The Dolomites have long been on my list as one of the most striking mountain landscapes to photograph. In October 2024 I finally made the trip. The beauty was undeniable, but the experience was more complex than I expected, shaped as much by human behaviour as by nature itself.
An Unexpected October in the Dolomites
I planned the trip for early October, hoping for autumn colours and dramatic rocky peaks. Instead, I was met with persistent rain and two days of heavy snow. In some ways it was a gift, transforming the landscape into an early winter scene, but it also made access to several locations difficult and at times risky.
At Cadini di Misurina, a place that looks almost unreal in its jagged forms, the usually straightforward walk to the viewpoint became challenging under around thirty centimetres of snow. I was properly equipped and comfortable with the conditions, but I was stunned to see tourists attempting the same hike in completely unsuitable footwear, including sandals. This kind of behaviour is not just reckless, it puts others at risk too, especially mountain rescue teams who may be called out when things inevitably go wrong.
Lago di Braies and the Cost of Visibility
Lago di Braies is often presented as one of the jewels of the Dolomites, and visually it still is. But the experience of being there has changed dramatically. What should feel calm and contemplative has become crowded and noisy, with buses unloading visitors whose primary goal is a quick photo or selfie.
The problem is not photography or sharing images, but the way places are treated as props rather than environments. The pressure to get a specific image leads people off paths, increases erosion, and strips the location of any sense of stillness. The lake no longer feels discovered, it feels consumed. As a photographer and a lover of wild places, that was deeply disappointing.
Finding Balance
Despite these frustrations, there were still moments of quiet beauty. Snow softened the landscape and the changing weather brought a sense of unpredictability that reminded me why I photograph in the mountains in the first place.
This trip reinforced something important for me. Visiting beautiful places comes with responsibility. As photographers, travellers, and viewers, we all play a role in how these landscapes are treated. Enjoy them, photograph them, share them, but do so with care. These places deserve more than to be reduced to a backdrop.