Walking & Hiking in Italy's Majestic Dolomite Mountains

Hike among the awe-inspiring and noble limestone peaks of Italy's northeastern frontier with Austria. Meander in a fairyland of scenic villages, alpine flora, tall pines and green meadows dotted with small farms. These majestic peaks are home to some of Italy's most exclusive mountain resorts, and the winter playground for Europe's social set. During the summer however, the landscapes open up into a symphony of alpine flowers, flowing meadows, dark forests and a dramatic play of light as the afternoon sun sets along the Dolomite's shear mountain faces. The lush valleys and high mountain passes of this spectacular mountain range with its unique Tyrolean culture have created one of Italy's greatest walking destinations.

Day 1 - The Isarco Valley Highlands - Meet at your hotel in Bolzano, home to the "Iceman", a 5300 year old mummy recently discovered on the Italian / Austrian frontier.Shuttle into the foothills of the spectacular Dolomites overlooking the charming village of Fie allo Sciliar.Visit Schloss Prösels, a Medieval feudal castle before meandering into the green meadows and small farm villages along the scenic slopes of spectacular Mount Sciliar.Stop at a village cafe with a sunny balcony and enjoy the fresh mountain air over a freshly baked apple strudel with vanilla cream sauce.

Day 2 - The Alpe di Siusi - Travel by gondola up to the Sciliar Plateau, Europe's largest alpine meadow, where rolling pastures dotted with wood huts, farm chalets, rushing streams and tall pine forests intersected with picturesque walking pathways combine to create Italy's most civilized alpine environment.Walk surrounded by the tall snow covered peaks of the Sciliar Mountains to an alpine hut "rifugio" for a lunch featuring hearty goulash, polenta and canederli in brodo "dumplings in broth".There are many walking options this afternoon, with a favorite walk along the Hans und Paula Stegerweg pathway with panels showing the history, folklore, fauna and flora of this spectacular alpine plateau.

Day 3 - The Gardena Pass & Alta Badia - Travel to the splendid Passo di Gardena and walk along flower filled meadows under the majestic peaks of Puez Odle Natural Park looking for Ptarmigan birds, marmots and Chamois antelope.Follow an easy pathway along pastures dotted with farm huts with the sounds of cow bells and cascading mountain brooks or choose a hike up to the lunar landscapes of the Crespeina Plateau where marmots whistle at your approach and song birds flutter by looking for crumbs.The magnificent peaks of the Punte del Puez and Sassongher mountains will guide us down into the Val di Badia and a mountain hut for a welcome refreshment before continuing to the alpine village of Colfosco where 700 year old wooden dairy barns are still being used.Look for views of the spectacular Pisciadu Falls and enjoy magnificent views of the Val di Badia as you enter into the beautiful alpine Ladin village of Corvara.

Day 4 - Rifugio Santa Croce - Walk along a farm laneway past small farms, alpine lakes and workshops specializing in local wood carvings.Take a gondola up to Rifugio Santa Croce, a 15th-century chapel and an important pilgrimage destination.Stop at the historic rifugio where woodsmen, hunters and mountaineers gather for an outdoor alpine lunch of regional specialties.Follow ancient farm trails through majestic pine forests, mountain dairy farms, and over small wooden bridges that cross glacial water streams to S. Cassiano.Enjoy this alpine fairyland and discover this valley's Ladin culture, a blend of Italian, Austrian and Roman influences.

Day 5 - Cinque Torre & Fashionable Cortina d'Ampezzo - Hike the Plateau di Fanes past mountain huts to visit the historic First World War ruins and trenches at Passo Falzarego.Follow a ridge around the towering Cinque Torre "5 towers" Mountains as you overlook an alpine fairyland with Cortina d'Ampezzo below framed by the towering peaks of the Cristallo Mountains.Join the locals in Cortina during their evening "passeggiata" walk along its fashionable Corso Italia.

Day 6 - Venice - Homeward bound.Bid a final farewell to the majestic Dolomites and take a private transfer to Venice airport, the Mestre train station or Venice's Piazza Roma for convenient connections to your post-trip Venice hotel.As always, we would be more than pleased to help you with any of your post-trip travel planning.
Arrivederci and Buon Viaggio !