Adventure 16: Outdoor and Travel Outfitters - Since 1963

< Back to Search Results

Hiking the Best of the Italian Alps

Hiking/Trekking in Italy with Dolomite Mountains

Highlights

  • Experience the rich Ladin culture with many traditions that make this region so unique
  • Hike amid glorious landscapes of pillars, pinnacles, and colossal rock walls of the Dolomites
  • Stay in cozy mountain rifugios with the civilized comforts of a warm bed and hearty cuisine

Full Description

In this trip you visit some of the most incredible areas in the Dolomites on foot. We take the best of this fairy-tale setting–incredible scenery, gorgeous hotels and rifugio and delectable cuisine–and we weave them together with great hiking.

Wild alpine meadows, deciduous and evergreen woods, high altitude lunar-like terrain, soaring peaks, dramatic walls and towering heights alternate with the refined South Tyrolean – Italian town of Cortina d’Ampezzo and hidden mountain inns that you encounter during your daily hikes.

Includes:

  • English speaking mountain guide
  • 2 nights double occupancy accommodation in 3-star B&B in Cortina d'Ampezzo
  • 4 nights rifugio in best accommodation available
  • Meals as noted
  • Map of the area
  • Luggage transfer on day 4

Excludes:

  • Airfare to/from the departure point
  • Gratuities to local guides

Day by Day Itinerary

Sample Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Cortina d’Ampezzo (1,224m/4,016') on your own (private transfer on request), and check into your bed and breakfast. Cortina enjoys a reputation for great winter skiing and in the summer attracts hikers and mountain climbers who challenge the rocky faces of the nearby mountains. 
Meet your guide in the afternoon for a trip briefing and orientation. D. 3-Star Hotel in Cortina d'Ampezzo

Day 2

Fanes-Sennes-Braies Natural Park-This hike to the Alpe di Sennes uplands entails a wonderful range of scenery and habitats, two natural parks—Dolomiti d’Ampezzo and Fanes-Sennes-Braies—and the spectacular Croda Rossa mountain group.
Hike from Cortina d’Ampezzo to the Rifugio Malga Ra Stua (1,668m/5,472'), a cozy hut-cum-dairy farm set in a valley lying between the Croda Rossa (northeast) and Lavinores (west) Dolomite groups.
Hike on a wide gravel road to Rifugio Sennes Biella (2,116m/6,942') and to the family run Rifugio Fodara Vedla (1,960m/6,429'), a beautiful place to spend the night with superb view east to the Croda Rossa massif. (4-5 hours hiking.) B,D. Rifugio

Day 3

Hike/Via Ferrata-We start the day with a short van transfer up to the rifugio at Auronzo. Our hike takes us around the spectacular massif of the "Tre Cime di Lavaredo." The "Three Peaks" are some of the most dramatic mountains in the Dolomites due to their extraordinary spike shape, alignment and subtle color changes that occur throughout the day. The Cima Grande (Big Peak) is the highest (9836'), followed by Cima Ovest (Western Peak) and Cima Piccola (Small Peak). We stop for lunch at a rifugio that offers magnificent views of the surrounding landscape, then continue down through alpine meadows to the valley below.

Day 4

Cinque Torri-The first part of today’s hike is a steady hike up through the Alpe di Lagazuoi to the Rifugio Lagazuoi (gaining 771m/2,530'). Surrounding you are the Punta di Fanes, the cliffs of the Lagazuoi, and the massive Tofana di Rozes. Near the pass there are several World War I underground passages called “galleries”, which serve as memorials to the terrible fighting that took place here in 1916. We’ll stop for lunch at Rifugio Lagazuoi, a mountain restaurant where you’ll feel like you’re sitting on the edge of the world. After lunch, you have the option to hike down through one of the galleries, or to take advantage of the cable car that speed you to the valley below.
Once in the valley you cross an alpine road, rejoin the hiking route and begin your final ascent (290m/950') to the very friendly and comfortable Rifugio Cinque Torri that has been run by the same family since 1936. Once again the setting for this rifugio is remarkable as it looks at the long wall of the Croda di Lago and sits right near the Cinque Torri (Five Towers). In the distance rise Sorapis and Anteleo. Simply put, the view is awesome. (6 hours hiking.) B,D. Rifugio

Day 5

Pelmo Massif-The Giro del Pelmo provides a complete circumnavigation of one of the Dolomites’ most impressive mountain: 3,167-meter/10,391-foot-high Pelmo. Awe-inspiring from every angle, it towers over the Boite and Zoldo valleys, with its giant throne-like appearance and horizontal rock layering that is easily recognizable from afar. The narrow exposed ledges and steep flanks were explored by local hunters in search of chamois (a native European goat-antelope species), long before the peak was officially claimed by British pioneer John Ball in 1857. This tight passage on the normal ascent route now bears his name, Cengia di Ball.
Here we'll encounter marvelous views during the hike from the Boite Valley to the mighty Civetta. From Rifugio Passo Giau we hike up to Forcella Giau (2,373m/7,785'). Then we descend slightly to Lago de la Bastes (2,277m/7,470'), and continue on the famous Alta Via N.1 to Forcella da Lago (2,277m/7,470'), passing by Malga Mondeval. From here we stay on the Alta Via N.1 which takes us to the Rifugio Citta di Fiume with a spectacular panorama of the Pelmo massif. (6-7 hours hiking.) B,D. Rifugio

Day 6

Pelmo Massif–Cortina d'Ampezzo-From the rifugio we hike back to Forcella Roan (1,996m/6,548') and descend the Val de Busella. We cross meadows and sweet-smelling forests of tall pines and larch, and encounter several old timber tabià huts. The path takes a wooded crest to La Sentinella (1,639m/5,377'), then drops steeply. We pause at the upper limit of vehicle access, just above Rifugio Sennes (1,214m/3,983'). From here, we can appreciate the majestic form of the Antelao, rising up across the valley. A side path leads straight down over the River Boite to the thriving township of San Vito di Cadore (1,010 m/3,313'). We take a public bus directly to Cortina, where you are free to enjoy the remainder of the afternoon relaxing in the hotel or shopping in Cortina. (5-6 hours hiking.) B. Hotel in Cortina d'Ampezzo

Day 7

Breakfast and departure

About The Operator:

Dolomite Mountains

Headquarters:

Livinallongo del Col di Lana, Italy

Our Company

Dolomite Mountains is the only local company based in the Dolomites specializing in and providing unique experiences in adventure travel within one of the most beautiful natural settings on earth.

We create the ultimate custom adventure experiences within the Dolomite valleys, for the most demanding and exclusive clientele in search of stylish and low impact programs that provide excellent quality and cost.

For over 15 years we've been crafting Dolomite adventures, helping our travelers uncover the region's true spirit in style. We customize guided and self-guided active trips, luxury and gourmet adventures, and take you off the beaten path for truly authentic experiences, so you can experience and enjoy the real Dolomites.

Why the Dolomites?

With an incredible variety of diverse landscapes, lush valleys, breathtaking panoramas, and friendly inhabitants, the Dolomites are the "crown jewel" of the Alps. From soaring peaks to elegant spires to sheer rock faces, the Dolomites offer endless opportunities for exploration and adventure.

This unique corner of the Alps features numerous valleys, ideal for a wide range of outdoor adventures. From the charming Italian atmosphere of the Ampezzo region to the green pastures of the Dolomiti di Sesto and Alta Badia to the towering peaks of the Val de Fassa and Val Gardena regions, this world-renowned mountain terrain offers something for every type of adventure traveler.

Hiking, biking, skiing, snowshoeing, rock climbing, or climbing a via ferrata - the Dolomites have an adventure for everyone!

At Your Service

The Dolomite Mountains staff works year round refining our services to ensure we offer the best trips possible in the Dolomites.

We combine this with accommodations that best reflect the style of the area, inspired regional cuisine, expert local guides with international certifications, and the best panoramas you can get in the Dolomites.

We're here so you can relax and enjoy the pleasures of wandering in the Dolomites, while we take care of the details of travel, luggage handling, and all other logistics.

About Our Founder
Agustina Lagos Marmol

Agustina is a multi-lingual world traveler, adventurer, climber, and devout hiker. She has traveled and lived in various countries, but her heart is shared between the Dolomites, where she currently lives, and Patagonia, where she grew up fly fishing and horseback riding on her family's estancia.

Before entering the world of travel, Agustina studied photography and fashion design in California. In 1994, she discovered the Dolomites while working for Butterfield & Robinson in Canada, which led her to settle down in this magical part of the world and start her own outdoor company: Dolomites Mountains.

"Being able to combine work, family, and fun together has always been my goal. The Dolomites feature some of the most stunning mountains in the world, and the mixture of beauty and service is superb: from romantic hotels to charming rifugios set on top of the mountains; Michelin star rated restaurants to authentic local cuisine; and outdoor activities to incredible spa treatments; the Dolomites offer the perfect blend of authenticity and luxury that is not to be missed."

-Agustina