Tourists Camp Out at 2,300 Meters for Cream-Filled Doughnuts

The Dolomites, a stunning mountain range in Italy, are facing a new kind of pressure this summer. Crowds have swamped a quiet beauty spot where visitors line up for a specific local delicacy. The area is already famous for its cable cars, hiking trails, and breathtaking views that draw millions of holidaymakers annually. This year looks to be no different.

Videos circulating online show tourists waiting hours at an altitude of 2,300 meters. They stand in what some call "crazy" winding queues just to buy cream-filled doughnuts from a cabin known as the Rifugio Friedrich August hut. The treat sells out fast on Langkofel mountain near the border with South Tyrol. Some people even camp out overnight simply to guarantee they get one of these sweet treats.

"This is madness," said an Italian influencer who promotes tourism in the region. She was reacting to footage showing a massive influx of visitors waiting hours high above the valley for fresh, cream-filled doughnuts. The scene played out against breathtaking scenery, yet locals are furious. They feel holidaymakers care more about social media photos than appreciating nature. Unimpressed TikTok users have even called the viral spot a "tourist trap."

One user wrote under a video of the queues: "Pretty much all if the huts/refugios in the Alps have great traditional high quality locally/home-made food. 99% of them without having to have wait in lines at all." Another hiker said, "I've been coming to the mountains for years and I've truly never seen such chaos; there are queues everywhere." Yet another complained that visitors come in flip-flops just to take pictures.

The trouble worsened last week on the day of a solar eclipse. Severe traffic gridlocked roads on the Passo di Giau mountain pass completely. Footage showed hundreds of cars standing still all the way down into the valley. Barriers have also been installed near the picturesque Santa Maddalena church to stop unauthorized drivers from reaching it by car. The serene beauty spot has been overrun by hundreds of tourists looking to visit popular landmarks, causing carnage in the quaint village.

Authorities have already responded by implementing new restrictions that limit cars to just 150 per day. A woman who claimed she has been visiting the Dolomites for 35 years summed up her feelings: "This year it seemed to me as if I were on another planet." The region is trying to balance its status as a top destination with the reality of too many visitors rushing in, ignoring local rules and damaging the very beauty that draws them there.

There have never been so many people here." That is how a recent video described the scene at a bus stop near the Three Peaks, where hundreds of meters of queue stretched out as crowds waited for their shuttle ride. This famous Alpine destination draws up to 14,000 visitors every day during peak season. Nicola Bombassei, the councillor who handles environment and land use planning, stated last month that these lines are completely unacceptable. She noted that the region is already dealing with a record number of arrivals.

Efforts will be made to find ways to reduce crowds soon. Some have suggested building a ski-lift to manage overcrowding better in these specific zones. However, many others argue this option violates an existing quota system that restricts vehicle access to the area. Gabriele Mariani, director of operations for Dolomiti Bus, confirmed their shuttle service has been reinforced since facing these masses of visitors. He added that they are constantly monitoring visitor flow and adapting their service according to needs.