Dolomites Alta Via Hiking Tour
Escape to the Dolomites: A Mountain Adventure with Comfort
Discover a unique experience in the heart of the Dolomites, where you’ll spend four nights high in the mountains at charming, isolated rifugios—mountain chalets that offer private double rooms (when available), comfy beds, hot showers, hearty meals, and even a wine list worth exploring. These rifugios are not luxury hotels, but their cozy charm and the serenity of watching sunsets in the crisp mountain air are the ultimate form of luxury. For added ease, a luggage transfer ensures your main bag meets you at the second chalet—leaving you free to hike with just the essentials. Begin your journey with two relaxing nights in four-star comfort picturesque Ortisei before tackling the legendary “Alta Via” or Dolomites High Route. This trek takes you through some of Europe’s most breathtaking Alpine landscapes, where every turn offers postcard-worthy views. Along the way, enjoy the warmth and hospitality of two of the region’s most delightful mountain huts. It’s the perfect blend of adventure and indulgence: Himalayan-style trekking with the reward of superb Italian cuisine and wine at day’s end.
Note: Rooms in the rifugios are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Early bookings increase the chance of securing private double rooms.
Tour Essence
- Challenging hikes through some of Italy’s most breathtaking alpine landscapes.
- Staying up high in isolated rifugi and leave the crowds behind
- Himalayan-style trekking but with delicious food, fine wine, and cozy lodgings at day’s end
- Experience four nights in two of the Dolomites’ most charming mountain chalets.
- Two nights in 4-star comfort in chic Ortisei, a gorgeous Tyrolean village.
- One night in the heart of historic Bolzano
- Superb local cuisine, a unique blend of Austrian and Italian flavors.
What to Expect
Terrain
Rolling and often steep terrain. Challenging sustained climbs and descents of up to 1,200 m (4,000 ft). Altitude can play a role as our Challenging tours are in the mountains. On the Dolomites "Alta Via" tour we sleep at 2,700 m (8,500 ft).Start Location
Bolzano, ItalyEnd Location
Bolzano, ItalyMileage
Average Daily: 8-10 miles Total: 50 milesElevation
Average Daily: 2,800 feet Total: 17,000 feet
Once you have a trip confirmed, we will feed you a steady diet of additional pre-departure information that includes: How to get to and from the tour, what to 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 Ortisei at a four-star hotel
- 4 nights in comfortable rifugios [mountain chalets]
- 2 nights at a four-star hotel in Cortina
- 7 breakfasts, and 7 dinners
- Transfers: Private van transfers as per the itinerary, all lift tickets for funicular, gondola, and chair-lifts as indicated in the itinerary
- Luggage: Bags are transferred from Bolzano on day 1 and back to Bolzano on day 7. When we are in the rifugi, your main luggage will be kept at the hotel in Ortisei and you will carry in your backpack what you need for the four days in the rifugi. We send you detailed information about what to bring.
- Active days: 6 days of guided hiking
- Guides: At least 1 bilingual guide accompanies departures of 2 – 8 people; 2 guides accompany departures of 9 to 14 people
- All Accommodations
- 2 nights in Ortisei at a four-star hotel
- 4 nights in comfortable rifugios [mountain chalets]
- 2 nights at a four-star hotel in Cortina
- 7 breakfasts, and 7 dinners
This tour is all about the hiking. However, hiking in the Dolomites means you are traveling by foot among the cultural and historical fabric of South Tyrol. The locals wear their traditional clothing as an everyday occurrence, and Tyrolean music is often heard in the villages and rifugi we visit. Indeed, we hope you like accordion music! You will definitely know that you are not in Kansas anymore.
2025
Start Location
Bolzano, ItalyFly Into
Venice Airport (VCE)End Location
Bolzano, ItalyFly Out Of
Venice Airport (VCE)Pick-up from Bolzano
Meals Provided
DinnerMeals Provided
DinnerAccommodations
Hotel Hell
A family-run hotel set next to the Gardena River and a short walk into the village of Ortisei.
Hiking the Val Gardena and Odle Massif
Meals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAverage Mileage
8.5 mileElevation Gain
2,250 feetMeals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAccommodations
Hotel Hell
A family-run hotel set next to the Gardena River and a short walk into the village of Ortisei.
Begin the Alta Via—A High-Altitude Adventure
Meals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAverage Mileage
11 milesElevation Gain
2,400 feetMeals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAccommodations
Rifugio Genova
Perched at 7,300 feet, in the heart of alpine pastures, Rifugio Genova has stood since 1898, offering breathtaking views between the Dolomites and the striking Peitlerkofel peak. Nestled within the Puez-Geisler Nature Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this rifugio is our gateway to some of the region’s most spectacular landscapes.
Around Putia Peak
Meals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAverage Mileage
8.5 mileElevation Gain
3,000 feetMeals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAccommodations
Rifugio Genova
Perched at 7,300 feet, in the heart of alpine pastures, Rifugio Genova has stood since 1898, offering breathtaking views between the Dolomites and the striking Peitlerkofel peak. Nestled within the Puez-Geisler Nature Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this rifugio is our gateway to some of the region’s most spectacular landscapes.
Into the Heart of Odle-Puez National Park
Meals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAverage Mileage
10 mileElevation Gain
3,200 feetMeals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAccommodations
Rifugio Gardenacia
Rifugio Gardenacia was built in 1937 and renovated in 2009. Happily, the owners kept many original features and furniture to retain an old-world charm. The rifugio has a special feature: a sauna with large windows that look out over a stunning alpine view. It’s a great way to relax at the end of an epic day of hiking!
Moderate or Challenging? You can choose
Meals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAverage Mileage
5 or 11 mileMeals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAccommodations
Rifugio Gardenacia
Rifugio Gardenacia was built in 1937 and renovated in 2009. Happily, the owners kept many original features and furniture to retain an old-world charm. The rifugio has a special feature: a sauna with large windows that look out over a stunning alpine view. It’s a great way to relax at the end of an epic day of hiking!
A Grand Finale on the Alta Via
Meals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAverage Mileage
8 mileElevation Gain
3,500 feetMeals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAccommodations
Stadt Hotel Città
The historic Stadt Hotel has overlooked the main square of Bolzano since 1913. Its elegant antique pink façade and neo-Baroque architecture have been a landmark of the city for over a hundred years.