The hike at Pian de ra Spines in Cortina d’Ampezzo is very easy and relaxing, perfect for families with children or elderly people. Among the easy hikes in Cortina, this one definitely takes you closer to nature. It is probably one of the easiest walks in the Dolomites.
The combination of cool forest and open riverside keeps you entertained and looking for the next objective. Find below our detailed itinerary, and our efficient and spontaneous tips.
Are you a couch potato? So are we! Nonetheless, when we do manage to get up from our lovely sofa, we enjoy spending time outdoors. We share our super-easy hikes, stories and adventures on our series “Hiking for couch potatoes“. If we can do it, you can do it too!
Get ready
What you should know before you start:
Length: 6,8 km
Time: the hike took us 2,5 hours, including a 40-minutes stop for a snack and nursing. Google Maps says it takes 1,5 hours. It takes my parents (fit people in their 60’s) 1 hour.
Elevation: approximately 90 meters positive and negative. The trail feels pretty flat.
When to do this hike: from spring to autumn. During the winter, part of the trail is not accessible because it is used for cross-country skiing.
Gear: since there aren’t any rocks to climb or difficult parts, trekking shoes aren’t really necessary. The trail is a dirt road of small rocks, so wear comfortable shoes with a good sole. Water and snacks according to your requirements (we didn’t bring any: just phone, wallet and keys). Clothes-wise, consider that it may be chilly in the forest and warm in the sun, so dress in layers.
Resting stops: approximately half-ways there is Spiaggia Verde restaurant (map here), great for a coffee or drink, a snack, or even lunch. There are also some slides and games for children.
Crowd: not too much, a few bikes.
Gear for our baby: our stroller GB Pockit+ All-City was very hard to push on this dirt road, because of the small hard wheels. It made for a very bumpy ride, so Alexander couldn’t sleep. We recommend using a stroller with big wheels, or a carrier like our Stokke My Carrier (we have the Front and Back one).
Be efficient: try this hike to warm up your muscles on your first day in the Dolomites, or plan it to relax after a demanding day.
Be spontaneous: you wake up with the sun shining? Get dressed and go! This hike doesn’t require special gear nor maps.
Planning your trip? Find here more ideas about what to do in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Itinerary of Pian de ra Spines hike
Pian de ra Spines is an area located North of Cortina, after Fiames. The hike is a ring, half on each side of river Boite.
How to get there
There are many starting points. We parked our car at International Camping Olympia (map here) and started from there. There are other parking places on the main road and at Hotel Fiames (map here). It is also possible to park at Spiaggia Verde (map here), but it’s usually quite crowded. You can do the
If you don’t have a car, take bus n.1 to the last stop, Fiames, right by Hotel Fiames.
You can even get here on foot on the Old Railway trail.
The hike
We started from Camping Olympia, with the western side of river Boite.
Even though you are walking in the forest, the mountains have a very strong presence. The valley is very narrow here, and the peaks are visible from time to time, between the tops of the trees. The smell of the trees and the moss is rejuvenating.
This peaceful part of the forest is made even more beautiful by works of art made by the local Arts School. Carved tree trunks, wooden arches, funny hanging figures will attract your gaze during the hike.
After some 30 minutes, we reached the Librason, a book-sharing shelf carved inside a tree trunk. The name puts together “libro”, Italian for book, and “brason”, local dialect for tree. I wish we had time to stop at the large table and read a few pages from a random book!
The trail slowly descends to the river Boite, and in some 15 minutes we reached it. The big rocks make it easy to get to the water and freshen up hands and face. The current is very strong, so be careful with putting your feet or standing in the water.
From here, the mountains are so close, it feels like you can reach out and touch them!
In 15 more minutes, we reached the bridge which marks approximately half of the trail (1 hour from the start). The gorgeous scenery keeps surprising us.
From the bridge, the restaurant Spiaggia Verde is just 15 minutes away. The trail here is actually a tar road that leads to the Fanes waterfalls. The restaurant may be closed off-season, so check it in advance.
If you didn’t touch the river Boite before, now you have another chance to step down to the rocks! There is a passage through the trees, by the parking lot.
Now you are officially on your way back. From Spiaggia Verde to the Camping, you can keep walking through the forest on the left, or cross the old airport on the right. We recommend the forest, much more pleasant and safe from rain/sunburns.
If you realize now you’re hungry, head to Hotel Fiames for a tasty sandwich or for delicious apple pancakes. They also could be closed in low season, fall and spring.
The trail continues by the road and then again by the river. In approximately 15 minutes we were back at the Camping where we parked our car.
Conclusion on the Pian de ra Spines hike
This hike in Cortina is super easy and pleasant. You can run or rent a bicycle, walk with your children and grandparents, spend a couple of hours or take a half-day with lunch included. It is perfect to enjoy time with your family, or to appreciate the sounds of nature in silence.
Did you enjoy this hike? Let us know in the comments! Cheers!
Ohhh, what a lovely sojourn during this time of having to put our travel plans on hold. Giulia, I felt as if I was walking alongside you on the trail. Just added Pian de ra Spines to my bucket list 🙂 I’ve never been to that part of the world before and look forward to reading more of your posts x
Thank you, Kimberlee! I cross all my fingers for travel to be safe soon. You will love the area of Cortina d’Ampezzo 🙂