A Self–Guided Hiking Tour in Italy’s South Tyrol

This self-guided adventure showcases the beauty of the Dolomites in all of their grandeur. Tinted in weathered shades of rose, yellow and gray, the fairytale spires and dramatic rock walls of the Dolomites rise in elegantly chiseled shapes of fantastic form, looking every inch like a landscape devised by the gods. And if this isn't exactly heaven, well, it's about as close as you can get.

Each day you'll hike up to ridges and passes for spellbinding views of huge peaks and pinnacles, seemingly architecturally inspired, and then descend to lush green valleys where wildflowers bloom in pastoral meadows and storybook villages hug the valley floor. At day's end you'll relax at hotels that are deluxe oases of comfort, where you'll absorb the region's fascinating culture and cuisine-a unique blend of Italy and the South Tyrol. The charming hotels and a mountain lodge situated in a narrow pretty valley offer a high standard of accommodation and make comfortable "base camps," from which you'll venture out each day for an exhilarating hike along rugged trails. They also offer delicious typical Italian and Tyrolean local cuisine, which comes as a welcome respite at the end of a day full of hiking!

The Dolomites were named after Déodat de Dolomieu, a French geologist who discovered an unusual carbonate rock with foreign properties in 1789. "Dolomite" became the name of both the mineral as well as the mountain range in which he found it. Born 200 million years ago out of the primeval ocean, the Dolomites form part of the Oriental Italian Alps, and are situated between the Austrian border to the north and the Venetian plain to the south.

Long known as a paradise for rock climbers, the Dolomites are a great destination for hikers, too. You'll see the best of this stunning mountain Valhalla, including the majestic Sella massif and the striking, often-photographed pillars of Tre Cime di Lavaredo, arguably the most well known landmark in the Dolomites. On the trail, you'll only need to carry a light daypack with the daily essentials (camera, water bottle, and jacket). But the best part? You can do as much (or as little) hiking as you please! We'll provide details of varied, moderate hikes with strenuous options, but you get to customize your own experience as you go!

What is a Self-Guided Tour Like?

A self-guided tour is a fully organized vacation that's a balance between doing everything on your own and being on a fully-guided group tour. You can choose when you want to go and with whom-we do the planning and look after the logistics while you enjoy the tour. There is no guide, no support vehicle, and no group to hurry you along or slow you down. You can enjoy the freedom of going at your own pace, with support behind the scenes. More than being in good shape, a spirit of open-mindedness is recommended. It helps if you can take the initiative and be comfortable with the adventure of learning and exploring.

Activities

Moderate to strenuous hiking on rugged terrain, other optional activities as desired

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Self-guided hiking amid a glorious landscape of pillars, pinnacles, and colossal rock walls, including the stunning Tre Cime di Lavaredo
• Choose from a variety of hiking options, from easy to more challenging
• Enjoy a variety of local Austro-Italian cuisine

  
  2010 Prices
  $2,695 per person, double occupancy
  $400 single supplement

  Note: Prices are quoted per person, based on two people traveling together and sharing double accommodations

Duration: 9 days Start Location: Selva End Location: Cortina d'Ampezzo Best time to go: May - September

Itinerary

• 

  Day 1 : Arrive in Selva di Val Gardena

  Arrive in Selva di Val Gardena Arrive in Selva di Val Gardena (or Wolkenstein, as it's referred to in German) in the heart of Italy's South Tyrol. Selva is an excellent center for all levels of hiking in the Dolomites. You'll meet with your Mountain Travel Sobek representative in the afternoon. He or she will give you a briefing on the trip and distribute maps. 3-star hotel TBA, Selva

• Day 2 : Around Sasso Lungo

  Around Sasso Lungo Today you'll start the trip with a nice warm-up hike. Transfer by bus to the Sella Pass (7,152'), then hike under Sasso Lungo and Sasso Piatto on the famous Friedrich-August-Weg. Following ancient shepherd routes, spectacular views take you to Rifugio Sassopiatto (7,546'), and on past hay chalets and hillsides coated in wildflowers. The path will zig and zag deeper into the mountains, surrounded by bleached scree and clumps of yellow Rhaetian poppies. Arrive at a camouflaged stone Rifugio Vicenza (7,391'), surrounded by towering rock peaks and a view north over Val Gardena. A level stretch of trail takes you to a rocky pass, and on to refreshments at Rifugio Comici (7,063'). This loop hike turns south through an unearthly landscape of tumbled boulders-Città dei Sassi ("city of stones")-arriving back at Rifugio Sella Passo. Transfer back to Selva di Val Gardena. (6-7 hours hiking, 2,788' elevation gain/ 2,788' loss.)  3-star hotel TBA, Selva

• Day 3 : Selva - Corvara in Alta Badia

  Selva - Corvara in Alta Badia We take a cable car to Passo Gardena (6,955'), then follow a rocky trail for 1½ hours with the sheer pinnacles of Pizzes da Cir towering above us. Hike up to the Passo Cir (8,100') and follow a wider trail on undulating terrain that leads to the Forcella Ciampai Pass (7,760') and up to the Rifugio Puez where we stop for lunch. A longer option allows a half-hour hike from the Passo Cir to the Sass Ciampac (8,770'). From the summit there is a fantastic panorama of the Eastern Dolomites with the Sella massif right in front of us. We descend to the Forcella Ciampai Pass and continue to the Rifugio Puez (8,120'). A final three-hour hike downhill on an easy and panoramic trail brings us to the town of Colfosco and then to Corvara. Chamois-mountain goats-are occasionally seen along the way. Corvara (5,120') is located in the Alta Badia (the South Tyrol) in the heart of the Dolomites. Before the First World War, this area used to be Austria, and the Austrian-Italian mixed culture is very well marked in the food, architecture, and language. The local people (called the "Ladini") speak a language-Ladino-that comes from the Romansh language, one of the four official languages spoken in Switzerland and spoken in northern Italy. The signs are written first in Ladino, then in German, and lastly in Italian. (6 hours hiking, +1,815'/-3,000' (gradual). 3-star hotel TBA, Corvara

• Day 4 : Santa Croce Sanctuary

  Santa Croce Sanctuary Transfer to Pedraces (4,344') and take the local chair lift to the upper station (6,037'). Begin hiking along a trail that doubles as a "Via Cruces," lined with a number of huge crucifixes (not to mention handy benches in scenic spots!). The trail ascends gradually through lovely conifer wood and flowery meadows. Ahead is the imposing face of Sasso della Croce, "stone of the cross," which turns a glowing fleshy pink tint as it catches the rays of the afternoon sun. It takes about half an hour to reach the simple but extraordinarily photogenic church and sanctuary of Ospizio Santa Croce (6,710'). The sober white church was consecrated in 1484 and holds an image of Christ bearing the cross, hence the name of the mountain. The earlier chapel on the site was built in the 11th century when a wealthy count of the Val Pusteria withdrew in meditation here in repentance for his harsh treatment of his subjects. He then donated all his earthly possessions to the nearby abbey, the badia, which gave its name to Val Badia. The "pilgrim's" hospice (ospizio) building from 1718 was originally the sacristan's lodgings. We begin to descend on a trail skirting the realms of the Fanes - Sennes - Braies Nature Park, sticking fairly closely to the base of the mountain. Marked by more stations of the cross, it coasts through springy masses of dwarf mountain pines that shelter roe dear. Log walkways have been set up for crossing marshy tracts, colonized by fluffy cotton grass. The broad path drops gradually and there are several good lookout points over Val Badia and across to the Puez plateau. Continue to the town of La Villa and walk just 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) along the river to Corvara. There is also the possibility of returning to Pedraces and from there by bus or foot to Corvara. This trail follows a watercourse, dropping steadily though the woods and past many isolated farming hamlets, each with interesting houses, monumental barns, and artistic crucifixes. More details will be in the packet of trail information you receive on the first day of your trip.  3-star hotel TBA, Corvara

• Day 5 : La Villa - Capana Alpina - Rifugio Fanes - Pederu -...

  La Villa - Capana Alpina - Rifugio Fanes - Pederu - Rifugio Fodara Vedla In the morning, you'll take a 20 minute bus transfer to Sare. From here you'll walk on a wide trail through the woods to the Rifugio/parking Capanna Alpina (5,663'), and then hike about an hour up on a steep trail to the top of Col Locia (6,788'). From here there is a great hike through the Val di Fanes, passing by the Malga di Fanes (6,890') and Limo Lake up to the Rifugio Fanes (6,759') where you stop for lunch. After lunch, descend on a wide trail to Pederu (5,052') where you can either hike up to the Rifugio Fodara Vedla (6,470') or take the shuttle that will be transferring the luggage to the rifugio. The rifugio is an attractive mountain lodge (with private room and private bath), set amid a beautiful green mountain meadow in the heart of the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park. (6 hours hiking, approx. 8.5 miles, 1,450' elevation gain/ 650' loss.)  Rifugio Fodara Vedla

• Day 6 : Hike around the Rifugio Fodara Vedla

  Hike around the Rifugio Fodara Vedla There are a variety of hiking trails directly from the rifugio. We can head up to a panoramic ridge where the Croda del Becco (north), Croda Rossa (east) and even the Cristallo (southeast) come into view, then continue to the Rifugio Sennes (6,975'), standing in rather bare surroundings (but apparently satisfactory for the herds of hearty cows around!). An alternate hike takes you to lovely Lago di Fosses (7,093), inviting for a refreshing dip in the shade of the artistic layers of the Remeda Rossa, then on to a saddle that provides access to a desolate side valley at the foot of the impressive Piccola Croda Rossa (east). A trail cuts down diagonally right (south) atop a lovely flowered basin, which leads into dwarf mountain pines and a rough tiring descent over loose rocks. You eventually emerge on the jeep track at Campo Croce (5,814') from where you continue to Rifugio Fodara Vedla. Additional hikes are possible.  Rifugio Fodara Vedla

• Day 7 : Rifugio Fodara Vedla - Cortina

  Rifugio Fodara Vedla - Cortina From the Rifugio Fodara Vedla we hike to Malga La Stua (5,561') and on to the village of San Uberto. A hike along the river Boite leads you to Cortina d'Ampezzo. Cortina enjoys a reputation for great winter skiing (it was the site of the 1956 winter Olympics), and in the summer attracts hikers and mountain climbers who challenge the rocky faces of the nearby mountains. (About 6 hours hiking, 8 miles, 2,161' ascent/1,184' descent.)  3-star hotel TBA, Cortina

• Day 8 : Tre Cime di Lavaredo

  Tre Cime di Lavaredo Today we drive up to Rifugio Auronzo (7,650'), then hike for 2½ hours around the Tre Cime di Lavaredo and Monte Paterno, one of the most scenic mountain landscapes in the Dolomites. We stop for lunch at the charming Refugio Pian di Cengia with great views of the Dolomiti di Sesto range. After lunch we hike 1½ hours to the Rifugio Locatelli (8,050') where the view of the north faces of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo is stunning. The area is a sort of "open air museum" as there are lots of reminders of the First World War-tunnels, bunkers, and old barracks. Walk from the Rifugio Locatelli right under the north faces of the Tre Cime to the Rifugio Auronzo (1½ hours). The north faces are part of the world history of mountaineering as the first routes were climbed in the 1930s. (5 hours hiking.)  3-star hotel TBA, Cortina

• Day 9 : Departure

  After breakfast you are free to depart on homeward-bound transportation or to other points in Europe.

Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.

Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you’d never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way.

• Giulia Monego

  Guilia Monego is a professional skier and adventure enthusiast. Her passion for skiing and the mountains has led her to work as a ski instructor, complete in many alpine ski races and events to leading hiking trips throughout the Dolomites. Whether she is leading a ski expedition in Patagonia or China to photography trips to British Columbia, she is at home at the mountains.

• Luca Gasparini

  Luca Gasparini is an enthusiastic bilingual professional mountain guide. The mountains and outdoors has always been a part of his life. He started skiing at seven years old, rock climbing and ice climbing at age 19. Luca is living in the Dolomites working as a mountain guide in heli skiing, ski touring, off-track-skiing, ski safaris, ice climbing and snow shoeing in winter and rock climbing, trekking, canyoning and mountaineering in summer.

• Marica Fave

  Marica Fave is grew up in Campitello in the Fassa Valley. She started skiing at age 3 and ski racing at age 6. Since then, she has been a part of the mountains ever since. While on Ski teams, she traveled through out Europe, North America and Canada. In 2006 she became a certified mountain guide and has been leading trips for Mountain Travel Sobek for many years. She has guided in Italy, France, Switzerland and India.

• Karin Pizzinini

  After being high school science and chemistry teacher, Karin Pizzinini decided to pursue her two big passions: travel and photography. Now she works both as an art director, making documentaries about Ladin arts and culture, and as a hiking guide in her beloved Dolomites, where she grew up and lives. She is a year-round outdoor enthusiast - enjoying telemarking and ski touring in the winter, hiking, rock climbing and climbing glaciers in the summer. She used to compete in cross country skiing, cycling and ski touring, where she has achieved the title of Italian champion. Karin says her mission is transmitting knowledge, be it as a teacher, a guide, a film director or a writer. Guiding trips through the beautiful scenery where she lives, and on trips around the world, enables her to share her enthusiasm with her groups, which is certainly one of the things she likes best.

• Alberto de Giuli

  Alberta De Giuli was born in the small town of Padova. After receiving his degree in economic from University in Venice; he decided to pursue his true passion and start guiding in the mountains. He lives in the Arabba which is in the heart of the Dolomites. Alberta has spent years guiding groups on adventures in climibing, trekking and skiiing. He enjoys showcasing the Dolomites to everyone - both the young and the not-so-young.

photo credits: