Dolomites Autumn Photography: Best Spots for Fall Colors
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- By: Peter Orsel
Autumn is the best season to photograph the Dolomites. The mountains are impressive year-round, but the fall colours hit different. The larch trees turn golden, and combined with the dark green pines and grey rock, it creates some of the best autumn colours you will find anywhere in Europe.
In this post I will show you my shots and the exact locations. Not visiting in autumn? Check this post for the best photo spots during the main season.
In This Post
Timing: When to Go for the Best Colours?
Autumn colours in the Dolomites are hard to predict. The timing varies each year depending on temperature, rainfall and when the first cold nights arrive. In general, the last two weeks of October are the best. Lower locations like Lago di Braies and St. Magdalena tend to colour earlier than higher spots like Tre Cime and Cadini, so it is worth planning your route accordingly.
In October, sunrise is between 7 and 8am and sunset around 7pm. Once daylight saving time ends on the last Sunday of October, the sunset changes to around 5pm. That is a significant change if your trip falls around that date, so check which side of the clock change you are on before planning your golden hour shoots.
The photos in this post were taken between 25 October and 2 November. For Lago di Braies, the timing was perfect. For the road up to Tre Cime and Lago Federa, it was too late.
One more thing to keep in mind: snowfall can close mountain roads with very little notice. The road to Tre Cime is one of the first to close, and I have experienced it being shut as early as late September after the first snowfall of the season. If snow is forecast, check road conditions the evening before and have a backup location ready.
Scouting locations using Instagram
If you don’t want to be disappointed, scout your locations just moments before using Instagram. Search for the specific location and check the most recent posts, or even better: check the stories. This shows you the exact conditions, and it prevented me from going to Lago Federa, as I saw that all bright colours were already gone. Ignore the ‘top posts’, as they were most likely not taken around that specific date.
Besides this, you always want to capture the Dolomites during sunset and sunrise. This requires some time management, but it’s well worth it. I pick my favourite locations for sunset and sunrise, and try to fill my spare time with editing, trip planning and enjoying some great Italian coffee and food!
How to get around in the Dolomites?
The Dolomites is one of these locations where you want to have access to a car. If you can’t manage to drive there yourself, it’s possible to fly in through Venice or Milan. Whenever you’re in need of renting a car, I always recommend Rentalcars. They’re usually the cheapest, they’re flexible and offer a wide range of companies to hire from.
Where to stay to capture the best autumn photo spots of the Dolomites?
The Dolomites is a big area and it takes a while to get around. I try to stay on both the east and west side, each for a couple of nights. The east side covers St. Magdalena, Alpe di Siusi and Seceda. The west side covers Cortina d’Ampezzo, Lago di Braies, Lago di Sorapis, Tre Cime, Lago Federa and more. You can easily see the spots from this article in the map above, and pick your accommodation based on the best location.
On the east side, great villages to stay are Ortisei or somewhere between Chiusa and Colma. On the west side I personally love Dobbiaco and it’s my go to place to stay. There is a great pizza restaurant I have been to many times now (shoutout to Pizzeria Hans! And that is not sponsored, hehe). Another option is Cortina d’Ampezzo or somewhere along the Falzarego Pass.
If you have limited time, I recommend spending about a third of your time on the east side and the rest on the west side.
Church of St. John, Ranui, St. Magdalena
This is probably one of my favourite photos I have ever taken in autumn. Yes, it is a famous spot and you have seen it on Instagram before, but the scenery is hard to argue with.
The tip: instead of shooting from the viewpoint at the fence where everyone stands, walk a bit further uphill following the road. From there you get a completely different perspective with more depth and foreground.
How to get to this church?
This is one of these places where you need a car. There’s a bus stop, but I think you should really be here at sunset and unfortunately most time table don’t support sunset missions, especially in low season. To get to the right parking, navigate here.
What are the costs?
Bring some coins for the parking machine and you’re good to go! I honestly have no idea how much I threw in, so a couple of euros must be enough.
St. Magdalena
Just a 20-minute walk from the Ranui church, St. Magdalena gives you the panoramic viewpoint of the more famous church from a distance. I prefer shooting it by drone to get closer and capture more detail in the composition.
How to get to this church?
Navigate to this spot, but keep in mind you have to walk the last part for about 20 minutes. It’s only allowed for people living in this area to drive up to this location. The police and the local people are actively checking on this, and in 2026 it has been in the international news again.
What are the costs?
Again, some euros for parking.
Alpe di Siusi
Alpe di Siusi is one of the largest high-altitude alpine meadows in Europe, also known as Seiser Alm in German. In autumn, the larch trees turn golden across the area with the Dolomite peaks rising sharply in the background. It is one of those locations where almost every composition works.
I noticed it’s a bit harder to shoot Alpe di Siusi in autumn. The sun rises behind the mountain peaks, which limits the warm light on the meadows. On top of that, the grass loses its green colour in October, so the contrast between the foreground and the mountains is less dramatic than in summer.
Getting there requires some planning. The access road from Siusi (Seis am Schlern) is closed to regular traffic between 9am and 5pm. Arriving before 9am is the best approach for golden hour shooting. After 5pm the road opens again for evening light. If you are caught driving during the restricted hours without a valid reason, you risk a significant fine. Staying at one of the hotels on the plateau solves this entirely.
How to get to Alpe di Siusi?
Navigate to Compatsch P2 above Hotel Zorzi. After parking, it takes around 45 minutes to the famous viewpoint, but you will be tempted to take photos of every pretty corner you face.
What are the costs?
The meadows are free to visit, the parking is not. Parking costs €30 flat fee. Cards are accepted, but credit cards aren’t. The cable car from Siusi is €30 round trip per person.
Lago di Braies
Whether you call it Lago di Instagram or not, you cannot go wrong with this place. The autumn colours here are exceptional. Expect crowds and a parking situation that resembles a theme park entrance, but once you step into the scene, you forget everything around you.
Flying a drone seems to be accepted these days. It was not allowed for a long time and signs may still say otherwise, but the last time I was there I counted about 15 drones in the air at the same time.
Lago di Braies now requires a parking reservation during peak season. Check the current system and book in advance to avoid being turned away.
How to get to Lago di Braies?
Take the bus from Dobbiaco or Cortina d’Ampezzo, or drive and park a short walk from the lake.
What are the costs?
Parking costs €8 regardless of how long you stay. Boat rental is available through late October, with opening hours from 10am to 4.30pm. After that the boathouse closes for the season.
Lago Federa
I did not make it to Lago Federa on my trip. The evening before I had planned to go, I checked Instagram Stories for the location and saw that all the bright colours were already gone. That is exactly why I always recommend scouting conditions before you hike. The two-hour climb to a lake with bare trees is not how you want to spend a morning.
That said, Lago Federa is widely considered one of the best autumn photography locations in the Dolomites, and arguably the most rewarding. The lake is completely surrounded by larch trees with the peak of Becco di Mezzodì as a backdrop. When the timing is right, it is a location that stands out from everything else.
The hike from Ponte de Ru Curto takes about 90 minutes. With 500 metres of elevation gain and some steep sections, it is a proper mountain hike. If you can time it right, staying overnight at Rifugio Palmieri puts you at the lake for both sunset and sunrise, and gives you coffee and a warm meal waiting when you get back. The rifugio is usually open until around 20 October.
How to get to Lago Federa?
Start from Ponte de Ru Curto near Cortina d’Ampezzo and follow the trail to the lake. Navigate to this starting point.
What are the costs?
Free to hike. Rifugio Palmieri overnight with half board costs around €73 per person.
Lago di Sorapis
Lago di Sorapis is one of the most photogenic spots in the Dolomites. The turquoise colour of the water comes from glacial flour suspended in the lake, giving it a colour that looks almost unreal. In autumn, the surrounding larch trees turn golden which makes the combination of colours here unlike anywhere else. I visited in summer myself, but it is on my list to go back in October.
The hike takes about two hours one way from Passo Tre Croci. Bring proper hiking boots. Parts of the trail run along narrow cliff paths with a serious drop next to you. It is not technical climbing, but you need to be comfortable with heights.
How to get to Lago di Sorapis?
Navigate to Passo Tre Croci and follow path 215 to the lake. Start early. The car park fills before 9am on busy days.
What are the costs?
It’s free to hike to and visit Lago di Sorapis.
Passo Giau
Passo Giau is probably the most famous mountain road in the Dolomites. The snake-like curves only reveal themselves from the air, so a drone is the right tool here. I took a variety of heights and angles, with a top-down perspective being my favourite. It is also easy to film a car driving the road. Wait for someone to pass, or have a travel companion drive.
Note: later in November, the road to Passo Giau can become impassable due to snow. Check conditions before you make the drive. I once ended up on this road in the snow, and I wasn’t properly prepared. I’m glad I made it out without further problems.
How to get there?
Navigate here and park your car at a safe spot to fly your drone.
What are the costs?
None.
Lago Ghedina
This one is less famous than the other spots on this list. I came across one photo beforehand and had no idea where to find it. Thanks to Google Maps and a reversed image search, I tracked down the exact location. What I did not know is that you can actually drive to the lake. I parked next to Camping Olympia and hiked for about 30 minutes before realising I did not need to.
I kept the house on the far right side in frame to show that I did not touch the colours in editing. I still cannot believe how orange the trees were. It made it difficult to edit the photo in a way that looked realistic.
How to get there?
Navigate here and approach the lake from the south. The road is closed from the north side. If you want a small hike, park here and hike to the lake.
What are the costs?
None.
Lago di Dobbiaco
Lago di Dobbiaco is also known as Toblacher See, as you are in the German-speaking part of the Dolomites.
I already hiked around the lake on a previous trip and knew the shot I had in mind. It is a popular spot, but it never excited me with just the green summer colour. In autumn the colours here are worth the detour.
The photo takes zero exercise and was taken around 50 metres from the parking lot. I was lucky with the still water conditions and took a variety of shots until I was happy with the results. I loved seeing some popping orange trees between the regular green ones.
How to get there?
Navigate here and you can’t miss the house I shot.
What are the costs?
None, but bring some cash for the parking meter.
Lago di Misurina
Right after Lago di Dobbiaco, I made my way to Lago di Misurina. I had seen it many times before but never properly photographed it, so I stopped by.
The water was not as reflective as I hoped, but I still like the result. The popping trees on the left give a real autumn feel. As crazy as nature is, the trees on the right had not started changing their colours yet.
How to get there?
Navigate here and you can’t miss the spot.
What are the costs?
None, but bring some cash for the parking meter.
Lago d'Antorno
Lago d’Antorno is on the way to Tre Cime di Lavaredo, a small lake with phenomenal backdrops on all sides. The trees really add that autumn feel, and I was not the only one who had planned a sunset here.
You will often find a line of photographers with tripods at this spot. They are usually shooting long exposures with ND and polarising filters to get the most dramatic colours and smooth water possible. It is a valid approach and the results can be impressive. I personally rarely use a tripod at daytime and prefer to shoot handheld so I can move around and get a large variety of shots in the time I have.
A bad memory from this place: my Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM stopped working here. I thought my camera was broken. Afterwards I found out the lens has a known issue. Sony ran a repair programme and fixed it for free after my trip.
How to get there?
Navigate here and you can’t miss the lake as it’s next to the road.
What are the costs?
None, parking is free but limited for 1 hour, or park on the other side of the road, where you’re allowed to park longer. These regulations are subject to change, so always check the location itself.
Tre Cime di Lavaredo & Cadini di Misurina
Both Tre Cime and the nearby Cadini di Misurina viewpoint are above the tree line, so there are no larches in frame. For autumn colour specifically they are not the strongest spots on this list. What they offer is some of the most dramatic mountain compositions in the Dolomites, and in late October the combination of snow on the peaks and golden light on the rocks can be exceptional. If you are going to make the drive up, it is worth combining both.
First day of snowfall in Tre Cime
A few years ago I drove up on a sunny day in September, only to find that the first snowfall of the season had already closed the road. Instead of turning back, we decided to hike up. What started as a detour turned into one of the better decisions of the trip. The fresh snow on the peaks, the silence, and the early autumn light made for some images I still rate highly. If you have the legs for it and the road is closed, the hike is worth it.
Cadini di Misurina
Even though I knew Cadini would not have autumn colours in frame, it was still a location I wanted to visit for sunrise. The spot is super famous and due to its popularity, you can expect to wait a bit before your model can position themselves on the edge.
Cadini is a short hike from the Tre Cime area and works well as a combination with a visit to Tre Cime. You can also do it as a standalone trip by parking at Lago d’Antorno and hiking up without paying the toll road. This is what I did last time, and it took me about 1h30m to hike to the viewpoint. Follow track 101 from Lago d’Antorno. Once you get above the tree line, turn right and hike up to the viewpoint. I recommend Maps.Me for detailed offline navigation.
How to get to Tre Cime or Cadini di Misurina?
Drive to Lago d’Antorno and continue up the toll road to Rifugio Auronzo. Parking requires an online reservation via the official Auronzo di Cadore portal. Reservations open in late May each year. Without a reservation you will be turned away at the toll booth. The road closes immediately after significant snowfall with no fixed date. I have experienced it being shut as early as late September. Check the webcam at the toll booth and local road conditions the evening before. If the road is closed, Lago d’Antorno is a solid alternative and stays accessible longer into the season.
What are the costs?
For the current toll road and parking fees, check the official Auronzo di Cadore website as prices are updated each season.
Seceda
Seceda is one of the most photographed spots in the Dolomites, and it is easy to see why. The dramatic ridge with its sharp mountain peaks is iconic. That said, Seceda is above the tree line, which means no larch trees. For autumn colour specifically it is not the strongest choice on this list. If you are here for the dramatic mountain composition and you are happy without the golden trees, it is still a beautiful location. If the larches are your priority, spend that time at Alpe di Siusi instead.
Getting there early is complicated. The cable car from Ortisei does not start running until 08:30, which means you have two realistic options for sunrise: hike up before dawn, which takes around two hours, or stay overnight at one of the rifugios nearby. Wild camping is officially not allowed.
How to get there?
Take the cable car and gondola from Ortisei, or hike from the south side of the mountain. Navigate to the cable car station in Ortisei. The cable car does not start running until 08:30, which means you have two realistic options for sunrise: hike up before dawn, which takes around two hours, or stay overnight at one of the rifugios nearby. Wild camping is officially not allowed.
You now need to pre-book your cable car ticket in advance via a timed-entry system. During peak season you should not assume tickets are available at the door. Book early, especially if you are targeting the first gondola of the day. You can book it here.
What are the costs?
Parking €4 per hour directly under the cable car station. The current cable car return ticket costs €70.50 per person, but prices are seasonal and subject to change. Most lifts close by early November, so check operating dates and current prices before you plan your visit.
There is More Than What You See Online
The Dolomites has far more to offer than the spots that appear in every photography guide. The locations in this article are all worth visiting, but some of the best images I have come back with were taken at places I stumbled upon along the way. Take the photo you see above. It just caught my eye while driving, and the autumn colours totally delivered.
Conclusion
If I had to pick one week, the last week of October gives you the best combination of larch colours, manageable crowds and roads that are still open. Keep an eye on the weather, have a backup plan for the higher spots, and use Instagram Stories the morning of each location to avoid hiking to bare trees. The Dolomites in autumn rewards the people who do their homework.
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About Me
Peter Orsel is a Dutch travel photographer based in Bali, specialized in drone and landscape photography. He has visited over 40 countries and writes detailed, no-nonsense guides based on firsthand experience.