The Dolomites
The Dolomites
The Dolomites are one of the most distinctive limestone mountains in the world. This trip offers a gentle introduction to the most beautiful hikes in the area and comfortable accommodation in the heart of Cortina d'Ampezzo.
May to September
*** Several itineraries available ***
The best of the Dolomites
The routes described are just a few of the many available with our local supplier. Itineraries vary according to your fitness level, budget and group. Please contact us to discuss.
Highlights of the trip
- An ideal region for alpine hiking
- The comfort of staying in a star base OR in a refuge
- Self-guided with detailed maps and pre-hike meeting with a guide OR with a mountain leader for the whole trip
- One of the most beautiful massifs in the Alps
Guides
On your own or with a mountain guide.
Weather/Climate in the Dolomites
The best time to hike in the Dolomites is between June 20 and September 20, when there’s no snow, the weather is at its best, hotels, mountain huts and restaurants are open and ski lifts and public transport services are operating.
Summers in the Dolomites are mild, with average monthly maximum temperatures in July and August rarely exceeding 25°C (77°F) and averages of around 20°C (68°F) in June, September and October. All mountainous regions receive a fair amount of rain in summer, and the Dolomites are no exception. June and September are the driest months.
Temperatures:
Things to remember
Spectacular alpine flora – mid-June to early July is the best time for flower lovers, with the full range of alpine flowers in bloom. If you’re interested in a particular flower, contact us to find out when you’re most likely to see it;
Mid-August vacations – August, and especially mid-August, is a very busy month, and you’re more likely to find lots of people on the trails and around the refuges. However, this problem can be managed to some extent by choosing the right itinerary;
The stunning colors of Dolomite autumn – late September and the whole of October are particularly beautiful times in the Dolomites, with the changing colors of the mountain forests and trails reserved for you.
Our local agency
We have an agreement with a local agency that can develop tailor-made tours for the best of the Dolomites.
We can accommodate all types of hikers.
From active trips for all budgets, on foot, guided with the best accommodation and food the region has to offer, to self-guided hikes in mountain refuges, and everything in between.
Detailed itinerary
“You don’t measure your life by the number of breaths you take. taken, but by the number of places and moments that took our breath away”. P. Schultz
The itineraries described are just a few of the many available with our local supplier. Itineraries vary according to your fitness level, budget and group. Please contact us to discuss.
The Dolomites in a loop - From Cortina d'Ampezzo
Difficulty 3 / 5
Cortina loops: The trip as a whole is moderate. The walks are of an average level on medium-mountain terrain. The average ascent and descent is 800m. Average walking time is 5-6 h per day.
D 1: RENDEZVOUS IN CORTINA D’AMPEZZO
Meet at the hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy on the evening of D1. We will inform you of the hotel address approximately 1 month before the start of your trip. Welcome by your guide in the evening. Overnight in a hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
D 2: LAKE SORAPIS
From Col Tre Croci, we discover the Sorapis valley and lake in an enchanting setting. After our first foray into the Dolomite landscape, we return to our starting point via a beautiful aerial loop. Overnight in a hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
5 hrs 30 mins walk 20 mins drive Overnight in hotel D+ 600 m D- 600 m
D 3: FORMIN MASSIF
We rise above Cortina d’Ampezzo for a varied hike in the Formin massif. Spectacular views of the various mountain groups that make up the Dolomites. Over successive passes, we complete a loop before ending the hike in a beautiful larch forest. Overnight in a hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
5 hrs 30 mins walk 15 mins drive Overnight in hotel D+ 700 m D- 700 m
D 4: REFUGE BIELLA
After a transfer on a forest track, we arrive at the Ra Stua refuge, the start of our hike. We’ll take a circuitous, little-traveled route up to the Biella hut, set against a lunar backdrop. This is an opportunity to observe the local wildlife. Return to the refuge. Overnight in a hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
5 hrs 30 mins walk 30 mins drive Overnight in hotel D+ 750 m D- 750 m
D 5: TOFANA DE ROZES
Off for a spectacular hike around Tofana de Rozes. An Alpine setting awaits us on a varied and magnificent itinerary. We pass the Giussani hut before entering the Tofana massif. A beautiful traverse path allows us to return in a loop. Overnight in a hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
6 hrs 30 mins walk30 mins drive Overnight in hotel D+ 850 m D- 850 m
D 6: TRE CIME DI LAVAREDO
Today we head for the must-do hike of this tour and this beautiful region: the Tre Cime di Lavaredo tour. A beautiful, wild loop takes us to the Locatelli refuge just opposite the towers. Certainly one of the most beautiful hikes in the Alps. Overnight in a hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
6-hour walk 30-minute drive Overnight in hotel D+ 550 m D- 550 m
J7 – REFUGE DE GENOVA
Discover this 15.4-km itinerary near Santa Maddalena, Val di Funes, South Tyrol. A fantastic hike that starts from the Rifugio Genova (2306 m) and follows the Adolf Munkel trail no. 35, also known as the “Odle Way”. It passes through idyllic forests at the foot of the mighty Odle to the Brogles hut (2047 m) via the spectacular Secëda formations.
5-6 hours’ walk, 60 minutes’ drive, D+: 600m / D-: 600m
D 8: CORTINA D’AMPEZZO
Last breakfast at the hotel before returning home. End of stay and group dispersal after breakfast in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Marmarole tour
A 5-day, 4-night hut-to-hut tour of the Marmarole massif in the Cadore valley.
refuge to refuge. A moderately difficult trekking itinerary with challenging sections, in a lesser-known valley, staying in traditional, friendly mountain refuges.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Auronzo
Stay in the pretty village of Auronzo di Cadore with its lake – various hotels available.
Day 2 – Auronzo – Rifugio Chiggiato
Cross the Marmarole massif through pastures. 650m ascent, hilly to Rifugio Chiggiato
7-7.5 hours, approx. 16 km, 750 m ascent, 450 m descent.
Stay at the Rifugio Chiggiato, a lovely family-run business.
Day 3 – Rifugio Chiggiato – Rifugio San Marco
Steep descent through the forest to continue on a gravel road before an arduous, panoramic climb to Rifugio Galassi on a narrow mountain path. After another short ascent and descent, the path levels out to continue across, with short ascents and descents and ultrapanoramic views of the Marmarole and Antelao massifs.
7+ hours, approx. 15 km, 900 m ascent, 1000 m descent.
Stay in a classic Dolomite refuge, the Rifugio San Marco (BD).
Day 4 – Rifugio San Marco – Auronzo
A quick first ascent on a narrow, zigzagging mountain path up scree slopes for 360-degree views from the Forcella Grande pass, before a long and varied descent on narrow mountain paths along a scenic valley, then on narrow forest paths to the beautiful Foresta di Somadida forest reserve. The last part of the walk is on a wide cycle path.
6-6.5 hours, approx. 16 km, 400 m ascent, 1100 m descent.
Cab to Auronzo (included). Several hotels available.
Day 5 – Departure from Auronzo di Cadore.
End of trekking, return to Cortina d’Ampezzo.
FREE - Cortina D'Ampezzo panoramic tour
8 days, 7 nights, 6 days hiking
Difficulty 3/5
This spectacular week-long tour of eight (8) days and seven (7) nights, beginning and ending in the pretty town of Cortina d’Ampezzo. Mountain trails through alpine meadows, forests and passes, with views of some of the most famous pinnacles and spires of the Dolomites.
Day 1: Arrival in Cortina D’ampezzo
Arrival in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Meet the team at 5pm at your hotel.
Hotel – Room for 2
Day 2: Cortina D’ampezzo to Locanda Ospitale
We leave Cortina through meadows and forests on high mountain trails to the first panoramic pass in the Dolomites at 2000 m altitude, before continuing on well-trodden paths to the charming hamlet of Ospitale for the night.
15 km, 700 m ascent and descent, 6.5-7 hours
Hotel – Room for 2
Day 3: The high plateaus of Pratopiazza
An initial flat stretch on a bike path and a spectacular climb through a rocky gorge bring you to over 2000 meters above sea level to the bucolic high pastures of Pratopiazza and your next hotel on a magnificent high plateau, BD.
8.5 hours, 500 m ascent, 3.5/4 hours
Hotel – Room for 2
Day 4: Landro Valley and Rienza River
Climb to the edge of the plateau before gradually descending along well-trodden paths of World War I interest and offering fine views of the Dolomite peaks and the Austrian Alps. Climb again along the Rienza valley and descend briefly to the tiny hamlet of Misurina and its lake to your hotel.
18 km, 1000 m downhill, 700 m uphill, 7.5/8 hours
Hotel – Room for 2
Day 5: Tre Cime di Lavaredo tour
Spectacular, panoramic tour of the famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo Round-trip bus required – not included.
9 km, approx. 400 m, 4/4.5 hours
Hotel – Room for 2
Day 6: Cadini Mountains to Valona
A lovely wooded climb to the foot of the magnificent Cadini Mountains (possibility of taking the lifts*) to a panoramic military trail and lunch in a panoramic mountain hut. Descent through pastures and forests to Valbona. Shuttle bus from Valbona to hotel (10 minutes – included).
14 km, 400 m ascent, 800 m descent, 6/6.5 hours
Hotel – Room for 2
Day 7: Return to Cortina via panoramic scenery
Shuttle bus from the hotel to the start of the hike (10 minutes – included). Return to Cortina through the serene Val Bona pastures and larch forests to Passo Tre Croci and lunch. Cross the Faloria massif, with beautiful views over the Cortina basin, and descend to the town itself through forests and hamlets. Possibility of walking at height. Overnight in Cortina.
15 km, 450 m ascent, 600 m ascent, 6-6.5 hours
Hotel – Room for 2
Day 8: RETURN TO CORTINA D’AMPEZZO
Departure from Cortina d’Ampezzo OR continuation after PD
Price: According to itinerary
Transfer times and walking times are given as a guide only. For safety reasons (climatic or other hazards) and in the interest of the participants, the tour leader reserves the right to modify the itinerary described below.
Depending on the itinerary chosen, included items may vary:
* Included:
- Half-board accommodation in a comfortable hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo
- Picnic lunches and provisions for the hike
- Supervision by a qualified French mountain leader
- Contribution to FICAV, the compensation fund for travel agency customers.
For more information on FICAV, click here.
* Not included:
- Carpooling to trailheads
- Soft drinks in general
- Personal hiking and travel equipment (shoes, poles, personal first-aid kit, etc.)
- Supplements for a single room in the accommodation.
- Cancellation and repatriation insurance to be taken out on registration.
- Tips and personal expenses
- Meals not mentioned
Form
The Dolomites
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