It's hard to believe that this is the first review of this WHS, because the Dolomites are a popular destination for passionate hikers and climbers. But many of the most popular destinations are also accessible for less experienced hikers. The disadvantage is, that some of the trails are very crowded, at least in summer. At some moments of our hiking tours I felt like I was in a shopping center on the day before Christmas. However, I can understand this enthusiasm. With its various spectacular forms, the Dolomites are unique among the alpine landscapes. Steep peaks and pinnacles tower over green foothills and offer plenty of magnificent panoramic views.

During our week-long stay we have made several tours in four of the nine inscribed areas. Of course, we went to the Drei Zinnen/Tre Cime, probably the best-known place in the Dolomites (area 5). We started at the car park near the Hotel Tre Cime (at 1400 m) at the road between Toblach/Dobbiaco and Cortina. The path leads through the Valle di Rienza and the Valle di Rinbon to the Drei Zinnen hut (at 2400 m), from where you have an amazing view to the Drei Zinnen (photo). The last part is very steep and you have to be in good shape. We walked back through the Valle di Rimbian, the tour took us about 8 hours. But you can also make it easier: by car or bus to the Auronzo hut (road charge) at the rather unspectacular south side of the Drei Zinnen, then an easy 2-hour-walk to the Drei Zinnen hut.

Another very popular tour leads around the Rosengarten/Catinaccio massif (6 hours, area 6). A chairlift took us to the Kölner hut at 2300 m. The first part of the trail was very steep uphill and only for trained hikers, but most of the trail was suitable for less experienced hikers. A third long hiking tour (9 hours) was through the Langental to the Puez hut, the Crespeina plateau and the Cirspitzen/Pizes de Cir (area 7).

The Bletterbach gorge (area 8) is the smallest of the inscribed areas. We started at the visitor center of the geological park and walked about two hours along the creekbed to a waterfall at the end of the gorge. The trail was very rocky but not difficult to walk. In the gorge, various rock strata of the Palaeozoic and early Mesozoic eras can be seen. Several notice-boards provide information on the geology and on plant and animal fossils that were found in the gorge.

There are also a lot of possibilities for short and easy hiking tours: at the Zanser Alm in the Val di Funes you can choose between tours of various lengths, all offers beautiful views to the Geisler massif/Odle (area 6). Other popular destinations that are easily accessible are the Pragser Wildsee/Lago di Braies (area 5) or the Seiser Alm/Alpe di Siusi (area 7).

We stayed in Brixen/Bressanone for the whole week. Bressanone is a charming town with a beautiful cathedral, narrow streets and many restaurants and bars. All in all, it was a great week in the mountains and surely I will come back to visit the other inscribed areas.