Hiking the Dolomites has been on my bucket list for years. I’d seen the iconic photos—the jagged limestone peaks, alpine lakes that look Photoshopped, and trails that stretch for miles above the clouds. When the opportunity finally came, my partner and I did what every mountain lover should do: we booked the ticket.
We timed our trip for June 2025, just before Europe’s summer heat waves kicked in. Timing the shoulder season meant cooler temps, fewer crowds, and the perfect conditions to put our VOORMI gear to the test in one of the world’s most legendary mountain ranges.
Day 1: Lake Garda - Mountain Town Vibes, Cold Water, and First Gelato of the Trip
Before heading into the high alpine, we decided to ease into the trip with a stop at Lake Garda—the unofficial gateway to the Dolomites. I'd heard the rumors: dramatic cliffs, deep blue water, and an outdoor scene that feels like Hood River collided with SoCal. Turns out, the rumors were spot on.
Lake Garda is built for play. We spent the morning walking along the shoreline, watching windsurfers carve through the choppy water as sailboats drifted across the lake. Every direction seemed to lead uphill, but down by the water, life slows down.
I wore my VOORMI Tank, perfect for the heat rolling off the pavement, while my partner stayed cool in the VOORMI Tech Tee. Both pieces are built for these in-between moments—technical enough for an impromptu hike, breathable enough for wandering town with a gelato in hand.
And yes, we absolutely grabbed gelato from a small café tucked along the lake’s edge before exploring the narrow streets. E-bikes zipped past us—practically everyone rides one here—and the energy was contagious. You can feel that this place caters to mountain athletes, but it never loses that laid-back, Italian charm.
By late afternoon, the lake was calling. The water was colder than expected but crystal clear—impossible to resist. We cooled off with a quick swim, thankful for gear that dries fast and stays comfortable even when the adventure shifts from town to trail to water.
Lake Garda gave us the perfect start: sun, gelato, cold water, and just enough elevation tease to whet the appetite for the rugged peaks waiting to the north.
Day 2: From Lake Life to High Alpine – Tre Cime and Rifugio Living
By mid-morning, we packed up the car and traded lake life for mountain roads. The Dolomites reveal themselves slowly as you drive north—the rolling hills tighten into steep switchbacks, the peaks sharpen, and suddenly, you’re surrounded by jagged limestone spires that feel otherworldly.
Our first stop was Lago di Braies, one of the most photographed lakes in the world. Picture-perfect? Absolutely. But even arriving mid-morning, it was already crowded with people staging the same canoe and dock shots seen all over social feeds.
We grabbed another gelato, snapped a few photos, and kept moving—the real adventure was still ahead.
By 2 PM, we reached Rifugio Auronzo, our home base for the night, perched along the dramatic ridgelines near Tre Cime di Lavaredo. After checking in, we geared up—River Run Hoodies on, trail shoes laced—and set out for the iconic Tre Cime loop.
Most hikers were already headed back down, so we practically had the trail to ourselves. Running the loop in reverse gave us quiet, open views of the peaks without the usual crowds.
About 2 kilometers in, we turned a corner—and there it was.
The Tre Cime massif rising above us looked unreal, like a backdrop dropped into a simulation. Jagged towers, sweeping valleys, and wildflowers dotting the trail made every step worth it. I checked the rocks just to ground myself—it was real.
We moved fast, mixing hiking with sections of trail running to soak in every view and still have time to explore off the main route. The River Run Hoodies pulled double duty—light enough to keep us cool on the move, breathable when pushing pace, and comfortable enough to wear straight through dinner later without a second thought.
For anyone considering this route, know this: it’s more accessible than it looks in the photos. Sure, there are climbs, but the payoff comes quickly, and turning back is always an option. Go at your own pace, soak in the views, and don’t miss the chance to see it when the crowds thin out.
We made it back to the Rifugio by 6:30 PM, just in time for one of those famous mountain dinners that live up to every rumor. The food? Incredible. But what really surprised me was how many people hike up here, grab the views, and skip staying overnight on the mountain. They’re missing the best part.
After dinner, with golden hour stretching late into the evening, we set out again—this time for Cadini di Misurina. Full transparency: we took a wrong turn based on advice we picked up along the way. It led us onto a sketchy section of trail with crumbling footholds and a steep drop-off that demanded full attention.
When we circled back to the main route, a weathered sign confirmed our mistake: “Trail Closed Until Further Notice.” Plot twist.
The views made up for it. But be ready for another type of challenge—the influencer crowd. Expect tripod setups, matching outfits, and plenty of staged “candid” shots clogging the best viewpoints. I found myself quietly congratulating the Instagram boyfriends for their dedication to the perfect shot.
By 9:30 PM, the sun dipped low, casting long shadows across the peaks as we headed back to the Rifugio. My River Run Hoodie stayed on the entire time—lightweight enough for the lingering warmth, but just enough protection as the air cooled off.
No sticky post-hike discomfort, no mid-hike wardrobe changes, just reliable performance gear that handled everything the Dolomites threw at us.
Day 3: Ortisei, Seceda, and Beating the Clock
We woke to a clear mountain morning, fueled up with the kind of Rifugio breakfast that keeps you moving—bread, jam, espresso, the essentials. The plan was simple: head toward Ortisei, hike as much as possible, and squeeze every bit of adventure out of our last day in the Dolomites.
Ortisei is the Vail of the Dolomites. Sleek shops, polished cafés, a tourist-friendly mountain town that blends alpine charm with modern convenience. It’s cool, but we were here to chase peaks, not shop.
Naturally, we made time for gelato—third day in a row, no regrets.
By early afternoon, we reached our next Rifugio (insert name here), tucked high on the slopes above town. The further up we climbed, the more the cultural shift hit. German influence here is strong—signs, menus, even the Rifugio itself felt more Austrian than Italian. It makes sense—the region has swapped borders over the years, but the alpine traditions run deep.
With only a few hours before dinner service, we debated what hike we could realistically squeeze in. Locals warned that Seceda—the dramatic ridgeline that looks straight out of a postcard—was a stretch. Sunset was creeping in, dinner closed at six, and we hadn’t exactly taken it easy the day before.
But we didn’t travel across the world to play it safe.
We grabbed our gear, River Run Hoodies back on—this time I wore the New Sage color, perfect for blending into the high alpine terrain, while still offering the sun protection we needed for exposed ridgelines.
We moved fast, running sections of the trail, passing hikers who looked at us like we were crazy. They didn’t know what VOORMI gear can handle.
The route wound past a UNESCO World Heritage site, through alpine meadows, and up toward the jagged crest of Seceda. Photos don’t do this place justice—the cliffs drop off into nothing, green valleys stretch below, and the Dolomite peaks rise in every direction.
The River Run performed again—light, breathable, and that perfect mix of sun protection and moisture control when your pace spikes. Whether hiking or running, the gear stayed with us, no overheating, no sticking, no distractions.
We made it to the summit, snapped the required photos (ours admittedly less staged than the influencer crowd), and raced the clock back to the Rifugio.
Dinner service closed at 6 PM—we made it with minutes to spare.
Locals were stunned we’d pulled it off. Apparently, running an alpine route before dinner isn’t the norm here. But with the right mindset—and the right gear—it’s more than doable.
Seceda capped our Dolomites trip perfectly. High peaks, challenging terrain, and gear that performed every step of the way.
Why VOORMI Delivered
Three days of lakes, hikes, unexpected weather, and high-alpine miles, and the River Run collection handled it all. From the shoreline of Lake Garda to the rocky spires of Seceda, it proved exactly why we pack VOORMI for real mountain travel—breathability, protection, and comfort you can trust when every ounce in your pack matters.
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