We explore the Dolomites in a way few itineraries do—six days of hut-to-hut hiking across the stunning Alpe di Siusi and into the Rosengarten! Rather than chasing crowded highlights, we’ll simply be following a natural flow through high alpine landscapes. Walking from rifugio to rifugio, we’ll cross Europe’s largest high-altitude plateau in peak wildflower season, traverse quieter trails, and peaceful valleys. With local guides leading the way, this is a fantastic combo of classic Dolomite scenery, lesser-known paths, mountain history, and a deep connection to the land. And each evening, we will roll into a cozy rifugio, eat well, laugh a little, and sleep very, very well.
This Alpe di Siusi guided hiking tour is a six-day hut-to-hut journey through one of the most beautiful and varied corners of the Dolomites. We walk across Europe’s largest high-altitude plateau, into dramatic limestone groups and quieter alpine valleys, combining classic scenery with less-traveled trails. Nights are spent in welcoming rifugi and hand-picked hotels, and days unfold at a comfortable pace with a local guide sharing insight into the land, culture, and mountain life. Just a perfectly balanced mix of scenery, culture, and genuine alpine immersion.
We arrive independently in Val Gardena (Gröden), set high in the heart of the Dolomites, and check into our hotel. This alpine valley is known for skiing, climbing, and a long tradition of woodcarving, as well as its unique blend of Italian, Austrian, and Ladin cultures, reflected in the trilingual signage throughout the region. In the afternoon, we meet with a local Dolomite Mountains representative for a trip briefing, orientation, and maps for our self-guided adventure. Depending on arrival time, there may be an opportunity to explore the surroundings or enjoy a short walk nearby.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Val Gardena
We begin the day by taking the Alpe di Siusi cable car to the trailhead and set out across the vast Sciliar Plateau. The route leads through alpine meadows and past summer farms before reaching Rifugio Malga Saltner. From here, we tackle a sustained climb via a series of zigzags toward our mountain refuge, rewarded with sweeping views of the Sciliar Massif and surrounding peaks. Lunch awaits at the rifugio, making the effort well worth it.
Hiking: 12.4 km (7.8 mi), 5 hours
Elevation: +817 m, −363 m (+2,680 ft, −1,190 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Accommodation: Rifugio
Today we hike through the central-eastern section of the Catinaccio Group, an area known for dramatic rock formations and expansive panoramas. The trail offers a true alpine experience, with chances to spot chamois, marmots, and other mountain wildlife along the way. This is one of the most challenging and rewarding hikes of the trip, best enjoyed at a steady pace to fully appreciate the striking scenery that surrounds us throughout the day.
Hiking: 12 km (7.4 mi), 5-6 hours
Elevation: +894 m, −848 m (+2,932 ft, −2,781 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Accommodation: Rifugio
We hike beneath the dramatic twin peaks of Sassolungo and Sassopiatto, a striking mountain formation steeped in local legend. The route offers high-altitude panoramic walking across grassy slopes rich with wildflowers, where cows graze and marmots dart between rocks. Along the way, we enjoy expansive views over Val Gardena and Val di Fassa, making this a day defined by open landscapes and classic Dolomite scenery.
Hiking: 10 km (6.2 mi), 4-5 hours
Elevation: +454 m, −633 m (+1,489 ft, −2,073 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Accommodation: Rifugio
After breakfast, we leave the rifugio and continue hiking toward a local mountain hut set beneath the towering walls of Sassolungo-Sassopiatto. The trail leads across scree and gravel terrain and through the evocative “City of Stones,” a dramatic landscape of massive boulders scattered at the base of the peaks. At the end of the hike, we transfer privately back to our hotel in Val Gardena for a final evening in the valley.
Hiking: 9.9 km (6.1 mi), 4-5 hours
Elevation: +353 m, −483 m (+1,158 ft, −1,584 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Val Gardena
After breakfast, we depart Val Gardena independently. Private transfers can be arranged on request.
Meals: Breakfast
Our guides were fantastic! Knowledgeable, able to accommodate individual needs without impacting the group, and willing to split the group at times according to interests and abilities.
Alice is kind, considerate, extremely well informed and fun. I am on the older end of the spectrum for the hike (68) and she kept an eye on me in a very sweet but unobtrusive way. I appreciated her concern and her approach very much.
Our guides, Alicia and Martino were a great pair. They were very patient and gave us lots of good information and encouragement.
Included:
Add-ons (leave a note at checkout if interested):
Not included:
To join this Alpe di Siusi guided hiking tour, great fitness is required. You’ll be hiking for 4 days in a row, and the most you’ll hike within a day is 12.4 km (7.8 mi), with up to 894 m (2,932 ft) of elevation gain. Check out the itinerary to learn about day-by-day distances and elevation changes.
It will greatly help your enjoyment of the trek to arrive fit at the start, used to walks of similar distance and elevation gain to those that you are about to face.
Keep in mind you’ll be carrying your own pack from hut to hut, usually around 15 lbs—remarkably light compared to many similar treks, since the huts provide hot meals, drinks, and bedding (just bring a sleeping bag liner). All you’ll need are clothes, toiletries, and a few personal items.
Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more Dolomites hiking tours here!
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Here’s a list of clothes you need to bring:
The summer months have warm temperatures and plenty of sun. While temperatures may reach 25°C (80°F) on the valley floors during the day, evenings can be as cool as 10°C (50°F). As you gain elevation, it will get colder. For every 1,000m you climb, the temperature will drop for 6.5°C (3.6°F for every 1,000 feet). What may be a 27°C (80°F) day in Alta Badia could be 15°C (60°F) on one of the summits during the day, and 0°C (30s°F) in the evening.
Synthetic fabrics are the most effective barrier against the cold. They provide the best insulation, they are light in weight, wick away perspiration, and dry quickly if wet.
Group sizes and pricing
Alpe di Siusi guided hiking tours can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
Single occupancy is available on Day 1 and 5 of the trip, when you’re staying at a hotel in Val Gardena. Leave us a note at checkout if interested. The other 3 nights are spent in shared dormitories in huts.
Solo travelers are welcome—they can either share a room with another same-gender solo traveler at no extra cost, or guarantee a private room at hotels by paying a single occupancy fee.
The starting point of your Alpe di Siusi guided hiking tour is Val Gardena in the Dolomites, Italy. To get to the Dolomites, most people fly into Venice International Airport Marco Polo (VCE). Another options include Klagenfurt (2.5 hours), Trieste (2.5 hours), Verona (3 hours), and Innsbruck (3 hours) and a small regional Bolzano Airport in the province of South Tyrol in northern Italy.
It’s best to take a shuttle or rent a car to reach Val Gardena. You’ll meet your guide on Day 1 of the tour.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Deposits
Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.
Cancellations
Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.
Basic
Flexible
Super Flexible
Our guides were fantastic! Knowledgeable, able to accommodate individual needs without impacting the group, and willing to split the group at times according to interests and abilities.