Overview

The gateway to the Dolomites

“A splendid place, ideal for regenerating the body and the spirit”: this is how Bohemian composer Gustav Mahler described Dobbiaco. A UNESCO World Natural Heritage site in Alta Pusteria thanks to its artistic and natural beauty, it is considered the gateway to the Dolomites because of the trails that lead from the village to the ski lifts and mountain huts in the area.

Walking through the village centre, be sure to stop at Herbstenburg Castle, behind the parish church. In its five 15th-century chapels, the oldest Stations of the Cross in Tyrol is preserved.

We also recommend planning a visit to the Grand Hotel, one of the most popular haunts of high society in the last century and now a cultural centre that hosts musical concerts and exhibitions. Other noteworthy events include the Dolomiti Balloonfestival, the International Choir Festival and the Dolomiti Superbike.

Lake Dobbiaco, surrounded by two nature parks, the Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park and the Three Peaks Nature Park, is a true jewel among South Tyrol’s mountain lakes. You can enjoy a pleasant walk around the whole lake for a couple of hours. Along the trail, you will find eleven learning stations that provide adults and children alike with interesting facts about the local flora and fauna. The lake is well-known among birdwatchers, who can admire rare breeds of migratory birds in spring and autumn. Meanwhile, in summer, you can enjoy an excursion on a rowing boat or pedalo. In winter, you can try your hand at curling or skating on its icy surface.

Lake Dobbiaco is also home to the Alta Pusteria cross-country ski track that leads to Cortina.

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