From the hiking trails, the cycling route built on a decommissioned railway line, the UNESCO-listed ENI Village, family facilities, and a spa in the woods, Borca di Cadore is worth a visit.
Join us in this guide as we explore the best places to visit while in Borca di Cadore.
An introduction to Borca di Cadore
Borca di Cadore sits at around 800 metres above sea level in the Boite Valley, Province of Belluno, Veneto. It’s 12 km from Cortina d’Ampezzo and 4 km from San Vito di Cadore.
The village is built at the foot of Monte Antelao (3,264 m), the second highest peak in the eastern Dolomites, and faces directly across the valley to Monte Pelmo (3,168 m), known locally as “el Caregón de ‘l Padreterno” (the throne of God) for its distinctive chair-like profile.
Borca di Cadore works well as a base for the wider Cadore region, giving you easy access to San Vito, Pieve di Cadore, and Cortina.
Best hiking and nature trails
The trail network around Borca di Cadore ranges from flat riverside walks to intense mountain routes with serious elevation gain. The forest paths through larch and fir are well-maintained and quiet compared to the famous routes around Cortina.
The trails through the forests of Borca di Cadore are also good for wildlife. Chamois are regularly spotted on the rocky slopes above the treeline. Marmots are common near Rifugio Venezia on the Antelao approach. Roe deer often appear in the early morning along the valley floor.
Cycling the Long Way of the Dolomites
The Lunga Via delle Dolomiti, or Long Way of the Dolomites, passes directly through Borca di Cadore and is one of the most enjoyable cycling routes in the eastern Alps.
The path follows the old Dolomites railway trackbed, which closed in 1964. As a result, the gradients remain gentle. The Cadore section is fully paved. The route also passes through original tunnels and viaducts from the former railway line.
- Full route distance: approximately 37 km (Cortina to Calalzo section); total to Dobbiaco is longer
- Surface: fully paved in the Cadore section
- Starting point from Borca: access directly from the village centre
- Refreshment stops: multiple points along the route including San Vito and Pieve di Cadore
- Bike hire: available locally and in nearby San Vito di Cadore
- Suitable for: families, casual riders, road cyclists; e-bikes make the uphill sections easy
In winter, people use sections of the route through Borca di Cadore for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing when snow conditions allow.
Cultural and historical sites to visit
The most historically significant site in Borca di Cadore is the former ENI Village in the Corte district. Between 1954 and 1963, ENI-AGIP head Enrico Mattei commissioned the complex. Architect Edoardo Gellner designed it as a social experiment. It was a purpose-built holiday village for the company’s employees and their families.
In the village centre, the Church of Saints Simon and Jude dates back to the 18th century. It houses a historic organ that has been restored and is still used for concerts.
Within the village, we suggest visiting La Scola library and the Olimpia Perini Museum of Natural Sciences.
Family activities and Happy Park
Happy Park is the main family-oriented facility in Borca di Cadore and operates differently depending on the season.
In summer, it functions as an outdoor activity centre with a playground, tennis courts, and a bar-grill. In winter, it’s an ice skating rink, which is open to all ages.
- Summer offer: playground, tennis courts, bar-grill with outdoor seating
- Winter offer: ice skating rink with skate hire
- Location: within the Dolomiti Mountain Group complex, Borca di Cadore
- Suitable for: families with children of all ages
Wellness and relaxation at Corte SPA
Corte SPA is in the woods near Borca di Cadore and is part of the Dolomiti Mountain Group complex. It’s a proper wellness facility rather than a hotel spa. It includes a pool, sauna, steam room, massages, and beauty treatments, with views of Monte Pelliccia from the main relaxation areas.
There’s a snack bar on-site. The setting in the trees makes it feel genuinely separate from the rest of the village, which is part of the appeal.
After a long day on the Antelao trails or a full cycling day on the Lunga Via, having access to proper thermal facilities nearby is a great advantage for staying near Borca di Cadore rather than in a larger, busier resort. The combination of physical activity and recovery time is one of the things that makes a longer stay here work well.
Come and visit Borca di Cadore any time of year
Borca di Cadore is a good choice if you want to be in the Dolomites without the premium prices and summer congestion of Cortina d’Ampezzo, but still want quick access to serious mountains, good cycling, and a functioning village with genuine character.
The ENI Village architecture, Ladin culture, and the Long Way cycling route make Borca worth a visit. So do the stunning views of Pelmo and Antelao.
It’s just 12 km from Cortina for an easy day trip. In winter, the San Vito ski area is only 3 km away. Scenic trails surround the area, and most visitors on the Tre Cime circuit never see them.
Must-do checklist before you leave
- Walk the Boite Valley riverside path at least once, ideally at dawn
- Cycle at least one section of the Lunga Via delle Dolomiti from Borca di Cadore
- Visit the former ENI Village in the Corte district
- Stop into the Olimpia Perini Museum of Natural Sciences
- Book an evening at Corte SPA after a long day in the hills
- In winter: skate at Happy Park and check the cross-country trails at Villanova
- Eat casunziei and polenta with venison at a local restaurant at least once
D4U has a selection of holiday apartments in and around Borca di Cadore to suit different group sizes and budgets, from simple mountain apartments to properties with private wellness facilities.
Browse available accommodation and book your stay today!
