Jagged peaks, alpine lakes & rifugio lunches
This is leg 2 of 2, the final leg.
Travel leg · Dolomites High Road
Val Gardena to Cortina d'Ampezzo
Val Gardena and Cortina d'Ampezzo sit about 36 km (22 mi) apart in a straight line, with Cortina d'Ampezzo to the east. It is leg 2 of 2 on our Dolomites High Road itinerary, a 6-day trip. Here is how long it takes by car, what to see on the way and where it fits in a real itinerary.
- Straight-line distance
- 36 km · 22 mi
- Est. road distance
- 43–50 km
- Est. drive time
- 30–60 min
- Direction
- Heading east
- Curated routes
- 1 itinerary
Road distance is estimated as 1.2–1.4× the straight line; drive time assumes average speeds of 50–80 km/h with no stops or traffic. These are rough estimates — check a maps app for the actual route.
Ways to get there
We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.
By car
Most travelers on our Dolomites High Road itinerary do this leg by car. We estimate 43–50 km (27–31 mi) of road and 30–60 min behind the wheel, so check live traffic before you set off.
A rental car is the most flexible way to link Bolzano, Val Gardena and Cortina, mainly on mountain roads. Local buses exist but are slower between valleys. Cable cars and shuttles handle the last stretch to many trailheads and viewpoints.
Open Val Gardena → Cortina d'Ampezzo directions in Google Maps ↗
Worth stopping for
Picks from our curated guides at both ends.
When you arrive in Cortina d'Ampezzo
Stay 2–3 nights: Tre Cime and Lago di Braies one day, Cinque Torri and Lagazuoi another.
Tre Cime di Lavaredo Loop
10-km loop around the three iconic peaks via Rifugio Locatelli.
Rifugio Locatelli
Hut facing the north faces of the Tre Cime, the loop's best lunch stop.
Lago di Braies
Emerald lake with wooden rowboats and a flat 1-hour shoreline loop.
Corso Italia
Cortina's pedestrian main street for an evening passeggiata.
Enoteca Cortina
Long-running wine bar in the center with a big Italian list.
Lago di Sorapis
Milky turquoise lake reached by a 2-hour trail with ledges and ladders.
Before you leave Val Gardena
Base in Ortisei for 2–3 nights: Seceda one day, Alpe di Siusi another, Sella Pass on the drive out.
On this curated route
Where Val Gardena → Cortina d'Ampezzo sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.
Going the other way? Cortina d'Ampezzo to Val Gardena is the same 36 km in a straight line, heading west. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗
Val Gardena to Cortina d'Ampezzo: questions travelers ask
How far is Val Gardena from Cortina d'Ampezzo?
Val Gardena is about 36 km (22 mi) from Cortina d'Ampezzo in a straight line, with Cortina d'Ampezzo to the east. By road, we estimate 43–50 km (27–31 mi), or 1.2–1.4 times the straight line. Check a maps app for the exact route.
How long does it take to drive from Val Gardena to Cortina d'Ampezzo?
An estimated 30–60 min, assuming 43–50 km of road at average speeds of 50–80 km/h with no stops or traffic. It is not a routed time, so check a maps app on the day.
Which itineraries include the trip from Val Gardena to Cortina d'Ampezzo?
Our Dolomites High Road itinerary includes this leg. Dolomites High Road runs about 6 days across 3 stops, best in Jun – Sep.
Getting to Val Gardena
- Bolzano to Val Gardena 26 km
Guides for both ends
- Val Gardena travel guide
- Val Gardena weather best time to visit
- Cortina d'Ampezzo travel guide
- Cortina d'Ampezzo weather best time to visit
Cortina d'Ampezzo by month
- Cortina d'Ampezzo in January
- Cortina d'Ampezzo in February
- Cortina d'Ampezzo in March
- Cortina d'Ampezzo in April
- Cortina d'Ampezzo in May
- Cortina d'Ampezzo in June
- Cortina d'Ampezzo in July
- Cortina d'Ampezzo in August
- Cortina d'Ampezzo in September
- Cortina d'Ampezzo in October
- Cortina d'Ampezzo in November
- Cortina d'Ampezzo in December
Plan Val Gardena → Cortina d'Ampezzo with your crew
Add this leg to a shared itinerary, poll the group on where to stop, split fuel and tickets, and keep everyone's packing list in one place in TripsCircle.