The trek opens and closes in comfort. Our first night is at the 4-star Hotel Orso Grigio in Selva di Cadore, sitting at the foot of Mount Pelmo with a wellness area, a restaurant built around local produce, and Civetta and Cernera filling the windows. On the final evening we land at Hotel Costabella at San Pellegrino Pass, a classic alpine house welcoming guests since 1945, where the Green Wellness Spa with saunas, sensory showers, and hot baths is waiting for tired legs. Rooms in both hotels are twin rooms with two separate beds, shared between group members, and your main luggage will be in the room when you arrive on Day 5.
Note that exact accommodations may vary depending on availability, but will always be of the same standard and comfort.
Three nights are spent high up in historic Italian rifugi along the route, the kind of places that have been feeding and sheltering walkers for generations. Expect shared dorms, including comfortable 4-bed rooms, plus terraces that look straight at the Civetta walls, the surrounding spires, and the silver south face of the Marmolada. Evenings follow the same lovely rhythm: a hot dinner, the peaks turning pink at sunset, then an early, quiet night at altitude. Hot showers are available in the huts using tokens you buy on site, and a sleeping bag liner is provided for you, along with a 40-liter backpack and trekking poles. Note that exact accommodations may vary depending on availability, but will always be of the same standard and comfort.
This trip exceeded all expectations. Our trip felt like it was designed by a local, because it was. Miki has a deep love for her home in the Dolomities and she takes great pride in providing the most authentic experience for her guests. Along the way, we ran into more locals enjoying the region than tourists. She’s selectively chosen charming and well-appointed accommodations in places you would have been unlikely to choose yourself. Guides are experts in the activity of the day, they provided an education about the region as well as guidance and support throughout the day. The days were intentionally paced – coffee/snack and lunch stops all in picturesque locations, providing multi-course menu options that embody the local cuisine. The scenery was dramatic and jaw-droppingly beautiful. All details were coordinated and communicated clearly and often for you, leaving you the ability to just enjoy. Overall, it was a trip that I will take with me for a lifetime.