Hiking the Dolomites

Begin your adventure in Campitello, a pretty Dolomite village chosen for its ease of access to the nearby hiking trails. The tour leaders will hold a full welcome briefing tomorrow, in which they’ll discuss the week ahead and give advice on the area. Enjoy the rest of the evening to mingle with the group and fuel up for the adventures ahead at dinner. Want more time in the Dolomites? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

Our day combines high-altitude routes that capture picture-perfect Dolomite scenery with lower-level trails down to the Val di Fassa. The early season should ensure we see a wide variety of alpine flowers. We begin our journey by taking a cable car towards Col Rodella and then walk along the southern flank of Sasso Lungo/Sasso Piatto to Rifugio Sasso Piatto. Continue along a high-level traverse, then descend into the Val Duron to Rifugio Micheluzzi. Here, we take a shuttle back to Campitello. Distance: 10mi (16km); ascent: 800ft (244m); descent: 2,513ft (776m); 4hr 30min hour walking time

Begin with a bus transfer to Pera, where we take three chair lifts up to Ciampedie. Here, we hike a high-level traverse, surrounded by amazing views, to a scenic lunch spot at Baita Marino Pederiva. After, continue hiking to the western side of the Catinaccio massif, where we take the Paolina chair lift down and transfer back to Campitello. Distance: 7mi (11km); ascent: 1,581ft (482m); descent: 1,217ft (371m); maximum altitude: 7,381ft (2,250m)

Transfer to beautiful Lago di Fedaia, where we climb onto the Viel dal Pan traverse, heading west with stunning views across the valley to Marmolada, the highest mountain in the Dolomites. We then have a short descent to Passo Pordoi, where we take the cable car up to Sas Pordoi for our lunch break with amazing views of Piz Boe. After lunch, take a short scenic summit hike called Moonwalk, before taking the cable car back down to the pass. Our hike continues down to the cable car at Pecol, returning us to Canazei in Val di Fassa and finishing with a walk alongside the river to Campitello (or by bus). Distance: 8mi (12.5km); ascent: 1,617ft (493m); descent: 3,543ft (1,080m); maximum altitude: 7,677ft (2,340m)

Optional activities for the free day include self-guided cycling from Campitello or a day trip to see the remains of Ötzi the Iceman in Bolzano or spend a relaxing day at the QC Terme Dolomiti spa in Pozzo di Fassa.

Start by taking a bus to Vigo di Fassa, where we take a cable car to Ciampedie. We walk northwest to Gardeccia then up Val di Vajolet, famous for its six distinct monolithic peaks known as the Vajolet Towers. We then stop at Rifugio Principe for lunch with a fantastic view of the valley, before returning via the same route to Gardeccia and Ciampedie, with a possible alternative descent via chairlifts to Pera. Distance: 10.5mi (17km); ascent: 2,135ft (650m); descent: 2,135ft (650m); maximum altitude: 8,520ft (2,597m)

Begin with a bus journey to Pozza and then a gondola and chairlift ride. From the top, we follow the ridgeline over a small peak with stunning views to a col at Sella Brunech. Here, we climb again to continue our journey along the ridge, taking in the peak of L'Aut in the Marmolada range, before descending to Rifugio Ciampac for lunch. The area around L’Aut is geologically distinct from the main limestone Dolomites peaks, as it is primarily formed by black lava. After, we take the gondola back down into the Val di Fassa and continue with a gentle river walk back to Campitello. Distance: 7mi (11km); ascent: 920ft (280m); descent: 1,740ft (530m); maximum altitude: 8,200ft (2,500m)