolomites in a walking-alone-on-an-Alpine-trail-with-just-you-and-the-views kind of way rather than being in Disney Land, I would suggest two main tips.
View of Monte Cristallo and Cortina from the hike to Cliffhanger Lodge