Planning a trip to the Dolomites is exciting, but it can also feel a bit overwhelming at first, so let me tell you which apps and websites I use on a daily basis. The region stretches across different provinces, the mountains are vast, and weather conditions can change quickly especially if you plan to spend time hiking.
Over the years, both as a photographer and as someone who spends a lot of time exploring these mountains, I’ve come to rely on a few essential apps and websites that help me plan hikes, check weather conditions and discover new places, record the ones I visit. Some of these tools are widely known among locals, while others are simply the ones I personally use the most when preparing a day in the mountains.
If you’re planning a vacation in the Dolomites, these are the apps and websites I would absolutely recommend.
Checking the Weather in the Dolomites
Weather is one of the most important things to check when planning a hike in the Dolomites. Mountain weather can change quickly, and forecasts from generic international apps are often not precise enough for alpine conditions.
Two local services are particularly reliable.
For South Tyrol and many of the central Dolomites, the official weather service of the Province of Bolzano Meteo Provincia di Bolzano (Weather South Tyrol here is the english version) is one of the most accurate sources available. It provides very detailed forecasts based on local mountain weather stations, with updates several times per day. You can also check radar maps, satellite images and specific forecasts for different mountain areas. You can download the app too.
If you plan to visit the eastern Dolomites, such as the area around Cortina d’Ampezzo or the Dolomites in the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions, another excellent resource is ARPA Veneto and Osmer Friuli Venezia Giulia Weather. This regional meteorological service offers highly detailed mountain forecasts and is widely used by hikers and mountaineers in the area.
Using these sources gives you a much more reliable picture of weather conditions compared to generic apps. During winter season you can also find the fundamental avalanche bullettin here.
Discovering Unique Hikes and Hidden Places
The Dolomites are famous for iconic places like Lago di Braies, Tre Cime di Lavaredo or Seceda. These places are beautiful, but they can also become extremely crowded during peak season.
One of the best ways to experience the Dolomites more authentically is to explore lesser-known trails, locations and experiences. That’s exactly what WilDolomites aims to help travelers do.
Wild Dolomites is a curated photographic map designed by me to highlight unique hikes, scenic spots and outdoor experiences across the region. Instead of focusing only on the most famous landmarks, it helps visitors discover quieter trails and interesting places that are often overlooked in traditional travel guides.
If you enjoy exploring and want to experience the mountains in a more personal and authentic way, tools like this can make a big difference.
Planning Your Own Hiking Routes
When I plan hikes, especially if I want to create a custom route or combine multiple trails, the tool I use the most is Mapy.
This app offers extremely detailed topographic maps and allows you to easily draw and plan your own route before heading out. It’s very intuitive to use and gives you a clear overview of elevation gain, trail distances and terrain.
You can find this hike above Braies lake in WilDolomites
For anyone who enjoys planning their own adventures rather than simply following predefined routes, this is one of the most useful apps available and the basic version is free too!
Finding Established Hiking Routes
Sometimes, especially if you’re visiting the Dolomites for the first time, it’s helpful to explore routes that have already been mapped and shared by other hikers.
Two platforms are particularly popular for this.
Sentres is widely used in South Tyrol (now even beyond) and offers a large collection of hiking routes, bike tours and winter activities. The routes are usually well documented and often include useful information about difficulty, elevation and points of interest along the way.
Another excellent option is Komoot, which has become one of the most popular outdoor route planning apps in Europe. It allows users to discover routes created by other hikers, filter them by difficulty and distance, and navigate directly using the app.
Both platforms are great sources of inspiration when you’re looking for ideas for your next hike.
Checking Snow Conditions in Winter
If you are visiting the Dolomites during winter, or even spring, snow conditions become an important factor when planning outdoor activities.
My Bible from December to May is the Avalance Report website, I find very useful the sections dedicated to current snow levels and forecast on snowfalls. The avalanche report usually stops some time in April but some maps about snow still on the ground might be updated longer on the dedicated maps.
An app that many people find useful is Mountain Maps, which helps you understand how much snow is currently present in different mountain areas. It’s a practical tool for getting a quick overview of snow coverage and deciding which regions might offer the best conditions for winter activities.
A new app designed by locals using AI tools that many people find useful is Mountain Maps, which helps you understand how much snow is currently present in different mountain areas. It’s a practical tool for getting a quick overview of snow coverage and deciding which regions might offer the best conditions for winter activities, skiing especially..
Whether you plan to go skiing, snowshoeing or simply explore snowy landscapes, having up-to-date information can help you make better decisions.
Final Thoughts
The Dolomites are one of the most spectacular mountain regions in the world, and part of their beauty lies in how diverse and vast they are. Having the right tools to plan your trip can make the experience much smoother and help you discover places you might otherwise miss.
Checking reliable weather forecasts, exploring different hiking maps and planning your routes in advance can turn a good trip into an unforgettable one.
If you’re visiting the Dolomites and would like to capture your experience in a meaningful way whether it’s a couple session, a proposal or a special moment during your trip, you can also explore the photography experiences available on this website.
The mountains offer incredible scenery in every season, and with a bit of planning, they can become the perfect backdrop for unforgettable memories.
New in 2026! The first FOLIAGE FORECAST in the DOLOMITES!
