Highlights of the Dolomites in Comfort

Welcome to Cortina d'Ampezzo, a vibrant mountain town nestled in Italy’s Dolomites and known for its alpine charm. Surrounded by dramatic peaks, this fashionable resort has long drawn outdoor enthusiasts in both winter and summer months. Make your own way to Cortina. There are up to 4 direct buses a day from Venice Marco Polo Airport, arriving conveniently into town. Cortina is easy to explore on foot. Stroll along Corso Italia, the main pedestrian street lined with boutiques, pizzerias, cafés and the popular, old-fashioned Cortina department store. If you're eager to stretch your legs after travelling, you’ll find scenic paths close to the town centre. Accommodation: Stay in a welcoming and comfortable hotel located just 200m from the Faloria Cableway and 150m from Corso Italia, ideally positioned for tomorrow's start.

Today offers you a choice between two rewarding routes: a scenic high-level walk through dramatic Dolomite landscapes or a gentler hike with the help of public transport and a cable car. Either way, you’ll be immersed in spectacular alpine scenery and the historic WWI remnants that define this region. >> High Route via Forcella Lagazuoi Option: After a short bus ride from Cortina, begin your climb from Rifugio Dibona along a trail beneath the towering Tofana di Rozes (3219m) and Tofana di Mezzo (3240m). The path leads across a high traverse with occasional gullies that require care, offering sweeping views across the Dolomites. Continue to the Forcella Lagazuoi pass, a key location during the First World War. You’ll pass crumbling trench lines, fortresses, and wartime rubble, not shaped by glaciers but by the devastating mine blasts of 1915–16. From the pass, descend to a picturesque alpine lake before a steeper section brings you to Rifugio Scotoni; an ideal rest stop for coffee and homemade strudel. The final descent follows the stream into the peaceful hamlet of Armentarola, near San Cassiano. >> Easier Route with Cable Car Support: Prefer to skip the climb? Take the bus directly to Passo Falzarego and ride the Lagazuoi cable car up to the mountain refuge. From the top, enjoy views and WWI landmarks before walking down to join the main route. This alternative saves almost all the ascent while still offering rich scenery and historical highlights. >> If conditions are poor or you’d prefer not to walk today, it may be possible to travel with your luggage to Armentarola. Please arrange this well in advance. Accommodation: Stay in a well-appointed hotel in the rural location of San Cassian. The hotel has an indoor swimming pool and a sauna. Approx. ascent: 75-1024m / descent 1104m

Today’s walk is a complete contrast to the rocky terrain of previous days, with soft alpine pastures, forested trails and wide-open ridgelines. You’ll enjoy more gentle walking through classic Dolomites scenery, with sweeping views, charming mountain huts, and the flexibility to tailor the distance and effort to suit your pace. From your hotel in Armentarola, begin the day by crossing meadows and gently climbing through larch and pine forests. Reach the panoramic ridge of Pralongià, where a welcoming mountain restaurant awaits, the freshly baked apfelstrudel here is a local favourite. Continue to Col Alt (1983m), another scenic stop with a gondola station and a café offering superb views of the Tofana and Sella massifs, tomorrow’s destination. From Col Alt, you have two main choices. You can walk down to Corvara and then for about 3km with a gradual uphill walk on to Colfosco, or you can take the gondola(s) down to Corvara and then either walk or take another gondola to reach Colfosco. This is a relaxed way to enjoy the scenery while conserving energy. You spend one night in Colfosco, which is set beneath soaring peaks. It is a picturesque village with a historic church, several small shops, a supermarket and a few cafés and restaurants, ideal for a gentle wander or an evening meal. >> In wet conditions, the trails can become muddy and slippery. If this were to be the case you could opt for an amended hike or travel by road to Colfosco. Accommodation: Overnight in a welcoming hotel, offering beautiful landscapes right at your doorstep. Approx. ascent: 715m / descent: 708m

Today you can choose between a dramatic high-level alpine walk or a gentler route along lanes and forest paths on your way to Arabba. Both offer a rewarding day in the Dolomites, with flexibility depending on weather and energy. Once you have arrived in Arabba, a transfer (incl) will take you back to Cortina d'Ampezzo. >> The high-level route climbs steeply through forest into rocky glacial terrain, leading to the Franz Kostner Refuge at 2500m. From here, enjoy sweeping views of Piz Boè and the Marmolada. It’s an ideal rest stop for a hearty lunch or warming Jaeger tea. The descent into Arabba is steep in places, with a short section of cable handrail, and passes the inviting Rifugio Boè before dropping into the valley. If preferred, you can shorten the climb by taking the Boè gondola from Corvara, and potentially even the Lech Boè chairlift, this cuts out most of the ascent while still delivering the views. >> The lower route follows quiet backroads from Corvara to the Campolongo Pass. From here, a steep path leads directly down into Arabba. This is a more relaxed option and one you may consider in poor weather. In which case it may be reassuring to know there is a direct bus service between Corvara and Arabba. Accommodation: Stay at a cozy, family-run hotel known for its warm hospitality and traditional Alpine charm, offering comfortable rooms with rustic wooden furnishings and modern amenities. The hotel features a relaxing wellness area and a restaurant serving hearty regional cuisine. Approx. ascent: 453-1028m / descent: 461-997m Accommodation: Return to your Cortina hotel for a your final night in the Italian mountains. -- You may wish to extend your stay by adding an extra night to allow you to complete the popular hike to admire the spectacular Tre Cime. Ask our team.

After breakfast, depart for your onward journey.