Italy·September 19 - 28 2024

DOLOMITES 2024 WOMEN'S HIKING ADVENTURE

Join us for a 10-day women-only Dolomites hiking adventure in Italy. 

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Overview

Our 10-day adventure will start and end in Venice, Italy where we will be picked up and whisked away for 8-days of guided hiking through the stunning landscape of the Dolomite mountains. Days will vary in terrain and distance covering 6-11 miles per day of hiking with a day pack. There will be an optional day off for those that want to explore the local village of Cortina. The starting point of our hike is the pastoral and lovely Val Gardena. We spend 4 nights in the village of Selva, also called Wolkenstein. This trip includes a summit of Piz Boe, the highest summit of the Sella massif, with a mountain guide where you will experience hiking sections of rock secured with cables and metal ladders! We will stay one night mid-trip in the mountains at the Refugio Lavarella before heading to the province of Belluno, Italy and the village of Cortina d'Ampezzo, called the “pearl of the Dolomites” for the last 4 nights. TRIP DIFFICULTY: This trip is considered ACTIVE. We will be hiking 6-8 hours a day through the mountains rain or shine! Hikers should be comfortable hiking 6-11 miles a day consecutively. We will share training recommendations leading up to the trip.

Highlights

ITALY BY FOOT

ITALY BY FOOT

Days are typically 6-8 hours covering 6-12 miles per day through lush valleys and dramatic mountain landscapes. The trails are well kept but rocky in places. The trip is vehicle supported so you are able to enjoy the wonderful scenery with only a light day-pack. The hut is not reachable by car so you need to carry your overnight belongings.

STUNNING LANDSCAPES

STUNNING LANDSCAPES

The Italian Dolomites represent a unique site in the Alps with distinctive geology and a fascinating blend of cultures. The rock deposit in the form of marine sediments and coral some 230 million years ago, forms the base of the mountains. Much later, about 65 million years ago, the rocks were uplifted by various tectonic events and the Dolomites were born.

A TRULY UNIQUE EXPERIENCE

A TRULY UNIQUE EXPERIENCE

Our trips are custom created for AdventurUs Women with local experts and are fully supported. Every detail has been carefully planned and thought out so you can just show up and enjoy the experience. We see the can't miss spots and also adventure to lesser known gems, immersing you in the culture and heart of the area.

EXPLORE LOCAL CUISINE

EXPLORE LOCAL CUISINE

Plan to eat our way through Italy! Breakfasts are continental-style buffet with addition of cereals, fruit juices, eggs and meat. Lunches are self made from delicious goodies bought locally. This is carried in your pack and eaten picnic style on the trail. Dinners are three courses at our hotel where we get to taste local cuisine and at local favorite restaurants picked by our guides.

DEEP CONNECTION

DEEP CONNECTION

Make new friends with similar passions. Disconnect from the everyday stresses of life. Reconnect with the part of yourself that is curious, excited, adventurous, and in love with life. Return to the every day with a deeper connection to yourself and the outdoors, refreshed and empowered with the AdventurUs spirit.

WOMEN-LED

WOMEN-LED

Our local guides take care of every detail and share their intimate knowledge of the area. Our AdventurUs Women Trip leaders are also on trail, including our CEO/founder. Combined we have more that 60 years of guiding experience. A 3:1 Guide to Guest ratio ensures that participants get individual attention on and off trail. Plus a dedicated trip photographer will be there to capture it all.

Guides & Trip Leaders

Françoise

Françoise

Local Guide
Francoise was born in Lyon and has lived in Chamonix for more than 35 years attracted by mountain life. She is a certified guide as well as a paragliding instructor. Hiking is Francoise’s passion, leading in the mountains allows her to share her passion with others, even in winter through snowshoeing. Paragliding was her primary activity for 10 years and she loved teaching and flying clients in a tandem! After this small break, she came back to sharing her passion of hiking. In her free time, Francoise like biking, golfing, hiking, cross country skiing, and traveling in the Alps.

Karine

Karine

Local Guide
Karine was born in Guerande in southern Brittany by the sea; however she was soon attracted by the mountains! She has always favored jobs that involve working with people and is grateful to have the chance to earn a living from her passions. Karine has passed various training courses and earned numerous sports diplomas including: outdoor multi-sport, horse riding, ski instructor for children, and since 2001 mountain guiding. Her base camp is Chamonix for more than 25 years. She guides snowshoeing in winter and trekking in summer and loves sharing her passions with others! For her leisure time you can find Karine hiking, but also climbing, biking, mountaineering, ski touring, and cross country skiing… and she travels the world as much as she can!

Saveria

Saveria

AW Trip Leader
Saveria Tilden (she/her) is the brains behind AdventurUs Women! She has lots of outdoor experience, both professionally and personally. As an educator in a variety of fields over the past twenty years, Saveria has experienced first-hand the magic that happens when women come together to learn about and explore the outdoors! She is certified as a Wilderness First Responder and Leave No Trace Master Educator. Saveria lives in Bend, OR with her adventure pup @BettyBooInTheWild. Saveria will be your main point of contact leading up the trip and will host group calls, 1:1 calls, and provide pre-trip information to make sure you, and the group, is ready for our adventure.

Schedule

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DAY 1

September 19 - You have arrived!

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 will settle into our hotel. Orientation meeting 6:00 pm and welcome dinner at the hotel.

Please note: We recommend arriving in Venice on September 18th, or earlier, to explore this iconic place and join the group for dinner.

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DAY 2

September 20 - The adventure begins.

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 descending, we continue along a green valley to reach Rifugio Firenze (2037m). From here, hiking down to Selva or cable car down. Approximately 7 hours of hiking.

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DAY 3

September 21 - Hiking the Friedrich August trail

A short minivan transfer (15 mins) 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. Approximately 7 hours of hiking.

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DAY 4

September 22 - The Sella Massif Loop to Rifugio Boe

After a 30 minute 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.

The summit portion requires a high mountain guide. 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.

We will then head back down the steep trail off the other side of the summit to complete the loop. Approximately 7 hours of hiking.

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DAY 5

September 23 - Into the mountains we go

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. Approximately 5 hours of hiking.

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DAY 6

September 24 - Our journey continues

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. We will enjoy lunch near the Rifugio Fodara (6,500ft). This 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. Short transfer to our hotel at Cortina d’Ampezzo. Approximately 6 hours of hiking.

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DAY 7

September 25 - Easy hiking & a beautiful lake day

Today provides a chance to explore the famous Lago di Braies. This stunning lake day will include a short hike and provide opportunity for some relaxation and to soak in the beauty of this beautiful destination. 

This will also be an optional rest day for folks that want to explore the town of Cortina.

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DAY 8

September 26 - Alpine pastures await

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. Approximately 6 hours of hiking.

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DAY 9

September 27 - Our last day in the mountains

From Cortina, a 30 minute 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 9900ft, 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. Approximately 6 hours of hiking.

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DAY 10

September 28 - All good things must come to an end

After a good breakfast, we will say goodbye and transfer back to the Venice airport (VCE).

What's Included

What's Included

8 days of women-led guided hiking with 2 local guides and an AdventurUs Women Trip Leader.

9 nights double occupancy lodging (night in mountain hut is dorm style)

All transportation including transfers from Venice to Selva di Val Gardena and back from Cortina to Venice, daily transfers to/from trailheads, cable car tickets.

Group Zoom calls leading up to the trip

1 on 1 planning call and check-ins prior to trip to help prepare for your adventure

All meals, except one dinner in Cortina

Airfare

Trip insurance with medical & repatriation coverage (required). Cancellation insurance recommended.

1 dinner in Cortina

Alcoholic beverages

Personal expenses

Guide gratuities

THE DOLOMITES

Where Our Adventures Will Take Us

The Dolomites, also known as the Dolomite Mountains, Dolomite Alps or Dolomitic Alps, are a mountain range located in northeastern Italy. They form part of the Southern Limestone Alps and extend from the River Adige in the west to the Piave Valley (Pieve di Cadore) in the east. The northern and southern borders are defined by the Puster Valley and the Sugana Valley (Italian: Valsugana). The Dolomites are located in the regions of Veneto, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol and Friuli Venezia Giulia, covering an area shared between the provinces of Belluno, Vicenza, Verona, Trentino, South Tyrol, Udine and Pordenone. Source: Wikipedia

THE DOLOMITES

Trip Tips

EXPLORE VENICE

EXPLORE VENICE

Venice is a magical place to spend a few extra days exploring and eating before or after our trip! We will coordinate a group dinner on September 18th and highly recommend arriving to Venice on this day or before . We will share lodging recommendations as well.

TRAVEL PLANNING ASSISTANCE

TRAVEL PLANNING ASSISTANCE

We are proud to partner with JennyMac Travel Adventures for all of your travel needs! Whether it’s booking airfare, lodging, or a rental car for your next AdventurUs Women trip, Jen is committed to making your next adventure as fun as can be. Let Jen do the planning so you can focus on the adventure! Explore travel options at www.jennymactravel.com or contact Jen@jennymactravel.com!

REQUIRED TRIP INSURANCE

REQUIRED TRIP INSURANCE

Trip insurance with medical and repatriation coverage is required for our international trips. Cancellation insurance is also recommended. Our travel partner, JennyMac Travel Adventures, is happy to book travel insurance for you at competitive rates. Contact Jen@jennymactravel.com! (You are also welcome to book insurance on your own... please be aware we will require proof of insurance prior to the trip.)

FITNESS PLAN

FITNESS PLAN

We will be enjoying our days of hiking, eating and taking a million pictures and will not be rushed. We will work with each participant to make sure they have a training plan to make sure the trip is enjoyable!

DEPOSITS & CANCELLATIONS

DEPOSITS & CANCELLATIONS

Our international cancellation & refund policy is set out below: 180 days (6 months) or more before trip start date: Full refund minus a 15% cancellation fee based on the full trip amount; 179-91 days (3-6 months) before trip start date: Full refund minus a 25% cancellation fee based on the full trip amount; 90 - 0 days (0-3 months) before trip start date: No refunds, no exceptions. 50% can be transferred to another trip within a year. If the trip / retreat does not meet the minimum # of participants 90 days before the trip start date the trip will be cancelled and full refunds will be issued. Any refund shall be made less any platform, transaction and processing fees that have been incurred. We strongly recommend purchasing "cancel for any reason" trip insurance.

Add Ons

Single Occupancy Supplement

There are a limited number of single room upgrades available.

PRICE$900.00/pp

You'll Be Staying Here

Boutique Hotel Experiences

Boutique Hotel Experiences

We will spend the first 4 nights at our hotel in Val Gardena and the last 4 nights at a hotel in the heart of Cortina d'Ampezzo

Rifugio Laverella

Rifugio Laverella

The Lavarella mountain lodge in San Vigilio di Marebbe lies at the heart of the Fanes Sennes Braies natural park, one of the most astonishing natural paradises of the Dolomites. We will enjoy authentic Tyrolean dishes and the comfort of a mountain lodge in the Dolomites. The restaurant and kitchen are felt to be the heart of the service at the Lavarella mountain hut. Tasty and healthy dishes are of major importance for every mountain lover coming to visit.

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FAQs

We want each experience to feel intimate and special and as such, keep our adventure trips small. This trip has a minimum requirement of participants to run and may have up to 10.

We will be meeting at Venice Marco Polo International Airport on September 19th. Our shuttle will meet us there and we will leave at 1pm. We highly recommend arriving in Venice on the 18th and joining everyone for our group dinner. We will share lodging recommendations with confirmed participants. 

Travel is a big commitment — and so is planning, designing, and hosting a trip. So we’ve built a policy that can be flexible for our Travelers, while still protecting the work that our Hosts and Trip Operators do at each stage of the process.


Our international cancellation & refund policy is set out below:


180 days (6 months) or more before trip start date: Full refund minus a 15% cancellation fee based on the full trip amount;


179-91 days (3-6 months) before trip start date: Full refund minus a 25% cancellation fee based on the full trip amount;


90 - 0 days (0-3 months) before trip start date: No refunds, no exceptions. 50% can be transferred to another trip within a year. 


If the trip / retreat does not meet the minimum # of participants 90 days before the trip start date  the trip will be cancelled and full refunds will be issued. Any refund shall be made less any platform, transaction and processing fees that have been incurred.


We strongly recommend purchasing "cancel for any reason" trip insurance.

International trips require a 50% deposit and full payment 90 days out.

We are proud to partner with JennyMac Travel Adventures for all of your travel needs! Whether it’s booking airfare, lodging, or a rental car for your next AdventurUs Women trip, Jen is committed to making your next adventure as fun as can be.  Let Jen do the planning so you can focus on the adventure! Explore travel options at www.jennymactravel.com or contact Jen@jennymactravel.com!


Please check that your passport does NOT expire within 6 months of our trip dates. Their is a funny story behind how we know this that may be shared over a glass of wine! 

Insurance is mandatory for our international adventures. Therefore this trip requires that we all have trip insurance that includes medical evacuation and repatriation insurance, which covers medical costs and the cost to get home if needed. Our travel partner, JennyMac Travel Adventures, is happy to book travel insurance for you at competitive rates. Contact Jen@jennymactravel.com! (You are also welcome to book insurance on your own... please be aware we will require proof of insurance prior to the trip.)

All participants should be prepared to follow all current government and international travel requirements. 

DOLOMITES 2024 WOMEN'S HIKING ADVENTURE

Italy· September 19 - 28 2024· 9 nights

FREE