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Alps: Dolomites National Park

This gorgeous self-guided hiking tour will take you through three of the six natural parks of the iconic Dolomites. The mountain range has gained worldwide recognition as one of the most beautiful mountain landscapes on the planet as Italy proudly inscribed it in the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2009. This incredible inn-to-inn independent walking tour will take you through the gems of the Dolomites. The beautiful Lake Prags (Pragser Wildsee), the iconic Cortina d’Ampezzo, the breathtaking Drei Zinnen (Three Peaks) and many more places of natural wonder. Every day of the itinerary offers incredible views and picturesque panoramas making in one of the most beautiful treks in Italy.

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• Destination Italy
• Duration 7 Days I Level: 3/4 (of 5)
• What is included Accommodation in good 3* hotels (rarely 4*), including breakfast (half board supplement optional and on extra cost (check the Rates&Remarks tab for details); Tickets for Faloria cable car; Transfers according to the program; Luggage transportation; Emergency hotline; Detailed roadbook and maps in English; Access to GPS tracks via navigation app;
• What is not included Tourist residence tax “tassa di soggiorno” to be paid locally in cash; transfers from and to the airport; entrance fees; drinks and other meals; bus to Cortina d‘ Ampezzo and from Rifugio Auronzo to Niederdorf/Villabassa - Toblach/Dobbiaco;
• Best period mid-June, July, September (first half)

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Self-guided hiking tour in the Dolomites Nature Park, Italy

Day 1. Arrival in Niederdorf/Villabassa or Toblach/Dobbiaco

Day 2. villabassa/dobbiaco – pragser tal/valle di braies – plätzwiese (4hrs, 11km (+790m/-0m) or 5,30-6hrs, 14km (+1100m/-580m), day 3. plätzwiese – strudelkopf or dürrenstein (3-4hrs, 9km (+360m/-360m) or 4-5hrs, 8km (+850m/-850m), day 4. plätzwiese – knappenfuss valley – gemärk/cimabanche – cortina d‘ampezzo (1,30-2hrs, 6km (+0m/-460m) or 6-7hrs, 19km (+610m/-1300m), day 5. circular track; faloria cable car (3-4hrs, 12km (+100m/-990m) or 4-5hrs, 15km (650m/-650m) or 5hrs, 15km (+270m/-1155m), day 6. cortina d’ampezzo – rifugio auronzo - drei zinnen (three peaks) – rifugio auronzo (3-4hrs, 9km (+350m/-350m) or 4-5hrs, 11km (+100m/-1000m), day 7. departure day, tour location.

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Dolomites High Routes

Experience the dolomites mountains on fascinating long distance alpine tours.

The Alte Vie delle Dolomiti, the Dolomites High Routes, are long distance alpine tours for those who want to experience even more closely the real charm of the mountain. The daily stages wind across the Dolomites mountains, from east to west or from north to south. You will trek constantly at high altitude, from one valley to another, enjoying the super view down to the valleys. A backpack with a few essential items, some clothes, the joy of trekking and physical fitness and you're ready for a fantastic adventure. The 10 Dolomites High Routes have different characteristics and difficulty levels.

The Dolomites High Routes are intended as multi-day hikes with several stages of 4 to 6/7 hours of walk. Along the route you find, of course, mountain huts where you can stay for the night and where you can eat. Some of the huts are particularly well-visited, therefore it is advisable to book in advance.

The Dolomites High Routs through Alta Badia

High route n. 1.

From Braies lake in South Tyrol to Belluno in Veneto Read more ...

Dolomites High Route n. 2

From Bressanone/Brixen in South Tyrol to Feltre in the Veneto region Read more ...

The Alta Badia High Route

The Alta Badia High Route allows you to meet the highlands of Alta Badia hiking amidst gorgeous Dolomite peaks.. Read more ...

The Alpine Guides' High Route

From hut to hut through the varied landscapes of Alta Badia and Veneto Read more ...

Dolomites High Routes holiday packages

The local tour operators offer special Dolomites High Routes holiday. With the hiking guides, experts in the area, exploring the Dolomites will be an unforgettable holiday highlight. Read more ...

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36 Hours in the Dolomites

This monumental mountain range in northeastern Italy is an idyllic playground for both outdoor adventurers and those seeking a taste of the region’s cultural heritage.

By Ingrid K. Williams

A travel tip for the Dolomites: You don’t want to be the driver, negotiating steep hairpin turns and bands of Italian cyclists pedaling through dangerously narrow mountain passes. You want to be the passenger, the one hanging her head out the window, mouth agape, transfixed on the mountain peaks and gloriously green valleys. This monumental mountain range in northeastern Italy is one of the world’s most beautiful playgrounds for outdoor adventurers, from winter skiers to summer hikers, bikers, mountain climbers and more. But equally fascinating is its cultural heritage.

Much of the region was Austrian until annexation by Italy after World War I, and the distinctive local cuisine reflects these roots; expect lots of speck, sauerkraut, knödel and strudel. From valley to valley, village to village, you’ll still encounter mostly German, some Italian with a lilting accent, as well as Ladin, an umlaut-heavy language native to this remote region. But though road signs are posted in two or three languages, the otherworldly beauty of the Dolomites needs no translation.

1) 3 p.m. WAR AND PEACE

To understand a place, one must understand its history, so begin a visit to the Dolomites with a lesson on its war-torn past. At the hillside Bunker Museum (admission, €5, or about $5.80), descend into a chilling Cold War bunker where installations trace the South Tyrol region’s history through fascism and the fight for autonomy. Delve further into the past at the Forte Tre Sassi (€7), a mountaintop museum in a disused fort that examines the hardships that World War I soldiers faced, and the fierce battles fought around the surrounding mountain passes. (Those with more time can also visit the area’s Great War -themed open-air museums to hike through the trenches and tunnels used in tragic battles between the Italian and Austro-Hungarian armies.) Or, if driving into the region from the west, stop at the imposing Forte di Fortezza , a labyrinthine fortification spanning nearly 50 acres that was constructed by Austria out of fear for the French in the 19th century and has now opened as a museum (€7).

2) 5:30 p.m. GREAT LAKE

A dazzling spectrum of blues and greens glimmer from the chilly depths of Lago di Braies, an alpine lake nestled deep in the mountains. Hike the two-and-a-half-mile trail that hugs the jewel-toned lake, where colors shift in the sunlight from milky emerald to brilliant sapphire, with an ever-changing mountain backdrop beyond. In the summer months, polished wooden rowboats are available to rent (€25 an hour, June through September, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.); winter visitors can snowshoe through the snowy scene.

3) 8 p.m. DOLOMITE DINNER

High above the town of Bruneck, dine on traditional Tyrolean cuisine at Oberraut , an alpine chalet with homey wood-paneled dining rooms and dirndl-clad servers. The menu features dishes made with products grown on the property; for instance, delicious bread dumplings called canederli are made with meadow herbs and served with fresh greens from the garden ( €12.50) . Or book a table at Osteria Garsun, a family-run restaurant with a hearty set menu of Ladin specialties (€25), which recently included panicia, a vegetable-and-barley soup, and casunziei, or house-made half-moon ravioli served with melted butter, ground poppy seeds and Parmigiano cheese. Save room for two rounds of dessert, including warm apple strudel and a bracing shot of grappa.

4) 10:30 p.m. BAR SCENE

After dinner, join the local crowd gathered beside the river in Bruneck at Brunegg’n , a cocktail bar with live music — country, folk, rock — and D.J. sets on weekend nights. At a table on the terrace, order the Colonial I.P.A. from the Bolzano brewery Batzen Bräu (€5.50), or try the Hugo Mango, a fruity twist on the bubbly Tyrolean elderflower cocktail (€4.50).

5) 8 a.m. TRIPLET PEAKS

One of the most spectacular hikes to tackle in a half-day is the six-mile circumnavigation of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, three distinctive mountain peaks that loom large along the entirety of the trail. The stony paths are relatively easy and well-marked, making this one of the most popular (and crowded) Dolomite hikes. The trail begins at Rifugio Auronzo and loops around the rugged spires, past meadows of wildflowers, small lakes and a few rifugi (mountain huts). There’s ample parking at the trailhead, and a €30 road tariff per car.

6) 12:30 p.m. LOCAL LUNCH

When it’s time to refuel, head to Pur Südtirol , a grocery shop and cafe where everything — from the yogurt and cheeses to ripe summer peaches — comes from the surrounding territory. Gather a selection of picnic supplies, perhaps some speck, graukäse (a pungent Tyrolean cheese named after its gray rind), apple cider and a loaf of crusty rye. Or order lunch at the cafe, which offers fresh salads and daily specials, like cheesy knödel on a bed of chopped cabbage. Lunch, about €12.

7) 2 p.m. MOUNTAIN HIGH

After scaling his first summit at the age of 5, Reinhold Messner went on to become a famed mountaineer — the first to summit every mountain over 8,000 meters (including Mount Everest, solo). Now in his 70s, Mr. Messner has founded a series of museums in his native Dolomites. The most recent, the Messner Mountain Museum Corones , is a podlike complex designed by Zaha Hadid atop Kronplatz, elevation 7,500 feet. Ride the ropeway to the summit to admire sky-high views, then tour the museum’s exhibits dedicated to the history of mountaineering and its trailblazing pioneers (admission, €10). Afterward, meander to the meadow where a herd of horses graze, or ascend the peak’s via ferrata, one of the protected “iron path” climbing routes with steel cables that aid rock climbing throughout the Alps.

8) 5 p.m. PAROCHIAL POURS

Though the region is most known for its white wines, skip the sylvaner and riesling in favor of little-known Alto Adige reds during a tasting at Abbazia di Novacella , a pastoral monastery of Augustinian canons founded in the 12th century that produces wine from grapes grown in the surrounding terraced vineyards. Prefer the robust Santa Maddalena or the sweet schiava? The aromatic lagrein or the zesty zweigelt? At a table in the Stiftskeller, the monastery’s bustling cantina, sip your way through the menu; if you discover a new favorite, the on-site wine shop sells bottles to go.

9) 8 p.m. STAR SUPPER

Michelin stars hang over the Alta Badia, a beautiful valley dotted with polished resort towns. In the well-heeled village of San Cassiano, a fleet of Porsches park outside the Hotel Rosa Alpina and its acclaimed restaurant, St. Hubertus , which last year earned a third Michelin star for Norbert Niederkofler’s haute mountain cuisine (tasting menus from €200). And down the road at the Ciasa Salares hotel, a rising star chef (and St. Hubertus alumnus) has caught the attention of the culinary world. Not yet 30 years old, Matteo Metullio earned a second Michelin star last year for his game-focused cuisine at the hotel’s La Siriola restaurant (tasting menus from €130).

10) 9 a.m. FRESCO FINDS

The town of Brixen (Bressanone in Italian) has deep roots as a religious and cultural center of the region. In the cool morning light, visit the cathedral, which dates to 980 and boasts an Austrian-Baroque facade, beautiful frescoes and a marble-clad altar. Equally impressive is the adjoining cloister, where Gothic frescoes believed to have been painted in the 14th and 15th centuries adorn Romanesque colonnades around a contemplative garden.

11) 11 a.m. FLIGHT PLAN

Launch yourself off a mountaintop with just a few running steps, a harness fastened to your tandem paragliding instructor and perhaps a quick prayer. Then sit back for a euphoric flight among the majestic Dolomite peaks and down into the valley below. One of the most experienced outfits is the Fly2 tandem paragliding team, who have been flying in the Val Gardena for over 20 years (various launch locations and flight durations, from €110).

12) 1 p.m. PLATEAUS AND PINNACLES

After a smooth landing, ride the adrenaline wave back into the mountains aboard a cardinal-red gondola that ferries riders from Ortisei to the top of Mont Sëuc (€19.40 round-trip). This summit, with an elevation of over 6,500 feet, offers a sweeping panorama of the Alpe di Siusi, the largest alpine plateau in Europe. Beyond the plateau’s meadows rises a spectacular series of mountain peaks, including the rugged pinnacle of Sassolungo and the flat-topped Sasso Piatto. From here, you might hike or cycle through the green meadows (mountain bike rentals available at the base). Or simply settle in at Ristorante Mont Sëuc , where the weissbiers are cold, and tables on the outdoor terrace offer front-row seats to one of the finest Dolomite views.

Those seeking low-key, family-friendly lodgings will find an abundance of chalet-style options, such as the welcoming Hotel Tannenhof , a rustic 35-room resort near Bruneck (Via Reipertinger 3, Riscone; hotel-tannenhof.it; doubles from €92).

The family-run Hotel Rosa Alpina is the premier luxury property in the region with a three-Michelin-starred restaurant, exclusive spa and 51 mountain-chic rooms and suites (Strada Micurá de Rü 20, San Cassiano; rosalpina.it; doubles from about €500).

In the Alpe di Siusi, the Adler Mountain Lodge boasts a mid-piste location with 30 rooms spread between private cabins and a modern lodge (Via Piz 11, Alpe di Siusi; adler-lodge.com; from €800 per person in September).

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Discovering the Dolomites, Italy's Most Deliciously Underrated Mountain Region

By Jemima Sissons

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Northern Italy is one of our Best Places to Go in Europe for 2024 , part of our global guide to the Best Places to Go in 2024 —find more travel inspiration here .

When winter’s chill was thawed by the blossoming of spring, our family would set off for the long drive from the Oxfordshire downs to our holiday house in Le Marche, central Italy . Cruising through the arable heartlands of Europe, my heart would skip a beat as we neared the totemic slate gradients of the Italian Alps. Snaking over the Brenner Pass, it felt like being spirited to another world: a sky-bright Narnia, as we emerged blinking-eyed into the Dolomites sun on the other side. Stopping in simple, family-run hotels for the night, the breakfasts were a joyful, modest but perfectly formed ode to the Sud Tyrol locale—the creamiest Sterzinger yogurts that we savored with crimson forest-fresh lingonberries, flower-flecked cheese (for breakfast!) draped with silky threads of marjoram honey from their farm. Today, most hip restaurants are ingredient-led, but these these mountain families have been doing it for centuries.

Lago di Braies in Pragser Wildsee, Dolomites

I returned more than 30 years later, and while you can probably add a zero to what we paid for our roadside inns, the breakfast spread at the region's hero hotel, Forestis , still recalls that homage to the terroir that I remembered: glistening slivers of speck, creamy moguls of pistachio nut butter slathered on hay-baked rye bread, and granola laden with dried fruits from a bosky forage.

This adults-only hotel built on the site of a former pulmonary sanatorium—where the Plose mountains overlooked by its rooms are bathed ice blue in the mornings and glow russet red at dusk—shapes its entire cuisine around its neighboring valleys, vineyards , villages and woodlands. Beard lichen, ribwort plantain and lady’s bedstraw find their prosaic way onto loins of venison, fillets of river rainbow trout and parcels of hand-curled gnocchi, wild juniper flavoring lamb and salads consisting entirely of flora you have never heard of. Everything is imbued with local flavors—from the postbox shiny apples in the monastic spa to the pine-scented spring water from the fountain in the spruce-honed lobby. A stroll through eiderdown soft forest reveals an edible carpet, from larch blossoms to ground elder. It is worth hauling yourself up the Giogo Bello observation deck to earn the evening’s banquet—the room price includes a seven-course set dinner every evening, taken in the almost cinematic dining room with circular booths all facing the floor-to-ceiling windows—except the film is the moving shadows of eventide and shape-shifting mountains.

The Dolomites—meaning pale mountains—span a vast area of 6,000 square miles, over 2000 mountains and hug Austria to the north (the South Tyrol was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until 1919) and Verona in the south and incorporate several regions within its boundaries, from Alto Adige to Trentino and Belluno. With its proximity to Austria, many travelers fly to Innsbruck; otherwise, Verona or even Venice provide the gateways—or occasionally Bolzano, where there are some direct flights. It is a region of old lore and fiercely proud tradition. In this Italo-Germanic fusion, onion dome churches and gaily painted wooden chalets sit alongside frothy cappuccinos and delis selling handmade pasta. A network of alte vie—high paths—connect the mountains, dotted with rifugi—mountain huts, many of which are now being turned into gastronomic destinations. The region even boasts a third language (alongside Italian and German), Ladino, a Romance language with 35,000 speakers, mainly based in the Alta Badia region.

Laura Kiniry

Stacey Lastoe

Caitlin Morton

One of the loyal speakers is Markus Valentini, owner of mountain hut Bioch, reachable from the villages of La Villa, Corvara and San Cassiano via cable car and a gentle walk. What started as a simple rifugio with a handful of tables over thirty years ago now has six full-time chefs and an enviable 11,000-bottle wine list with a focus on local grapes such as Schiava, Lagrein and Trollinger, but with a smattering of interesting inclusions (one does not expect to find a Kazakh Pinot lurking halfway down the list). These are supped alongside handmade tortelli with speck cream, buffalo ricotta on a bed of mashed risina beans, or Austro-inspired apple strudel with a honey-sweet Sissi Passito wine.

It's a 30-minute stroll to the Piz Sorega lift, which winds down to the Aman Rosa Alpina . It opens this winter after a two-year refurbishment and, in summer, guests help forage for aglio orsino—a local wild garlic—alongside mountainside BBQs searing hunks of valley veal with wild herbs.

Wooden beehives in countryside

In the other direction, the Arlara and Col Alto lift dispatches weary hikers to La Perla, Italian in name. Still, half close your eyes, and you might expect Julia Andrews to come waltzing out. Here, dirndl and loden-clad waiting staff serve up elevated Michelin-starred dishes such as goose with caramelised onions in its La Stua de Michil restaurant; in the village its Ladin-focused menu at Restaurant Ladinia offers mountain fuel delicacies such as pressed dumplings with cabbage salad alongside more delicate barley soup with spinach turta—an ancient dish where Ladin households still flavour their hand-me-down recipes.

The culinary riches of the region are celebrated in both the simplest and the most fanciful fare – where mountain huts reside alongside Michelin dining establishments. At the Gostner Schwaige in the Seiser Alm, somewhat eccentric hut owner Franz Mulser doles out the crisp white Muller Thurgau wine over a plate of six kinds of cheese he has made over the winter – prandial laughter is accompanied by the trill of cowbells outside from his resident dairy queens – there’s an edelweiss camembert, a muscat infused cream cheese and a fenugreek speckled mountain cheese served on red beet shuttelbrot (a Tyrolean crispbread). The star of the show here, however, is the heublutensuppen soup – an “if I tell you I will have to kill you” secret recipe of 15 herbs and flowers, served in a hollowed-out homemade sourdough bowl. After a thigh-busting stomp through the undulating terrain under the guiding gaze of the Val Gardena peaks, the silky broth is as delicious as it is unplaceable. Is it mushroom? “No,” says Mulser. Is it cheese? Guess again. As we scoop out umami-rich soup-soaked spoons of bread from the inside of the sourdough bowl, we are left baffled but aware that it is one of the most delicious things we have ever eaten.

From here, it is an easy walk to the shiny futuristic modernist Como Alpina in the Alpe de Suisi, with its rotunda crafted from quartzite and angular wood – an architectural spaceship that’s landed into the folds of hills under the looming Sassalongo massif. Decked out in industrial lights and posters of old Tyrolean ski societies, pizzas with bubbling charred crusts and oozing stracciatella comfort families and all-day hikers. The main hotel's afternoon trestles laid with slices of strudel, mortadella, and pecorino sandwiches—complimentary to guests—are taken with treacle thick espressos or Aperols, depending on your poison.

As GM Julian Seeber explains over a lavish spread of pepper-rimmed salami and cumin goat's cheese, accompanied by mounds of piquant homemade horseradish, “We have the German precise way of doing things alongside the Italian passion. That’s what makes the region—and the cooking—so unique.”

Where to stay in The Dolomites

One of Alta Badia’s most beloved Dolomite hotels and home to the region’s only Michelin-starred restaurant, La Stua de Michil, La Perla in Corvara in Val Badia, has welcomed guests since 1956. The hotel now houses new rooms, including the two-bedroom Dolomite suite with a double balcony. Take an aperitvo of Franciacorta and local hams in the treehouse, which can house two people for drinks. In summer, the hotel offers everything from rock climbing courses to golf at 5,500 feet. Chef Simone Cantafio organizes immersive cooking sessions in the Stua de Michil restaurant, concluding with a wine and tasting session.

An adults-only refuge focused on wellness, run by husband-and-wife team Stefan and Teresa Hinteregga, the spruce-scented rooms are cool white and minimalist. Tower suites have a day bed outside to soak in the panoramic views. The spa is based around the ancient Celtic reverence for nature and comes with an indoor-outdoor swimming pool, a Wyda room (a Celtish form of yoga practised here), and ‘silence’ rooms. The cuisine is first-rate, with Chef Roland Lamprecht’s fare drawn from the surrounding forest. Don’t miss the spectacular hikes—accessible by cable car, or for the hardier, by foot. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more calming sanctum for a long weekend break.

Como Alpina Dolomites

What was just the Alpina Dolomites, the Singaporean brand Como took it over last year and, along with it, a palette refresh—out with the taupe and neutral palette and in blue-hued lounge areas and bedrooms. The new Trattoria dell’Alpe offers food from Venice and Verona, focusing on fish. However, Sassolungo delivers crisped coated schnitzel alongside Como's signature healthy fare for hearty mountain food. The labyrinthine sauna complex nods to the region’s German roots in etiquette—so make sure to read the rules and leave modesty (and swimsuits) at the door.

The best restaurants in The Dolomites

Hotel gardena.

After a day soaking in the Alpine views on Via Ferrata and well-marked trails above, the Hotel Gardena in Ortesei heads back to their One Michelin-starred Anna Stuben for a blow-out treat. The tasting menu is elevated trad cuisine—pumpkin comes with seasoned buffalo cheese, and gnocchi is crafted from beetroot and cave-aged cheese, with local riffs such as Villnoser Valley lamb alongside a gremolata. Pair with Alto Adige wines such as the blossom-rich St. Paul’s Praeclarus Brut.

Alpinn Food Space

A glass-boxed restaurant located in the LUMUM—the Museum of Mountain Photography—in Kronplatz spearheaded by Dolomites-born chef Norbert Niederkofler and designer Martino Gampner, Alpinn explores the terroir’s seasonal produce, with a focus on small local producers and an aim to cut down waste as much as possible, from reusing potato peelings to vegetable water. Having gained three Michelin stars at St Hubertus in Rosa Alpina (now part of the Aman group), Norbert opened the restaurant in 2023. Tuck into onion cooked in ash with Sasso Nero cheese or marinated golden trout fish with a silky yolk sauce and poppy seeds.

Gostner Schwaige

Under the looming Mount Schlern, the mountain huts service hikers all summer. They come for a three-course feast – don’t miss the rhubarb strudel – or a simple cheese and bread snack perched on the benches outside. In addition to making its own cheeses and delicious hay soup, the restaurant’s twinkly proprietor Franz Musler runs cooking courses in the summer, with a focus on herbs and flowers growing in the surrounding pastures.

Address: Gostner Schwaige, Saltriastrasse 13, 39040 Seiseralm, BZ, Italy Website: aussergost.co

The best things to do in The Dolomites

Wine and chocolate tasting at ciasa salares.

The family-owned hotel Ciasa Salares offers beautiful chalet-style rooms in the foothills of the Fane National Park. Still, it also has incredibly stocked wine and cheese rooms, both offering guests and visitors experiences. The chocolate room houses over 120 varieties of chocolate, spanning Vietnam and beyond, with a tasting led by a cocoa master. You won’t even scratch the surface of the 23,000 bottle list in the wine room, but a sampling led by sommelier Jan Clemens is a journey through Alto Adige, biodynamic or Italian regional wines.

Ladin Experience

Spend a few hours immersed with Ladin beekeepers, cheesemakers, herbalists and break makers on the Not Ladins experience, where you can live alongside a Ladin-speaking local. From making bath salts from pine needles on a woodland walk to learning to make typical ‘pucia’ flatbread of the region, join a small group to learn traditional pastimes.

Preidlhof – Fie Lakes experience

The wonderful Preidlhof wellbeing resort runs programmes that restore the body and mind – from ‘trauma therapy’ with Sicilian Shaman Stefano Battaglia to sleep retreats – as well as some of the best saunas in the Dolomites. However, it is worth taking time out from a stay for a half-day trip to the gastronomy tour of Lake Fie to discover mountain herbs and woodland cooking. After plucking forest herbs, you can learn to grind flour at an ancient mill before a cookery lesson crafting tagliatelle or e Schlutzkrapfen from the flour.

A version of this story originally appeared on Condé Nast Traveller .

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Guided Classic Dolomites Traverse

Our guided hut-to-hut hike across the Dolomites is an unforgettable collection of quaint villages, comfortable huts, and rugged landscapes.

• Guided Group ,
• Inn-To-Inn ,
• Moderate to Challenging ,

The Dolomites are the Alps’ great secret… a hiker’s paradise. A land where tidy Tyrolean hospitality meets passionate Italian charm.

You’ll hike through flower-filled meadows tucked against breathtaking pink and yellow cliffs and to sunny villages with trails radiating in every direction. Challenge yourself with rugged hikes into rocky towers and stumble upon a serendipitous hut serving the best coffee you’ve ever had. A hearty hike to a welcoming inn, followed by a 5 course feast with local wine. It’s perfect, really.

The Dolomites are notable for having so many great routes, with trails everywhere, and no real central massif. It feels like you can explore forever and never run out of mountains, huts and charming villages. We’ve developed one of the best routes in the Dolomites, hiking from verdant Val Gardena through beautiful Alta Badia to rugged and rocky Cortina d’Ampezzo. We have a great mix of village hotels and scenic huts, with beautiful culture, striking mountains, off-the-beaten-path surprises, and memorable cuisine.

Our guided tours are all guaranteed… if you sign up, the trip is going. Our guides will help you find the right pace on the trail and order the right wine once you stop. They can teach you about the culture and history of the region, which is fascinating, identify the flowers, and generally make your life easy. If you want to hike, relax and not worry about anything, this guided group Dolomites Traverse is the good life. We promise.

See our Self-guided version

• 11 days, 10 nights
• Jun 10 – Jun 20, 2024 Sold Out!
• Sep 2 – Sep 12, 2024
• $4895 Per Person
• $1050 Single Room

Itinerary At a Glance

Ortisei is a sunny, walkable village in the fabulous Val Gardena. What a start! Hiking trails, gondolas and inviting cafes everywhere. We’ll start with a favorite day hike to a remote mountain restaurant above town.

Schlernhaus to Plattkofel

Next, a 3 day hike across the Seiser Alm, the largest mountain meadow in the Alps. We stop at the historic mountaintop Schlernhaus hut, then traverse across the mountains to Plattkofel, a beautiful, newly renovated lodge at the base of an impressive mountain.

Selva to Corvara

After exploring the Langkofel group, we descend to Selva.  Another great day hike from here completes our time in the Gardena valley before we head east to Alta Badia, a beautiful region with a strong Ladin culture and endless views.

Alta Badia to Cortina

The Alta Badia region is gorgeous.  We’ll explore the mountains around Corvara, followed by a night at the unforgettable Lagazuoi hut, perched atop a high, rocky peak. Explore WW1 tunnels, take in the endless panorama.  We finish in stylish Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Your tour will be led by an experienced Alpinehikers guide, with guided hikes daily. All transfers to and from trailheads are included. You’ll stay 7 nights in 3-star village hotels and 3 nights in remote inns and huts, with private rooms on 9 of the 10 nights (singles not guaranteed at the huts). All breakfasts, picnic lunches and dinners are included. Luggage transfers to all village hotels are also part of your tour, as well as group arrival taxi from Bolzano to Ortisei and departure taxi from Cortina to Venice.

Full Itinerary

Arrive ortisei.

Arrive in Italy and and meet our shuttle in Bolzano. If you are arriving early, we can help with extra nights in Bolzano or with arrangements on getting to Ortisei independently. Ortisei is a lovely little village surrounded by the stunning scenery of the Gardena Valley.

You’ll meet your guide, talk about the trip to come. Ortisei is a pleasant walkable village and is blessed with beautiful views from every corner. We’ll stay in a comfortable and cozy 3-star hotel.

Arrival: Venice or Münich. Plan to arrive in Bolzano by 4 pm for the group meeting the day your tour starts.   Venice is about 4 hrs from Bolzano by train, and Münich is about 5½ hrs away.  It’s a good idea to arrive a day in Europe a day early so you have plenty of time for this journey.

Ortisei, hike to Brogles hut

Today, we might start with a cable car ride to a ridge high above town, and take a dayhike through high scenic meadows to the Brogles hut, where you can scan practically the entire Gardena Valley and gaze upon the jagged needles of the Puez-Odle peaks.

Afterwards, spend a little time in town. Ortisei is a beautiful village with shops and cafes lining their cobblestoned, pedestrian-only main road. The village pool and spa is a great place to relax for a couple hours before dinner.

HIKE: 5-6 hours, 8 miles; Elevation: 1180 ft up, 2360 ft down

Schlernhaus hut

Hiking hut-to-hut, we’ll traverse the famous Alpe di Siusi, the largest meadow in the Alps. We’ll first make an unforgettable gourmet stop at Gostner Schwaige for lunch, and then after a mellow crossing of the meadows, we’ll tackle the steep ascent to the mountaintop Schlernhaus.

Schlernhaus is fairly rustic, with private rooms, bathrooms down the hall. They have a great lodge-like atmosphere and their beautiful dining room is a cozy place to relax in the evening enjoying a night high in the Dolomites.

HIKE: 5-7 hours, 9 miles; Elevation: 2670 ft up, 1220 ft down

Plattkofel hut

Today we’ll continue along the ridgeline high above the rolling green hills of the Alpe di Siusi, with breathtaking views in every direction. We’ll stop for lunch at the beautiful Tires hut, and finish the day at Plattkofel hut.

For those with extra energy and time, an alternate hike up to the peak of Sasso Piatto will reward you with spectacular views of the whole region. With comfortable private rooms and hot showers, Plattkofel is more like a comfortable mountain inn than a hut, with beautiful rooms, great food, and welcoming feel that allows us to relax and enjoy a beautiful evening high in the mountains.  There are typically no single rooms at Plattkofel.

HIKE: 5-7 hours, 8 miles; Elevation: 1640 ft up, 2140 ft down

hike to Selva

Today we descend from Plattkofel and make our way to Selva, circling around the towering, jagged Sassolungo group. After a stop at a dramatic mountain hut tucked inside a cirque of mountains, we’ll cross a series of meadows to a cable car that whisks us down to town.

Selva is a lovely little village surrounded by the stunning scenery of the Gardena Valley, with peaceful trails in every direction.

HIKE: 5-7 hours, 7 miles; Elevation: 2030 ft up, 2230 ft down

Selva, hike Puez-Odle park

Today we’ll work our way up and explore the high meadows of the dramatic Puez-Odle mountain group, and perhaps stopping in at places like the Regensberger or Stevia huts along the way.

The scenery is stunning.  Afterwards, spend some time wandering the quiet pathways through town or relax in our hotel’s hot tub.

HIKE: 6-8 hours, 9 miles; Elevation: 3600 ft up, 3600 ft down

hike to Corvara

We’ll start out with a mellow hike through the glacially-carved U-shaped Vallunga Valley, climbing to the Puez hut high above the valley. A rocky traverse from here leads to the next valley and down to the village of Corvara, in the Alta Badia region.

An easier option starts with a bus or gondola ride to the Gardena Pass, where the massive Sella Mountain dominates your view. An easy descending trail through meadows winds down to Corvara from here.

HIKE: 7-9 hours, 10 miles; Elevation: 3160 ft up, 3360 ft down

Corvara, hike to Santa Croce

We have a lot of great options today.  One great hike starts from the nearby town of Badia and leads up to the chapel and restaurant at Santa Croce (la Crusc), with gorgeous views all around. Hike through scenic meadows below a monumental mountain wall to Santa Croce.

After lunch at the hut, we’ll head down wooded trails to the lovely small village of San Cassiano, framed by a gorgeous backdrop of mountains before returning to Corvara.

HIKE: 6-8 hours, 9.5 miles; Elevation: 2580 ft up, 1930 ft down

Lagazuoi hut

Today’s dramatic walk starts from nearby  San Cassiano and takes us up through a quiet valley to the rifugio Lagazuoi, a popular hut perched at the summit of a mountain with incredible views and rich history.

This was the scene of fierce fighting in WWI, and many tunnels and artifacts remain to this day. Despite it’s mountaintop position, Lagazuoi has comfortable rooms and hot showers, and takes care to serve abundant and delicious meals.  We will be sharing small dorm rooms here.

HIKE: 5-7 hours, 6 miles; Elevation: 3470 ft up

Cortina d’Ampezzo

Finally, we’ll cap our trip with a scenic traverse below the Tofane di Rozes Mountain. Optionally, we may cross the valley to explore the Cinque Torre Region, where more WWI artifacts remain.

We’ll finish in Cortina d’Ampezzo, the pearl of the Alps, and the lively town at the heart of the eastern Dolomites, for a final, celebratory evening.

HIKE: 6-8 hours, 9 miles; Elevation: 1850 ft up, 3720 ft down

Today we say arrivederci , and depart for our post-tour destinations.

Departure: Venice. A 9:00 group taxi to Venice is included in your tour, arriving at Venice airport at 11:00, or you can be dropped off Piazzale Roma if you are staying in Venice.   We can arrange a private taxi for you, at extra cost, if you need a different departure time or destination.

Tour Options

Guided group.

• All departures guaranteed. No minimum group size.
• A moderate inn-to-inn with 7 stops in 10 nights
• Private rooms 9 nights and luggage 7 of the 10 nights
• A memorable mix of Tyrolean, Italian and local Ladin cultures
• Historic mountaintop stops at Schlernhaus and Lagazuoi huts
• Fabulous hotels and great food – high on comfort
• Fascinating WWI history

Guided Best of the Dolomites

• Great inn-to-inn choice for shorter hikes
• An easy to moderate inn-to-inn with 4 stops in 6 nights
• Private rooms all nights and luggage 4 nights
• A beautiful mix of Tyrolean, Italian and local Ladin cultures
• Historic mountaintop hut at Schlernhaus
• Friendly hotels and memorable cuisine
• $3695 Per Person
• $650 Single Room

Guided Deluxe Dolomites Traverse

• A moderate inn-to-inn with 5 stops in 10 nights
• Luxurious stays in 4 and 5-star hotels every night
• Beautiful spas and gourmet meals
• Great flexibility for easier or harder hikes
• $6995 Per Person
• $1450 Single Room

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ALTA VIA 1 DOLOMITES

Your complete guide on what this hike is, the trail distance and different route options available, to determine if this epic hike in the Italian Dolomites is right for you.

 Alta Via 1 Dolomites | Complete Guide

Everything you need to plan, book, and self-guide this extraordinary multi-day hike through the Italian Alps

The Dolomites are a UNESCO World Heritage Site , famous for the limestone pinnacles that tower from the valley floor and dramatically change colour throughout the day. The Alta Via 1 (AV1) is the most popular “alta via” (or high routes) in the Dolomites, of which there are currently eight. Known as the “fairyland of the Alps” this trail leads you past spectacular alpine lakes, dramatic rock formations and lush green meadows. Although it is extremely popular, be aware that the trail travels through relatively remote areas, with some highly exposed ridges. It is not for the faint hearted! Enjoy local cuisine and alpine hospitality in the cozy mountain huts along this legendary hiking trail.

KEY TRAIL STATS for “CLASSIC” ROUTE

Country: Italy

Number of days: Typically 6 - 10

Distance: ~120km / 75mi

Elevation gain: 7,400m / 24,000ft (South direction)

Highest point: 2,752m / 9,029ft

Season: June - September

Difficulty: Moderate

Traffic: High

Official start location: Lago di Braies

Official end location: La Pissa

Alta Via 1 Dolomites: High level map from our planning app showing the trail through the Dolomites which are located in Northern Italy. The city of Venice to the South and Innsbruck to the North.

Accommodation options along the trail

There are 80+ accommodation locations along the Alta Via 1 (Dolomites), ranging from mountain huts, known as rifugios (Italian) and refuges (German), that are typically located in remote areas, to guest houses, hotels and B&Bs. Due to its popularity, many of the mountain huts are completely full for the summer hiking season.

Availability typically becomes available in January/February and therefore it is best to be prepared to book/reserve at this time to secure your preferred location and room type.

Rifugio Adolfo Sonino Al Coldai

CLASSIC Trail Highlights

Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee) is one of the most visited places in South Tyrol with its emerald green water and towering limestone cliffs surrounding on three sides. You couldn’t ask for a more picturesque start to your Dolomites hike!

Cinque Torri is a collection of five distinct rock towers located within a historical significant site. While admiring the beauty of the area, you can also learn about the WWI battles that took place in the Dolomites and explore the restored trenches and hideouts.

Lagazoui is located in the Natural Park of the Amprezzo Dolomites and is well known for its wartime tunnels and WW1 mine warfare. There is an option to explore the extensive tunnels built by the Italian troops. Otherwise enjoy the panorama views.

Lago Coldai is a beautiful alpine lake situated at 2,143m / 7,030ft. After a long day, some hikers take a dip in the cold water.

Where is the Alta Via 1 Dolomites trail?

The Alta Via 1 Dolomites is located in Northern Italy. It traverses two provinces - Alto-Adige (also known as South Tyrol) and Belluno.

Interesting fact - The native language breakdown in South Tyrol is 70% German, 25% Italian and 5% Ladin. Therefore, you may get confused on the correct name of a village, mountain hut or pass, as it could be written in German or Italian. For example, the start location of the Alta Via 1 Dolomites is: Lago di Braies (Italian) or Pragser Wildsee (German). Another example, Sennes Hütte (German) and Rifugio Sennes (Italian).

Climbing to Forcela de Riciogogn

HOW LONG IS THE ALTA VIA 1 DOLOMITES TRAIL?

The “classic” Alta Via 1 route is ~120km / 75mi, with approx. 7,400m / 24,000ft in elevation gain (South<>North direction). There are alternate routes that change the distance and elevation, either to take a more direct route, reach a specific highlight or stay at accommodation off the classic route.

The main reason hikers need to take an alternate route at some point on their journey is due to accommodation availability. Luckily, there is a variety of accommodation options nearby to the main trail to choose from.

Read the blog: “ How long does it take to hike the Alta Via 1 ”

Walking the high plateau towards Sennes Hütte

WHEN IS THE HIKING SEASON FOR THE ALTA VIA 1 DOLOMITES?

The best time to hike the Alta Via 1 is from mid June to mid September.

The highest point on the Alta Via 1 is 2,752m / 9,029ft, but generally the trail stays below 2,300m / 7,500ft. Therefore winter/spring snow has usually melted on the trails by June. Peak hiking season is July and August during European summer holidays. At this time it is extremely busy on the trail (also with day hikers) and accommodation is often booked up months in advance.

It can get quite cold and windy, even in summer, so make sure to pack appropriate clothing and gear.

Approaching Cinque Torri

HOW DIFFICULT IS THE ALTA VIA 1 DOLOMITES?

The Alta Via 1 trail is moderately difficult due to some steep, rocky and exposed ridges. However, unlike other Alta Via routes, this one does not require any “ via ferratas ” and therefore is much more accessible for those that do not wish to climb more technical routes (and carry the appropriate gear).

However, if you would like to tackle one of the “via ferratas”, some of the mountain huts rent the equipment, such as the VII Alpini refuge .

Most of the main trail is well marked and maintained. However, it is important that all hikers assess their own ability to complete their chosen route. Different hikers have different fitness, experience, confidence and abilities.

For those looking for a multi-day trail that is more challenging and remote with less crowds, you could consider the Walker’s Haute Route or Tour of Monte Rosa .

Forcella di Lago - one of the more difficult sections along the trail

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE THE ALTA VIA 1 DOLOMITES?

It typically takes between 6 and 10 days to complete the Alta Via 1 (Dolomites). It depends on which route you decide to take, where you decide to stay each night, your hiking speed, the desired number of hiking hours per day and whether you will use transport to skip ahead on the trail.

Some hikers are up at the crack of dawn and will arrive at their accommodation in time for dinner, having hiked for 8+ hours. Whereas others prefer a slow start, long lunch at mountain hut and an early arrival at their location, having hiked 4-5 hours.

Check out our time estimate calculator to see how long it will take you to hike the Alta Via 1 Dolomites.

Views near Passo di Giau

SAMPLE ITINERARIES BUILT USING OUR PLANNING APP

HOW POPULAR IS THE ALTA VIA 1 DOLOMITES?

The Alta Via 1 in the Dolomites is one of the most popular hiking trails in the Alps. This is due to it being one of the easier legendary hiking trails (as well as offering spectacular scenery!). It has well-maintained hiking and mountain trails (no alpine trails), frequent accommodation options spaced along the trail and the mountain passes along the main trail stay below 2,800m / 9,200ft. Because of this, there are many other hikers and tour groups that choose to hike the AV1 and therefore it is important to book your accommodation well ahead of time to secure your preferred locations and dates.

There are certain sections that are frequented by day-hikers and certain huts that are either accessible by car/public transport, which makes it even busier!

Enjoying the flat trail in Fanes Nature Park

Where does the Alta Via 1 Dolomites start?

Most people hike the Alta Via 1 from North to South, starting at the spectacular Lago di Braies (Italian) or Pragser Wildsee (German).

If you don’t have time to complete the full trail (~120km / 75mi), there are options to start the trail, at:

Pederu (via San Vigilio)

Lagazuoi / Cinque Torri (via Cortina or San Cassiano)

Passo Giau (via Cortina)

Pescul / Alleghe (via Belluno)

All these locations are available in our planning app to select as your “start” point, with associated bus details.

These locations (including Lago di Braies) are not the easiest trailhead to get to! Most hikers will fly in to Venice and use public transport to get there via a combination of buses (Venice > Cortina > Dobbiaco > Lago di Braies). Depending on your transfers it will take upwards of 4 hours.

If you need to break up the transfer, Cortina d’Ampezzo is a great place to grab lunch or stay overnight. It also has a lot of accommodation options .

The most breathtaking official start point, Lago di Braies.

Choose Lago de Braies trailhead as your start/end in our planning app for accurate daily hiking stats and transport options to reach the trailhead.

Where does the Alta Via 1 Dolomites end?

The end point of the Alta Via 1 is La Pissa bus stop - much less dramatic than the start line! From here, hikers can catch a 20 minute bus to Belluno, where you can transfer to train or bus back to Venice or other major Italian cities.

If you don’t have time to complete the full trail (~120km / 75mi), there are options to end the trail at a bus stop located at:

Passo Falzarego (nearby Lagazuoi)

Cianzope (nearby Cinque Torri)

Passo Staulanza

Forno di Zoldo

All these locations are available in our planning app to select as your “finish” point, with associated bus details.

The official end point - La Pissa bus stop.

Select alternate start/end locations in our planning app for accurate daily hiking stats and transport options to trailhead.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO HIKE THE ALTA VIA 1 DOLOMITES?

It can cost €700 for a standard 7-night trip staying in dormitory accommodation in mountain huts.

However, the cost may vary significantly depending on:

the number of days on the trail (i.e 4 to 10 days),

your accommodation selection (i.e campground, shared or private rooms),

food (i.e packing your own, eating at cafe/huts along the trail), and

transport preferences (i.e taking cable cars or buses to skip sections).

Read our detailed blog post “ How much does it cost to hike the Alta Via 1? ”

Lunch at Rifugio Attilio Tissi

ARE THERE TRANSPORT SHORTCUTS ON THE ALTA VIA 1 DOLOMITES?

It is possible to shorten the Alta Via 1 trail by taking some public transport options including cable cars, gondolas and buses. These options can help to minimise the hiking time on a specific day (i.e cable car on ascent/descent) or skip forward a day (i.e bus).

Our planning app and GPS map include all transport schedules and costs for the upcoming season.

The AV1 trail winds through the Pescul ski area, which offers cable car options for hikers wanting to save their legs!

Use our trip planning app to easily add transport to your itinerary, including gondola, bus and trains.

Is it possible to camp along the Alta Via 1 Dolomites?

There are several campgrounds located on/near the border of the three natural parks that cover the AV1 trail. These campgrounds typically have great services, including power, hot showers, toilets, laundry facilities, shop or restaurant. However, depending on your desired daily hiking stats, it may not be possible to reach a campground for every night of your hike. Therefore staying in a refuge/rifugio is a great option for those nights it is not possible to camp.

Campgrounds along and nearby the trail are listed in our planning app with images, location details and hiking stats to get to/from the trail.

In terms of wild camping or bivouac, it is strictly forbidden along the trail. The three natural parks that cover the AV1 clearly state in their laws and regulations that it is forbidden. We have also been in touch with them to confirm these regulations.

Fanes, Senes, Braies Natural Park ( rules )

The Natural Park of the Ampezzo Dolomites

The Natural Park of the Belluno Dolomites

ready to start planning your alta via 1 hike?

What are the alternate route options.

There are many alternative routes to include additional highlights, avoid challenging sections of trail or skip highlights on the main trail by going more direct. Details of these alternate routes (and more) are available within our planning app.

The most popular alternate routes along the Alta Via 1, include:

Lago di Braies > Rifugio Sennes via Forcela de Riciogogn

This more direct alternate route is great for those wanting to skip ahead on their first day. Unfortunately you miss the views of Lago di Braies that the main trail offers on the ascent.

Rifugio Sennes > Rifugio Pederu via Rifugio Fodara Vedla

A required alternate route for those choosing to stay at Rifugio Fodara Vedla, which is located off the main trail.

Le Gran Plan > Lago di Lagazuoi via Rifugio Scotoni

The alternate route is suitable for those choosing to stay at Rifugio Scotoni, which is located off the main trail, or for those that would like to avoid Forcella di Lago due to its exposed and steep trail, or in case of bad weather.

Rifugio Scotoni > Rifugio Lagazuoi via Forcela de Salares

A quieter alternate route that provides great perspective of the towering Lagazuoi peaks to the North and across the valley to Monte Castello. A good option for those stopping at Rifugio Lagazuoi or those wanting to explore the WWI tunnels.

Rifugio Lagazuoi > Falzarego Pass via WWI tunnel

A unique opportunity to walk through the WWI tunnel system that weaves down within the mountain. It is recommended to rent a helmet from the cable car station, and bring a torch.

Falzarego Pass > Cinque Torri via Forcella Averau

This alternate route is suitable for those staying at Rifugio Col Gallina or that wish to hike directly to Rifugio Averau or Rifugio Nuvolau. This pleasant trail weaves through the forest and involves some minor boulder hopping.

Rifugio Nuvolau > Passo Giau via Via Ferrata Ra Gusela

This beginners via ferrata trail does not present significant technical difficulties. However, every hiker must assess their level of risk and gear choice. It is a direct route that significantly reduces the distance. More info .

Rifugio Città di Fiume > Rifugio Palafavera via Monte Pelmo Loop

This challenging alternate route is not for the faint hearted. This route circles Monte Pelmo and includes a decent climb on very friable rocky paths with some cables to assist. The scree is difficult to navigate.

Forcella Ambrizzola > Rifugio Col dei Baldo via Pescul

For those lodging in Pescul, this alternate route is the most direct option. Here there are restaurants and supermarkets to restock. There are also buses that run to nearby towns for those wishing to start/end their journey here.

READY to start planning your alta via 1 hike?

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Inn to Inn Deluxe Alps Tours

Italian alps in comfort: inn to inn hiking tour with a local guide.

Deluxe Exclusive Tours - Inn to Inn Italian Alps

Adventure & Comfort for un unforgettable experience

Inn to Inn Hiking in the Alps is an amazing experience. If you do not want to compromise between Nature and Comfort, you can join one of our Inn to Inn Hiking trips. You can choose also to do it Privately with your personal Local guide, explaining you all the Beauty of the Italian Alps. In sleeping in an Inn every night you will have full flexibility in your Hike.  Enjoy the mountain environment not only hiking but relaxing and visiting historical sites and ejoying the Italian food , and wine.

Inn to Inn Deluxe Alps Tours can be organized all year round: it is always possible to organize such a tours. Also if you want to add some extra experience such as Rafting, Paragliding, Wine tasting or anything just contact us and we will provide you with all the informations.  Deluxe  Alps Tours are organized tailor made according to what you want!  It is also possible to organize your hiking in the Alps Privately.

Accommodation can be organized in hotel/b&b with private room and we will have always hot meals in dinner and warm places where to sleep. Less adventure but more comfort and relax in your Inn to Inn Hiking Tour in the Italian Alps !

Deluxe Hiking Tour

Your exclusive experience in italy.

If you want all comforts there is no problems. There are several 4 stars Inn and 5 stars Inn that will host you in your Tour in the Alps. Fancy Italian cousine, luxury and SPA at the end of beautiful walks in the mountains. The hikes itself is very flexible. You might want a hard hike or an easy hike just to enjoy Nature and Mountains. Everything is possible for your Inn to Inn Deluxe hike with Trekking Alps.

Inn to Inn - Bed and Breakfast

Autenthic Local Mountain Villages

If you are looking for a private room but you don’t want big Hotels but you prefer small Bed and Breakfast this is the place! Here you can have contacts with local people and explore also culturally the amazing Italian Alps. Mountains bring an important cultural heritage which you can discover together with the local guide. An excellent option also for Families and Children. An Autenthic Inn to Inn Alps experience!

Our Deluxe Hikes in the Italian Alps

Even in our Inn to Inn proposals there is actually plenty of choice. You can sleep in a small and authentic Inn or Bed and Breakfast. Or you might want an Exclusive and Luxurious 4 or 5 stars hotel waiting for you at the end of the hike. Both options are available and there will be no doubts: we’ll manage your requests all year round! We can organize public hike as well as private deluxe hike. Just write us your preference and we’ll decide together the target of our Inn to Inn Italian Alps experience!

2024 - AUG 11 / AUG 14 (Days: -362 - Participants: 3 )

Join this hike: € 630.00 ( tbd )

2024 - JUN 08 / JUN 11 (Days: 4 - Participants: 2 )

Join this hike: € 700.00 ( € 750.00 )

2024 - MAY 05 / MAY 06 (Days: 2 - Participants: 2 )

Join this hike: € 280.00 ( tbd )

2024 - JUN 08 / JUN 09 (Days: 2 - Participants: 3 )

Join this hike: € 500.00 ( tbd )

INN TO INN CONFIGURATOR

MONTE BIANCO

GRAN PARADISO

LAKE MAGGIORE

LANGHE ALPS

MEDITERRANEAN RIVIERA

HIKING AREAS

Deluxe HikesTESTIMONIALS

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Dolomites Hikes

Hotel to Hotel Hiking Adventure

Relax in 4-star accommodations and be astounded at this region's sheer beauty. Experience stunning landscapes on some of the most spectacular hiking trails, then indulge in the taste of the Ladin mountain traditions and flavors.

•   8 days /7 nights
•   from € 2.680 pp.
•   Val Di Fassa - Alta Badia
•   Hike – Moderate to Challenging

Trip Overview

• Relax in 4-star accommodations, giving you a taste of the Ladin mountain traditions and flavors.
• Immerse yourself in postcard landscapes filled with flowery meadows and cute rustic huts with magnificent peaks as the backdrop.
• Spectacular views of the Majestic Marmolada "Queen of the Dolomites."
• Capture the wonderous twin formations of Sassolungo and Sassopiatto
• Hike some of the best trails in the Dolomites

Trip itinerary may vary based on weather conditions, fitness levels and abilities of participants, and/or the recommendations of the Dolomite Mountains Team and your mountain guide. Daily mileage and altitude gain may vary depending on the device used.

Arrive in Val di Fassa, the Dolomites

Arrive in Val di Fassa at your discretion (private transfers on request) and check into your hotel. The Val di Fassa, or Fassa Valley in English, is a fascinating natural valley set in the Italian province of Trento. The valley stretches 20-kilometers (12-miles), from Moena to Canazei, with a total of seven municipalities. This stunning Dolomites valley is surrounded by a “masterpiece” of mountains, including the Sella Group, Sassolungo, and Marmolada, home to the Dolomites largest remaining glacier, and the Catinaccio / Rosengarten with its remarkable Torri del Vajolet. These mountains of culture, tradition, legend, and sport offer much to be discovered, and over time the Ladin people of Val di Fassa have guarded this valley of incomparable beauty. The kingdom of the legendary King Laurino was said to be set here, and the famous king was the guardian of this enchanted valley. Dinner included at the hotel.

Hotel in Val di Fassa (D)

Hiking by the queen of the dolomites, hotel in val di fassa (b,d), hike through val san nicolò.

Enjoy a beautiful hike through Val San Nicolò. The higher you get, the more impressive the view of the Marmolada summits: Piccolo Vernel (3,098m / 10,160'), Gran Vernel (3,210m / 10,530'), Punta Penia (3,343m / 10,965'), and Punta Ombretta (3,230m / 10'595'). Ahead of you is the pyramid-shaped Col Ombert mountain. Stop en-route for a well-deserved lunch in a local rifugio and begin your descent through a picture-perfect landscape, green and flowery meadows scattered with picturesque wooden huts, framed by some of the most beautiful peaks. Take a transfer back to your hotel and enjoy dinner at leisure (not included) . (~5-6 hours hiking, 15,4 km / 9,5 miles, 945m / 3,100' ascent, 1,010m / 3,313' descent.)

Hotel in Val di Fassa (B)

Hike a loop around sassolungo.

"Then come the gigantic masses of the Platt Kofel [Sassopiatto] and Lang Kofel [Sassolungo]; the first, sliced off, as by the malice of a Titan, at a single blow; the second, an array of splintered spires, ashy-tinted or pale yellow." – Gilbert and Churchill, 1864.

Hotel in Val Gardena (B,D)

Resciesa & geological phenomena, hotel in val gardena (b), puez-odle nature park.

The Puez-Odle/Geisler Nature Reserve comprises an expanse of 10,722 hectares (25,194 acres) and is named after the striking peaks of the Puez and the pinnacles of the Odle/Geisler massifs. Here you’ll bear witnesses of the geological history of the Dolomites.  Today’s hike presents some challenges, but the views will be breathtaking! In the morning, take a private transfer to Passo Gardena (2,120m / 6,955'), hike up to a local rifugio and follow the legendary Alta Via 2 into the heart of the Puez-Odle Nature park, with its striking views over Val Gardena and the Sassolungo massif.  A final three-hour hike downhill on an easy and panoramic trail brings you to the town of Colfosco where your driver awaits to take you to your hotel. (~7-8 hours hiking, 15 km / 9,3 miles, 590 m / 1,935' ascent, 1,150m / 3,775' descent.)

Hotel in Val Badia (B,D)

Hike a loop into the fanes natural park, hotel in val badia (b), accommodation.

Great hotels with Dolomite Mountains. Whether intimate lodge, family run B&B, or luxury spa resort, our hotels are unique, eminently local, and hard to leave.

All itineraries are subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control including, weather, road or trail conditions.

• There is a high-season 15% surcharge from July 14th to Sept 8th. 
• Prices may increase between the time of quotation and booking. Your Dolomite Mountains consultant will inform you of any changes.

Cost Includes:

• Logistics and hiking maps
• Trip briefing
• Local English-speaking hiking guides (if guided)
• 3 nights in 4*hotel in Val di Fassa
• 2 nights in 4*hotel in Val Gardena
• 2 nights in 4*hotel in Alta Badia
• All breakfasts
• 4 dinners (one in each hotel and one in a farmhouse)
• Luggage transfer from Val di Fassa – Val Gardena - Alta Badia
• Lift tickets (if guided)
• Private transfers in the area when needed
• A €15 donation to Wow Nature’s reforestation projects makes your trip carbon-neutral.
• Italian VAT tax

Itinerary in Pictures

Hotel to Hotel Hiking Adventure : Relax in 4-star accommodations and be astounded at this region's sheer beauty. Experience stunning landscapes on some of the most spectacular hiking trails, then indulge in the taste of the Ladin mountain traditions and flavors.

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Hiking in the Dolomites

8 days | a hiking adventure with creature comforts in the heart of the dolomites.

Immerse yourself in the rugged beauty and stunning scenery of the Dolomites on an 8-day small group hiking adventure. This trip offers a comfortable yet active way to enjoy this scenic region. Base yourself in the pretty Italian town of Dobbiaco and spend each day exploring the Dolomite’s iconic backdrop of towering cliffs, lush pastures and emerald green lakes. With easy to moderate walks, conveniently located accommodation, and a knowledgeable leader, this hiking adventure is filled with natural wonders.

Trip overview

• Revel in the beauty of the sheer rock walls, deep valleys and lush pastures of the Dolomites, a mountainous area in the northern Italian Alps.
• Base yourself at a charming hotel surrounded by parkland and native woods, within easy walking distance of the pretty town of Dobbiaco.
• Hike the Three Peaks of Lavaredo loop, a full day walk which is widely regarded as the most scenic hike in the Dolomites.
• See the Earth Pyramids of Platten, naturally formed earth towers which are the tallest and most perfectly shaped earth pyramids in Europe.
• Enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch featuring some of the region’s famous produce at the green pastures of Ampezzo Dolomites Natural Park.
• The Dolomites boasts pleasantly warm weather, with hot summer days and possibly rain and thunderstorms on occasion. It can get cool in the evening throughout the year so bring warm clothes. Good walking clothing including waterproof wet weather gear and appropriate footwear are a must.
• We will walk up to 14 km per day, with a maximum elevation gain of 800 metres. You may wish to bring walking poles with you.
• On Day 7 we will take a cable car ride from Versciacio to the start of our walk. The views will be stunning, but if you suffer from vertigo, you may feel slightly uncomfortable for a short period of time.
• On our final day we aim to reach Venice Airport Marco Polo at approximately 1.30 pm. Flights should be booked from 4 pm onwards.
• On this trip you must pack as lightly as possible because you will be expected to carry your own bag and although you won't be required to walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes), we strongly recommend keeping the weight under 15kg / 33lb. Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are convenient although we recommend your bag has carry straps to accommodate the cobbled streets, uneven surfaces, stairs and steps you are likely to encounter while carrying your luggage. You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for day trips.

Your adventure begins with a complimentary group arrival transfer from Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) at 3.45pm. Sit back and relax during the drive to the pretty town of Dobbiaco which is nestled in a green valley surrounded by alps. Settle in at your comfortable guesthouse which is within easy walking distance of Dobbiaco. Surrounded by parkland and nearby woods, this is your home for the next eight days as you explore the natural beauty of the Dolomites.

• Guesthouse (1 night)

There are no meals included on this day.

• Complimentary Group Arrival Transfer from Venice Airport

A complimentary group arrival transfer from Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) will take place at 3.45pm in front of the Relay Shop at the arrival hall (going via Venice Mestre so you can choose where to join). Please note airport pick up may take longer than we planned and therefore pick up from Venice Mestre will take place anytime between 4:15 pm and 5:30 pm at the transfer pick up area outside the train station, on the right-hand side. You will find the driver holding a sign with Intrepid Travel logo. If you decide not to take/cannot make the group transfer, welcome meeting will be held in our hotel in Dobbiaco at 7pm on Day 1. Please see Joining Point Hotel listed in the Essential Trip Information for this itinerary. If you are in doubt about transfer time arrival, or you need to notify us that your flight is delayed, please contact us on +49 8024 4679540 (emergency number option 1). It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting at 7pm at your hotel as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place. Total driving time today is 3 hours.

After breakfast, catch the public bus and begin your Dolomite hiking adventure with a hike up one of the popular summits in the region – Strudelkopf. The mountain is relatvely well accessible as you can drive all the way up to the elevation of 2000 metres above sea level. The hike offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains, and the pastures you’ll hike across will welcome you with great selection of wildflowers. The very top of Strudelkopf, sitting at 2307 metres above sea level, may give you a glance at the famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo (if it’s not too cloudy!). After some time at the summit, loop your way back down and across the valley, but before you reach the finish line, take a break in one of the mountain huts and taste local’s favourite strudel – where better to do it than at the foot of Strudelkopf?

• Strudelkopf summit guided hike
• Local apple strudel tasting

Today’s total walking distance is approximately 10 km, with 320m of elevation gain/loss and may take up to 5 hours.

Hit the road in your private vehicle and travel towards Bruneck, a pretty town at the heart of the Kronplatz region. You will have some time to walk around this town, but beforehand, hike to the unique Earth Pyramids of Platten which are more than 25,000 years old. These naturally formed earth towers are the tallest and most perfectly shaped earth pyramids in Europe. After snapping a few pictures at this incredible place, hike further up on well defined, yet slightly steep paths – walking poles for support are a very good idea! Soon you’ll reach a plateau with great views and a small hut serving great food and drinks. Take a break before heading back down to catch a local bus to Bruneck, where you will have some time before returning to Dobbiaco in early afternoon. Upon your return, enjoy a cheese tasting at the cooperative dating back to 1882!

• Malga Gonner Alm guided hike
• Earth pyramids of Platten guided hike
• Cheese tasting at local cooperative

Today’s total walking distance is approximately 8 km, with 570 m of elevation gain/loss. It will take up to 5 hours.

After breakfast, take the public bus to Podestagno and start your exploration of the Ampezzo Dolomites Natural Park. During the hike, keep an eye out for Sempervivum dolomiticum, the rare endemic plant which is the symbol of this park. Enjoy spectacular views of waterfalls and the Boite River, and take a rest at a cafe housed in a traditional building surrounded by lush green pastures. Enjoy a picnic lunch, then choose whether you’d like to hike further into the valley, or rest at the green pastures by the waters of the Boite river. Hiking back down, you’ll take a different path, which features a short crossing of a steep slope. The path, however, leads to the most picturesque viewpoints of surrounding mountains and valleys one can ask for! Take a bus to Cortina d’Ampezzo for some free time to explore this charming town before heading back to Dobbiaco.

• Malga Ra Stua guided hike in the Natural Park of the Ampezzo Dolomites
• Cortina d'Ampezzo leader led walk

Today’s total walking distance is approximately 10 km, with 450 m of elevation gain/loss. It will take up to 6 hours.

Today is slightly different, with a free day for you to enjoy your way. You can take a bus to the start of one of the many trails in the area and enjoy more hiking on your own, or visit local museums, experience WWI history in Monte Piana and Monte Piano, rent a bicycle or do anything else that interests you. Or, you may want to visit Bolzano, home of the Europe’s oldest natural human mummy known as the Ice Man. Your tour leader will be able to help you with arrangements.

Today is a full day excursion which explores the Three Peaks of Lavaredo. This loop walk is widely regarded as the most scenic hike in the Dolomites and is packed with rugged peaks, lush alpine meadows and pristine lakes. Keep your camera handy as there is superb scenery at every turn, especially at Rifugio Locatelli with a fantastic view of Laghi dei Piani.

• Tre Cime di Lavaredo scenic hike

Today’s total walking distance is approximately 11 kms, with 400 m of elevation gain. The time needed to complete Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop is 4 to 5 hours.

This morning will be slightly more relaxed with an option to leave your hotel as late as 9am. Take a short train ride to the town of Versciacio, a popular ski resort in winter months. Here you will catch a cable car and enjoy unbelievable views on your way to the start of today’s hike – a short, but relatively challenging trek up Monte Elmo. The last part of the hike takes you up a steep slope, but fear not, there’s a lovely restaurant at the bottom in which you can wait for the rest of the group if you don’t feel like climbing up the steep path today. If, however, you reach the top of Monte Elmo, not only will you be greeted with breathtaking views, but you’ll also have a chance to cross the Italian-Austrian border, which runs precisely through the summit point. This afternoon is free to enjoy at your leisure, perhaps with a final celebration at one of the many bars or restaurants in Dobbiaco.

• Cable car ride in Versciacio

Your walking distance today is approximately 7 km with 400 m of elevation gain/loss.

After breakfast, your Dolomites hiking adventure finishes with a group transfer to Venice Airport Marco Polo, arriving at approximately 1.30 pm. Please book any flights from 4 pm onwards. The journey will go via Venice Mestre train station and if you prefer to depart by train, please do not book your train before 2:30 pm.

• Complimentary Group Departure Transfer to Venice Airport

7 breakfasts, 1 lunch

Walking, Private vehicle, Taxi

Guesthouse (7 nights)

Dates and availability

Important notes.

1. Your adventure begins with a complimentary group arrival transfer from Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) at 3.45pm in front of the Relay Shop at the arrival hall (going via Venice Mestre so you can choose where to join). Please note airport pick up may take longer than we planned and therefore pick up from Venice Mestre will take place anytime between 4:15 pm and 5:30 pm at the transfer pick up area outside the train station, on the right-hand side. You will find the driver holding a sign with Intrepid Travel logo. If you decide not to take/cannot make the group transfer, welcome meeting will be held in our hotel in Dobbiaco at 7pm on Day 1. Please see Joining Point Hotel listed in the Essential Trip Information for this itinerary. If you are in doubt about transfer time arrival, or you need to notify us that your flight is delayed, please contact us on +49 8024 4679540 (emergency number option 1) 2. Your adventure ends on Day 8 after breakfast. There are no activities included on that day. You are free to stay in Dobbiaco or take an advantage of complimentary group departure transfer to Venice Marco Polo Airport. We will aim to arrive at the airport at around 1.30pm. Please book any flights from 4 pm onwards. The journey will go via Venice Mestre train station and if you prefer to depart by train, please do not book your train before 2:30 pm. 3. A single supplement is available for this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. 4. Please note, due to unpredictable weather in shoulder seasons (early to mid-June and early to mid-September) some hikes may need to be adjusted or even replaced. We will always aim to provide equally interesting and picturesque hikes of similar difficulty. 5. As of April 2024, Venice will implement a visitor’s fee for all travellers visiting the city between 25 April and 15 July 2024. If you are planning to explore the old city prior to the start of the trip, you will need to pay the access fee at https://cda.veneziaunica.it/en/access-fee . For further information, please see the “Passports, visas and entry requirements,” section of your Essential Trip Information.

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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The Dolomites – Hiking Italy Inn-to-Inn

The Dolomites in Italy are one of the world’s great hiking destinations.

This Dolomites trip report was contributed by Hermann Gucinski from North Carolina in the U.S.

“Oh my God,” came out of my mouth when I reached the top of the pass Forcella Rondoi at 7,200 feet.

My wife, a few steps behind me, knew immediately what it meant. “Let’s get on with it,” she said, starting down the nearly non-existent trail with a vertiginous drop on one side and nothing to grab hold of on the other. My mouth went dry, but I set off after her. We had been warned! The guide talked at length about turning back at the least misgiving about going on.

That moment of fear was well repaid by the spectacular nature of the Dolomites, not just here, but every step of our 6-day hiking journey with On Foot Holidays. The whole trip was a grand experience where sheer awe replaces any fear you might feel.

Abutting the Austrian border, South Tyrol was ceded to Italy in reparation for World War I. To this day, German (or Austrian) is spoken here as well as Italian – and for us, English, too.

San Candido is one of the picturesque spots passed by those walking in the Dolomites.

Day One in the Dolomites

Our first hike departed from the tiny town of San Candido (Tyrolean name “Innichen”), where we stayed in a 4-star inn for two nights. This Dolomites hike can only be described in superlatives. The town is dwarfed by the mountains nearby, and the climb was a way of breaking the ice in a romantic forest setting. We passed by an old all-wood chapel; the route was alternated with meadows and a tiny town that appeared magically right at lunch-time.

On Foot Holidays arranges lodging for their guests in authentic hotels and inns along walking routes in remote areas of Europe.

Our hotel and the staff were great, On Foot Holidays arranges stays in local hotels and authentic inns to experience local hospitality, and our next stop was a hut high up in the mountain. We set out to our first “ Rifugio ” (Italian name for shelter). Despite the fact that it was very basic – in the sense that showers served several rooms and we had to take turns – the experience was well compensated by excellent, yet simple rooms and superb meals with new and great company – the other hikers.

The challenging Dolomites pass, the Forcella Rondoi , came the next morning. By the time we rejoined other hikers on the trail below, we were truly proud of our accomplishment. This included tackling the ups and downs of the remaining miles to the town of Misurina. Here, a beautiful lake is watched over by a massive hotel which, we were told, served as field hospital during that dreadful war.

The highlight of the trip came next day, when we circumnavigated the “Tres Cimes.” These three spires are world-renowned and sought out by hikers, technical climbers, and walkers of all ages. There we found several huts that served lunch or snacks and even milk from herb-fed cows.

Our last hike was nine miles long, 5 1/2 hours of walking, stops not included. At the end, we reached the worldwide known gourmet destination of Cortina d’ Ampezzo.

The Italian Alps – the Dolomites – are breathtakingly beautiful.

From high crags way above us, to broad mountain vistas, and from wooded glens to towns nestled in steep valleys, On Foot’s routes are surrounded by beauty during the whole trip. We enjoyed the magnificent views and amazing stops at little chalets for lunch. In addition, the tour started and ended at truly impressive hotels in great settings. Also, our bodies responded very well to the daily climbs and we felt better every day.

Looking back, the memories are great, and each picture we review recalls neat moments from deep impressions, great new friends, and funny incidents.

You have to try it yourselves to inhale all this deeply.

Hermann Gucinski, PhD, is a scientist, retired from the U. S. Forest Service. He hikes with his wife, and both of them have section-hiked the entire Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trails . The Dolomites experience described here took place in July 2011. 

On Foot Holidays is a UK specialist in self-guided walking tours. They offer carefully-designed routes through remote areas of Europe and arrange stays in authentic inns and boutique hotels along the way. On Foot’s staff transfers luggage from place to place, so guests can enjoy a hands-free excursion. 

Tags: adventure travel , Alps , authentic inns , boutique hotels , climbing , Dolomite Mountains , Dolomites , hikes , hiking , hiking journey , Italian , Italy , lodging , mountains , outdoor activities , places to stay , recreation , San Candido , South Tyrol , vacation , walking , walking holidays , walks

Category : Italy , Walking vacations

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