Many mountains and how to get around them

Dolomites are full of them! 

And seems like lots of other people like them too – hundreds of motorcyclists, mountain bikers and mad road cyclists are out there “doing” the mountain passes and tracks.  It is amazingly busy with all these guys and huge numbers of cars as well – all German and Italian – although did spot our first GB stickers yesterday – on 3 bikes.  Must be a nightmare in mid-summer – although perhaps the cooler weather in September is better for walking and biking. 

Even the cows hunt in packs

Why aren’t these people working?  Maybe something to do with a longer season that the Pyrenees and Picos de Europa, where we have had to leave mid September in previous years, as the weather broke.  Still sunny and warm here – especially the valleys, which are positive sun traps.  Although, really cold at night at the first campsite as we were so high up.  Second one is much warmer at night.

So, we take lots of cable cars to the tops and either walk around the area there or walk down to the bottom, taking in the scenery.  haven’t attempted any Via Ferrata yet, but perhaps some easy ones if we find some with a guide for the first time.

Brilliant area – will be back for sure either by car and tent or cheapo flight to northern Italy and hire car and find a room a one of the zillion of gasthofs in every immaculate alpine village.  Or use train/bus from airport.

At the recent campsite though we have discovered the magic of “swiss” style organised transport.  Pay for 7 day (or 3 or whatever) pass and get unlimited trips up local cable cars, buses etc.  So making good use by getting on local bus (bus stop with electronic sign to say when next one is!!) outside campsite to cable car (5 mins) and up on to plateau where there are load of walks to keep us occupied for next week at least.  Back down to village, pick up supplies and bus every half hour back to campsite. Will use pass on Sunday to visit Bolzano and Ice Man museum rather than car.

Now we know how the camper van crowd operate – leave the vans on site and use local transport.  Can’t see it working in the Lakes – or blocking tourist hotspots to traffic at busy times and using shuttle buses – why not? we ask.