7 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting the Dolomites in April
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The Dolomites are a UNESCO World Heritage site, renowned for epic hikes, delicious food and beautiful scenery that changes with the seasons.
The towering limestone peaks of the Dolomites are an iconic sight in Northern Italy and is a place where you will find yourself planning your next visit time and time again.
Before planning our trip to the Dolomites, we wanted to know whether it was possible to visit the Dolomites in April. This guide summarises what we wish we’d known before visiting the Dolomites in April and whether it’s worth going at this time of year.
The Dolomites can be a magical trip at any time of year. If you plan to visit in April, it will require some extra planning, so make sure to visit with an open mind and be flexible. Remember, you won’t always get to see everything which is a great excuse to come back again!
Read our detailed guide to the Dolomites for practical tips and places not to miss. If you’re looking for inspiration on places to explore nearby the Dolomites, make sure you read our guide to Lana which is South Tyrol's best kept secret.
Check out our 2-week Italian road trip itinerary for the best places to see around Lake Garda, South Tyrol and the Dolomites. *coming soon
Ok, so here are 7 things you should know before you visit the Dolomites in April starting with the weather because we’re British…
The weather IN APRIL is unpredictable IN THE DOLOMITES
Before we arrived in the Dolomites, we naively assumed that most of the popular spots would be accessible and that warmer weather would have started to melt most of the snow. To our surprise, spring starts much later in the Dolomites around mid June.
If you visit the Dolomites in April, be prepared for a chance of snowfall and expect to find snow at higher altitudes. Most years, snow can last until March and depending on weather conditions and it can last up until April.
The truth is the Dolomites is a seasonal destination, with two main seasons, the first from mid December till April (winter) and second from June until mid October (summer/autumn).
The seasons in the Dolomite mountains can vary year on year and weather in the mountains is unpredictable. If you plan on visiting in April, expect to experience all the seasons in one day in the mountains. Be prepared for all the different types of weather such as snow, rain, wind and sun.
Bring warm clothing with you, a nice cosy jacket (down jacket and rain jacket), a warm hat and gloves for the mornings and evenings, once the sun drops behind the mountains the temperature will quickly fall.
On average the temperatures in April have an average high of 19°C and a low of 5°C, however when we were there a cold weather front came in and was going to reach -8°C some nights. Weather is hard to predict in the mountains and can change from one day to the next, but that’s not to say you might get some lovely warm sunny days which we did!
The towering massifs will be sprinkled in a dusting of snow, making it a unique photo opportunity and creating a spectacular scene. Check nearby webcams for local weather conditions and speak to the local tourist office to see which hikes are open during your visit.
Here are a list of useful webcams for the Dolomites:
Val di Funes webcam (Funes, St Maddalena church)
Alta Badia webcam (Gardena pass, Badia, Colfosco)
Val Gardena webcam (Selva Val Gardena, Ortisei, S. Cristina)
Val Pusteria webcam (Lago di Braies, San Candido, Lake Dobbiaco, Tre Cime/3 Zinnen)
Fewer crowds in April IN THE DOLOMITES
The short window of good weather from June to mid October can cause the Dolomites to get very busy, especially during the summer months (July to August). The beauty of the Dolomites are no longer a secret, after fairy-tale like photos spread across social media, many visitors added this destination to their bucket list - including us!
The Dolomites is a popular destination and during the summer months, roads can be full of traffic, hotels are fully booked and visiting local attractions can be ridiculously busy. It can be disappointing that the experience of visiting these places are not how you’d imagined it to be but the reality is the Dolomites are recognised for their beauty world-wide.
Where we can, we prefer to visit popular attractions either out of season, early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid the crowds. There are fewer visitors in April in the Dolomites, allowing you to enjoy some of the popular attractions such as Lago di Braies without having to compete with the crowds for a good view of the lake.
We really enjoyed visiting Lago di Braies in April without the early wake up call. Don’t expect to have it to yourselves but enjoy this beautiful place with the chance to find a quiet spot in nature to soak in the views.
We took a scenic hike from just below the main car park and enjoyed walking through the pine forest, to be rewarded with the wonderful views of a frozen Lago di Braies. In the summer months, it is recommend to visit before sunrise, as by 9am the path around the lake can get very crowded.
In April, there is less traffic on the roads making it easier to find parking too and most of the car parks are nowhere near full to capacity. Most car parks are pay and display, however there are some car parks that are free out of season which is a bonus to visiting this time of year.
THE Ski season ends in April IN THE DOLOMITES
The ski season in the Dolomites starts in early December and finishes mid-April for most resorts, however you’ll find some higher altitude resorts are known to stay open later until early May. Most of the ski resorts within the Dolomiti Superski area have the ability to create their own snow which helps to increase the reliability of the resorts to be open at this time of year.
Skiing in the Dolomites during April is possible with a great number of places to choose from. The ski season 2022-2023 in the Alps had record low levels of snow for most of the season and in late March/early April a huge amount of fresh snow arrived for those patiently waiting for great conditions.
In April, you might be lucky enough to get end of season deals for hotels and ski passes. The warmer and longer days can be some of the best times to ski in the Dolomites, with a chance of blue skies and incredible views. If you are able to visit outside of the Easter school holidays then you will find the slopes are a lot quieter.
Many hotels offer a free ski shuttle, making it easy to access the slopes without the need to use your car.
Don’t Expect to see everything IN April In THE DOLOMITES
In April, many popular spots may be inaccessible due to either weather conditions or closed transport such as gondolas or buses. We would recommend hiring a car whilst visiting the Dolomites in April, which allows you to be independent and go at your own pace without relying on public transport.
The Tre Cime di Lavaredo pass road which takes you to Rifugio Auronzo is closed until weather conditions allow it safe access which is usually during late May or early June. This was something we hadn’t accounted for visiting in April and are already making plans to visit when it’s open!
As we were flexible, there were plenty of other things to see and do in the area, we enjoyed exploring Val di Funes and Misurina lake which looks like something out of a Wes Anderson movie.
Other places that are a bit more of a challenge to visit at this time of year are Seceda and Alpe di Siusi as they are on high mountain plateaus which most likely will have snow this time of year. Cable cars to these locations are usually closed during April and the only way to access them is either hike which will take considerably longer, requires a good level of fitness and appropriate winter hiking equipment.
When we visited the Dolomites in April, we decided to focus our itinerary on places we could enjoy with good weather and easy access. We explored around San Candido and made our way through Val Pusteria stopping along the way at; Toblacher See/Lago di Dobbiaco, a panoramic view of the Tre Cime Lavaredo, Dürrensee/Lago di Landro and Lago di Misurina.
If you’re unsure as to whether a place is open or accessible don’t hesitate to contact the local tourism board to give you up to date information on road conditions and hiking options.
HIKING OPTIONS ARE LIMITED in the Dolomites in April
There are some hikes that are not accessible until summer which are mostly high-altitude mountain trails which require special equipment and are recommended for only experienced mountaineers. In April, there are plenty of trails to choose from which will mostly be concentrated in the lower valleys, avoiding the snow and walking through lush green valleys.
Most mountain refuge huts (Refugios) will be closed at this time of year and don’t open until mid to late June and close mid September, as are not accessible due to snow. So if you’re planning to go mountain hut hiking in the Dolomites this will not be possible in April.
In the lower valley hikes, you’ll follow streams and rivers to waterfalls, alpine lakes through fragrant pine forests and find incredible viewpoints of the towering limestone cliffs that the Dolomites are iconically known for.
The best areas for hiking in the Dolomites in April include; Val di Funes where you will discover breathtaking views of the Odle/Geisler Group from St Magdalena and visit the beautiful St Johann church.
Explore the incredible Puez-Odle Nature Park which has numerous easy trails including the Zannes Nature Trail/ Naturerlebnisweg Zans. The trails at higher altitude were covered in snow and icy in places due to the shade from the trees. Val Pusteria has many places to explore such as Lago di Braies, Toblacher See/Lago di Dobbiaco, panoramic view of the Tre Cime Lavaredo and Dürrensee/Lago di Landro.
San Candido is a great location to base yourself from and stay at the Naturehotel Leitlhof which is only open for the first week in April, the benefits of visiting at this time means there are fewer guests. There are many hiking options from San Candido where paths take you across gentle rolling green meadows, passing family-owned farms and offering amazing views of the iconic Three peaks (Drei Zinnen/Tre Cime).
While some high-mountain trails may become accessible only in the summer, others can be explored also in spring. In this season, water is undoubtedly the main element, enchanting with its power and abundance. Discover mountain streams, waterfalls and alpine lakes wandering through the Ampezzo valley.
Hire a car when VISITING THE DOLOMITES IN APRIL
The best way to get around the Dolomites in April is by car, most of the roads will be open and if snow does fall, there are cleared on a regular basis. Hiring a car will give you the ultimate freedom and independence whilst exploring the Dolomites and see where the road takes as there are many wonderful places to see in this mountain paradise.
Drive one of the many mountain passes in Val Gardena and Alta Badia that are open (Gardena Pass, Sella Pass, Pordoi Pass) going at your own pace or even just drive and find places along your route that catches your eye. The Dolomites UNESCO world heritage area is not massive, however driving the roads can take time following hairpin bends and hills. We’d recommend choosing a place to stay either in Val Gardena, Val Pusteria for the duration of your trip and explore from there.
The car will give you the opportunity to explore nearby areas including Lana, Merano and Bolzano. They are located within the Etschtal valley/Val d'Adige and are the perfect place to enjoy warmer sunny spring days in the valley where they hold events to welcome the blooming orchards.
Visit ‘Lana in Bloom’ where the new season is celebrated with a whole host of events and activities such as learning about local herbs, farmers markets and tours of the apple orchards. Read our ultimate guide to Lana, South Tyrol’s best-kept secret.
If you’re driving around the Dolomites, you will need to be prepared for snow conditions and ensure you have the right equipment with you for example, snow tyres, snow chains, blankets, warm clothing etc. Most of the roads are maintained by snow ploughs as they are used daily by locals.
Many hotels In the Dolomites are closed in April
In April, it can be a bit more difficult to find a hotel, however it is not impossible! Many hotels close in April across the Dolomites for upgrades and for a break period, but there are enough hotels to cater for visitors in April. Typically, the majority of hotels are open from the beginning of December until early April (ski season) and then reopen in June until late October (summer season).
As April is within the ski season for many resorts in the Dolomites, this means many ski hotels will be open and you will find many other hotels also available in the region either in the valley or in towns. Most mountain refuge huts (Refugios) will be closed at this time of year and don’t open until mid to late June and close mid September, as are not accessible due to snow. So if you’re planning to go mountain hut hiking in the Dolomites this will not be possible in April.
We stayed at the beautiful Naturhotel Leitlhof which is in San Candido close to Tre Cime nature park and a great base to explore the heart of the Dolomites. They were only open for the first week of April and then closed for renovation works and are re-opening again in June when most other hotels will open for summer. We would highly recommend staying at Naturhotel Leitlhof to experience sustainable luxury and you can read about our stay in April.
Other great base locations in April include Val Gardena which has many hotels to choose from during this time of year especially in Selva di Val Gardena including Hotel Miravalle and Mountain Design Hotel Eden Selva. The nearby valley of Val di Funes with its iconic views of the Seceda ridgeline features the cosy and traditional Magdalenablick in Funes.
If you’re looking for a great base close to the Dolomites, then look no further than the Etschtal valley/Val d'Adige, home to the beautiful market towns of Lana, Bolzano and Merano. Bolzano is often referred to as the gateway to the Dolomites. Stay at the peaceful oasis of Schwarzschmied hotel in Lana or the Mediterranean inspired Villa Arnica. Read what it’s like to stay at the incredible Schwarzschmied hotel and what to expect before booking your stay.
Is April a good time to visit the Dolomites?
After reading the headlines you might be asking yourself whether it’s worth visiting the Dolomites in April. It may not be the best time to visit, especially if you have expectations to see most of the iconic and popular locations (Tre Cime Lavaredo road is closed until late May/early June).
Regardless, there are still many beautiful nature spots you can enjoy this time of year. The Dolomites can be visited at any time of year, as scenery changes through the seasons the landscape will be a spectacle whenever you visit. The majestic limestone cliffs will be sprinkled with a dusting of snow which can make it a magical opportunity for photos.
There main challenges visiting the Dolomites in April are mostly as a result of the closure of transport (cable cars) and some hotels through the month which can make planning your trip a bit more time consuming and limit you to certain areas but it is not impossible!
April in the Dolomites offers plenty of things to do whether it be hitting the slopes, hiking in the lower valleys or discovering popular spots with fewer crowds. We hope that this guide has given you some ideas on what you can do if you visit in April and what to expect for your trip to the incredible Dolomites. Read our detailed guide to the Dolomites for more inspiration on your trip to the Italian Alps.
