Walking in the Dolomites

Pausing to marvel at the Dolomites | Gus Cheung

Tre Cime from the winding trail below the Locatelli Hut

Walking above Armentarola

Sas Ciampac, The Dolomites, Italy

Colfosco Church with the Sella group behind

Near the Lavaredo Pass, The Dolomites, Italy

Dolomites in bloom

Pausing to marvel at the Dolomites | Gus Cheung

Tre Cime from the winding trail below the Locatelli Hut

Walking above Armentarola

Sas Ciampac, The Dolomites, Italy

Colfosco Church with the Sella group behind

Near the Lavaredo Pass, The Dolomites, Italy

Dolomites in bloom

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Duration

8 days

Activities

self guided walk

Accommodation

7 nights in charming hotels

Meals

2 Dinners
7 Breakfasts

Price

$1750USD

Overview

Trip Code: JDO

Walking in the Dolomites Trip highlights

Quality walking holiday in the Italian Alps - Tre Cime, Tofana and Sella Mountains
Refuges & mountain restaurants with stunning views
2 Free days for resting or optional day walks
Hike beneath dramatic limestone peaks, mountain passes and high paths
Handpicked accommodations, often with sauna, spa or pool
Magnificent mountain scenery packed into an impossibly small area

This Dolomites hiking holiday starts with a walk to the spectacular Tre Cime di Lavaredo, a fantastic first day’s walk if ever there was to set the standard for the week. The scenery continues to impress with new panoramas unfolding with each turn and every crossing of the passes. The cliffs of the Tofana, Sella and Marmolada massifs tower above the winding paths where all this magnificent scenery seems packed into an impossibly small area. High mountain paths are interspersed with lush meadows and pretty hamlets and villages. Refuges and mountain restaurants provide a perfect excuse to rest from your walking and drink in the views as well as welcome refreshments. To cap it all, there are opportunities for the not-so-faint-hearted to stand on a couple of summits and peer down the almost vertical rock faces.

The Dolomites are amongst the most striking of all European mountains. Although not exceptionally high (the highest peak is Marmolada at 3342m), they rise in steep limestone spires, coloured in weathered hues of rose, yellow, white and grey.

Below the peaks bright green meadows come alive with wild flowers all summer, while the lower valleys are full of orchards, vineyards and a chequerboard of cultivated fields.

The region was heavily fought over in World War I and, in fact, the fighting even changed the shape of some of the mountains. Nowadays, in more peaceful circumstances, we can enjoy one of the most spectacular walking holidays in all of Italy.

Trip Grading

moderate to challenging

More info about grading system

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Itinerary

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Day 1
Arrive Cortina

Make your own way to Cortina, an attractive high-altitude town in the northern extremity of the Veneto region of Italy. It is a fashionable winter resort that also springs to life in the middle of the summer. Accommodation: For two nights, stay in a comfortable hotel located in the centre of Cortina, which is 200m from the Faloria Cableway and 150m from Corso Italia.

Meals: Nil

Day 2
Circular Walk 16 km /10 miles, 6.5 h

A 30-minute bus ride will take you to the start of today's walk. Begin trekking by climbing steadily into the Tre Cime mountain group. This is a famous block of three vertical sided finger-like towers. The route is often quiet and the climb unravels with anticipation. Head towards the Rifugio Locatelli, taking lunch at or near to the refuge, then descend around the Tre Cime to Rifugio Auronzo (there is also a shorter option of 12 km/7.5 miles, 5 h, which ends here). The descent is through pleasant forest to Lake Antorno. Return to Cortina by bus for your overnight accommodation. Approx. ascent: 1170m/descent: 300m

Meals: B

Day 3
Cortina to San Cassian 18 km /11 miles, 7 h

From Cortina, after a few minutes by bus, begin your climb to the Rifugio Dibona at the end of the dirt road. From here, climb a little more and then traverse, with the vertical rock walls of the Tofana di Rozes (3219m) and Tofana di Mezzo (3240m) peaks above. Follow a high-level route to the Forc Lagazuoi pass. There is much evidence of WWI trench systems, fortresses and barbed wire here. Much of the rubble lying around Lagazuoi was not created by glaciation but by huge mines that were detonated in 1915-16. The descent is rocky but easier, down to a pretty lake. A steeper section takes you to the Rifugio Scotoni for drinks and strudel. Then onwards downhill, following the stream on the way to your hotel at Armentarola near Sare. Accommodation: Stay in a well-appointed hotel in the rural location of San Cassian. The hotel has an indoor swimming pool and a sauna. Please note there are no local facilities nearby, however dinner can be taken at the hotel restaurant. Approx. ascent: 1050m/descent 1115m

Meals: B

Day 4
San Cassian to Colfosco 14.5 km / 9 miles, 6 h

Our walk in the Dolomites today is a complete change from the harsh rocky tablelands. You enjoy hiking through forests and climb on to a grassy ridge to the mountain refuge at Pralongia. The apfel strudel is particularly inviting here. Continue to Col Alti (1983m), which also has a nice little restaurant by the gondola station, with panoramic views of the Tofana and Sella mountain groups, our next destination. Descend steeply to Corvara and stay nearby in Colfosco. This is a pretty village with an old church, a few shops, a supermarket, bank and a couple of bars. Accommodation: For two nights, stay in a welcoming hotel, offering beautiful landscapes right at your door step Approx. ascent: 815m/descent: 800m

Meals: B

Day 5
Free day in Colfosco

Enjoy a free day in the picturesque village of Colfosco for a well deserved break or choose from some rewarding walks. If the weather is good, we recommend taking a morning bus up the short distance to Passo Gardena and then walking up to Sas Ciampac (2672m). This is a fantastic walking peak high above Colfosco and you will be rewarded by an impressive picnic spot on the summit. The descent takes you down into a glaciated valley where you might see Edelweiss flowers. You should get back to your accommodation by mid afternoon. Approx. ascent: 650m/descent: 1130m

Meals: B

Day 6
Colfosco to Campitello di Fassa 21.2 km / 13.2 miles, 8 h

Starting your walk from Colfosco, return past the campsite and head up into the trees around the east side of the Sella group. We recommend taking a gondola part of the way to assist in the ascent (saves 600 metres and 2 hrs walking). You then traverse below the cliffs and above the forests, with magnificent views of the Marmolada and Dolomite peaks to the east. From Passo Pordoi, descend to Campitello (a gondola can also be used for the second half of this descent). This route should only be undertaken in dry, clear weather. In the event of poor weather or too much snow, several connecting buses can be taken via Passo Pordoi and Canazei to Campitello. Accommodation: Stay at a charming hotel on a half board basis. This is quite a large hotel with good size rooms and a small spa with a sauna. Approx. ascent: 772m (if taking the gondola)/descent: 1510m

Meals: B,D

Day 7
Free day or day walk around Campitello di Fassa

Use today as a rest day or choose from a variety of different walks of varied grades. Walking routes for the day include: a popular trail below the Sassopiatto from Col Rodela, with the option to climb the peak; and a bus ride to the foot of Marmolada, from where you can walk or ride up to the Marmolada glacier and the mountain hut there, perhaps for a warm Jaegertea.

Meals: B,D

Day 8
Arrangements end after breakfast

After breakfast, depart for your onward journey.

Meals: B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.

Inclusions

What's included

7 breakfasts, 2 dinners
7 nights accommodation in comfortable, charming hotels. Twin share basis with ensuite facilities
Luggage transfer
Information pack including route notes & maps
Emergency hotline
GPX files of each walk

What's not included

5 dinners, all lunches & beverages
Bus and train journeys at the beginning and end of the tour
During the tour, transfers by bus or cable car
Travel insurance
Personal expenses such as laundry and phone calls
Unscheduled transfers required during the trip
City tax - locally payable to the accommodations
A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room
Guide - this is a self guided holiday

Grading

moderate to challenging

Moderate to Challenging (Grade 4). While generally no tougher than our other Alpine treks, this route does involve some short, slightly exposed, albeit stunning, sections where a head for heights is needed. The two routes that are the most exposed are however options for the days when you have 2 nights at the same hotel so these can be avoided. No mountaineering experience is necessary for the trip but it is a trek most suited to those with previous experience of hillwalking and mountainous terrain. For this reason the trip is graded ‘moderate to challenging’. Average daily duration of walking is around 6-7 hours, although this will obviously vary according to the terrain, conditions, individual or group progress and weather. The trails in the Dolomites tend to be more rocky underfoot than many other areas of the Alps, so care must be taken along some sections. By using buses and cable cars some of the longer days can be shortened. In the event of extreme bad weather clients are expected to bear the cost of transport to the next night's stop.

Departure dates

Daily from 15 Jun to 15 Jul and 15 Aug to 8 Sep

Notes

Peak Season Supplement

DN1

Peak Season is from 15-28 Aug. A supplement applies for peak season departures.

DN2

September departures: local busses may have stopped operating, you will then have to rely on taxis only (bus operators publish their time tables at short notice).

DN3

Availability during the Maratona dles Dolomites (7 July 2024) may be limited, flexibility around these dates may help confirm your holiday.

DN4

5-Day itinerary available (code JD5).

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Priceper person from

$1750USD

Options & Supplements*

Single SupplementUSD$340
Peak Season Single SupplementUSD$460
Solo Traveller SupplementUSD$530
Peak Season Solo Traveller SupplementUSD$650

*Prices listed are per person

Frequently Asked Questions

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?Will I be staying in mountain huts or hotels?

No, the accommodations that we have chosen for you are comfortable 3-4* hotels with ensuite facilities.

?Are the trails in the Dolomites crowded?

The paths can be busy in the vicinity of refuges and on the Tre Cime walk, but away from cable car and cafe stops, numbers drop off substantially. You are rarely likely to be on your own on the trails for too long however!

?Is there any Via Ferrata on this Dolomites walking trip?

There is no Via Ferrata climbing on iron ways involved in our trip. Trails however can be loose in places after snow with gravel washouts and care needs to be taken at certain times.

?What is the weather in the Dolomites like?

The weather in the Dolomites is often stable and clear during the period that we run this walking tour. Normally it is drier than the Italian Alps further north and west, however humid Mediterranean air from the Gulf of Venice can bring instability and afternoon thunderstorms are quite common.

?Are there files that I can download to my GPS unit or phone?

Yes, we will provide GPX files of the walks in the Dolomites that we have set out for you. These files need to be interpreted with care and the performance of GPS can be affected by cliffs and rain etc.

?Are hiking poles recommended?

Hiking poles are very useful on the steep descents and for loose scree sections when you're walking in the Dolomites.

?How easy is it to travel to and from the area?

Travelling to Cortina involves either a bus from Venice Airport or station (2-3 a day) or a train & bus combination from Venice Mestre. Generally a morning flight into Venice is required. From Campitello at the end of your tour, there is a limited bus service to Trento (allow 3 hours), then train to Venice. We would recommend an extra stay in Venice.

Walking in the Dolomites Trip reviews

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