Mountain Adventure Holidays
The Italian Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are celebrated for their extraordinary geological beauty. With jagged peaks, dramatic cliffs, and breathtaking vistas, this region offers some of the most awe-inspiring mountain scenery in the world. A place where history, culture, and nature intertwine, the Dolomites showcase a unique blend of Austrian and Italian heritage.
Embark on an unforgettable journey through this remarkable landscape, often affectionately called the 'Dollies.' Our Italian Dolomites Walking Week takes you deep into this alpine wonderland, where rugged limestone formations, lush valleys, and charming mountain villages create a truly immersive experience.
Our adventure begins south of Cortina d'Ampezzo, an area renowned for its breathtaking surroundings and easy access to some of the region's most spectacular peaks. Here, you’ll experience warm Italian hospitality while exploring striking trails that wind through rocky spires and verdant meadows. As the journey continues, we move to Alta Badia, a stunning valley offering a fresh perspective on this captivating mountain landscape. Prepare to be amazed by the ever-changing scenery and fascinating geological formations.
The Dolomites are not only visually stunning but culturally rich. Known as the Südtirol in German and Alto Adige in Italian, this region beautifully blends the influences of both nations. Its unique heritage is reflected in the local cuisine, folklore, and traditions. Home to eighteen peaks soaring above 3,000 meters (9,840 ft), the Dolomites boast legendary rock formations, including the iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo and the imposing Sassolungo.
Join us for an extraordinary hiking experience in this magical mountain paradise!
Today you arrive in the village of San Vito do Cadore, south of Cortina in Italy. For convenience we have arrange an airport transfer for your group from Venice to San Vito do Cadore.
Your guide will meet you at the hotel before the evening meal to answer any questions and discuss the days ahead.
A short drive takes us to the village of Misurina a lakeside beauty spot and the perfect location for our first nordic walk. In summer it's easy to see why the original settlers chose to live at this idyllic mountain setting. Our aim is to catch views of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, also known as the Drei Zinnen, a world reknowned mountain of the Dolomites. This walk is a ‘must-do’ for hikers in the Dolomites. Made up of three immense rock towers rising above the valley the view is truly breathtaking and captures the attention of any hiker or climber visiting the region. Our route first takes us to the Auronzo Hut and the summits just above on the Ciadin de Longeres where we are treated to another new vista of rock towers and jagged spires in this truly spectacular mountain setting. Along the way you will pass by the Rifugio Lavaredo and the Rifugio Locatelli. You’ll enjoy great views and great food! We will aim to do a fantastic circular hike right around the towers. A superb way to start our weekend in the Dolomites.
Ascent: 380m (1246ft) Descent: 500m (1640ft) Distance: 9.8km (5.8 miles) Duration: 5-6 hours
Today we head north to where Cortina d'Ampezzo and the Sennes Regional Natural Parks meet. Over this weekend we are literally spoilt for choice when it comes to break taking mountain scenery and today is no exception. We begin on easy trails through the a valley of pine forests. Situated in an idyllic high alpine pasture we reach the lovely family run Rifugio Ra Stua. We plan on testing the local strudel and coffee before the main climb today to reach the wild open plateau of Valbones de Inze for a fantastic panoramic view. An amazing location to absorb the full breadth of the Dolomites and learn about the regions unusual geology. We return back to Rifugio Ra Stua where we meet our shuttle bus back to Cortina.
Ascent: 550m - 750m (1804ft-2460ft) Descent: 400m-600m (1968ft) Distance: 10-12km (6.2-7.5miles) Walking time: 5-6 hours
The Croda da Lago Circuit is one of the most underrated hikes in the Dollies! Enjoy quiet trails BIG views! This beautiful walk has something of everything; fabulous ancient woodland, an alpine lake (Lago Federa), mountain rifugio, close up views of Croda da Lago, and panoramic views of the Dolomites.
The route makes a loop around the Croda da Lago range which is a small, jagged, rocky mountain range and crosses the Forcella Ambrizzola pass at 2475m (8120 ft).
The walk can be seen from other walks on our itinerary like the Cinque Torri. The scenery is constantly changing, making this one of the most interesting trails in the area.
Ascent: 900m (2950ft) Descent: 600m (1968ft) Distance: 12.8 km (8 miles) Duration: 4.5-5.5 hours
Today’s walk is unique and has the ingredients of an unfortgettable mountain day exploring the Cinque Torri or Five Towers. Loved by rock climbers 'The Cinque Torri' are a beauty in their own right as well as the site of strategic Italian trenches and tunnels systems used during the First World War. We begin our walk all on good paths to the 5 Torris at 2137m (7011ft) where it's possible to visit the military emplacements in a fabulous open-air museum, which helps bring to life how important this site was during the Great War. Across the valley we have incredible views of the Castelletto, Col dei Bos and expansive south face of Tofane di Rozes 3225m (10580ft) and Mount Lagazoui 2732m (8963m), which was during the war the site of the Austrian troops and trenches. We then head up to a col at 2413m (7916ft) to reach another strategic military site between the mountains of Averau and Nuvolao now home to the Rifugio Averau. After lunch here we plan to climb a further 170m (557ft) to reach the summit of Nuvolao 2575m (8448ft) which arguably has the best 360 panoramic views of the Dolomites boasting views south towards the regions highest peak of the Dolomites the Marmolada 3343m (10967ft) and north to the glaciated peaks of Austria. We complete our day by retracing our steps and descending by cable car. A 45 drive brings us to the Corvara and our second hotel for 3 nights.
Ascent: 500m (1640ft) Descent: 300m (984ft) Distance: 10km (6.2 miles) Duration: 5-6 hours
The hike to Santa Croce (Crusc) can be approached in multiple way but which ever way we go it’s a very iconic Dolomite day. We start with a short drive to the village of Badia. The easiest option starts with a gondola and chairlift that whisks you over 609m (2000ft) up to the top of treeline and close to the base of the impressive Sass della Crusc mountain. At the top is a small chapel, Rifugio and cafe, where you can sit for a drink or early lunch enjoying the views of the Alta Badia region. This area has always had a special place in the heart of the people from Val Badia. Many centuries ago, when Alta Badia was still largely uninhabited, La Crusc (Holy Cross) was a pagan place of worship. Around 1010 the monks built a chapel at La Crusc where a small church was erected in the 15th century. From here we join a trail, first keeping height through lush meadow full of flowers then descends gradually back to the village of Badia.
Our final hike is an unforgettable trail around of the Sassolungo 'group' of mountains and is a fine way to end our week. This circuit around the landmark of Val Gardena can be seen as challenge and a must for all landscape-loving hikers.
Sassolungo means the “long stone”, and once on this trail you can understand how it got it's name. The Sassolungo loop is a one-of-a-kind hike that delivers everything mountain enthusiasts expect, and more.
Starting from Monte Pana, Santa Cristina which can be reached by taking the chairlift up from the centre of Monte Pana. The trail weaves around yet more breathtaking mountain landscapes where hikers can admire magnificent valleys, monumental peaks, and stop by the finest mountain huts they’ll find along the way.
If anyone would prefer a shorter 'taster' of the circuit it's possible to join or leave the trail to a create a shorter itinerary. We end our week with a celebratory meal.
Ascent: 842m (2762ft) Descent: 842m (2762ft) Distance: 17.2km (10.6 miles) Duration: 6 hours
Today is your departure day from Corvara and the package finishes after our prearranged transfer at Venice Airport.
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.
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 are available on this trip but incur a supplementary fee.
The Hotel Fiori is in San Vito di Cadore in Italy. It has 24 spacious rooms which are decorated in a contemporary rustic style with natural larch floors and large, comfortable beds. After a day in the Dolomites take advantage of the hotel Wellness Area made of stone and wood where you'll find 3 saunas, 2 ’emotional showers’ and relaxation area.
San Vito Cadore is situated just a few kilometres south of Cortina on the main bus route from Venice. Guests have the option of twin, single or double rooms, enjoy a rich buffet breakfast, access to the hotel spa and visitors pass offering free use of the bus and discounts in some refuges and restaurants. They even have their own Fiori pastry shop!
The 3* Hotel La Table is a family run hotel situated in Corvara Alta Badia. Each room in the 3-star hotel has mountain views, and guests enjoy access to the hotel spa, sauna and a hot tub.
At Hotel Table guests enjoy half board accommodation. Breakfast is available every morning, and includes continental, Italian and vegetarian options and a 3 course evening meal.
Train and Bus
Cortina / San Vito di Cadore 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 railway statino 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
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.
Drinking Water - on this trip we stay in a number of mountain huts where the only safe source of drinking water is to buy bottled water. As well as being environmentally unsustainable this can also be very expensive. For this reason you may wish to consider a water filtration system. We avoid recommending any specific product and ask that you do your own research into the safest and most efficient system.
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
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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. A single room supplement in a superior double is £750 or a standard double is £520.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Prices may vary depending on date.
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Wed 23 Jul - Wed 30 Jul Code: DWW |
Price: £2790 | Spaces available | Book |
| From Price | £2790 |
| Holiday Type | Walking |
| Duration | 8 Days |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Maximum Altitude | 2507m (8222ft) |
| Countries Visited | Italy |
| Meet In | San Vito di Cadore |
