The best period for hiking in the Dolomites is from July through the middle of September, but some hut-to-hut itineraries are accessible from the second week of June through mid-October.

In 2026, the hiking season in the Dolomites typically begins in mid-to-late June, but the exact "earliest" start depends heavily on altitude and snowpack. While lower valley trails may be accessible in May, high-altitude routes (above 2,000 meters) often remain covered in snow and ice until late June. Most mountain huts (Rifugi), which are essential for long-distance treks like the Alta Via, do not open until the 20th of June. Attempting to hike earlier than this often requires technical gear like crampons and ice axes, as north-facing slopes and "forcelle" (mountain passes) can hold dangerous snow bridge formations well into the spring. For the average hiker, the "safe" window starts in the last week of June, when the alpine wildflowers begin to bloom and the lift systems, such as those in Val Gardena or Cortina d'Ampezzo, commence their summer operations to ferry hikers to the high plateaus.