Photo journal: A trip to the mighty Dolomites mountain range

In my preparations for the Tortour ultra cycling race in August, I decided to visit the Dolomites mountain range. They are without a doubt one of the greatest cycling areas in the Alps. Spectacular mountain passes and breathtaking valleys create dramatic ascents and descents. And the mighty mountains surrounding the passes are the perfect scenery for our next photo journal. I stayed at Cortina d’Ampezzo in a small family hotel Villa Alpina, which I highly recommend (they offer the best breakfast).

I had big plans for my short 4 days visit. Get up at 4 am, drive to Tre Cime di Lavaredo or Passo di Giau, photograph the sunrise and then head back to the hotel for that great breakfast. After that it was time for a 3-5 hours cycling sessions, the hardest day included the famous Sellaronda with addition of the horse category climb of Falzarego. After the exhausting cycling rides it was time for some more photography as I didn’t want to miss any sunset. I was pretty beat up after four days but it was all worth it.

I couldn’t wait for the first sunrise so I woke up by myself at around 3:45 am, about 15 minutes before I set the alarm clock. It was time for a drive to Tre Cime di Lavaredo. It takes about 45 minutes to get there from Cortina d’Ampezzo. The drive to Tre Cime is very scenic, with lake Misurina and lake Antorno on the way (right beside the road). As I arrived to the end of the road the sun slowly started to lit up the nearby peaks.

Tre Cime di Lavaredo at Sunrise

View from Tre cime di Lavaredo

I am really fond of the combination of mountain flowers and high inaccessible peaks in the background.

View of Tre Cime di Lavaredo

The first sunrise was over and I walked back to the cottage at Tre Cime. The valley below is really vast and offers epic views of the river, towns and mountains on the horizon.

Breathtaking mountain panorama at Dolomites in the early morning.

Just before I headed back to Cortina, I made a self portrait with my favorite scene of the Dolomites, the panorama as viewed from the rifugio Auronzo.

I always make a self portrait or two, just to show how grandiose landscape can be.

On the way back to Cortina this beautiful scene showed up.

Forests and meadows will call you to come and rest for a while.

After my cycling session I decided to make a trip in the opposite direction, to passo di Giau. I arrived there just in time for the beautiful sunset.

Passo di Giau is the most spectacular mountain pass in the Dolomites in my eyes. Sunrises and sunsets are just captivating.

The same spot as one image earlier, just a look back. Similar cottage, different mountains.

Passo di Giau is the most beautiful mountain pass in the Dolomites (in my eyes). The view at the top is just breathtaking. This was the end of the first day and I was already excited as I pictured how the next morning could be. My intended destination was the same, Tre Cime di Lavaredo.

Hiking path at Tre cime di Lavaredo just before sunrise.

Tre cime di Lavaredo at Sunrise.

The scenery was a bit different than the day before as the sky was not as clear but in my opinion this just adds to the atmosphere. I like the mornings to be a bit cloudy or foggy, it’s just more dramatic that way.

Dolomites mountain peaks are wild and inaccessible. Perfect world for Climbers.

This peak is so dramatic, I took several closeup shots of it and all look so majestic. As I headed back to my hotel I noticed a spectacular scene at lake Misurina. The lake was completely still and resembled a mirror. The reflection of the village, hotel and mountains in the back was perfect.

One of the most spectacular sights in the Dolomites. Perfect mirror at lago di Misurina.

I finished with cycling a bit early on the second day so I decided to go on a longer road trip to lake Braies. With crystal clear, emerald water it can create similar reflections as the one on the image above. But it was to cloudy on that day to make a perfect shot, however it still shows the beauty of the location.

Weather wasn’t as perfect as I hoped for, but it’s still a decent shot of Lago di Braies.

On the way back to the car I finally caught some sun rays. Just for a few seconds the meadow full of dandelions was basking in the sunlight.

Meadow full of Dandelions.

On my way back I made a stop at lake Antorno. It looked gracious in the early evening, with soft tones of light on the mountain.

Lago di Antorno (lake Antorno) can hypnotize you. I was gazing at this image and was reluctant to leave.

For my last sunrise in the Dolomites (well for this trip at least) I decided to go to passo di Giau. When I arrived at the top, at about 5 am, I was very disappointed. The mountain pass was completely covered in fog and so were the nearby mountains. I was about to head back when I noticed that the fog started to shift. And the views were nothing short of spectacular.

Fog is starting to rise.

First sun rays are starting to penetrate the mist.

Magical Sunrise at passo di Giau. Last day I was rewarded with the perfect Sunrise.

View of passo di Giau from a nearby meadow.

Just a short walk over the first meadow revealed a small hidden lake in shape of a heart.

If you take a few steppes from passo di Giau over a meadow you will notice this heart shaped lake. Such a fortunate discovery.

On my way back to the pass, I found some man made motifs that were blending perfectly with the surrounding landscape.

Wooden Cannon at passo di Giau.

This is what the Dolomites mean to me. This is why I keep coming back. I love cycling.

This image is the symbol of the Dolomites for me. Cycling here is an unforgettable experience and I would recommend it to any enthusiastic cyclist out there.

On the descent back to Cortina d’Ampezzo I noticed this beautiful scene. A small current, cows, meadows and a big mountain behind, what else could I want.

My next destination? Unknown for now, but I am sure it will be breathtaking.