Mountain Adventure Holidays
This is the ultimate Italian Dolomites walking trip! A classic point-to-point journey over 8 hiking days to complete the 'Alta Via 1' which means the 'high way'. The Alta Via 1 certainly lives up to its name as we trek through a spectacular landscape designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of it's exceptional geological beauty. Join us and enter a world of breath taking views, of rocky spires, and towering cliff faces and be prepared to be impressed on our 'Alta Via' trek.
The uniqueness of the geology in this region is matched by its Austrian-Italian distinctiveness. The area is known as the Sud Tirol in German, and as the Alto Adige in Italian, and presents an eclectic fusion of Austrian and Italian food and folklore.
Our meeting point for this week is Cortina d'Ampezzo, a town with a beautiful landscape and within easy reach of the regions most iconic mountains. Enjoy Italian hospitality whilst exploring the regions jaw dropping scenery. Explore trails that negotiate this dramatic mountain environment offering a unique perspective on this magical place. Be prepared to be impressed!
Optional Extra: Try Via Ferrata?
A via ferrata, which in Italian means the 'iron way', is a mountain route with fixed ‘protection’ such as metal ladders, handles and chain that you remain attached to using a climbing harness. This allows access to isolated trail systems, rocky cliff lines and summits normally reserved for climbers. The technique was initially developed by soldiers in the First World War, but has become an established, safe and popular sport. If you would like to try this activity before or after your trip then please ask us for more details. NB: Please note, we only use qualified IFMGA Guides for this activity and it is in addition to the proposed itinerary.
Today you arrive in the town of Cortina d' Ampezzo in Italy, known as the jewel of the Dolomites. The beauty of the Ampezzo Valley along with it's 1000 year history attracts visitors all year round. Surrounded by majestic peaks Cortina, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, can't fail to impress any mountain lover. Our hotel for this trip is within easy walking distance to the bustling pedestrian town centre and numerous musems and galleries. Proud of it's heritage, learn about the local traditions, history and environment at the Ethnograhic Museum or visit the "Rinaldo Zardini" Palaeontological Museum which houses one of the most significant collections of fossils that exists anywhere today.
Your guide will meet you at the hotel before the evening meal, at approximately 1830 hrs, to answer any questions and discuss the days ahead.
A short taxi ride takes us to the famous Lago di Braies beauty spot: a turquoise lake set amongst towering cliffs. According to legend, there were local savages who dug in the mountains for gold and precious stones. The local herdsmen were jealous and tried to steal their treasures, but the savages saw them coming and opened up an underground spring and sunk their treasures in the lake the spring created, Lago di Braies! The lake is one of the largest and deepest natural lakes in the Dolomites. After contouring around the lake we begin our climb through the pine trees until we arrive under the striated cliffs of Monte Muro to immense views at the Porta Sora il Forn at 2388m (7832ft). We then have a very short downhill, just 5 minutes, to the Rifugio Biella for a bowl of minestrone, or whatever else takes your fancy. After lunch, we have a lovely descent through flower meadows and farms, until a final steep road under impressive cliffs takes us down to our overnight at the Rifugio Pederu.
Ascent: 1045m (3427ft) Descent: 984m (3227ft) Distance: 17km (10.6 miles) Duration: 7h00
Tonight you have access to your luggage
A steady climb this morning up through the wild and rocky Vallone di Rudo to Lago Piciodil, and with the reward of excellent Italian coffee at Rifugio Fanes. We continue up the trail to Passo di Limo at 2172m (7124ft), and its lake of the same name, which is framed by high peaks and curious limestone slabs dotted with pine trees. Families enjoying a picnic by the lake are a common site. A rugged traverse then brings us to the Forcetta del Lago at 2486m (8154ft), followed by an improbable descent to the green waters of Lago di Lagazuoi. There is then a little 'sting in the tail' as we have a final 200m (656ft) climb to finish at our Rifugio. We are now walking along what was the frontline during WWI, as evidenced by the gun emplacements and tunnels carved out of the ridge line. A remarkably well preserved reminder of more troubled times, the Rifugio Lagazuoi is in an amazing cliffs edge location high in the mountains. It even boasts a wood-fired sauna to ease tired muscles while you enjoy the stunning mountain view. Despite the day’s big climb, the descent is minimal and our knees will appreciate that!
Ascent: 1685m (5526ft) Descent: 450m (1476ft) Distance: 18km (11.3 miles) Duration: 9h00
NO access to luggage
After our long hike yesterday we enjoy a more relaxing day which will often begin with a short walk, just 10 minutes, to the summit of Mount Lagazuoi. The early morning light makes for very special photos with views to the distant mountain of the Marmolada. After breakfast we begin our day in earnest with a descent to the fabled Passo Falzarego which is a favourite with many road cyclists and features in the annual Dolomites Marathon. Here there are a few cafes and gift shops where maps of the local area can be purchased. An easy stroll across the meadows to a local restaurant for morning coffee, and then it's up through the larch forests on a really lovely trail. As we climb we have stunning views back to Mount Lagazuoi, the Tofane mountain range, and to the Cinque Torri, the Five Towers. This is an excellent day for photos as we pass the blue green lake of Lago Limedes which offers wonderful panoramic shots of the landscape. We normally have lunch at the Rifugio Averau which has a great reputation for its cuisine. In the afternoon, or perhaps late morning if we get there early, we then climb to the oldest rifugio in the Dolomites, the Rifugio Nuvolau which is perched right on the cliff edge. It only takes around 20 minutes to do the climb to the Rifugio Nuvolau and it is well worth it. However, if you wish to relax on the terrace at the Rifugio Averau we will not hold it against you! After taking in the views at the Nuvolau we descend back to the pass before an easy afternoon walk to accommodation for the night which depending on availability will be at either Rifugio Averau, Passo Giau or Rifugio Scoiattoli.
Ascent: 515m (1689ft) Descent: 974m (3194ft) Distance: 9km (5.6 miles) Duration: 6h00
If accommodation is not available at Passo Giau we will stay at the stunning Rifugio Averau, note there is no luggage access at Averau. The statistics for this slightly shorter day are given below:
Ascent: 515m (1689ft) Descent: 774m (2539ft) Distance: 7km (4.3 miles) Duration: 5h15
Before we leave Passo Giau this morning you may wish to reflect on what it would be like climbing to this infamous pass on two wheels. The punishing climb is often completed by road cyclists in the Giro d'Italia, the Italian equivalent of the Tour de France. It's a tough ascent of 9.8km (6 miles) with an average gradient of 9.4 per cent and up to 14 per cent in places. However, our trail begins easily enough as we set off across the mountainside following Monte Formin’s impressive southern cliffs before climbing to the Forcella Ambrizzola at 2277m (7468ft)). As we make our way to our next pass we have views of the glorious Civetta mountain while enjoying a gentle descent through pastures with herds of sheep and dairy cows. Often the iconic edelweiss flower can be found growing by the trail in the heart of the meadows. Our final stretch for today is a traversing trail under the impressive peaks and spires of the wild and rugged Monte Pelmo, one of the famous landmark mountains of the Dolomites. Finally, it's down through the larch forests to another lovely rifugio where we spend the night at the Rifugio Staulanza which is run by Marco Sala, a highly respected mountaineer.
Ascent: 644m (2112ft) Descent: 973m (3191ft) Distance: 17km (10.6 miles) Duration: 8h00
Tonight you have access to your luggage
A very easy stroll to begin this day as we wander along a farm cart track through the forests. Often we pass cow herds and their dogs working with the cattle in the summer meadows. Our trail eventually brings us to Casera di Pioda dairy farm, which sells cheese in the summer. We then leave this rural scene to climb up a well graded mule track to the shoulder of Cima Coldai, an outlier of the Civetta, until we arrive at the Rifugio Sonino Al Coldai. Yet another great rifugio in another stunning location! We continue across a pass and down to the stony beaches encircling the turquoise waters of Lago Coldai. This really is a very beautiful situation as we drop around the lake and over the Forcella Col Negro at 2203m (7225ft) before losing height and entering Val Civetta. With its slabs, peaks and pinnacles the west face of Monte Civetta towers 1200m (3936ft) overhead, and an impressive 7km (4.4 miles) in length. A hanging icefield - the Cristallo – clings to the cliff at the highest point. This face is known as the ‘wall of walls’ and is unique in the Alps. We now head over the Forcella di Col Rean, and our overnight stop at the remote Rifugio Vazzoler.
Ascent: 952m (3122ft) Descent: 800m (2624ft) Distance: 14km (8.7 miles) Duration: 6h50
NO access to luggage
Leaving our Rifugio we have good views of the Torre Trieste a very impressive rock face towering above our rifugio, and the Cima della Busazza at 2894m (9492ft). After crossing a stony slope below the cliffs, we then gain the steep little pass of Forcella Col Dell’Orso, sitting at 1823m (5979ft). Our trail takes in a short section with some chains as a hand-rail along a flowered rock face then it rises across boulders and pasture, before dropping before the Moiazza’s great south face. Heading along the Val Framont, we can take in a very short detour to the commanding outcrop that hosts the lovely Rifugio Carestiato for a relaxing lunch in a stunning location. We complete our day with an easy walk through pastures and pine forests to reach the Passo Duran and Rifugio Sebastiano by early afternoon. We again have access to our luggage again today as we prepare for the final stages of our Dolomite traverse
Ascent: 740m (2427ft) Descent: 800m (2624ft) Distance: 14km (8.7miles) Duration: 6h00
Tonight you have access to your luggage
Today we enter the Parco Nazionale delle Dolomiti Bellunesi, the wildest of the national parks on the Alta Via 1 trail and where there is a good chance of spotting deer and marmots. After an early start from the Passo Duran our trail first leads us around the southern slopes of the Tamer Grande. Immediately we experience the wildness of this mountainside with its cliff faces and towering summits. After passing through the forest we have another climb to the remains of Moschesin garrison to reach the Forcella del Moschesin at 1940m (6364ft). The trail continues on and down slighty to a point near the Rifugio Pramparet which sits in a wonderful remote setting with views along the Costa dei Nass valley. Our path continues on and up to reach the Portela dei Pezedei where the terrain becomes more open and rockier under foot. As we reach the western slopes of the Cima de Zita the trail then narrows to a ridge path, which can feel exposed for a very short section, to reach the day’s highest pass at 2451m (8041ft). Enjoy glimpses of the Venetian plain as we descend sharply down the grassy mountainside to Rifugio Pian de Fontana our home for the night perched on a shelf at 1632m (5354ft). There is a section not long before we reach the Rifugio where the famed edelweiss are to be found growing by the trail.
Ascent: 1100m (3608ft) Descent: 1030m (3380ft) Distance: 16km (10 miles) Duration: 8h00- 9h00
NO access to luggage
We complete the 'Alta Via 1' route with an easy trail back to civilisation which allows us time to reflect on this fabulous mountain journey. Leaving the peace and tranquil location of the Rifugio Fontana our path descends first into the pine forests to pick up the 'Alta Via Bellunesi' trail. A short climb reaches the Forcella la Vareta at 1704m (5589ft) then passes north of La Schiara 2565m (8415ft) situated in the Veneto Dolomites, the last major summit on the route. We soon reach the Rifugio F Bianchet for our final coffee 'in the mountains' before commencing the main twisting descent along a farm track to the road head at La Stanga. We meet a private taxi at La Stanga to take us back to Cortina d'Ampezzo to our hotel.
Ascent: 414m (1357ft) Descent: 1561m (5120ft) Distance: 14.2km (8.8miles) Duration: 5h00
Tonight you have access to your luggage
Today is your departure day from Cortina d'Ampezza and the package finishes after breakfast.
It is always our aim to complete the proposed itinerary outlined above, however, it may be necessary for our guides/instructors to adjust the daily itinerary based on the weather conditions, group safety and enjoyment.
On the Alta Via route accommodation is limited and we may have to book Rifugios other than those mentioned below. In this respect the itinerary will sometimes vary from that described in terms of the length of days and distance covered. Having guided this trip since 2015 we have excellent knowledge of the variations and options possible and can assure you that whatever the accommodation your trip will be memorable.
All of our trips are based on two people sharing a bedroom, what we call a 'twin' means two single beds in one bedroom. If you are booking as a single traveller you will share with someone of the same gender. Single rooms may be available in Cortina d'Ampezzo, but will incur a supplement.
On this trip the first and last nights we will be in a hotel, while the rest of the trip we will stay in rifugios. A rifugio is the Italian name given to a mountain lodge/hut. Normally we manage to reserve rooms or small dormitories just for our group so you are not sharing with other groups, however, this cannot be guaranteed. In summary, once we leave Cortina you may be accommodated in private bedrooms with en suite facilities or in larger rooms with shared showers and toilets. Early booking means better rooming arrangements as we have more choice available. Read our Blog on staying in a mountain Rifugio, but be assured that in the Dolomites the Rifugio's are above the normal standard expected in the mountains and are similar to characterful rustic hotels.
It may be possible that we can book you a double room in the rifugios, but this will incur a supplement. Single rooms are not available in the rifugios. Note that it is very rare to have air conditioning in European mountain areas, and most bedrooms do not have this facility. Please contact us for further details.
The recently renovated Hotel Olimpia is located close to Cortina’s renowned Corso Italia – considered to be the finest pedestrian shopping street in the Dolomites! More importantly you can expect a warm welcome and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere that can be found at this lovely traditional 3* Hotel. The Hotel Aquila, is the sister hotel of the Hotel Olimpia and, depending on availability we may make use of both hotels in the season.
The Hotel offers Bed & Breakfast accommodation and this provides the opportunity for guest to explore the town in the evening and visit one of the many restaurants that can be found in the centre of the town.
The Rifugio Pederu is a lovely overnight stop. It is very comfortable, and has open meadows around the building. It is more 'guest house' than rifugio, and our accommodation may be in bedrooms rather than dorms, though we cannot make any promises as it depends on early booking. The bedrooms are en suite, and there are also showers available on the floors for the dorms. Dinner is usually very good with great local dishes.
Situated in the heart of the Dolomites at 2752m (9026ft), the Rifugio Lagazoui is a cosy place to spend the night. It is perched on the edge of a cliff and the evening and dawn views are worth watching! It has rooms decorated in traditional style with wood featuring extensively. Accommodation will either be in small rustic rooms, with showers and toilets on the same floor, or in dormitories.
It has a wood fired sauna which is outside the main building and there is something quite wonderful about taking a sauna while gazing at the Dolomites. The rooms are generally bedrooms for between 2 and 4 people, and there are showers on the floor. Dinner is usually very Italian featuring pastas and sauces.
Without a doubt one of our favourites. The Sunday Times included the Rifugio Averau on its list of the ten best mountain restaurants in the Alps. We think it is more like a hotel than a rifugio, with excellent dinners offering a choice of courses. It also has a great wine cellar for those who enjoy 'vino'. It has has won many prestigious Italian and international awards, confirming their reputation.
On August 10, 1874 Santo Siorpaes, one of the most famous mountain guides of the time and author of many first ascents of the most famous peaks of the Dolomites, was the first to climb the peaks of Mount Averau. Today, after more than 140 years his descendants run the Rifugio Averau at the base of the mountain.
Rooms are dormitory style, but very comfortable and clean. With early booking we always aim to book a small dorm just for our group. There are showers and toilets on the floor.
The Staulanza is definitely more 'hotel' than rifugio. It is run by Marco Sala a respected Italian mountaineer and the walls are adorned with his photographs taken during some impressive expeditions to the Himalaya, and other famous mountain ranges. The accommodation sits right on the high pass of Staulanza, and has a lovely terrace for enjoying a well-earned drink.
The bar area is very cosy, and the bedrooms are generally all en suite. Dinner is very Italian and features local dishes.
The Rifugio Vazzoler feels rather remote and is situated in the forest below some very impressive cliffs. The rifugio was built by the Club Alpino Italiano in 1929. In 1968 the Club set up a botanical garden in the grounds, which is now managed by the Belluno Regional Forestry Office. The rifugio is quite basic, but nevertheless characterful in true rifugio style with many artefacts from the two World Wars on display, and with great black and white photos of this era showing the amazing routes taken through the mountains by the troops.
The rooms are all dormitory though we can often secure smaller dorms just for our group. There are shared toilets and showers.
The Tomé Hut is a welcoming rifugio located at Passo Duran.
Built by the Italian Alpine Club in 1952 it was dedicated to the Agordino mountaineer Cesare Tomè, it is currently owned by the family of Soro Dorotei - an Alpine Guide and famous mountaineer from Belluno - who directly manages it.
In 2023 our guests and guide loved the location, the food and most of all the owner, whose love of the area and of the mountains bubbled over in easy conversation at every opportunity.
The Rifugio Pian de Fontana feels as though it is lodged on a shelf amongst the mountains in a lush green meadow. It really is a wonderful location with wildlife, such as marmots and chamois never far away. The food is very good, and they even serve us afternoon tea! There are great views to the south towards the cities of Belluno and Venice. Accommodation is in dormitories. This is a night to savour as the location gives a wonderful feeling of remoteness.
Train and Bus
Cortina has excellent train and bus links. Rome2Rio is a useful site which gives a map and overall picture of how the local public transport network links up and who to book with. Local trains and buses to reach Cortina can be found at www.sad.it and trains from the UK to Dobbiaco can be sourced here and then a bus taken to Cortina where we meet.
For further information on travelling by public transport, click here.
Flights
The closest airports are Venice in Italy and Innsbruck in Austria.
Venice: Venice has two airports. The main airport is Venice Marco Polo but some airlines such as Ryanair fly to Venice ‘Treviso'. There is a 15 minute drive between these two airports. To transfer from Venice to Cortina choose either the Cortina Express or Flixbus the journey time is between 2h-2h30. We recommend buying tickets in advance which can be done easily and in English. Check the timetables carefully as they vary with stops and times. If arriving into Treviso airport you will need to take an airport bus into Treviso town to pick up the Cortina bus. The bus tickets vary in price depending on how far in advance you book.
Innsbruck: From Innsbruck the journey time about 4 hours. From the airport you can take a free shuttle bus, it takes 15 mins and leaves every 10 mins, to reach Innsbruck central railway station. From the central rail way travel by train to Brennero (also known as Brenner) then to Fortezza (also known as Franzensfeste) then to Dobbiaco (also called Toblach) and then the local Sud Tirol no. 445 bus to Cortina.
If you would like to arrange a private transfer from Innsbruck or Venice or any other destination then we can recommend the services of www.taxicortinasci.it
Upon arrival at the bus station in Cortina you can take the local bus to your hotel. Bus No1 departs at 30 minutes past the hour, eg 1630hrs, 1730hrs and bus No2 departs on the hour eg 1300hrs, 1400hrs.
If you choose to walk from Cortina bus station it will take 15 minutes. The route is called the 'Lunga Via delle Dolomiti' and is the long distance cycle path to Dobbiaco. It is mostly flat, is covered in tarmac, has a smooth surface and is a very pleasant walk. When you get off the bus you will see 'yellow' dashed lines painted on the tarmac and you follow these through the car park onto the cycle way. After approximately 1km you will pass under a road bridge, you will then see a sign for Hotel Menardi on a tree on your left, and you follow the tiny tarmac path through the hotel garden.
You can also take a taxi from the bus station.
Activity, Injury and Mountain Rescue
It is a condition of booking that you are insured against medical expenses, injury, illness, death, cost of repatriation and personal accident risks. For all of our trips your insurance must also cover mountain rescue. The exception to this is if the trip is being held in the United Kingdom or Norway where mountain rescue is free of charge. Please ensure that your insurance covers you to the maximum altitude given on your trip itinerary. The maximum altitude for any trip can be checked on the 'At A Glance' box on each trip page.
Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Insurance
You should also have insurance to cover trip cancellation and curtailment. Insurance should be booked as soon as we have confirmed that your trip is going ahead. Note that your deposit and balance payments are non-refundable unless it is Tracks and Trails who cancel the trip due to a failure to reach the required minimum numbers. In this case we will offer you a refund or the option of transferring to another trip if one is available. We also advise that you should have insurance which covers baggage loss/equipment damage as Tracks and Trails will not be held responsible for loss/damage to baggage/equipment.
All of the above insurances are detailed in our Terms and Conditions. For further details, please read the Insurance section on our website.
Summer mountain weather in the European Alps can vary considerably, and in this respect it is no different to any mountain environment where the terrain influences the weather and it can change from valley to valley.
However, in the summer months it is generally good in the Alps, but it can deliver everything from glorious sunshine, to rain, fog, high winds and even snow. Temperatures can reach over 30°Celsius (86°F) in July and August, but can drop to 5°Celsius (41°F) on the high passes, or 'Cols' as they are known in the Alps. Essentially, as with all mountain journeys, you should be prepared for any eventuality. The average temperatures range from 15-25°Celsius (59-77°F) in the valleys and 5-15°Celsius (41-59°F) on the passes.
Even in mid-summer we can be faced with overnight snow especially when we have spent the night in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut at higher altitude.
When packing for a trip in the mountains it is important to have appropriate equipment and clothing. This kit list features items we believe are necessary for the weather you might encounter and accommodation you will be staying in. If you have any questions with regards to what to bring, do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
Equipment
Clothing
Comfort
Documentation
Personal First Aid
Items for the nights in mountain refuges when we do not have luggage access
Additional Items
Your luggage will be moved by a taxi driver. Please restrict yourself to one bag of approximately 15kg (33lbs) per person. Not all hotels have 'lifts' and you must be able to carry your luggage upstairs. There may be a charge imposed by the taxi company if you have more than 1 bag, and we would ask you to cover this.
**Supplementary snacks if you follow a gluten free or coeliac diet**
Leaders are all first aid trained and will carry their own first aid kit
On many of our trips there will be an element of 'group kit' which will be shared amongst our guests. As mountain people you will be used to team work and working together to the mutual benefit and safety of the group.
The 'group kit' will be minimal and usually just a case of sharing a few lightweight 'survival shelters'. For example on a week-long trip you may carry a small shelter for just one day before passing it on to the next person.
If you are booking a trip in winter there will be a few additional safety items. These will be distributed in such a way that no one is over burdened.
Other group items necessary for safety and comfort will be carried by your guide/instructor.
For each of our trips a minimum number of guests is required before we can confirm that your trip will go-ahead. The minimum and maximum number of guests on your trip is displayed in the 'At a Glance' box on the righthand side of the trip page.
We strongly advise you do not book travel until we have confirmed your trip is 'guaranteed' to run. If you book travel before we have confirmed it is 'guaranteed' we cannot be held responsible for any financial loss if the trip does not go ahead.
When booking a holiday as a solo traveller a twin bedded room comprising of two single beds, is booked as standard. This will be with someone of the same gender unless you request to pay extra for your own room. On this trip we mainly stay in rifugios with larger bedrooms, and single rooms can only be offered on the first and last nights for £200. Depending on availability in three of the Rifugio's it might be possible to provide to also provide a single room on these nights, but it is unlikely. A single room supplement for all 5 nights is £350.
Tracks and Trails go to great lengths to work with first class guides and instructors who are passionate about their work. They are all fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation for the countries that they work in.
Note your guide has complete discretion to make a daily decision on whether or not to take the advertised route based on the weather and the ability of the members of the group. They have our authority to make any route changes they believe are necessary in the interests of safety and enjoyment.
Your hiking guide will be a fully qualified and experienced International Mountain Leader. International Mountain Leaders are not only qualified to ensure the safe management of the group, but are also a source of knowledge about the local flora and fauna, and traditions of the area which you are visiting. You can learn more about our guides and instructors on the About Us page.
Please note that the number of nights when you have access to your luggage varies depending on the accommodation available. Do not hesitate to check with us.
On this point-to-point trip you will have luggage support for four of the nights, which means your bags are transferred to the next accommodation and you only need to carry a small/medium sized 'rucksack' for items you might need during the course of the day. Please refer to the kit list for this trip for guidance on the size of rucksack required. On the four nights you are in the more remote mountain huts, where there is no vehicle access, you will need to carry just a few extra items in your rucksack.
As your luggage will be moved along the route by taxi we ask that you keep the weight to a maximum of 15kgs (33lbs), and ONE bag per person. Many of the taxi companies who move your bags impose a 15kg (33lbs) limit and restrict the number of bags simply because they have to unload and reload the vehicle many times each day. If you take more than one bag you may be asked to pay a supplement. Also with regard to weight be aware that you may have to carry your luggage to your bedroom, which may involve climbing several flights of stairs as not all hotels have elevators. Luggage on wheels is generally a good idea.
We do not include lunches in your trip fee for various reasons, the most important of which is food waste. In general our guests have particular tastes and requirements for 'trail' or 'hill' food and it is better you purchase your own snacks rather than throw away items from the picnic lunch which we would supply.
Lunches on our trips are 'picnic' style lunches, in other words you take a packed lunch with sufficient snacks, food and fluid to sustain you throughout the day. Buying snacks and trying local specialities is a great way to inter-act with local people and to practise your language skills.
If there is the possibility of lunch being taken at a restaurant/farm/cafe beside the trail, your guide/instructor will advise you of this. Each evening you can order a picnic or a sandwich from the hotel, or your guide/instructor will advise you of other options such as a local shop or market. In all cases we would ask you to settle any 'bill' for lunch or drinks the evening before you depart, and not in the morning when there may be a queue.
On your itinerary you will find an indication of the amount of ascent and descent you can expect each day. This offers a guideline to how much effort might be expended each day and allows you to decide, based on previous experience, if your fitness and stamina are correct for the trip.
We make every attempt to ensure these statistics are as accurate as possible, but ask you to note that the most modern of technology used to record these details can show considerable variations in terms of ascent, descent, and in particular distance. In other words no two people using GPS devices on the same route will have exactly the same details recorded at the end of the day.
The statistics given should be used as a 'general' indication of the effort required.
Your leader will carry the correct maps and you are not expected to navigate, but if you would like to have maps of the itinerary you could consider those listed below:
Tabacco Maps 031: Pragser Dolomiten - Enneberg 1:25,000
Tabacco Maps 03: Cortina d'Ampezzo e Dolomiti Ampezzane 1:25,000
Tabacco Maps 025: Dolomiti di Zoldo Cadorine e Agordino 1:25,000
Tabacco Maps 024: Prealpi e Dolomiti Bellunesi 1:25,000
It is useful to arrive at your destination with some cash in the local currency, however, on most occasions it is relatively easy to visit a 'cash machine' after arrival and withdraw money on a credit or debit card. Some of our locations are an exception to this in particular Norway, where the accommodation will often have no facilities for withdrawing cash, but they will take a credit card.
On many of our trips we will visit remote cafes/farms where it is wonderful to enjoy a drink and a cake, at places such as these they will often only accept payment in the local currency in cash.
Food
On all of our trips we encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes.
If you are vegetarian catering for your diet is not generally a problem. If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy/intolerance we would ask that you make your needs clear on your booking form so we can discuss your requirements with the accommodation as soon as possible. A diet that is not related to an allergy/intolerance or beliefs cannot be catered for. It is simply not possible for mountain accommodation to deal with many variations in diet while providing meals for groups.
In addition, if you have an allergy/intolerance we would suggest you bring/purchase suitable snacks as a supplement to the picnic lunches. At times finding gluten free bread, for example, can be an issue. If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet, gluten or lactose intolerance please contact us.
We request that you do not CHANGE your dietary requirements during the trip as we will have pre-ordered your meals.
Water
The countries we visit all have tap water which is drinkable. If for any reason a particular hotel or mountain hut is having a problem with a water supply they will normally post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water.
A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for the country you are visiting, paying attention to your citizenship. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice.
New European Travel Regulations from mid 2025
If you are a guest travelling to one of our European holidays you may be impacted by a significant change to travel regulations expected to be in place from the middle of 2025. The new EITAS scheme will start operating this year and, whilst a start date is not yet confirmed, it is likely to affect our summer holidays in 2025 and any winter holiday thereafter. As your holiday approaches we recommend that you check for updates on the website HERE.
We ask that you carry a paper copy of your passport with you on your trip. We suggest keeping your passport in your rucksack, and a paper copy of your passport in any luggage you might have. If your trip is without luggage transfers then keep a paper copy somewhere in your rucksack, separate from your original document.
We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:
Plug, Socket & Voltage by Country
Note that if your trip involves staying in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut that electric sockets may be in short supply and for that night you may not be able to charge any items. Although the accommodation will have electricity this will often be supplied by solar panels or a generator and limited to use by the staff. For this reason we advise that carrying a small slimline and lightweight 'battery pack' can be very useful for recharging phones which many of you will also use as your camera.
Optional Extra: A via ferrata, which in Italian means the 'iron way', is a mountain route with fixed ‘protection’ such as metal ladders, handles and chain that you remain attached to using a climbing harness. This allows access to isolated trail systems, rocky cliff lines and summits normally reserved for climbers. The technique was initially developed by soldiers in the First World War, but has become an established, safe and popular sport. Ask us for details if you would like to try this activity before or after your trip. NB: We only use qualified IFMGA Guides for this activity and it is in addition to the proposed itinerary.
Tracks and Trails pays guides/instructors a fair and appropriate fee for their professional service. However, if you feel your guide/instructor has provided an excellent service that went 'above and beyond' then it is at the discretion of each guest whether to tip or not. Guests will often give a tip of between 2 - 5 per cent of the total value of their trip. It is entirely up to you and any gesture will no doubt be appreciated no matter the size.
Before booking consider whether you expect to be in the appropriate physical condition on the date of your departure to allow you to fully participate in and enjoy your holiday. If you have any doubts because of an illness or injury it would be advisable to check with your doctor.
For UK residents travelling to an EU country you should obtain and bring with you a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment in certain European countries, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance.
If you have a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it will be valid until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you’ll need to apply for a GHIC to replace it. The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Please check this before departing. We advise that you always carry your insurance documents with details of the Emergency Medical telephone number for your insurance provider, and your policy number.
We feel strongly about protecting the environment and do not encourage the use of single-use plastic items. We would ask that you arrive with a ‘water bottle’ or ‘hydration system’ that can be used repeatedly. We would point out that we operate a ‘zero tolerance’ for rubbish, and would ask you to remove all your rubbish items from the mountain even those you consider to be bio-degradable. In particular we ask that you remove any toilet tissue.
You can read our full policy here.
Working across international boundaries, and with various currencies means that the price of our trips can change overnight. We have, however, undertaken to guarantee that once you have paid your deposit the price of your trip is fixed. In this respect we urge you to book early to ensure that you receive the price advertised on our website. The website price may increase due to currency fluctuations, but we guarantee that the price advertised on the date of your booking will be maintained in your individual case.
We believe in team work, and enjoy working with other small high quality companies. In this respect due to the specialised nature of our holidays, we co-sell a number of trips with 'partner' companies. All the trips being sold by Tracks and Trails are organised by Tracks and Trails, but you may find guests from other companies on your trip. Partners are carefully selected to ensure they reflect our ethos and standards. By encouraging other companies to sell our trips it means your chosen holiday may reach its 'minimum' number earlier, allowing us to guarantee the trip and to give you the go-ahead to book your travel arrangements. We guarantee that companies with whom we work will offer the same price package. If you have any questions about this policy contact us and we will be happy to discuss it with you.
Prices may vary depending on date.
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sat 12 Jul - Mon 21 Jul Code: AVD1 |
Price: £2860 | Spaces available | Book |
|
Sat 06 Sep - Mon 15 Sep Code: AVD2 |
Price: £2860 | Spaces available | Book |
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sat 11 Jul - Mon 20 Jul Code: AVD1 |
Price: £2975 | Spaces available | Book |
|
Sat 05 Sep - Mon 14 Sep Code: AVD2 |
Price: £2975 | Spaces available | Book |
NOTE: due to accommodation issues we may not be able to stay at Rifugio Pian de Fontana, and the route may be subject to change on this day. If necessary ask for further information before booking. Contact us.
| From Price | £2860 |
| Holiday Type | Walking |
| Duration | 10 Days |
| Group Size | 4-10 |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Maximum Altitude | 2507m (8222ft) |
| Countries Visited | Italy |
| Meet In | Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy |
