It's looking like I'll have a week to mess around in the Dolomites in early July. I don't have a climbing partner at the moment so I'll probably just stick to hiking. Does anyone have any ideas on how to maximize my time and explore the Dolomites? If anyone wants to join me, I'm all ears. Thanks a lot.

Garon

Hi Garon,
A great thing to do would be Alta Via 1 or Alta Via 2. These are multi-day treks that wind through the most fantastic Dolomiti scenery. You stay at a hut each night. You just need a day pack and some cash.

I might be able to climb with you for a day or two on a weekend, let's PM and keep in touch to see. I could loan you harness, helmet, etc., so you don't have to bring that.

Dolomites are big - lotsa things to do. If you don't want to treck look for a base from where you can start daytours. Cortina is good (though expensive and crowded), Sexten / Sesto is too or somewhere in Val di Fassa (Campitello?) or Val Gardena (St Christina?). But that's just a short list of my favourite places...

Will be going to Sexten / Sesto in Sept. myself But probably rather Carnic Alps bound ...

If you will be day hiking, I suggest the following:
1. Plan on renting a car.
2. Plan your hikes with many alternatives before you go. Two good book are Gillian Price's book of day hikes and the Goldsmith book on the Dolomites which is out of print but available used on Alibris. There is good information of Summit Post but it is not easy to find. Maps are nice to have for planning but sometimes are not easy to get. If you plan to use Omni Maps, I recommend telephone rather than the internet for ordering so you can find out if the desired map is in stock.
3. After you decide where you want to hike, select at least two places to stay to minimize driving to the trailhead. Road distances in the Dolomites are often not a good indicator of how long a drive will take if there is a major pass involved. Cortina is indeed expensive.

Hello, I am looking to climb in the Dolomites around that time. Look at my profile on Plans and Partners.

The Dolomites are about the size of Glacier National Park - big but not THAT big. If you have no partner, then look at the various Via Ferrata - be sure to get the appropriate gear. Tons of great hikes and climbs, regardless.