Hiking in the Dolomites vs Hiking in the US: What You Need to Know

These are a few of the immediate things I noticed about hiking in the US vs hiking in the Dolomites. Of course, everyone’s experience is going to be unique, but here’s a breakdown of the major differences of hiking in the Dolomites vs Italy. Access. Across the board (from reaching the trailhead to being in inspiring destinations) Italy provides AMPLE access. This means that if you don’t want to put in a ton of effort, you can still get up into (and even summit) mountains in Italy. Thanks to a descent public transport system and an EXTENSIVE network of cable cars and well-marked trails, it’s really easy to hike in Italy. You can make the hikes as easy or as challenging as you’d like. The same can be said for the US, but we don’t have cable cars to the tops of peaks and you need a vehicle for 98% of the hikes in the country. Wilderness vibe. This is easier to find in the US. With all of that access and infrastructure comes a lack of being in the wilderness. If that’s more your scene, you may be disappointed in the Dolomites. Regulations. The US is increasingly moving to permits, reservations, and more. There is some of that in Italy, but really not a whole lot. So in terms of your average hiking outing, there’s less red tape in Italy. However, if you’re into backcountry experiences, it’s a LOT more regulated. Backpacking is illegal, you have to use their refugio system or huts. Occasionally you can find a “bivvy” which is just a small, basic shelter to avoid bad weather. Two different experiences and both are worth the effort! Happy hiking! ✨ Recommended Gear: There are a few pieces of gear that I use non-stop! These are like a security blanket for me. Seriously. I used to review outdoor gear professionally and these are my absolute must-haves: https://bit.ly/gearthatlasts ✨ Follow me… Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/Aforestfox/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@megintheforest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megintheforest/ ✨ My Favorite Gear ✨ OR Astroman Sun Hoodie: https://alnk.to/fSiBG9O Skratch Labs Hydration Electrolyte powder: https://amzn.to/3FIFQZn REI Flash 22 Hiking Pack: https://rei.pxf.io/JKvVaq REI Cork-Grip Hiking Poles: https://rei.pxf.io/POvVZe Freshette Pee Funnel: https://rei.pxf.io/e15EGO Kula Cloth Pee Rag: https://alnk.to/5Q7pLD5 Garmin inReach Mini: https://rei.pxf.io/JKvV0q Gerber Dime Multi-Tool: https://rei.pxf.io/zx5b3r Duece of Spades Toilet Trowel: https://alnk.to/2Qyx6dv Nitecore NU25 400 Lumen Rechargeable Headlamp: https://alnk.to/bEkq8CG SOL emergency bivvy sack: https://rei.pxf.io/7a9Oq3 #hiking #dolomites #hikerslife #hike #hikingUSA #hikes #hikingtheglobe ✨Time stamps: 00:00 - intro 00:11 - Trail access in the Dolomites vs the USA 01:00 - Hiking infrastructure who does it better? US or Italy? 01:54 - Wilderness vibes 02:18 - Can you backpack in Italy? 02:56 - Hiking with your dog in the Dolomites vs the USA - the answer WILL surprise you! 03:08 - Signage and navigation - what you need to know 04:07 - Hiking permits in the US vs hiking permits in the Dolomites 04:42 - The BIGGEST secret to hiking in the Dolomites