Italian Farmers Are Charging Tourists to Walk TikTok-Famous Trail

Around 8,000 people arrived in one day.

Another destination is reaching its breaking point with tourists. The Dolomites in Italy have gained immense fame on social media, prompting thousands to flock there for the perfect photo of the cliffs. On one day last week, approximately 8,000 visitors arrived to walk a trail, undeterred by images of crowded routes. Locals have now taken matters into their own hands by installing turnstiles at the beginning of trails and charging tourists €5 ($6) to access them.

The Dolomites, located in the northern Italian Alps, feature stunning peaks that rise above 3,000 meters. Picturesque villages lie beneath these dramatic mountains, drawing hordes of tourists eager to see the cliffs, meadows, lakes, waterfalls, and unique wilderness spanning 140,000 hectares. This geological wonder is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and under Italian law, national parks are free to access.

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This latest move is controversial, but authorities have not issued any notices to the landowners. Georg Rabanser, who owns property on Seceda, told magazine La Usc that they are making a point after people cross their land and leave trash. “Ours was a cry for help. We expected a call from the provincial authorities. But nothing. We only read statements in the newspapers. Gossip, nothing concrete. We haven’t even received warning letters. So we’re moving forward.”

A turnstile was installed on the Odle trail in July to counter overtourism. Locals justified it by saying tourists disrespect the area and damage their land. Authorities removed the turnstile, but it was recently reinstalled.

Overcrowding is not the only problem. Carlo Zanella, president of the Alto Adige Alpine Club, told CNN that many tourists are ill-prepared for mountain hikes. In the past, visitors would dress appropriately for the weather and prepare for trails—especially the Germans with their maps. “Now I’ve seen people go up to Seceda with sun umbrellas and flip-flops and get stuck because the cable car closed and they hadn’t checked the lift schedules (…) This isn’t what the mountains should be.”

Locals also point to Apple for fueling the influx. The tech company used a wallpaper of the Dolomites a decade ago and featured Seceda in a promotional video two years ago, which locals say increased the number of people visiting just for photos. The cable car to the summit is another issue—it has long lines, and guides advise tourists to arrive early. Environmental groups want to raise its price in summer, but the company that operates it wants to increase capacity instead.

While local landowners are operating turnstiles, tourists can access the area from other routes, and authorities are informing visitors they do not need to pay the charge. Val Gardena tourist board destination manager Christina Demetz explained to The Independent that tourists are not required to pay the fee and authorities will be removing the turnstile. She also noted that tourists often stray from the trails and sit in the meadows, damaging crops and land. Rangers have now been deployed in the Dolomites to encourage visitors to stay on marked trails. “We have already informed the relevant authorities of the situation, as free and fair access to hiking trails is very important to us.”