Dolomites hiking traverse, Italy
The Dolomites might just be the world’s most beautiful construction — on that, both architect Le Corbusier and alpinist Reinhold Messner would agree. Experience true South Tyrolean beauty as you gaze up at the towers of the Three Peaks (Drei Zinnen) or bask in the last rays of evening light turning the mountains red around the Pederü mountain guesthouse. Hike along the Dolomites High Mountain Trail and savor the delicious local cuisine in this UNESCO World Heritage site. Our traverse takes us from Cortina d’Ampezzo to Val Gardena and the striking Sella massif, ending at the foot of the towering Rosengarten peaks at Karer Pass.
The Himalayas, the Rocky Mountains and the Alps are all mountain ranges, yet telling them apart from a single photograph isn’t always easy — most share the same basic features: rocky summits, forested slopes, snow lingering in shaded couloirs. The Dolomites, however, are unmistakable. Formed from ancient coral reefs, their geology, history, flora, and fauna set them apart from any other massif on earth, and the views they offer are among the most striking in the Alps.
Along the way, we’ll discover charming mountain villages, three different nature parks, and five distinct Dolomite ranges, staying in beautiful hotels along with one night at a traditional mountain guesthouse.
8 hiking days with 4 to 7 hours of hiking daily, with 1900ft of average vertical gain each day. Hiking will generally be on well-maintained mountain trails, sometimes including easy off-trail sections. This trip is for active people who don’t mind training to prepare for the hike, or a great multi- day hike for people with trekking experience.
We all meet at the Hotel in Cortina at 7pm to get to know your hiking guide, and talk about the itinerary for the week. We enjoy a delicious dinner together.
Night and dinner at Hotel in Cortina
A short drive past the beautiful Lake Misurina brings us to the foot of the legendary Tre Cime di Lavaredo, whose vertical rock spires rise straight out of the landscape. From here, an easy, scenic hike circles beneath these iconic peaks.
Night at a hotel in Cortina. Dinner on your own — Cortina offers plenty of great options.
10.5 km, 4–5 hrs, +378m/-378m (6.5 mi, +1,240 ft/-1,240 ft)
A short drive brings us to the south side of the Cortina valley from where we hike to the beautiful mountain lake Mondeva located at the foot of the imposing Croda da Lago. Here we stop for a drink at the mountain hut and can later admire the Mondeval alpine pastures from the Forcella Ambrizola Pass. We continue to Forcella Giau and meet our minivan at Passo Giau.
Night at Hotel in Cortina, organised dinner
13,4km, 6hrs, + 864m – 327m // 8.3 miles, 2834ft gain, 1073ft loss
Today’s hike takes us into the Seekofel and Fodara Fedla mountain pastures along the Alta Via, the legendary high-altitude trail that traces its way across the Dolomites. We stop at the Seekofel hut, one of the oldest mountain refuges in the range, before crossing open green pastures to Fodara Vedla — home, by local consensus, to the best apple strudel around. A steep descent along an old military road brings us down into Pederü.
Overnight and dinner at the Pederü Mountain Guesthouse.
15 km, 5hrs, + 730m, – 840m // 9.3 miles, 2395ft gain, 2756ft loss
A trail through sweeping alpine pastures at the heart of the Fanes-Sennes Nature Park leads us past the Fanes hut and a sea of rocky limestone formations up to Fanes Alm. From there, a short, steep descent brings us down into the Alta Badia valley, where a scenic drive carries us on to Capanna Alpina.
Overnight and dinner in a Spa Hotel in the charming small town of San Cassiano.
14,3km, 5hrs, + 635m, – 575m // 8.8 miles, 2083ft gain, 1886 loss
From Kolfuschg, a small cable car whisks us up to today’s starting point for a scenic high-altitude trail with sweeping panoramic views. We wind our way down into the beautiful town of Wolkenstein, in the world-famous Val Gardena.
Overnight and dinner at our hotel in Wolkenstein — with spa.
7.4km, 5hrs, + 545m, – 339m // 4.6 miles, 1788ft gain, 1112ft loss
This hike takes us all the way around one of the mightiest peaks in the Dolomites. The loop trail circles the entire Langkofel / Sassolungo massif, unfolding a constantly shifting panorama — spectacular from every angle — as we make our way around. Cable cars carry us both to the start and from the finish.
Overnight and dinner at our Chalet Hotel in the Fassa Valley — with spa.
13km, 5hrs, + / – 540m // 8.1 miles, 1300 gain, 1772ft loss
The Rosengarten towers are one of a kind, and today’s loop brings us right to their feet — to the Vajolet mountain hut, tucked beneath the towers’ sheer rock faces. Keep an eye out on the way back to the cable car; you might just spot a climber or two working their way up the walls.
Overnight and dinner at our hotel in the Fassa Valley.
11km, 6hrs, + 538m, – 290m // 6.8 miles, 1765ft gain, 951ft loss
Bye – Bye hikers Breakfast at the Hotel before your onward journey or your travel back home.
From Karer pass it’s only about a 1.5hr drive to Bolzano.
1 pair of hiking boots or shoes (high or low is up to you, I always recommend higher ones but the trails are in very good shape)
functional underwear
hiking socks
1 long sleeve shirt
2-3 T-shirts
1 fleece or soft-shell jacket
1-2 pair synthetic hiking pants or shorts
1 pair long pants
2 – 3 pair hiking socks – wool or wool blend
1 pair shoes for wearing after the hiking in the towns
1 sun hat, 1 warm hat
thin Gloves
1 set Gore-tex rain gear
1 thin down jacket
Casual outfit for dinners
Gaters (for tours in early spring)
Optional clothing:
Swimsuit (many Hotels have a Spa)
Gear:
1 day backpack
1-2 water bottles, thermos bottle
Sunglasses
Personal toiletries
Wollte or similar for hand washing clothes at Hotels
1 pair trekking poles
Camera
Blister tape
Pocket knife
Personal medicaments
Single room supplement: 270€
Accommodation and meal reservations and organization of the trip, UIMLA hiking guide, 9 nights in nice Hotels in private double rooms, 1 night in a cozy mountain guesthouse in private double rooms, private transportation to the hikes and back to the hotels, luggage transfer to all hotels, 8 dinners (as noted), park entries, cable car fees.
1 dinner, lunches and snacks, beverages, personal insurances (accident, travel, cancelation etc.), transport to Cortina and back from Karer pass.
Why Choose Us
Insurance
Travel insurance is not included in our adventures.
We strongly recommend that you purchase insurance to cover cancellation, medical expenses, personal accident, personal baggage, money and public liability.
Accident or injury. Unexpected medical expenses. Unplanned incidents are rare but can crop up when you travel.
Gift vouchers
Give the gift of adventure with a Patagoniatiptop GmbH Certificate! Perfect for a mountaineering gift for your son’s birthday, a ski weekend for your best friend or a skitouring trip for your wife. Or … why not invite yourself?
How it works
Contact us and let us know how much you would like to spend. Let us know who is the lucky person to receive the voucher. We will then send the voucher to you or to the address you tell us.
