Dolomites Traverse - 11 day

This itinerary is subject to change due to trail closure, inclement weather, accommodation availability or other reasons unforeseen to us at the time you make your booking. When making these changes we always have your safety and welfare in mind to ensure a positive and enjoyable experience is maintained throughout your trip with us. Thank you for your understanding.

Arrive today in the Boite River Valley and the town of San Vito di Cadore. There is a welcome meeting scheduled with your trek leader at 6pm at the hotel. Before meeting with your trek leader the afternoon is free for you to explore the town and its amazing mountain surrounds. We will enjoy our first dinner together after the briefing.

Your first night may instead be in the nearby town of Calalzo di Cadore. This will be confirmed in your final documents.

Meals: D

After a hearty Breakfast we ascend steeply through forests to emerge at the magical spot of Croda da Lago, with its pretty little lake below towering rock walls. Then we have a lovely 30 minute contouring walk to arrive at a stunning view point overlooking Cortina d’Ampezzo far below. Finally,  we descend to Pocol and our hotel for the night.

Ascent 1100m / descent 750m

Meals: B, L, D

Today our route takes us via Forcella Averau and the Cinque Torri to our destination of Passo Giau. We start with a short bus journey and will explore the WWI trenches and learn about the history that took place here. Between 1915 and 1918, the Austro-Hungarian and Italian armies fought many a bloody battle within these mountains during what was also known as the Great War. The soldiers endured severe weather conditions, bitter cold and the risk of avalanches while posted in the Dolomites.

The beautiful Giau Pass is located at the centre of a vast mountain pasture and is where we will find our accommodation for the night.

Ascent 500m / descent 1000m

Meals: B, L, D

Accommodation at Passo Giau can be difficult to source, so sometimes we may stop at Pocol for Night 2 as well as Night 3 and do the above hike both starting and finishing in Pocol.

Today we ascend to Passo Posporcora on a delightful switchback trail through woods, then descend past the impressive limestone gorges of Travenanzes and Ponte Outo.  There is a stunning view down into the gorges and the rushing turquoise water from Ponte Outo. Then we ascend through alpine meadows, with alternating easy and steeper sections, until finally we reach a plateau and our lovely family-run refuge,

Refuge night tonight – it’s very comfortable, sometimes even en-suite accommodation, all linen and towels included. You will just need to be aware that you don’t have your bags tonight.

7-8 hours trekking Ascent 1050m / descent 400m

Meals: B, L, D

Accommodation this evening is in a refuge in a remote location. The rooms are very comfortable and ensuite; all linen and towels are provided. You will need to pack a small overnight bag with a change of clothes and basic toiletries as we are not able to have your luggage delivered tonight

Crossing high Alpine meadows and rocky tracks, we descend to Pederu in the heart of the nature park and then ascend, past traditional farm buildings, to a mountain pass where we can take our picnic lunch in a field of edelweiss encircled by towering limestone massifs. Then the trail leads south and downhill, steeply in parts, to Alta Badia and the delightful small town of San Cassiano. You will be able to enjoy the typical Tyrolean hospitality and food at our lovely Pension Steinrosl which will be our home for two nights.

8-9 hours trekking, 24km

800m ascent, 1200m descent.

Meals: B, L, D

A welcome rest day in this picturesque little town. Hire mountain bikes and follow the local trails, take the Piz Sorega cable car for magnificent views, options for additional walks or possible via ferrata excursions. In the evening relax in the hotel’s spa/wellness centre.

NB – Lunch, dinner is not included tonight

Meals: B

A short bus transfer this morning (20 minutes) then we ascend to the north flank of the Settsass mountain, for stunning views towards the Austrian Alps. After a rocky traverse and some tantalising glimpses of the Marmolada to the south, we then descend through alpine meadows and contour to Pralongia. After a well-earned afternoon coffee option, we descend to the mountain village of Arabba.

7 hrs trekking, 17km

Ascent 500m, descent 950m

Meals: B,L,D

A big ascent from Arabba, via a little-known and very beautiful trail, to the summit of Pizac. Then onwards to Passo Portovescovo for stunning views across the valley to the Marmolada (highest mountain in the Dolomites, 3343m). Then follow the famous Via del Pan, high-level contouring path to Pecol, with the Marmolada on our left-hand side all the time. Descend from Pecol into Canazei by cable car, to give us time to explore this charming town.

Ascent 1000m, descent 650m.

Meals: B, L

NB – dinner is not included tonight. There are many dining options including an excellent local restaurant where you can enjoy a pizza or pasta

We start today’s hike by ascending through small hamlets and woodland, then steeply up through open mountain pastures, to Col Rodella at the foot of the Sassolungo massif. Then we have a delightful contouring path around the Sassolungo and Sassopiatto mountains, followed by more contouring, this time through more gentle rolling scenery, with alpine pastures below us to both sides. We end the day by climbing up, through impressive rocky scenery, to our overnight refuge perched high in the mountains with stunning views. This is an excellent place to view the famous Dolomites sunset.

Tonight’s refuge is a true mountain refuge, accessible only on foot and perched at 2500m. Rooms are simpler than anywhere else on the trip and are not ensuite. Baggage will not be delivered tonight, as for the refuge stay at Night 6 you will need to carry your own toiletries and personal clothing).

8 hours trekking, 18km

Ascent approx. 1400m, descent approx 300m

Meals: B, L, D

We start on a beautiful traversing path, with fabulous views down into the wild gorge below, before ascending to the Sciliar Plateau and then a long, easy walk across the plateau to a quick coffee stop at Rifugio Bolzano. From here it’s a quick 10-minute push to Monte Pez, the summit of the Sciliar and the highest point of our trek. Then we descend steeply from the mighty Sciliar massif, cross meadows and finally descend to the village of Compatsch. We end our hike here, with a cable-car descent to Siusi and then a 40-minute bus ride into the centre of the historic capital of the South Tyrol, Bolzano.

6-7 hours trekking, 16km

Ascent approx. 300m, descent approx. 1000m

Meals: B, L

NB – dinner is not included tonight. Your leader will arrange a final night group dinner at our favourite eating spot a short walk from the hotel for everyone who wants to participate, everyone pays for themselves

There are many things to see and do in Bolzano, notably the South Tyrol Archaeological Museum which is home to Otzi, the famous Neolithic man whose exceptionally well-preserved corpse was found in the glacier ice.

Meals: B

• 10 nights accommodation in small hotels and refuges
• Qualified and experienced International Mountain Leader
• Daily meals as outlined above
• Local briefing in San Vito di Cadore
• Private rooms on trek (with the exception of 2 nights in remote areas where multi-share may be required)
• Transportation where needed on the trek
• Luggage transfers on all but two trekking days (where you will stay in remote mountain locations)

• Flights and transport to and from the tour
• Travel insurance
• 3 dinners and 1 lunch
• Expenses of a personal nature
• Single supplement