Dolomites With a Dog: What We Learned Traveling With Cash and Rex

Yes, the Dolomites are dog friendly. We’ve taken both Cash and Rex with us, stayed in dog-friendly hotels, hiked with them and taken them up into the mountains. But there are a few things you need to know before you go, especially about hotel policies, cows, leashes and muzzles.

Our first trip was in August 2017 for Lisa’s birthday, and Cash came with us. We chose Berghotel Zirm because it allowed dogs, and at the time we actually had to book by email because we couldn’t book a room with a dog online. Later trips brought Rex, whose first snow and first mountain creek were in South Tyrol. Both dogs loved the trails, streams and being outside with us.

Are the Dolomites Dog Friendly?

Yes, mostly. Dogs are welcome on trails, on many cable cars and at a lot of hotels, and every tourism board I looked at has a page about traveling with dogs. The Dolomites are also cow country, and that’s the part you need to plan for.

At our first hotel, Berghotel Zirm above Olang, there was a dog wash station when we arrived, and a whole room in the dining room where you could eat with your dog. We had Cash with us at the outdoor fun center below the hotel, where we played archery golf, and he came on every hike.

Dog-Friendly Hotels in the Dolomites

Dog policies vary a lot from one hotel to another, so always check before you book. Here’s what we found at the hotels we know.

• Berghotel Zirm (Olang): very dog friendly when we stayed, with a dog wash station and a dining room area for dogs. The hotel’s website doesn’t state a policy, so ask.
• Alpenpalace (Ahrntal): we walked both Rex and Cash along the river when we stayed. Ask about the current dog policy and any fees.
• Josef Mountain Resort (Hafling): Rex came with us, and it was his first trip to the mountains.
• Hotel de la Poste (Cortina): the hotel says it’s pet friendly.
• Hotel La Perla (Corvara): dogs and cats are welcome in all rooms, but not in the breakfast room or the main restaurant, and dog sitting is available on request.
• Gardena Grödnerhof (Ortisei): pets are not allowed.

For more hotels, see Where to Stay in the Dolomites.

Hiking in the Dolomites With a Dog

The hiking is as good as it gets. Lisa and I both say that. You can walk out the door of most of these hotels and be on a trail in minutes.

Here’s what to expect from our trips:

• Cows on the trail. We hiked along a stream in rolling hills and came up on a herd of cows. Cash did fine, but he loves to roll in poop for reasons I don’t understand, and there was a lot of it. Lisa had to take him down to the stream to clean him off. Pack towels for the car.
• Walks along a river. In the Ahrntal, a river runs through the valley, and you can walk along it forever. It was Lisa’s favorite place to walk both dogs.
• A first mountain creek. Rex had never seen fast-flowing water, and he tried to bark at it and bite it at the same time. It was hilarious, and it was also how he started to learn about real hiking.
• A first gondola. Cash rode his first gondola here. He behaved, and he hated it after that.

Look at trail maps before you go. Some paths have fixed ropes or metal ladders, and those are a bad idea with most dogs.

The Rules for Dogs in South Tyrol and the Dolomites

These come from South Tyrol tourism boards, so check the current versions before you go.

• Leash and muzzle. Dogs must be on a leash in public areas, and the leash can’t be longer than 1.5 meters. Carry a muzzle with you and use it where required.
• Documents. You need the usual documents required for traveling in Italy with your dog, including a pet passport, microchip and valid rabies vaccination.
• Public transport. Dogs that aren’t traveling in a carrier need a leash, muzzle and their own ticket. Small pets in a suitable carrier travel free.
• Cable cars. Rules vary by lift, but leashes and muzzles are generally required in enclosed cabins and there may be a fare for your dog.
• Nature parks. Pay attention to leash signs and the rules for the individual park, especially around grazing animals.

Cows, Nettles and Bears

Cows are the biggest issue. Keep your dog away from them, don’t walk between a cow and a calf and don’t let your dog chase anything. South Tyrol recommends keeping dogs on a leash around pastures, especially around cows, so this is something we pay attention to when we’re hiking.

Stinging nettles grow along a lot of paths. I got stung while retrieving a shoe, and it’s a reminder that dogs have noses too.

And then there are bears. Every time we check in, the first thing I ask is whether there are bears. Every time we’re told no. There are bears in Italy, including Trentino, although encounters are rare. If you’re hiking in bear country, keep your dog on a leash and make noise as you walk. If you see a bear, don’t run. Give it space and move away slowly.

When to Go With a Dog

For us, late June or September would be the best time to bring a dog to the Dolomites. July and August are busier and can be hot in the valleys, so if you’re there in summer, start early and make sure your dog has plenty of water. We were there with Cash in August and had no problem hiking with him, but we were also wearing sweatshirts higher in the mountains.

For more on the seasons, see Best Time to Visit the Dolomites.

Planning More Time in the Dolomites

If you’re planning a longer trip, our Dolomites travel guide covers the region as a whole, and our Dolomites itinerary has complete 3, 5 and 7 day routes. If you’re driving, read How to Get to the Dolomites before you go.