Enjoy hiking within the world’s most unusual mountain range, “The Dolomites”. Hike within a protected national park system that extends from nearly the Austrian and Swiss borders to the foothills within the Veneto & Trentino regions of Italy. You begin from its westernmost edge and move east across the heart of this Alp range. Amongst the highest brilliant green pastureland in Europe we explore the rich ancient culture and traditions during our journey through three unique groups of massifs that feature the many bizarre vertical peaks--steeples, pinnacles and towers of white rock. You’re guide will often make use of the trams to give access to the most scenic routes within this vast network of trails.

Each day’s walk can be increased or reduced in distance so that you may walk at your preferred pace and distance. To visit Italy is to step back—to a time when people lived to appreciate the simple things in life: an orange sunset, a ripe peach, the shade of an olive tree, a church bell at dawn. As you hike through these regions, you too will soon sense how history has shaped the people and nature of this magical place.

Day 1-2: Meet, Warm-up loop & Seiseralm

The tour begins when we pick you up at the train station in Bozen/Bolzano at mid-day.  We transfer to the heart of the mountain village Seis where you have an incredible view of the massifs that make the Dolomites so alluring. We take a tram up to the Puftlasch plateau where one can take in the vast expanse of Alpen landscape that stretches across both Austria and Switzerland. You see the Seiser Alm in all its glory and take note of the high trail we hike the next day. On our way down we are sure to stop for a warm drink to further absorb the distinct mountain atmosphere rife with hiker’s tales.  You meet for an evening aperitif with your guides and have a chance to discuss the variety of the next 5 days of hikes within the Dolomite range. 

On our first full days hike walk up to the high plateau known as Seiser Alm (2160 meters). We stop at two lodges that have become magnets for mountaineers wishing to explore a region whose landscape is often described in architectural terms such as towers, curtains and walls.  The second half of the hike takes in the incomparable peaks that make up the chameleon-like Rose Garden range known for its vibrant color.

Lodgings:  4*** mountain Inn with Sauna and whirlpool.

Day 3: Ladin Culture & Marmoldada Glacier

The trams take us high into the Dolomites were the trails meander within the peaks that loom high above the Tyrolean Val Badia. Located within the Parco Puez Odle this region is well-known for its ancient Ladin culture and rife with countless local legends. Our hike takes us from Heiligkreuz (S. Croce) and along a trail that varies from elegant fir trees housing a wide variety of bird life to a haunting rocky terrain of high elevation.

The Ladin ancestry is locally traced to 15 B.C. and today the language is still taught in school while laws are in place to protect this rich cultural identity. Each alpen village we pass shows evidence of its traditional woodcarvings displayed on its farmhouses and available in its shops. We then transfer to an easy to manage panoramic trail where the Marmoldada Glacier is seen in all its glory. This trail leads down to a beautiful lake where our second guide is waiting to take us on a short transfer to Canazei.

Lodgings in a very charming lodge (4****) located in he heart of Canazei.

Day 4 - 5: High Passes & Cinque Torre

We start at the Col Rodella located within the heart of the Dolomites for our last look at the Sella group and our first glimpse of the eastern edge of massifs. The favorite highlight of today’s hike is the wide variety of wild flowers seen along the trail. We are sure to see patches of the illusive edelweiss as we skirt the grazing herds of sheep & goats.

The following day we take a tram up to Rifugio Lagozuoi where incredible vistas open up and at times one can even see Venice. Then examine the extensive network of WWI bunkers before descending down through the Fanes Valley to Cortina (trails are dependent on what you choose after discussing the possibilities with the guide).

A second choice into Cortina is a hike through the long Travenanze Valley. All these trails are bound to conjure up images of a fairy tale land as we pass by the many colorful towering peaks such as the Cinque Torre. The end of the trail is renowned Cortina, the setting of the 1956 winter Olympics that still retains this magical air. Surrounded by 4 major tofane-peaks, one of which was the first peak within the Dolomites to have been surmounted by a woman in 1874 is deserving of its reputation.

Lodgings: Day 4: same as previous night. Day 5 & 6: 4*** in the heart of Cortina.

Day 6-7: Cortina & Corda del Lago Loop

Enjoy what is most likely the most photographed region within the Dolomites, Parco Naturale di Sesto. Here the Drei Zinnen/Tre Cime stands alone. This massif’s beauty is accentuated due to the fact that it stands alone with no other peaks in the immediate vicinity. While the name indicates three towers, there are actually six named towers, from West to East.

The easy access to the base of the Drei Zinnen/Tre Cime allows us the opportunity to get an up-close view of one of the most famous rock-climbing peaks in the world and we will most likely see more than one adventurous soul scaling these vertical faces. Along our path there are many WWI bunkers and we hike high up to one of them that now serves as a starting point for the many rock climbers and those venturing along the via ferrata. At the end of our hike we should have time to visit Lago Misurina or visit the geological museum and stroll the active center one last time. 

Transportation Logistics

The following is a list of train schedules for transportation to and from the tour start and end locations. Train departure times and tracks are subject to change, so verify before boarding.

All trains change in Verona: ~1.5 hours to tour start
Departure Verona Porta Nuova--11:01 Arrival Bolzano Bozen--12:29

Trains from Venice to Bolzano (tour start): ~3.5 hrs
Venice (Venezia) to Bolzano/Bozen:
Departure Venezia S. Lucia --08:52  Arrival Verona Porta Nuova--10:42
Departure Verona Porta Nuova--11:01 Arrival Bolzano Bozen--12:29

Trains from Milan to Bolzano (tour start): ~3.5 hrs

Travel Details: Milano to Bolzano/Bozen:
Departure Milano Centrale--08:55  Arrival Verona Porta Nuova--10:17
Departure Verona Porta Nuova--11:01 Arrival Bolzano Bozen--12:29

Note: 
From Bolzano it is 40 minute van transfer to tour start in Seis. If guest miss meeting time then there are buses that leave from train station or you will have to hire an expensive taxi. Castelrotto on map above is very near Seis our new tour start and Canezei is just south of Corvara our new 2nd day stop.