Dolomites Grand Traverse
Italian Alps Hiking

We’ll pick you up at 10:30 am from the Porta Altinia Suites Hotel in Treviso. Be sure to dress for hiking! We’ll transfer to our hotel in San Candido-Innichen. We are now in the Upper Pusteria Valley of southern Tyrol, part of the Austrian Empire until 1918. After check-in, you’ll have some time to explore the town’s Romanesque and Baroque churches or relax at a café in the main square and admire the view of the Baranci mountains in the near distance. An introductory drink is followed by dinner in the wood-paneled hotel dining room.  Overnight San Candido.Lodging and dinner included. Transfer time 2.5 hours.

A short transfer takes us to the Auronzo Rifugio for our hike around the soaring massif of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, or “Three Peaks.” Hike beneath the vertical rock face as the colors change with the passing clouds and sun breaks. The highest peak (Cima Grande) rises to 9,836 ft. (2,998 m). Stop for lunch at a traditional mountain hut, 7,300 ft (2,225 m), which offers magnificent views of the mountains beyond. Hearty local dishes include barley soup, plus a wide array of regional cheeses and cold cuts, followed of course, by a piece of fresh apple strudel. We continue our hike back to Auronzo, passing bunkers that date from the disastrous battles of the First World War. Transfer time 45 minutes. The Hike: 9.6 mi (15.5 km) or ~5.5 hrs; Terrain: hard-packed dirt and rocky trails, some scree; Elev. gain: 2,940 ft (896 m) and loss: 1,870 ft (570 m) (please note that these are estimates and they can change depending on conditions). Overnight San Candido. Lodging, breakfast and dinner included. 

Today we begin our “grand traverse” through the mountains and have the first of three nights in a cozy mountain hut (rifugio in Italian). Your luggage is transferred for you to the rifugio so you only need to carry a daypack with you on the hikes. After breakfast, a short transfer takes you to the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Natural Park, where the emerald waters of Lake Braies are surrounded by dramatic peaks on three sides. Begin your hike up past dwarf pine trees and eventually arrive at a high saddle, which offers views down over the crystalline waters of Lake Braies and ahead to the vast expanse of exposed, lunar-like slabs of rock that lie between the Croda del Becco and Croda Rossa peaks. After a while, we can make out a small building in the distance, the Rifugio Biella, which will welcome us for a hot lunch. You may want to try canederli (dumplings made from bread, cheese, and spinach cooked in a butter and sage sauce) and of course more strudel and a shot of espresso afterward! From there, we continue hiking until we reach our rifugio, which sits on a high meadow often filled with a herd of friendly cows. Relax on the sunny terrace before a hot shower followed by dinner.  Transfer time 30 mins. The Hike: 8.5 mi (13.7 km) or ~ 5-6 hrs; Terrain: hard packed dirt and rocky trails, some scree; Elev gain 3,450 ft (1,052 m) and loss 210 ft (64 m). Overnight Fodara Rifugio. Lodging, breakfast and dinner included.

Start gradually this morning on a gentle trail through a meadow before heading downhill to Rigugio Pederu for a coffee and strudel break. After our break, head out again on a trail that makes its way up through pine forest and clearings to the Forcella de Medesc and the Fanes Plateau, a karst limestone expanse crisscrossed with babbling brooks. Lunch at Fanes and then a 15-minute walk to Rifugio Laverella where we spend the night at  6,725 ft/2,050 m. Today is a relatively short hike, but you can add some extra miles with an optional 2-3 hour hike Passo di Sant'Antonio, for gorgeous views towards the Monte Antelau or you may prefer to chill out on the sunny terrace in a comfortable deck chair or even enjoy the wood-fired sauna. Get together again this evening in the wood-paneled dining room for a hearty meal featuring a mix of Austrian, Ladin, and Italian cuisine. Try the “cajinci,”or “Schlutzkrapfen" in German, a local dish that’s a kind of ravioli with ricotta and spinach. The Hike: 6.5 mi (10.5 km) or ~ 3.5 hours; Terrain: hard-packed dirt with one long, steep descent; Elevation gain 2,300 ft (700 m) and loss 1,475 ft (450 m). Optional hike: 5 mi (8 km) or 2-3 hours; Terrain: hard-packed dirt and rocky trails, some scree; Elevation gain 1,300 ft (400 m) and loss 1,300 ft (400 m). Overnight Lavarella Rifugio. Lodging, breakfast and dinner included.

This morning we pack our daypack with what we need for one overnight. Our luggage will be transported to Cortina, where we will arrive tomorrow afternoon. We have a gentle start this morning. After a short initial climb, we enjoy a beautiful two-hour soft descent into a wide valley surrounded by high peaks. We take an amazing trail that climbs steeply out of the valley, hugging the broad flanks of Monte Cavallo, before threading its way through spires of rock before plunging back down to rejoin the principal trail to Lagazuoi. The descent features a truly impressive series of switchbacks down to Lagacio Lake, where we will take a break for a picnic lunch. Following lunch, we have our epic climb to Rifugio Laqazuoi, which sits perched on a ledge overlooking the strategic Passo Falzarego. A starkly beautiful mountain landscape is made more dramatic by the visible remnants of the terrible struggle that occurred here between 1915 and 1917. Twisted bits of barbed wire, trenches, and bunkers line our route up to Lagazuoi, which, at 2,752 meters (9,029'), is one of the highest huts in the Italian Dolomites. Our efforts are rewarded by a truly awesome 360° view of the surrounding mountains and distant green valleys. Lagazuoi also offers an excellent culinary experience. We dine a la carte, and there is also a truly excellent wine list to choose from. The Hike: 8.5 mi (13.7 km) or 5-6 hours; Terrain: hard-packed dirt and rocky trails, some scree, with a steep downhill and one short stretch with some exposure; Elev gain 3,500 ft (1,067 m) and loss 1,230 ft (375 m). In case of bad weather, we have another route which takes us to the Rifugio Scontoni, a fairy tale mountain hut that has the best strudel in the Dolomites! Lodging, breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Note: In case of challenging weather, we have an alternative route which features Rifugio Scontoni, a fairytale mountain hut that serves up the best strudel in the Dolomites! Overnight Lagazuoi Rifugio. Lodging, breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner included.

Sunrise from Lagazuoi’s vantage point overlooking a huge expanse of mountains is an unforgettable experience. After breakfast, our trail takes us to Cortina along the flank of the massive Tofanes. Huge views abound across the Falzarego Pass onto the Cinque Torri (Five Towers) on the valley's far side. The trail winds past remnants of the World War I battles. We first pass dugouts and bunkers of the Austrian front lines, then to the eerie remains of Italian trenches and fortifications. We leave the past behind and hike down the glorious Travenanzes Valley to our lunch spot. An unexpected trattoria nestled amongst the larch trees on the edge of a small lake. After lunch, we have a short transfer to Cortina, Italy’s world-famous alpine resort town and host of the 2026 Winter Olympics. You will have free time this afternoon to explore this charming town and its shopping, regional museum, open-air cafes, and galleries, and enjoy a delicious gelato or a cold frothy beer in the piazza. Our four-star hotel is centrally located in the heart of the village. Tonight is a free night dinner, so you can eat when you like and where you like. Your guide/s will have suggestions. The Hike: 14.5km (9 mi) 4.5 hours; Terrain: hard-packed dirt trails Elev gain 150 m/480 ft and loss 1,506m/4,819ft Overnight Cortina. Hotel and breakfast included.

Our final hike has all the classic elements: spectacular views, a shimmering alpine lake, and towering rock formations. We transfer to Passo Giao to start our hike at 2,236 m (7,336 ft). The trail traverses a high alpine meadow with views of the distant Marmolada glacier and the spectacular Monte Pelmo. We drop down to Rifugio Croda da Lago for one last superb lunch overlooking the sapphire waters of Lake Federa and the reflections of the surrounding peaks. The trail drops down through pine and larch forests to our pick-up point for our return to Cortina. Dinner in one of Cortina’s best restaurants to celebrate a week of awesome hiking, lots of laughs, and new friends. The Hike: 12 kms/8 miles; 4.5 hours (3h morning and 1h30mins afternoon); Terrain: hard-packed dirt trails; Elevation gain: 2497ft/761m; Elevation loss: 4239ft/1292m. Overnight Cortina. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.

*SPECIAL OPTION: For the adventurers among you, today you can opt to try the Via Ferrata or "Iron Way" (weather permitting). If you choose this option, you skip the regular hike and join a local Alpine guide to summit Punta Fiames (this requires an extra fee at your expense). The Via Ferrata is a network of iron ladders and cables that allow hikers to ascend vertical or exposed trails without the need to rock-climb.Transfer time: 50 mins; The Hike: 8.7 mi (14 km) or 5-6 hours; Terrain: hard-packed dirt trails; Elev gain 3,225 ft (983 m) and loss 850 ft (260 m). Optional Via Ferrata: 5 hours; Transfer 20 minutes.

The tour ends this morning with a two-hour van transfer from Cortina to Treviso station. We will arrive around 11 a.m. You can continue your journey within Italy from Treviso train station, or take a taxi, train, or bus to get to nearby Venice International Airport. Travel time by taxi is 30 minutes. Or you can travel to Venice, which is also connected by taxi, train, and bus. Indeed, Treviso is a good base from which to visit Venice. It is easy to explore Venice by day and retire to Treviso’s low key, untouristy vibe for the evening. Breakfast and ONE group transfer included.

Please note: Some details of the itinerary may change according to the departure date of your tour. Whenever we run a tour, we make new discoveries. Sometimes they are good discoveries, like a wonderful new trattoria, and sometimes they are bad, like a trail has been washed away. The result is that we sometimes change our itinerary to improve it by adding new wonderful elements to the tour or by removing something that does not work anymore. Rest assured, our goal is to always provide you with the best possible experience. We will advise you of any changes to the original itinerary prior to departure.  

Backpacks: On this tour you will be carrying more in your backpacks than on other tours because: a) we are in the mountains so you need to carry more layers and be ready for any weather conditions; b) you may need to carry more water since it may not be readily available; and c) you will have to carry 1 change of clothing and your toothbrush for the 1 overnight in the a rifugio. We do organize a bag transfer to Rifugio No. 1, and and again to and from Rifugio No. 2. Here is how it looks day by day.
a.    Day 1: You and your bags are picked up from Venice airport and transferred to San Candido.
b.    Day 2: First hike is a loop Hike. you just carry what you need for the day.
c.    Day 3: Hike to Rifugio No. 1, you just carry what you need for the day. A small duffel bag with your overnight requirements will be transported by 4X4 to the rifugio No. 1. Your main luggage will be transferred to the final hotel in Cortina.
d.    Day 4: Hike to Rifugio No. 2, you just carry what you need for the day. A small duffel bag with your overnight requirements will be transported by 4X4 from rifugio 1 to rifugio No. 2.
e.    Day 5: Hike to Rifugio No. 3, you carry what you need for 1 overnight. The small duffel bag with your other stuff is transported from rifugio No. 2. To the hotel in Cortina where you will be reunited with all your luggage on Day 6.
f.    Day 6: Hike from Rifugio No. 3 to Cortina. You will carry in your backpack whatever you required for the 1 night in Rifugio No.. 3. Overnight tonight in a Hotel in Cortina where you will be reunited with your main luggage, and the small duffel bag that was transported from Rifugio No. 2.
g.    Day 7 Hike. loop Hike. you just carry what you need for the day.

F.A.Q.: "Do your guests frequently experience altitude sickness in this area? If so, what pre-tour preparation do you recommend?"
None of our guests have suffered from Altitude sickness on any of our Dolomites tours. Altitude sickness usually only happens at levels above 2,500m/8,000ft. We spend the first two nights on our DGT tour in San Candido sleeping at 1,175 m/3,750ft, allowing you to acclimate. Our first day of hiking is after you have slept one night at that altitude. You may experience some shortness of breath during your first hike, but that is all unless you have some pre-existing medical conditions that make you more sensitive to lower oxygen levels.  After two nights in San Candido, we spend two nights at about 2,000m/6,600 ft followed by one night at 2,752m/8,800ft at Rifugio Lagazuoi. You will be well acclimatized for this, your fifth night of the tour. Our final two nights are back in the valley at 1,200m/3,850 feet in Cortina.  Be in shape for the tour and stay well-hydrated during the hikes.