Best of the Dolomites: Cortina, Alta Badia, Grodner Valley, Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Private, Custom Dolomites hike
– The Best of the Dolomites: Cortina, Alta Badia, Tre Cime di Lavaredo
The Dolomites feature some of the most majestic mountain landscapes in Europe: Vertical walls, sheer cliffs, and long valleys dotted with picturesque villages and towns. Culturally, the Dolomites are a mix of Austrian, Tyrolean, Italian and Ladin culture, who’s language was brought to the region by Roman Legions.
The southern regions are primarily Italian-speaking, while the northern areas predominantly German.
Our Dolomites Extravaganza hike from the Fassa Valley to Cortina d’Ampezzo combines the best of the Dolomites in one trip. Our nights are spent in charming, upscale 4 and 5 -star hotels, with restuarants offering a blend of Austrian and Italian cuisine.
The day-hikes allow for maximum flexibility. The fact that you can spend more time in each location makes for a slower, more relaxed pace, while taking in the best hikes between Vigo di Fassa and Cortina d’Ampezzo. There is also the possibility to have a rest day to pamper yourself with a spa treatment, shop for great Italian products, and / or discover the meandering streets of this alpine centre.
Our private, custom Dolomites Hike will include the must-see places in the Dolomites: Rosengarten, Alpe di Siusi, the World War I sites around Rifugio Lagazuoi, and, of course, the famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo.
LOCATION
italy, SOUTH TYROL
LENGTH OF TRIP
3-14 DAYS
AVERAGE PRICE – this itinerary
USD $ 3,700
CAD $ 4,800
*Pricing based on three hikers
SIMILAR ALPINE HIKING TRIPS
Proposed private custom Dolomites hike itinerary:
Day 1: ARRIVAL DAY
Group transfer from Venice to Vigo di Fassa.
We will meet for a trip briefing, followed by dinner in our excellent hotel
Olympic SPA Hotel
Dinner included
Day 2: DAY-HIKE, VIGO DI FASSA
We have several options for our day hike today, depending on group ability and the weather:
A: ROSENGARTEN:
This is a beautiful high-level trail via the Vajolet and Antermoja Huts, all the way through the Rosengarten (Catinaccio).
The day can be shortened or lengthened, depending on weather and fitness levels.
Distance: 8-9km (5.6m), 7 hours, up 780m (2574ft), down 660m (2178ft)
B: LATEMAR RANGE:
A great loop-hike into the maze of rock towers of the Latemar range, where, according to the fairy tale, King Laurin used to reign. A shorter day loop hike (5 hrs with use of the Oberholz Chairlift from Obereggen), climb of a nice peak (Cima Cavignon 2700 meters),
good views and plenty of huts or high pasture farms for a lunch stop.
Distance: 8-9km (5.6m), 5 hours (using chairlift), up / down 900m (2970ft)
Olympic SPA Hotel
Breakfast / Dinner included
Day 3: VIGO DI FASSA – SELVA / WOLKENSTEIN
Today we change hotels, and traverse to the Val Gardena.
This is one of the great panoramic hikes of the Dolomites! After a quick transfer to Passo Sella, we follow the King Friedrich August panoramic trail and circumnavigate the entire Langkofel range. To save our knees, we descent by gondola into the town of Wolkenstein/Selva.
Chalet S Breakfast / Dinner included
Luggage delivered Distance: 12km (7.5m), 5-6 hours, up126m (415ft), down 46m (151ft)Day 4: SELVA / WOLKENSTEIN – DAY-HIKE
ODLES – STEVIA:
Great hiking day to one of the best view points above Wolkenstein, the Stevia. Nice
contrast between steep rock towers and meadows with grazing cows. Great huts for
lunch breaks with a mellow day with relatively little uphill hiking. (5 hrs, can be extended).
Chalet S Breakfast / Dinner included Distance: 12km (7.5m), 5-6 hours, up126m (415ft), down 46m (151ft)Day 5: SELVA / WOLKENSTEIN – DAY-HIKE
SEISER ALM / ALPE DI SIUSI
The largest high plateau of the Dolomites offers great, mellow hiking with relatively little vertical gain and drops and lots of classic Dolomites shots with steep rock towers and cows with cow bells in the foreground.
Chalet S Breakfast / Dinner included Distance: 12km (7.5m), 5-6 hours, up126m (415ft), down 46m (151ft)Day 6: SELVA / WOLKENSTEIN – COLFOSCO/COLFUSCHG, ALTA BADIA
Traverse Day to Colfuschg (Colfosco): Puez Plateau Traverse: Gondola ride or drive to the Groeden (Gardena) Pass. Beautiful walk via the Craspeina Saddle to the Puez Hut for lunch. Our hike will end right at our Hotel in Colfuschg (Colfosco). (5-6 hrs).
Hotel La Cacciatora in Colfosco Breakfast / Dinner includedLuggage delivered Distance: 16km (10m), 7 hours, down 1230m (4060ft)Day 7: DAY-HIKE, COLFOSCO/COLFUSCHG
SELLA RANGE TRAVERSE:
Drive to the Pordoi Pass and Gondola Ride to the Sass Pordoi. A 1 hour climb leads us to the Piz Boe, the highest point of the Sella Range and one of the best view points in the entire Dolomites. Descent either via the Val Mezdi (MidDay Valley) or the Lichtenberger Trail to the Piz da Leck Gondola (3 – 7 hours walking, depending on what route is being taken).
Hotel La Cacciatora in Colfuschg Breakfast / Dinner included Distance: 15km (9m), 6 hours, up 400m (1300ft)Day 8: COLFOSCO – TRE CIME DI LAVAREDO – CORTINA D’AMPEZZO
The Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Drei Zinnen) are a must for any hiker going to the Dolomites. A quick transfer brings us to the Rifugio Auronzo, from where we start our loop hike around the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, including a lunch stop at the charming Rifugio Pian di Cengia (Büllelejoch Hütte). We transfer to Cortina after finishing our hike gain at the Rifugio Auronzo.
Hotel in Cortina Breakfast / Dinner includedLuggage delivered Distance: 10km (6.25m), 6 hours, up 400m (1300ft)Day 9: CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, DEPARTURE DAY
Departure from Cortina d’Ampezzo at your leisure.
Breakfast included
Here’s a list of everything you can customize for your group of travellers:
ITINERARY – OPTIONS
As this trip is hotel-based, it can be as long as your group would like it to be, from a 2-day hike to 14 days, it can easily be extended or shortened as needed.
In many of the Swiss villages, 4 and 5-star hotels are the norm but do not come with a luxury price tag. Therefore, if you feel like pampering yourself for a couple of rest days during our private custom Dolomites hike trip, why not do so in the luxury of one of our favourite hotels.
The Dolomites are also famous for Via Ferrate, a combination of climbing and hiking using in situ gear such as cables, ladders and foot/handholds. Using a climbing harness and safety slings, professional, local IFMGA mountain guides will lead you on and extraordinary journey high above the valley floor, following in the footsteps of the WWI soldiers who defended this high mountain redoubts. These excursions can be arranged in nearly all of the towns we visit.
OPTIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
The hotels in the Dolomites are definitely some of the best, include some rest days to enjoy spas, shopping, cafés and restaurants.
Mountain huts in the Dolomites are often more mountain hotels, and staying above the valley for one night is recommended (Rifugio Averau for example).
ACCOMMODATION
Our nights are generally booked in four-star hotels, and if you would like to stay in the mountains, some nights are spent in mountain hotels. Even guest houses and mountain chalets are of very high quality, a good solution without breaking the bank.
WHAT IS ALWAYS INCLUDED
- Hiking guide (we only hire certified International Mountain Leaders)
- All accommodation
- All breakfasts
- Local transfers and lifts
- Detailed information package including hiking maps of the area.
- Some dinners and afternoon cakes
OPTIONAL SERVICES
- Lunches, some dinners
- Optional Via Ferrata excursions with a mountain guide
This trip rating depends on the group, and can be anything between easy/moderate to difficult/strenuous.
Anything is possible between easy, 2-3 hour hikes, taking a cable car or chairlift up to a mountain restaurant and walk down (or the other way round), and more difficult hikes 6-8 hours / day, with some scrambling.
HOW TO GET THERE:
The easiest way to get to Vigo di Fassa, or Cortina d’Ampezzo, would be from Venice (Marco Polo Airport) or the main train station in Venice, if you have been travelling before. , Other options do include the airports of Munich, Innsbruck, and Bolzano/Bozen.
For more detailed information, have a look at our travel resource page for the Dolomites.
The Dolomites are by far and away our most popular self-guided destination.
With so many scenic trails, mountain-top restaurants, cable cars, gondolas, rifugi and villages throughout the area, you really have to try very hard to get lost and not experience la dolce vita!
All of our self-guided trips come with trip notes, maps and pre-booked accommodation along with taxi shuttles for luggage and people. Our long-term relationships with our taxis and hoteliers over years of collaboration make for seamless last-minute change of plans wherever possible, allowing for changes in the weather and itinerary difficulties.
Our goal is to provide the ideal self-guided journey which fits your ability level, budget and above all, your interest in the area. Let us handle the logistics while you enjoy the food, scenery and accommodation! We are also consummate travellers and would be happy to give you advise on post-trip destinations, assist in hotel and flight reservations and provide guidance in our areas of expertise.
MORE INFO
We are here to make your dream holiday come true
The company is owned and operated by Karin Stubenvoll and Louis Marino.
Louis is the owner of the company and the lead guide. He is responsible for the smooth operation and high quality of all our guided hiking trips, new itineraries, and our special customer care, which is the main reason why we have so many returning clients. Karin is the Office Manager and does all the work!
In 2005, Karin and Louis moved from Chamonix in the French Alps to the Bow Valley in the Canadian Rockies in order to explore the wilderness of the Canadian west. It also provides better customer service, being in North America.
Let Alpine Interface tailor your private, custom Dolomites Hiking holidays for your family and friends.
Celebrating our 20th anniversary in business this year has given us vast experience when it comes to the details of trip preparation. Let us take you to the majestic trails of the European Alps, to Provençal markets, the historic D-Day beaches of Normandy, and the jagged limestone spires of the Dolomites.
- All guides are certified professionals with adequate work permits
- Exceptional customer care and service
- Fully customized itineraries catering to your group
- Safe travelling with family & friends only
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