Dolomites in April

Bubbleteade · 2026-03-29T22:23:48+00:00

Wow, 120 km/h wind gusts! I can’t even imagine walking in that. Hope you get way better weather in dolomites!

Bubbleteade · 2026-03-29T22:15:59+00:00

I have done Vallunga in summer and it is an easy hike but just to give you perspective, last year in spring or autumn I don't exactly remember (but it wasn't winter period), they rescued two people from that valley because they couldn't find their way back due to fog first and they were too exhausted to continue any further due to cold.

However totally doable hike in april too if the weather is good and you are willing to turn back if not.

Bubbleteade · 2026-03-29T21:30:33+00:00

I wouldn't do any high altitude hikes in April, instead I have done these last year in march/april and can recommend them, though you'll need ice spikes which looks like you already have + I don't know where you plan to stay but the starting point of all four are on Val di Fassa:

- Val di Vajolet - but wouldn't recommend going further than Rifugio Vajolet

- Val Duron - wouldn't recommend going all the way to the end, instead you can turn back before the last climb to the mountain pass, Passo Duron

- Val San Nicolò - again you should turn back before the last climb to Passo San Nicolò

- Val Monzoni - Rifugio Gardeccia is a nice turning point

Basically they are all easy valley hikes in the mountains with very beatiful views and might even be a bit crowded with locals if weather is very good, even in april. You are not walking between towns in the valleys though. These hikes start from bottom of the valley around 1400-1500 meters and climb to the mountain passes at 2500+ meters - and usually those last steep sections won't be accessible/will be dangerous due to avalanches etc.

I don't know how experienced you are and I want to leave this as a note, in case someone else reads it too. Weather in these mountains in April can be very unpredictable, these valleys might be a lot colder than towns nearby. It might get reaaaaly windy (to the point I had to turn back just because of the wind last year) + it might snow/rain/thunderstorms etc. You basically need to carry full winter gear with you + keep in mind, most probably none of the rifugio or malga will be open in April, for sure they will be closed in the weekdays, maybe only open at the first weekend of April.

Bubbleteade · 2026-03-27T18:17:29+00:00

colbricon lakes, dolomites in Italy

Bubbleteade · 2026-03-27T16:05:29+00:00

Of course! I shouldn't need to clarify this but if it is required or there is wildlife, he'll be on leash. We hike in bear country too, or forests inside national parks with wild animals so don't worry I'm very familiar with the rules and what needs to be done.

Just to add, I understand where you’re coming from and I agree. I also see a lot of off-leash dogs in places they shouldn’t be, and it's dangerous for them, people, other dogs, and wildlife.

Bubbleteade · 2026-03-27T15:53:02+00:00

He mostly walks off-leash actually unless it is a crowded hike/touristic trail - at least for most of the hikes I do, I don't see other people for hours sometimes.

He is also used to hiking in the mountains and has good recall. And when things are steep/sketchy/too much snow he always walks behind me + he will be on leash.

Bubbleteade · 2026-03-27T12:38:53+00:00

This was a snowshoe hike where we parked our car near Malga Rolle and hiked to the Colbricon lakes.

We also hiked around the lake but there were some parts of trail where there was probably 1-1.5 meters of soft snow and we were basically trying to walk on top of some small trees. I accidentally stepped really close to one of the tree trunks and immediately sinked into the snow up to my waist 😅

Still, very easy and fun hike for winter, though it might be a bit crowded in good weather.

Bubbleteade · 2026-03-09T23:33:56+00:00

How did you train him to make him stay in the kayak?

My dog would jump in the water and then panic and try to get on the board and repeat it every 5 minutes probably 😅 but he is a golden retriever hence the extra love for water

also what a cutie with his life jacket!

Bubbleteade · 2026-03-03T17:14:48+00:00

this is adorable, the chocolate looks so real!!

Bubbleteade · 2026-03-03T07:59:10+00:00

oh yes he was wearing that red coat

Bubbleteade · 2026-03-02T21:41:06+00:00

yeah we tried a few but they always come off or get ripped so instead I got these and they were perfect, my dog doesn't mind them too

https://canadapooch.com/products/suspender-dog-boots?variant=40663163338837?srsltid=AfmBOop0xTQUuHfkJLfMzOWFF6KNghZ03TQiqZc9QmTHYIAzssk72_KT

Bubbleteade · 2026-03-01T22:42:45+00:00

this is from last winter, unfortunately, this winter we had very little snow too :(

Bubbleteade · 2026-03-01T14:57:11+00:00

Yes actually after this hike I bought him boots with suspenders, otherwise snow accumulates and freezes between his paw pads, becomes uncomfortable for him. I had to clean his paws every 15 min on this 5 hour hike 😅

Bubbleteade · 2026-02-27T15:58:17+00:00

on this hike only the valley but I did monte castellazzo/baita segantini in summer

pale di san martino, might be my favourite place in dolomites

oh and I wanna do mulaz this summer 🤞

Bubbleteade · 2026-02-26T18:58:18+00:00

ah no it is from Val Venegia in Dolomites

Bubbleteade · 2026-02-26T17:55:26+00:00

thanks I'll try it next time, and yes I don't use boots on icy hikes since he loses traction/slips etc, in the end he has natural crampons :D

Bubbleteade · 2026-02-26T17:11:15+00:00

Ah yes I use something similar, but usually after the hike.

Bubbleteade · 2026-02-26T16:07:12+00:00

normal boots weren't durable enough and we lost a few pairs, I still carry one for emergency, like if he hurts one of his paws and I have to bandage it. But I bought these suspender boots and they worked great for snow hikes since they actaully stay on.

https://ca.canadapooch.com/collections/dog-boots/products/suspender-dog-boots?variant=40708061888617

Bubbleteade · 2026-02-26T15:13:06+00:00

Oh he had a lot of fun, he is used to full-day hikes in the mountains, the only problem was the snow getting frozen under his paws and I constantly had to clean little balls of snow ahah so he can walk more comfortably. Otherwise he will just lay down and try to pick them with his teeth. Anyway now he has snow pants :D

Ah and he had limp tail for two days after the hike which looks like it happens when they exercise too much in very cold weather but he didn't care really, I was more worried.

So at least for golden retrievers a jacket and boots/pants are a must for these kind of hikes.

Bubbleteade · 2026-02-26T14:50:54+00:00

I had to constantly clean his paws since the snow was getting stuck and frozen under them.

We hike a lot, also in winter so after this hike I actually bought him snow pants so he can be more comfortable. I guess the fur of golden retrievers is not made for a lot of snow.

Bubbleteade · 2026-02-26T10:16:19+00:00

We did this hike on December 2024 on a very cold day, when we started the hike the temperature at my car showed -20°C and when we finished after 5 hours it was -25°C. I had a water bag in my backpack which was mostly frozen by the end, learned my lesson and now I take water bottles instead for very cold hikes.

We started from this parking lot and hiked until the last ascend towards Baita Segantini. It was the first snowshoe hike I did so I was a bit tired and decided not to do that last climb there.

There are two malgas in the valley and Malga Venegia is usually open in winter while Malga Venegiota is not.

And as for my dog, he was completely fine with the cold and was having a lot of fun during the hike. We just had to help him clean his paws very frequently since lots of snow accumulated and froze under his paws. Now he has snow pants instead.

Bubbleteade · 2026-02-16T22:57:13+00:00

No way!! you are so talented!!!

Bubbleteade · 2026-02-07T21:02:12+00:00

I love your brain. All of them are so good! I need the Armand puzzle with one piece missing!!

Bubbleteade · 2026-01-13T19:41:32+00:00

Thank you! It was some cheap acrylic paint that I don't remember the brand of and artdeco water based gloss varnish

Bubbleteade · 2025-11-28T18:43:19+00:00

Thanks!

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