DISCOVER THE DOLOMITES

Meet group around 1:00 pm (exact time TBD) at Venice Marco Polo airport (VCE) to be transferred to Selva di Val Gardena (Wolkenstein is the Ladin name) where you settle in our hotel. Orientation meeting 6:00 pm and welcome dinner at the hotel.

We start with a ride up by cable car to Col Raiser (6950ft) where our trail leads us among green pastures till Summit of Seceda (8300ft). We follow a very scenic balcony trail along the Odle Pics, stop for a cappuccino at the Baïta Pieralongia enjoying along the way flowers, cows, donkeys, and the absolute peacefulness of the mountains. After going down we keep going along a green valley to reach Rifugio Firenze (2037m). From here, hiking down to Selva or cable car down. Approx. 7 hours of hiking.

A short minivan transfer (15mn) takes us to Passo Sella (7405ft). Our path, called the Friedrich August trail, leads to the Refugio Sasso Piatto (7649ft). This is a fairly level path for a while that allows us to enjoy the marvelous views around. All along the day, going up and down, we will be switching from forest to alpine meadows to pale white and pink rocky areas. Approx. 7 hours of hiking.

After a 30mn transfer to Passo Pordoi, we discover the enormous bulk of the Sella massif! The cable car takes us to Forcella Pordoi. This alpine hiking tour crosses the stunning plateau of Sella (highest summit, Mt Piz Boe at 3,152 m.). We hike down to Forcella Pordoi to start the loop crossing a bizarre moon-like landscape. As we get closer to the bottom of Piz Boe, this panoramic trail takes us to Rifugio Boe, crossing this stunning plateau back to the cable car. Approx. 5 hours of hiking.

OPTIONAL ADD ON: Requires a high mountain guide. Some of the group (up to 6) can plan to do the summit of Piz Boe. While we get closer to the bottom of Piz Boe another trail reaches the summit (there is a hut at the top). From here the hike is steeply upwards. The guide will lead you along the most difficult sections which are secured by cable or steps. From the summit, you discover a wonderful 360° stunning view of the surrounding famous Dolomite peaks. Approx. an additional 5 hours of hiking.

We transfer to Capanna Alpina (5696ft) where the trail starts in the forest then along a gushing torrent under the orange walls of the Cunturines. A steep zigzag ascent takes us to Col Loccia (6828ft) after a short descent we find ourselves in gently undulating terrain, passing a small lake, to reach the comfortable Rifugio Lavarella. Note: we need to carry our overnight personal belongings. Approx. 5 hours of hiking.

In these remote alpine valleys, local communities have maintained a strong cultural identity. We can still hear people speaking Ladin, a language born from Latin and German origins. While we are getting ready for our hike, marmots have long been playing in the alpine lawn around the hut, ready to pause for a picture! We follow our trail to Pedéru and then hike up to an accessible route thanks to an old military road, dug and carved into the mountain lunch near the Rifugio Fodara (6,500ft). It is a beautiful hike across fields, alpine prairies and sedimentary rock. Then our trail goes down into the Valsalata following a WW1 mule trail and back toward the road. Small transfer to our hotel at Cortina d’Ampezzo. Approx. 6 hours of hiking.

After a short shuttle by minivan, we hike to the Palmieri mountain hut, located at the foot of the imposing Croda da Lago. We can admire the Mondeval alpine pastures from the Forcella Ambrizola. For many centuries, this alpine grazing area was known for the abundance and quality of its grass. Tools and human relics dating back to the Neolithic ages were found here. Hiking across this extraordinary landscape makes it easy to understand the reason for human presence here and why it is a paradise for cattle herds and horses. After hiking to Forcella Giau, we meet our van at Passo Giau. Approx. 6 hours of hiking.

A short transfer close to the Falzarego pass is the starting point of our Cinque Torri hike. Emblematic mountains of the Dolomites, the ascent in the forest of old larches, then through a mineral universe leading us to the Scoiattolo refuge. Famous old war galleries restored are accessible to visit! Some trenches have even been reconstructed to show us a piece of history. Approx. 5 hours of hiking.

From Cortina, a 30mn van ride takes us past Lake Misurina to the start of our hike. We are at the foot of the vertical rock needles Tre Cime di Lavaredo, summiting at almost 9900 ft, famous for their rock climbing routes. We begin with a gentle hike around the Tre Cime. This is one of the most impressive cliff faces in the Dolomites. The landscape is breathtaking. A loop around the range takes us back to the start of the hike. We transfer to our hotel in Cortina by minivan. Approx. 6 hours of hiking.

After a good breakfast, we will say goodbye. Transfer to Venice (VCE).