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Updated October 2025
Visiting the Dolomites in April is a little unpredictable, and that’s all part of the adventure. Some days you’ll hike through sparkling snow, other days you’ll spot the first spring flowers. It’s a magical season where winter slowly gives way to spring.
Before our visit, we wondered whether April was worth it, what the weather would be like, and if any of the trail would even be open. We soon found that with a little planning and flexibility, April can be one of the most peaceful and beautiful times to visit the Dolomites. Fewer crowds, quiet villages, and stunning scenery make it a season worth considering.
If you want to explore beyond the mountains, nearby gems like Lana, South Tyrol’s best-kept secret, or romantic Lake Garda with its hikes, bike rides, and charming villages are just a short drive away.
Here are seven things you should know before visiting the Dolomites in April, starting with the weather, because, let’s be honest, we’re British.
READ | Our Complete Guide to the Dolomites for practical tips and best places to visit
expect unpredictable weather and changing conditions
Before we arrived, we assumed that most of the popular spots would be accessible and that warmer weather would have melted most of the snow. To our surprise, spring in the Dolomites really doesn’t start until around mid-June.
Visiting the Dolomites in April means being prepared for snowfall or lingering snow at higher altitudes. In most years, snow can last into March or even April, depending on weather conditions.
The Dolomites are very much a seasonal destination, with winter from mid-December to April and the summer from June until September. Mountain weather can vary year to year, and in April you may experience all four seasons in a single day, snow, rain, wind and sunshine.
Bring warm layers with you, a cosy jacket (both down and rain jacket), a hat and gloves for mornings and evenings. Once the sun drops behind the mountains, the temperature will quickly fall, so it’s best to be prepared.
On average, the temperatures in April range from a high of 19°C and a low of 5°C. When we visited, a cold weather front brought night temperatures to drop to -8°C some nights, so it’s worth being prepared for sudden changes.
Mountain weather is unpredictable and can vary from one day to the next, but don’t be surprised if you also get warm, sunny days, as we did! The towering peaks may be sprinkled with a dusting of snow, creating spectacular scenery and unique photo opportunities.
Check the links below to the regional tourism office for live webcam footage in each area:
Enjoy the peace of nature with Fewer crowds in April
The Dolomites can get very busy during the short window of good weather from June to mid-October, especially in July and August. With its fairy-tale landscapes, the Dolomites have captured the imagination of many travellers, including us!
Summer visits often mean crowded roads and car parks, fully booked hotels, and busy attractions. It can be disappointing when your experience isn’t quite as peaceful as you imagined, but it shows why the Dolomites are famous worldwide.
We loved visiting Lago di Braies in April. While you won’t have it entirely to yourself, it saves you the early wake-up call and much easier to find a quiet spot to soak in the scenery.
We took a scenic hike to Lago di Braies, starting just below the main car park, wandered through the pine forest, and were rewarded with the wonderful views of a frozen lake, a very different experience from the summer crowds starting at 9 am.
Roads are also less busy in April, making it easier to find parking, too. Most car parks are pay and display, but some are free out of season, which is another bonus for visiting at this time of year.
THE Ski season ends in April
The ski season in the Dolomites runs from early December to mid-April for most resorts, though some higher altitude resorts can stay open until early May. Many ski resorts in the Dolomiti Superski use snow-making technology, which helps ensure the reliability of snow cover late in the season.
Skiing in April is still very much possible, with plenty of resorts to choose from. For example, the 2022-2023 season had record-low levels of snow early on, but early April created excellent conditions for those waiting for prime skiing conditions.
April can also be a great time to find end-of-season deals on hotels and ski passes. With warmer temperatures and longer days, spring skiing is one of the best times to ski in the Dolomites, especially when you enjoy a clear bluebird day with beautiful mountain views.
Many hotels offer free ski shuttles, making it easy to access the slopes without needing a car. This is ideal for families or anyone looking for a stress-free ski trip.
Don’t expect to see everything in April
If you’re visiting the Dolomites in April, be prepared that not every spot will be accessible. Snow, closed roads, and limited public transport make travel more challenging this time of year.
Even so, there’s plenty to see and do in April. We loved exploring Val di Funes and Misurina Lake, which looked straight out of a Wes Anderson film. If you’re looking for an exciting adventure, ride on Europe’s longest zipline in San Vigilio di Marebbe.
Hiring a car is the best way to explore the area. It gives you flexibility to move at your own pace, giving you independence without relying on buses.
Hiring a car is the best way to explore the area. It gives you flexibility to move at your own pace, giving you independence without relying on buses. This will allow you to explore easy-to-reach spots around San Candido and Val Pusteria, visiting Lago di Dobbiaco, Dürrensee, Lago di Misurina and taking panoramic views of Tre Cime di Lavaredo from afar.
High altitude areas such as Seceda and Alpe di Siusi are often snow-covered in April. Their gondolas are typically closed for maintenance, and hiking up requires a good level of fitness, time and winter hiking gear.
If you’re unsure as to whether a hike or road is open, check webcams and contact the tourism office for the latest conditions before setting off.
Hiking options are limited, but still beautiful
If you’re planning to go hiking in the Dolomites in April, it’s important to know that some hiking routes won’t be accessible. Most high-altitude mountain routes require proper equipment and are best left to experienced mountaineers.
There are plenty of beautiful low-valley hiking trails that are perfect in spring. These routes will take you through lush pine forests, rivers, and green alpine meadows with the towering limestone peaks that make the Dolomites so iconic.
Most mountain huts (Rifugios) remain closed until mid to late June, re-opening and closing mid-September, as they are not accessible due to snow. So if you’re planning to go mountain hut hiking in the Dolomites, this will not be possible in April.
Where to hike in April
Val di Funes | Discover breathtaking views of the Odle/Geisler Group from St Magdalena and visit the charming St Johann Church.
Puez-Odle Nature Park | Numerous easy walking trails, including the Zannes Nature Trail (Naturerlebnisweg Zans). Trails at higher altitudes were covered in snow and icy in places due to the shade from the trees.
Val Pusteria | Explore Lago di Braies, Toblacher See/Lago di Dobbiaco, and a panoramic view of the Tre Cime Lavaredo and Dürrensee/Lago di Landro.
San Candido | A peaceful base with gentle meadow walks and stunning views of the Three Peaks (Tre Cime). We stayed at the Naturehotel Leitlhof, which is open from early April and offers a cosy, quiet stay before the summer rush.
Take the scenic route by hiring a car
The best way to get around the Dolomites in April is by car. Most of the roads remain open, and even if snow falls, they are usually cleared quickly. Having your own car gives you the freedom to go where the road takes you, as well as many spontaneous stops along the way!
Drive one of the many mountain passes in Val Gardena and Alta Badia that are open (Gardena Pass, Sella Pass, Pordoi Pass), going at your own pace or even just driving and find places along your route that catch your eye.
While the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage area isn’t massive, the mountain roads can take time following hairpin bends and hills. We’d recommend choosing a place to stay either in Val Gardena or Val Pusteria for the duration of your trip, and exploring from there.
With a car, you can easily explore the surrounding valleys, including Lana, Merano and Bolzano in the Etschtal Valley/Val d'Adige. These areas enjoy warmer sunny spring weather, and it’s especially beautiful during the Lana in Bloom festival, celebrating the apple orchards in bloom.
READ | Our ultimate guide to Lana, South Tyrol’s best-kept secret.
Many hotels in the Dolomites are closed in April
Finding accommodation in the Dolomites in April can take a little extra planning, but it’s far from impossible! Many hotels close for renovations or a seasonal break in April, but there are enough hotels to cater for visitors for spring.
Most hotels are open from the beginning of December until early April for the ski season and then reopen in June for the summer season. This means ski hotels in active resorts will be open, and you will find many other hotels available in the valley or in towns.
Mountain refuge huts (Refugios) remain closed until mid to late June due to snow, so if you’re planning to go mountain hut-to-hut hiking in the Dolomites, you’ll need to plan for later in the season.
Recommended Places to stay in April
San Candido | We stayed at the beautiful Naturhotel Leitlhof, close to Tre Cime Nature Park and a great base to explore the heart of the Dolomites. They were only open for the first week of April and reopened in June, when most other hotels will open for the summer. We would highly recommend staying at Naturhotel Leitlhof to experience sustainable luxury, and you can read about our stay in April.
READ | Our review of staying at the Naturhotel Leitlhof hotel
Val Gardena | Many hotels to choose from during this time of year, especially in Selva di Val Gardena, including Hotel Miravalle and Mountain Design Hotel Eden Selva.
Val di Funes | Iconic views of the Seceda ridgeline, featuring the cosy and traditional Magdalenablick in Funes.
Etschtal Valley/Val d'Adige |Home to the beautiful market towns of Lana, Bolzano and Merano. Bolzano is often referred to as the gateway to the Dolomites. Stay at the peaceful oasis of Schwarzschmied hotel in Lana or the Mediterranean-inspired Villa Arnica.
READ | Our review staying at the incredible Schwarzschmied Hotel in Lana
Book your stay in the Dolomites in April
This easy-to-use map below will help you find your dream stay in the Dolomites. Simply select your dates in the search bar below, and it will compare the best prices over the main booking sites to show you the best deals.
BOOK YOUR STAY | Naturhotel Leitlhof, San Candido
Leitlhof Hotel is right in the heart of the Dolomites with monumental mountain vistas right on its doorstep. Championing a sustainable approach to hospitality, Naturhotel Leitlhof has managed to achieve eco ambitions of having a minimal impact on its natural surroundings by becoming completely self-sufficient in producing its energy.
Leitlhof is close to Tre Cime/Drei Zinnen Natural Park which is an iconic symbol of the Dolomites and the Three Peaks are part of the Sexten Dolomites mountain range.
Is April a good time to visit the Dolomites?
After reading the headlines you might be asking yourself whether it’s worth visiting the Dolomites in April. It may not be the best time to visit, especially if you have expectations to see most of the iconic and popular locations (Tre Cime Lavaredo Road is closed until late May/early June).
Regardless, there are still many beautiful nature spots you can enjoy this time of year. The Dolomites can be visited at any time of year, as scenery changes through the seasons the landscape will be a spectacle whenever you visit. The majestic limestone cliffs will be sprinkled with a dusting of snow which can make it a magical opportunity for photos.
The main challenges visiting the Dolomites in April are mostly as a result of the closure of transport (cable cars) and some hotels throughout the month which can make planning your trip a bit more time-consuming and limit you to certain areas but it is not impossible!
April in the Dolomites offers plenty of things to do whether it be hitting the slopes, hiking in the lower valleys or discovering popular spots with fewer crowds. We hope that this guide has given you some ideas on what you can do if you visit in April and what to expect for your trip to the incredible Dolomites.
READ | Our detailed guide to the Dolomites for more inspiration on your trip to the Italian Alps.
