Hiking in the Dolomites

Buongiorno! Welcome to Italy. When you arrive at the Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) this afternoon, you’ll be met by a local representative and transferred with the rest of your group to the town of Dobbiaco. Sitting in a green valley surrounded by mountains and parkland, this is your home for the next eight days – and a gorgeous place to start your Dolomites hiking adventure! Settle in at your comfortable guesthouse within easy walking distance of the town before your welcome meeting at 7 pm, where you’ll meet your local leader and group properly.

After breakfast, catch the public bus to your first hike up one of the region’s popular summits – Strudelkopf. The trail winds through flower-filled pastures and rewards you with impressive views of the surrounding peaks. Strudelkopf sits at 2307 m above sea level, and if the weather is on your side, you might catch a glimpse of Tre Cime di Lavaredo – one of the Dolomites’ most famous landmarks. After some time at the summit, loop back down and across the valley. Then, after a big day on your feet, take a breather at a mountain hut and dig into a local favourite – apple strudel.

Hit the road in a private vehicle towards the Earth Pyramids of Platten, a natural wonder formed over 25,000 years ago. These clay towers are the tallest and most striking earth pyramids in Europe! The trail winds through dense forests with some incredible views – watch out for chamois, deer, alpine birds and other wildlife. Reach a plateau with even more great vistas and a small hut serving food and drinks. Take a well-earned break before descending to Percha, a charming Tyrolean village with chalets, cafes and inns. Head to a cheese tasting cooperative before returning to Dobbiaco in the early afternoon.

After breakfast, take a public bus to Podestagno to explore the Ampezzo Dolomites Natural Park. Hike past waterfalls and the Boite River before resting at a cafe housed in a traditional building. Enjoy a picnic lunch, then choose whether you’d like to hike further into the valley or relax by the river. Hiking back down, you’ll take a different path – featuring a short crossing of a steep slope – that leads to some of the most picturesque viewpoints of the surrounding valleys. Take a bus to Cortina d’Ampezzo for some free time in the town before returning to Dobbiaco.

Today, you have a free day to spend as you like. You could take a bus to one of the many trails in the area to enjoy more hiking on your own or swap the hiking boots for two wheels on a cycling adventure. There are also plenty of museums nearby – go to Monte Piana and Monte Piano for WWI history, or visit Bolzano to see Europe’s oldest natural human mummy known as the Ice Man.

Today is a full-day hiking excursion to the Three Peaks of Lavaredo. This loop trail is widely regarded as the most spectacular hike in the Dolomites with epic scenery at every turn, so make sure your camera is fully charged! Take a moment to rest and take it all in at Rifugio Locatelli, where you’ll have a front-row seat to views of Laghi dei Piani.

This morning will be slightly more relaxed with the option to leave your hotel anytime until 9 am. Then, take a short train ride to Versciacio – a popular ski resort in the winter months. Here, you’ll catch a cable car to today’s hike – a short but relatively challenging trek up Monte Elmo. The last part of the hike takes you up a steep slope, but there’s a great restaurant at the bottom (where you can wait if you’re not up for the summit). If you reach the top of Monte Elmo, you’ll also have a chance to cross the Italian Austrian border which runs through the summit point. The afternoon is free to enjoy at your leisure, perhaps with a final celebration at one of the many bars or restaurants in Dobbiaco.