Dolomites Traverse Hike Tour
Hut to hut Hiking Through the Splendid Dolomites.
the “Dolomites Traverse” tour was born of the idea of emulating a Himalayan-style trek in the Italian Dolomites. Instead of returning at the end of each day to the villages in the valleys, we remain in the mountains and string together three nights in cozy mountain rifugi. This allows us to stay up in the mountains where you will really experience the full splendor of the Dolomites as well as life in the rifugi. You need only carry a daypack with you on the hikes as your overnight bag is transferred from rifugio to rifugio. When the day’s activity is done you will be able to relax in comfort. The first two nights are in a four-star hotel in the charming village of San Candido followed by three nights in fully serviced mountain rifugi. Comfortable beds and duvets, hot showers, and superb food features in all of them. Cortina hosts us for the last two nights in an elegant and historic four-star hotel. The combination of challenging hikes and creature comforts is a winning combination.
Tour Essence
- Follow the Alta Via high route amongst towering peaks, alpine lakes, and verdant alpine meadows.
- Hike past the dugouts and bunkers of the Austrian front lines and the eerie remains of Italian trenches and fortifications from World War I.
- Trek around the spectacular massif of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Enjoy Tyrolean hospitality as you stay in charming Alpine rifugi and boutique four-star hotels.
- Taste the local cuisine, a unique blend of Austrian and Italian flavors.
- Lagazuoi sunrise at 8,600 feet.
- Experience the famous Via Ferrata or “Iron Way” with a local Alpine guide.
- Stay in the quaint villages of San Candido and Cortina and stroll amongst their Romanesque and Baroque-style churches and pedestrian shopping streets.
What to Expect
Start Location
Venice, ItalyEnd Location
Venice, Italy
Once you have a trip confirmed, we will feed you a steady diet of additional pre-departure information that includes: How to train, prepare, pack and all the wonderful, inspirational and practical things you want and need to know before you go! Our Travel Advisors will be available to help plan your pre- and post-tour travel.
- Service of local, bilingual professional guides throughout the program.*
- All Accommodations
- 2 nights in San Candido at a four-star hotel
- 3 nights in comfortable rifugi (mountain huts, fully catered, extensive wine lists, hot showers, and at least one and usually two of the three nights in private rooms for people in double occupancy, the other two nights you may have to share a room with other people
- 2 nights at a four-star hotel in Cortina
- 7 breakfasts, 1 picnic lunch, and 6 dinners.
- Transfers: All private transfers as per the itinerary starting with pick up from Venice airport and transfer back to Venice airport at the end of the tour.
- Luggage: Bags are transferred from Venice on day one to the San Candido hotel. Your bags are also transferred to the first and second rifugio so you do not have to carry anything other than your day pack. However, we are unable to transfer your bags to the third rifugio. Your luggage will be transferred to the Cortina hotel and you will need to carry with you what you need for one night in the rifugio. It is very easy. At the end of day 6, your luggage will be waiting for you in your hotel room in Cortina. Your luggage is then transferred with you on the final day to Venice airport or Mestre train station
- Active days: 6 days of guided hiking
* One guide accompanies departures of 2 – 8 people. Two guides accompany departures of 9 or more people.
- All Accommodations
- 2 nights in San Candido at a four-star hotel
- 3 nights in comfortable rifugi (mountain huts, fully catered, extensive wine lists, hot showers, and at least one and usually two of the three nights in private rooms for people in double occupancy, the other two nights you may have to share a room with other people
- 2 nights at a four-star hotel in Cortina
- 7 breakfasts, 1 picnic lunch, and 6 dinners.
Start Location
Venice, ItalyFly Into
Venice AirportEnd Location
Venice, ItalyFly Out Of
Venice AirportWelcome to San Candido!
Meals Provided
DinnerMeals Provided
DinnerAccommodations
Hotel Post
A historic four-star hotel that has been recently refurbished, It is located in the center of San Candido village, convenient to shops, cafes, and gelato.
The Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Meals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAverage Mileage
9.6 mile hikeElevation Gain
2,940/1,870 feetMeals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAccommodations
Hotel Post
A historic four-star hotel that has been recently refurbished, It is located in the center of San Candido village, convenient to shops, cafes, and gelato.
Hike Lake Braies to Sennes
Meals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAverage Mileage
8.5 mile hikeElevation Gain
3,450/210 feetMeals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAccommodations
Rifugio Fodara
Recently renovated, the Rifugio Fodara features private rooms with ensuite WC and shower. It is situated in an alpine meadow used for summer pasture. Private rooms are limited and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Fanes Plateau
Meals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAverage Mileage
6.5 mile hike (Optional Hike 5 miles)Elevation Gain
2300/1475 feetMeals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAccommodations
Rifugio Lavarella
A friendly mountain rifugio with a sunny terrace and an excellent micro-brewery, Lavarella sits on a high karstic plateau laced by mountain streams. Private rooms are limited and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. All showers and toilet facilities are down the hall.
Spectacular Lagazuoi—one of the highest huts in the Dolomites
Meals Provided
Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic), DinnerAverage Mileage
8.5 mile hikeElevation Gain
3500/1230 feetMeals Provided
Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic), DinnerAccommodations
Rifugio Lagazuoi
Lagazuoi is simply the most spectacularly situated rifugio in the Dolomites. Perched high above Falzarego Pass, the views from its terrace are epic. Private rooms are limited and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. All showers and toilet facilities are down the hall.
WWI and Cortina d’Ampezzo
Meals Provided
BreakfastAverage Mileage
5.3–6.3 mile hikeElevation Gain
1089/1175 feetMeals Provided
BreakfastAccommodations
Hotel Alaska
After our three nights in the Rifugi, we arrive in the chic alpine town of Cortina and our four-star hotel, which is located in the historic town center.
Hike past jagged peaks and an enchanting alpine lake
Meals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAverage Mileage
8.7 mile hikeElevation Gain
3,225/850 feetMeals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAccommodations
Hotel Alaska
After our three nights in the Rifugi, we arrive in the chic alpine town of Cortina and our four-star hotel, which is located in the historic town center.
