The Dolomites With a Baby: 7 Things to Know Before You Go

If you’re an active family who loves spending time outdoors, the Dolomites in Italy might be right up your alley. And really, what better time than parental leave to take your time exploring?

You can go for a big hike in the morning and stop in a village for the best bolognese of your life. And somehow, you might end the day at a playground with a pretty incredible mountain view.

Travelling in the Dolomites with a baby does take a little planning, though. Luckily, one of our Italian friends owns a chalet in the Dolomites and knows the area inside out. He planned a little road trip for us based on some of his favourite places.

If you’re thinking about visiting the Dolomites as a family, here are a few things we wish we’d known before we went.

1. Choose Your Home Base in the Dolomites Carefully

The Dolomites are big. Really big! If you switch accommodations every night, you’ll end up spending a lot of your trip in the car.

You’re better off choosing one village as your home base and exploring from there. We stayed in Pescùl, a charming little village at around 1,415 metres above sea level. That way, you can explore the area without packing up all the baby stuff again every couple of days.

Look at some of the smaller, lesser-known villages instead of automatically staying in Cortina d’Ampezzo, the region’s main tourist hub. Prices are generally much lower, and you’ll still have the basics nearby, like a bakery, a small grocery store and a few places to eat.

2. Stock Up on Diapers Before Heading Into the Mountains

This is probably the least glamorous tip on this list, but you’ll be glad you listened.

In smaller mountain villages, don’t expect a huge selection of diapers. Finding the right size or your usual brand can be tricky.

Travel tip: stock up before heading into the mountains. The last thing you want is to drive 40 minutes just because you’re running low on diapers.

3. Keep the Altitude in Mind

Before your trip to the Dolomites, talk to your doctor or pediatrician about your plans and what makes sense for your child.

We stuck to activities where we could gain altitude gradually rather than taking a cable car straight up a mountain. Locals rave about the Funivia Lagazuoi, which quickly takes you up to a spectacular viewpoint, but our little one was under a year old at the time, so we decided to skip it.

If you’re heading higher up into the mountains, check what’s recommended for your baby’s age and keep an eye on how they’re doing. Unusual fatigue, irritability or anything else that doesn’t seem quite right are all reasons to head back down and get medical advice if needed.

4. Pick Hikes That Work for Your Family

You don’t have to be a hardcore hiker to enjoy the Dolomites. You’ll find everything from really easy walks to proper hikes. And yes, that gelato tastes even better after a few hours on the trail.

Lago Coldai was easily one of our favourites. The hike is about 8 km and takes a few hours, with the terrain changing quite a bit as you climb toward the turquoise lake. Your legs will definitely get a workout, but once you get up there, the view does a pretty good job of making you forget about them.

For a much more relaxed day, head to Lago Misurina. You can walk around the lake or just grab a coffee and enjoy the view. With the hotel right on the water, it almost looks like something out of a Wes Anderson movie.

5. Time Your Drives Around Naps

Try planning some of your longer drives around nap time. It makes life a whole lot easier with a baby in the back seat. Luckily, driving around the Dolomites is almost an activity in itself.

You’re basically surrounded by mountains the entire time, so don’t be surprised if you end up pulling over more than once just for the view.

Passo Giau, for example, gives you 360-degree views of the surrounding peaks. It’s a good place to get out for a bit and give baby a break from the car seat. And why not throw in a feeding break with a view of the Dolomites? We’ve definitely seen worse breastfeeding rooms!

6. Rent a Car to Get Around

In the Dolomites, having a car is pretty much the way to go. Distances add up quickly, and with a baby, it’s also nice to have all your stuff nearby. Your trunk will probably look like a small daycare anyway!

Our Italian friend took us to several places we probably never would have found on our own. One of them was La Vela, a café near Lago Santa Croce.

In Longarone, you’ll also find the famous “valley of the gelatieri,” an area with a long gelato-making tradition. Make a stop at Gelateria Zoldana while you’re there. A gelato break is never a bad idea!

If you’re driving through the area, make a quick stop at Ponte di Igne. With huge rock walls surrounding the suspension bridge, you almost feel like you’ve somehow ended up in the Himalayas. Later in the day, make your way to Passo Valparola for sunset.

7. Bring Gear That Will Actually Make Your Life Easier

Before booking your rental car, check that the company offers a car seat that’s appropriate for your baby’s age. That’s not the kind of surprise you want when you get to the rental counter! You can also bring your own.

As for the stroller, a compact model like the YOYO can come in handy, but for hiking, a baby carrier will be much more practical. With a younger baby, a structured front carrier works really well. Once your child can sit well on their own, you can switch to a hiking carrier like the Osprey Poco LT.

And don’t count on every little village restaurant having a high chair. Bringing a portable one can save you a lot of trouble.

Explore the Dolomites at Your Own Pace as a Family

With a baby, trying to fit too much into one day just isn’t worth it when travelling as a family to the Dolomites. Leave some room in your plans for those random stops when the view is too good to drive past.

Before leaving for the Dolomites, remember to get travel insurance. You can get a quick quote with soNomad before your trip and get that part sorted before you go.