Italy Best of the Dolomites Hiking Tour

Your Guides

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The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.

Karin Pizzinini

Karin was born and raised in the Dolomites, where she pursues outdoor activities year round including skiing, hiking, rock climbing, ice climbing, cross-country skiing, and cycling. She has been guiding for over 10 years and takes great pride in sharing her knowledge of the region. In addition to being a hiking guide, Karin teaches yoga and high school science, makes documentaries, and lives out her passion for travel and photography. She is fluent in six languages and can be spotted around the globe anywhere from Japan to Washington during the off-season!

Luca Zuliani

Luca was born in the northern Italian town of Cividale del Friuli, near the Austrian and Slovenian borders. His love of the mountains began at an early age while exploring the foothills of the eastern Alps and the Dolomites with his family. Today Luca is a hiking guide for the Veneto Board of Alpine Guides, a UIMLA Mountain Leader, and a passionate trail runner. Luca speaks Italian, Friulano (a minority Rhaeto-Romance language), English, and a little German—and is also a classical musician with 15 years of orchestral training! When he is not mountain guiding, Luca enjoys relaxing, cooking, socializing with friends, and playing with his cats.

Chiara Saldarini

Chiara was born and raised along the southern edge of Lake Como, surrounded by nature. As a child, every free moment was an opportunity to climb trees and dive bomb into the icy lake. The sports that Chiara practiced as a young woman were always strongly linked to nature: rowing, windsurfing, and sailing helped Chiara fall in love with "her" lake; while skiing and climbing brought her closer to the mountain world. She attended university in Milan, and after a stint as a salesperson, her choice to leave the city came naturally: with her shiny red mountain bike, and "more backpacks than handbags," Chiara arrived in Cortina d'Ampezzo and never looked back! In Cortina, she found a new life, and a mountain-guide husband. Chiara has a clear passion for nature, and she loves to share her knowledge of the territory and the local culture with clients, adults and children alike.

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                    [Headline] => Arrive in Val di Fassa
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Land at Venice international airport and meet your guide for a private group transfer to Val di Fassa (4,593\') in Italy\'s Trentino region. After checking into your hotel, enjoy a trip briefing and aperitif, followed by a welcome group dinner.
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                    [Headline] => Follow Scenic Trails to Val San Nicolò
                    [ActivityOverview] => 6 hours/9.5 miles hiking with 3,099\' elevation gain and 3,312\' loss 
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After breakfast, head to Alba di Canazei (4,891\') where today\'s hike begins. Follow a forest trail uphill to the Locia de Contrin mountain hut and through the beautiful Val Contrin. From the Malga Contrin mountain hut, continue your ascent to Passo San Nicolò (7,703\'). Be wowed by impressive views of Marmolada\'s peaks: Piccolo Vernel, Gran Vernel, Penia, and Ombretta. After a well-deserved lunch break, enjoy the panoramic view across Val San Nicolò. Then, hike down through the picturesque valley - a landscape of flower-filled meadows and pretty wooden huts, all framed by spectacular peaks. Alternatively, you can opt for a panoramic train ride back.
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                    [Latitude] => 46.461
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                    [Headline] => Sasso Lungo Loop Trek
                    [ActivityOverview] => 6 hours/10 miles hiking with 2,328\' elevation gain and loss 
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Start the day with a cable car ride from Campitello to Col Rodella (7,152\'). From here hike under Sassolungo and Sassopiatto on the famous Friedrich-August-Weg route. Enjoy spectacular panoramic views as you pass wildflowers and grazing cows on this age-old shepherds\' path, which ascends to Rifugio Sassopiatto (7,546\'). Check out the view north over Val Gardena from Rifugio Vicenza (7,391\') and enjoy refreshments at Rifugio Comici (7,063\'). This loop hike now turns south through an unearthly landscape of boulders at Città dei Sassi ("city of stones"). Arrive back at Rifugio Passo Sella for a cable car ride back to Campitello. Dinner is at your leisure tonight.
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                    [Headline] => Hike the Sella Massif in Alta Badi
                    [ActivityOverview] => 5-6 hours/7.5 miles hiking with 1,000\' elevation gain and 3,000\' loss
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Today\'s hike will traverse an excellent network of paths on the south face of the Sella Massif. From Penia, take the cable car to Doleda where you\'ll follow the trail to Passo Pordoi (7,345\'). From here, hike a zigzag trail toward the Forcella Pordoi and take in incredible views of the Sassolungo, Marmolada, Civetta, Pelmo, Antelao and Col di Lana mountains. Then follow a rocky and undulating trail along the Sella\'s south face to Rifugio Franz Kostner (8,200\') — a great lunch spot. After lunch, hike downhill along Lago Boe` and through the woods to Corvara (5,120\'), where a private transfer to La Villa awaits. There are optional downhill lifts as needed. Join together for a group dinner in La Villa, one of South Tyrol\'s delightful mountain villages. 
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                    [Headline] => Ascend to the Santa Croce Sanctuary
                    [ActivityOverview] => 5-6 hours/7 miles hiking with 1,935\' elevation gain and loss
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Make a pilgrimage to the pretty white Santa Croce Sanctuary, perfectly situated at the base of the Sasso della Croce. Starting from the town of San Cassiano (5,250\'), hike uphill on a paved road passing tiny hamlets and age-old barns along the way. A gravel trail gradually ascends through a pine forest, affording great views of Santa Croce and the picturesque Val Badia. At the church you\'ll have time to look around and revel in the vistas before walking to "Ranch Andre," a traditional farmhouse converted into an inviting lunch spot. After lunch, take a different trail back down into town and enjoy an evening at your leisure.
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                    [Headline] => Explore Puez-Odle Nature Park 
                    [ActivityOverview] => 5 hours/7 miles hiking with 2,330\' elevation gain and loss
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After a hearty breakfast it\'s off to Colfosco, one of the charming towns of Val Badia. From here, you\'ll explore the picturesque 25,000-acre Puez-Odle Natural Park at the base of the Cir Mountains. Starting from the church in Val Badia, head uphill to Rifugio Edelweiss (6,008\') nestled in the Edelweiss valley - the perfect stop for refreshments! Admire spectacular views over the Sella Massif, with its towering peaks and dramatic rock faces, then ascend to Rifugio Forcelles and the most panoramic bench stop you\'ll ever encounter! Then follow a series of uphill paths and switchbacks until you reach Jimmy\'s Hutte (7,299\'), our final destination. After lunch, descend to Passo Gardena and Colfosco. Optional gondola rides are available (not included). Savor a traditional Ladin dinner tonight.
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                    [Headline] => Go Back in Time in Cinque Torri 
                    [ActivityOverview] => 3 or 6 hours hiking options 
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Today, you\'ll transfer to Passo Falzarego and hike to Rifugio Averau (7,921\'). From here, descend to Rifugio Scoiattoli and beautiful Cinque Torri. Learn about the history of Cinque Torri and the surrounding mountain valleys as WWI battlefields, complete with tunnels and bunkers. Depending on the group, there are 3- to 6-hour hiking options. Lunch will be in one of the rifugios around the Cinque Torri. In the early afternoon, transfer to Cortina d\'Ampezzo in the Veneto region and enjoy an evening at your leisure. Sleep in luxury at the 5-star Grand Hotel Savoia.
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                    [Latitude] => 46.510
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                    [Headline] => Sunrise Loop Hike to Tre Cime di Lavaredo
                    [ActivityOverview] => 6 hours/8 miles hiking with 2,000\' elevation gain and 1,800\' loss
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Rise early for a stunning finale to your Dolomites hiking adventure! Starting at Rifugio Auronzo (7,677\'), set out on a loop hike around the soaring peaks of Tre Cime di Lavaredo (9,839\')- probably the most famous landmark in all the Dolomites. Since the first routes were climbed in the 1930s, Tre Cime has become one of the most popular Italian peaks in the mountaineering world and seeing it at sunrise (weather permitting) is nothing short of spectacular. Raise a toast to your Dolomites adventure this evening and enjoy a farewell dinner with the group in Cortina d\'Ampezzo.
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                    [Travel_Type] => 40-minute private van transfer
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                    [Latitude] => 46.61
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                    [Headline] => Transfer from Cortina to Venice & Depart
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After breakfast, take a private group transfer from Cortina to Venice airport for your homeward-bound flights.
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    [ActivityHighlight] => On this trek you will be hiking 7 to 9.5 hours a day, mostly at elevations between 5,000 and 8,000 feet. The trails are well groomed, but rocky and often steep. This type of terrain makes it a challenging experience. You need to be in excellent physical condition and have similar previous experience hiking for multiple consecutive days.
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Accommodations

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A warm welcome awaits at charming 4- and 5-star mountain inns with comfortable rooms and modern amenities.

Hotel Christiania, La Villa, Alta

Comfortable Hotel

Located in South Tyrol, this 4-star hotel offers "high quality facilities with plenty of modern, natural influences" high in the towering Dolomites. Rooms are delicately furnished with high-quality wooden floors and comfortable beds. The hotel bar, restaurant, and general ambiance embody a wonderful sense of peace and tranquility. The spa offers a variety of beauty treatments and massage therapy, perfect for rest and recovery after days of trekking in this beautiful region.

Hotel La Majun

Comfortable Hotel

Offering sweeping views of the Dolomites Mountains, this modest family-run hotel features hardwood floors and guestrooms equipped with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and minibars, as well as safes and balconies. Other amenities include a wine cellar, a restaurant and a terrace, plus a library with a fireplace. A spa offers massages, beauty treatments and 2 saunas, as well as a steam bath and a hot tub.

Hotel Locanda Degli Artisti

Comfortable Hotel

Experience a warm welcome, great food, and an artistic vibe at the Locanda Degli Artisti Art Hotel in the heart of the Dolomites. Its comfortable, modern rooms feature distinctive artworks, wooden floors, and balconies with stunning views. Sleep well on plush bedding, wrap yourself in a cozy bathrobe, and enjoy high-quality bathroom amenities made with natural ingredients. Smart multi-language TV, private room safe, mini bar, and in room coffee/tea facilities are also included.

Grand Hotel Savoia

Luxury Hotel

This impeccable 5-star hotel in Cortina has an exclusive feel, and provides guests with exceptional comfort and convenience. Your room has everything needed for a perfect stay: Cozy fireplace and matchless views of the Dolomites, designer furnishings and chic décor, minibar, flat screen TV and free Wi-Fi. Concierge and room service are available, and the on-site spa offers a retreat like atmosphere with an indoor pool and sauna/hot tub.

Hotel Astoria

Comfortable Hotel

With its charming alpine vibe, Hotel Astoria's spacious rooms feature elegant wooden interiors accentuated by refined colors and amenities such as a TV, a mini-bar, free Wi-Fi, and stunning mountain views. Indulge in Chef Giuseppe's culinary delights at the on-site restaurant, paired with wine from the best Italian and Foreign labels. Unwind in the wellness center and treat yourself to wellness services like their swimming pool, Finnish sauna, and whirlpool bath. Lastly, explore Canezi with complimentary mountain bike rentals!

Hotel Croce Bianca

Comfortable Hotel

Perfectly located close to the Dolomite's top attractions, Hotel Croce Bianc is a comfortable stay for guests! Relax in style with amenities such as a satellite LED TV, free Wi-Fi, and stunning mountain views from your room, complete with a mini-bar and a complimentary set of bathrobes and slippers. Savor exquisite cuisine and fine wine at their famous Wine & Dine Restaurant. Then, unwind in the sauna, gym, or swimming pool after a day of adventure.

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