changemaven

We looking to hike in the Dolomites followed by some days in Lake Garda. In September preferably without a car. So far, we fly into Venice arriving afternoon. Plan to take train to Verona for night 1. Train and bus to Ortisei where we'll base for 6-7 nights (Hotel Grones) to hike (mostly) and bike (ebikes a day or two). Afterwards, train and bus to Garda or Bardolino for 5-6 nights, last night in Venice before flying back to US.
Please comment on transportation and number of days in each place. Open to car rental in Ortisei and Garda for a day or two each. Also seeking hotel or apartment recommendation in Lake Garda. We've been to Venice so are OK with just one/last night. Should we spend more than one night in Verona when we arrive?
Thanks in advance as we fine-tune this trip.

Jean

Everyone has their own priorities for a trip like this, and there is public trans. But I'd want a car to be able to make the most of my time, see as much of the amazing scenery as possible and do any spontaneous walks/hikes as they pop up. Having a car for a day in each place would be better than no car at all, but the time spent renting/returning the cars and the low road speeds would limit what's realistically possible in a day. You'd have to see if there are car rental offices in Ortisei and Garda.

Have you identified specific hikes or will you focus only on what's easily done from where you're staying? Have you studied the bus and ferry time tables?

I haven't done a lot of hiking near/at Lake Garda... mostly hikes around smaller nearby lakes we came upon while driving, one to the ruins of a paper factory near Maderno and hikes from the top of the Malcesine cable car. It's my understanding that the more interesting and scenic hiking routes are concentrated at the northern end of the lake.

https://www.komoot.com/guide/1901/hi...und-lake-garda

Whether one night in Verona is enough for you depends on what you want to see/do, how early you arrive and how late you could leave Verona to reach Ortisei. I'd want to see things in Verona in daylight without feeling rushed and not arrive late in Ortisei, so I'd want 2 nights.

Depending on your interests, you might want to include an excursion to Bolzano from Ortisei (or stop a night there on the way from Verona or to Garda) in order to visit the archeology museum which houses the fascinating exhibits about the Ice Man, Otzi.

https://www.iceman.it/en/

panecott

I like to take public transportation when possible but The Dolomites were one location where I was glad to have a car. I also stay in Ortisei for about 5 nights and it was great for driving around and exploring. I even drove to Cortina for a day trip on a famous mountain road (can't recall the name of the drive). As Jean said, you can stop and hike whenever you want to. Driving in the Dolomites was super easy.

PJTravels

We've been to the Dolomites twice, each time staying one week in Ortisei at Grones and another week in Alta Badia at Natur Hotel Miraval. While in Ortisei, our car did not leave the hotel garage. Many hikes can be accessed from the lifts and cable car in town, and we took the bus to nearby towns (still in Val Gardena) for other trails. I suggest contacting the lovely people at Grones for their input.

A car was a must for us to access lifts and trails in other areas like Alta Badia, Cortona, etc.

Jean

panecott, you were likely on segments of The Great Dolomite Road. We took walks or hikes at the tops of most of the passes. Just thinking about our time there makes me want to get back!

https://www.italymagazine.com/featur...delle-dolomiti

love_travel_Aus

We too have spent time at Ortisei (think three times now) staying at the Grones and have not had a car.
As PJ Travels indicates we too have caught buses to other towns when we wanted to visit different trails.
The people at The Grones are wonderful and helpful and give very clear guidance for all of this.

Do appreciate that others are more comfortable driving.

We very much want to revisit!

Rubicund

As far as Lake Garda is concerned: We've been to the lake several times and always had a car to get around. It's far easier than wasting valuable holiday time on waiting for buses and allows you to be more spontaneous in where you stop. We've stayed in Sirmione-twice, Desenzano and Riva. Desenzano is on the direct train line to Venice, change in Verona, so easy to get back to Venice for your last night.

There's a range of hotels in all these places, so you'll need to check prices, but be aware that where staff were great in recent years, the odds are that they will have changed. Garda and Bardolino are very small and I think that I'd want somewhere a bit bigger for 5/6 nights, (good to take in on a day trip round the lake) maybe Desenzano or Peschiera. For me, Desenzano would be the choice, good restaurants and hotels.

panecott

Yes, Jean, that was it! Thank you. So beautiful and impressive.

HappyTrvlr

Another Hotel Grones lover here! Their staff helped plan our hikes, absolutely wonderful.

neckervd

Trains and buses between Bolzano/Bozen and Ortisei (direct or with change at Ponte Gardena) run about every 30 minutes.
Trains between Bolzano/Bozen and Rovereto run about every 30-60 minutes
Buses from Rovereto du Lake Garda (Riva) run about every hr.
Verona - Ortisei (train up to Ponte Gardena, then bus): about every hr.
The lift stations around Ortisei can all be reached by local bus.

changemaven

Thank you all for your helpful advice and train info! It's fun to be trip-planning again!