Come to the Dolomites, where towering rock walls guard pastoral valleys. The 8-day trip will let you experience the best hiking in the area, curated by local guides who know every nook and cranny of this one-of-a-kind mountain range at the Austrian-Italian border. Wander through dense pine forests and marvel at blooming wildflowers. Feel the power of +10,000 ft peaks, discover high mountain passes and crystalline lakes. And when the day is done, savor cenederli dumplings and Apfelstrudel, and explore buzzing mountain towns. This is more than just a hiking tour—this adventure will let the Dolomites reside in your heart and mind for years to come.
Explore Alpine landscapes with incredible spires, bucolic meadows, and hidden lakes
Stay in an authentic mountain rifugio, experiencing the local mountaineer flair
Discover South Tyrolean culture, and its mixture of Austrian, Italian, and Ladin influences
Spend over a week exploring the three valleys in the UNESCO-protected Dolomites: Val Gardena, Val Badia, and Cortina. Each day, you’ll explore carefully selected routes and discover numerous famous locations—all the while taking in views of countless dolomite peaks and pinnacles. Apart from excellent hotels catering delicious local food, one evening is reserved for an overnight stay in a scenic mountain hut. During the evenings, you’ll get a chance to explore gorgeous towns, exhibiting influences of both Austria and Italy. Find out for yourself what makes the Dolomites one of the best hiking destinations in the Alps!
Arrive in Val Gardena (1,563 m / 5,128′) and check into your hotel. Set among the mountains of Sassolungo, Puez, and the Sella Massif, Val Gardena is best known for skiing and rock climbing, as well as woodcarving, which has flourished here since the 17th century! Due to a unique history and contemporary mix of cultures, most signage in Val Gardena is written in three languages – Italian, German, and Ladin. Depending on when you arrive, you may have time for a hike or to explore one of the three villages of Val Gardena – San Cristina, Ortisei, or Selva Gardena.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Val Gardena
After breakfast, you’ll meet your local hiking guide and fellow hikers for a trip briefing and orientation. Today you’ll hike around the Odle mountain group (literally “needles” in Ladin), which has been subject to long term erosion, revealing the fascinating earth and rock strata underlying the Dolomite rock—from gray-white chalks to red porphyry. Later, you will reach the Tyrolean town of Ortisei, take the Resciesa funicular and hike some more. Stop for a drink or a rest at a local Rifugio and admire the jagged north faces of the dramatic Odle Group. In the afternoon, you can roam the streets of the charming Tyrolean town near the border with Austria.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Hiking: 13.3 km / 8.3 miles
Elevation: 350 m / 1,150′ ascent; 700 m / 2,300’ descent
Accommodation: Hotel in Val Gardena
Today you’ll explore the Puez-Odle Nature Reserve—named after the striking peaks of the Puez and the pinnacles of the Odle/Geisler massifs. After breakfast, take the Dantercepies cable car to Passo Gardena (2,120 m / 6,955′). Hike up to the Passo Cir (2,470 m / 8,100′) and follow a wider trail on undulating terrain that leads to the Forcella Ciampai Pass (2,365 m / 7,760′) and up to the Rifugio Puez (2,475 m / 8,120’) where your group will stop for lunch. A final three-hour hike is a downhill on an easy and panoramic trail, bringing you to the town of Colfosco and then onto Corvara (1,560 m / 5,120′), where your hotel is located.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Hiking: 15 km / 9,3 miles
Elevation: 590 m / 1,935′ ascent; 1,150m / 3,775′ descent
Accommodation: Hotel in Alta Badia
After a hearty breakfast, get transferred to San Cassiano. From here, you’ll hike to the Santa Croce Sanctuary, found at the base of the Sasso della Croce. During the first section on the paved road, you’ll pass through a number of hamlets showcasing characteristic architecture of Val Badia. Continue onto a gravel trail, walk uphill through the pine forest with great views of Santa Croce, the Conturines, and Sella mountain groups, as well as numerous towns of the Val Badia valley. Once you’ve reached Ospizio S. Croce (2,045 m / 6,710′), enjoy a traditional Dolomites lunch at the rifugio. When your group is ready to depart, you’ll descend along the Armentara meadows to La Villa and take a private transfer to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Hiking: 13.0 km / 8.1 miles
Elevation: 600 m / 1,970′ ascent; 530 m / 1,740’ descent
Accommodation: Hotel in Alta Badia
After breakfast, take a private transfer to today’s trailhead sitting at 1,726 m (5,663′), located in a scenic setting. From here, begin your hike with a steep, 1,5-hour ascent. Once at Col de Locia (2,069 m / 6,788′), you will enter a fairytale valley, set between mountains and carpeted with lush green pastures. After 3 hours of ups and downs through the valley, your group will reach a cozy mountain hut (2,104 m / 6,903′), where you’ll eat lunch. Afterward, pass by Lago di Limo and marvel at gentians, buttercups, and globe flowers surrounding the lake—before descending to reach your rifugio for tonight.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Hiking: 9.1 km / 5.7 miles
Elevation: 520 m / 1,705′ ascent; 200 m / 660′ descent
Accommodation: Rifugio
Leaving behind your rifugio, hike down to rifugio Pederü (1,540m / 4,313′), joining the iconic Alta Via 1 trail. From Pederü, hike on to Rifugio Fodara Vedla (1,965m / 6,447′), located in the Natural Park of Fanes-Sennes-Braies. Enjoy superb views of the Croda Rossa Massif (2,818 m / 9,245′), known for its red rock. After lunch, you’ll hike along a stony track, a former wartime mule route, traversing a series of grassy basins dotted with bushes and dwarf mountain pine, while spotting marmots and chamois. The final part of today’s hike winds steadily down through to Rifugio Malga Ra Stua. From here, you’ll get transferred to your hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Meals: Breakfast
Hiking: 13.2 km / 8.2 miles
Elevation: 500 m / 1,640′ ascent; 880 m / 2,890′ descent
Accommodation: Hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo
This morning begins with a private transfer to Passo Tre Croci, right above the North-East border of Cortina. Today’s hike will allow you to admire the view of the Cristallo mountain group to the North, the Tofane to the West, and the Ciadin del Loudo to the South. Hike a section of the panoramic “Dolomieu Trail”, providing stunning views of the classic Dolomite’s rock layers as you hike through woods of larches and spruce pines just above Rio Gere. Take a transfer back to your hotel in Cortina.
Meals: Breakfast
Hiking: 11.4 km / 7.1 miles
Elevation: 510 m / 1,670′ ascent; 600 m / 1,970′ descent
Accommodation: Hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo
Your adventure comes to an end on day 8. Say goodbye to your Dolomites hiking guide, fellow hikers and to the Dolomites—or continue touring on your own.
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
For this Dolomites hiking trip, you need to be in a very good physical shape and have previous hiking experience. You don’t necessarily need to have experience of going on a multi-day hiking tour, but you need to be able to hike in mountainous terrain for six days in a row. You’ll be crossing between 7 and 10 miles (11-16 km) every day, with an altitude gain between 1,150 and 1,970 feet (350-600 m). You can expect to hike between 5 and 6 hours on any given day.
Keep in mind that weather can be unpredictable in the Dolomites. Even though warm and dry weather is very common in the summer (more so than in the rest of the Alpine region), there is still a possibility for cool and wet days. Your guide will always be by your side, making breaks whenever necessary and adjusting the route if hiking gets too strenuous for your group.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
Group sizes and prices:
Guided hiking tours in the Dolomites can be arranged for private groups with 2 or more people and for larger groups. If you go private, the price is higher, but the cost per person decreases as the group grows and you also get the option to pick your own date. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Val Gardena, the starting point of your Dolomites hiking trip, most people fly into Venice Marco Polo Airport, which is 3 hours away. You will meet your guide at a predetermined location within the airport and get transferred with fellow hikers to Val Gardena at 2 pm.
If you are unable to arrive on Day 1 or before 2 pm, we suggest you take a bus ride to Bolzano (also available from Milan, Bergamo, and Verona) and then another short ride to Val Gardena (available every hour). You can also arrange a private transfer with the guiding company for an additional cost.
Secure your spot for 2025 with a 10% deposit! This tour gets sold out very quickly, but with early-bird booking, you’ll be the first one to know. Pick the month that suits you best and we’ll let you know once the dates are live—don’t risk missing out on your bucket list adventure!
For set dates, a 30% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. Payment of the balance is due no later than 60 days (2 months) before departure for Italy. For “last minute” bookings (trips booked 45 or fewer days before departure), full cost is due at the time of booking.
In case you need to cancel your trip, the following fees will apply:
These charges are a percentage of the total cost of the booking. The days indicated are from the trip departure date. All cancellations must be made in writing.
