Day 8: Dolomites hiking 11kms + 8kms on bike to and from town

After quite a cold night, the day dawned and the forecasted perfect weather delivered ☀️.  I lay in my tent till nearly 9am doing some logistics planning till the temp climbed over 6 degrees and just as the sun popped over the mountain 🎉

I had booked the last couple of seats on the bus to the mountains at 1pm and back at 6.15pm.  I would have liked longer but figured that it is what it is and it should be enough time to do a lap of the famous Tre Cime Lavorado (the Three Peaks).  

I chatted with the Ukranian couple before they headed off and then cycled into town and explored for a bit, had a gelato and a pistachio cannoli and then after a picturesque 1hr bus ride, found myself near the top of the mountains on an 18 degrees day.


It's a bit hard to find the right words to describe the Dolomites but I'll give it a go: they are striking, majestic, rugged, imposing, towering over the landscape, awesome and immense.  To get to hike amongst these mountains on such a clear sunny day was such a bonus.  So many people dotted all over the mountains on the huge network of short and long distance trails.  Even lots of dogs out for a big walk! 


I walked the full perimeter of the three peaks which involved steep ups and downs on wide gravel trails and an opportunity to see the peaks from many angles. 
I stopped at a Riffugio for a hot chocolate and apple strudel with Peaks views! 

I made it back to the bus stop with 15 mins spare and watched the light changing on the peaks as the sun started to drop. 

Once back in town I had a chilly cycle back to the campground, showered and at the pizzeria for dinner (forgot it was Sunday and the grocery store near the bus stop closed!)

I feel very blessed to have had an introduction to the Dolomites and they have left their mark and I do hope I get to come back one day and hike more 😊

I will sleep like a log tonight! 

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