Hiking in the Dolomites

DAY 1 – Join trip in Venice; drive to Dobbiaco (1200m)

Our trip begins in the Arrivals Hall at Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) at 15.45pm. Your tour leader will meet you by the waterfalls in the Arrivals Hall near the red fronted Relay shop (currently no water is flowing at the waterfalls due to Covid restrictions). Please note that it can be extremely busy by the main exit from the luggage area, do not leave the building (some airport staff might try to direct you to the Water Tower in the car park). If you would like to join the complimentary airport transfer today, the latest your flight can arrive is 15.15 pm.

We will travel together as a group (around three hours’ drive) t o our hotel in Dobbiaco (1217m). Located in the far north of Italy, we are close to the border with Austria. There are great views of the mountains from our hotel and it is well-located for all the shops, restaurants and other facilities in the town. There will be a short briefing on arrival by our trip Leader about the week ahead.
ACCOMMODATION:
Hotel Sonne Sole (or similar)

DAY 2 – Walk to the shores of emerald green waters Lake Braies

Taking the public bus we travel to St Vito to begin our walk to Lake Braies (1494m). We make our way through the fields and forest paths to arrive at the grandeur of the hotel at the head of Lake Braies – a justifiably popular lake spot with high sided cliffs and deep green emerald waters. We have lunch and explore further around the lake before taking the public bus back to our hotel.

Today’s 14 kilometre walk is expected to take around five hours with a total ascent of 536 metres and a descent of 200 metres.
ACCOMMODATION:
Hotel Sonne Sole (or similar)

DAY 3 – Trek through forest and alpine meadows to the Putzalm hut

Walking from the hotel this morning, we head south towards Dobbiaco Lake and then climb up through forest and on to meadows at the Suisridl Pass at 2013m. Continuing west we drop down to the Putzalm mountain hut on a grassy meadow, hidden in the forest at 1743m. Here we can get a drink and other refreshments. We then continue on through pretty Alpine scenery to Sage, from where we take the short journey by bus back to our hotel.

Today’s 11 kilometre walk is expected to take around six hours with a total ascent and descent of 800 metres.
ACCOMMODATION:
Hotel Sonne Sole (or similar)

DAY 4 – Ridge walk along the Austria/Italian border

We take a bus to Moso and then a cable car to the top station of approx 1900 metres and then ascend Mt Elmo at 2434m. Our walk takes us along a ridge that marks the border between Austria and Italy and has a number of bunkers and look-out posts from WW1. There is also a great and unusual photo opportunity – a foot in both countries! After walking the ridge and possibly bagging another summit we descend through the forest to Moso (1337m) and take public bus back to hotel (20mins).

Today’s 15 kilometre walk is expected to take around six hours with a total ascent of 630 metres and a descent of 1250 metres.
ACCOMMODATION:
Hotel Sonne Sole (or similar)

DAY 5 – Free day: optional visits to Cortina, Leinz and Bolzano

Today is an opportunity to rest your legs and explore the cultural side of the region. There are various possibilities including making a trip to Cortina – arguably Italy’s premier ski resort with smart shops and craft stores; Lienz in Austria with beautiful architecture, museums and cafes; or Bolzano (you can use your free bus pass) which is home to the remarkable Ice Man, discovered in the Schnalstal Glacier in the Otztal Alps in 1991. At over 5000 years old, he is Europe’s oldest natural human mummy and the discovery of his body, along with the remnants of his weapons and clothing has helped to throw some light on the life and times of the region’s Chalcolithic (Copper Age) Europeans. All of these excursions can be made using public transport. You can also take a jeep ride up to Monte Piana and Monte Piano to see the WWI remains and trenches. The walk across the plateau here is beautiful and poignant. A further option is to visit Brunico and the Reinhold Messner (mountaineering) museum. Alternatively you can take further walks or stay at the hotel and make use of the indoor pool and spa.
ACCOMMODATION:
Hotel Sonne Sole (or similar)

DAY 6 – Trek around the three iconic limestone peaks of Tre Cime

We take the bus to the Auronzo hut at 2320m, just below the famed UNESCO site of the Tre Cime de Lavaredo. From here we see the south face of the Tre Cime. We traverse around the mountain and then on to the Locatelli hut at 2405m where we are rewarded with wonderful views of the striking cliffs of the north face of the Tre Cime, arguably one of the most iconic mountain views in the whole of Italy. Our descent takes us east, past a waterfall, and along a path by the river. We arrive at the Dolomitenhof for a well-earned drink.

Today’s 13 kilometre walk is expected to take around seven hours with a total ascent of 500 metres and a descent of 1190 metres.
ACCOMMODATION:
Hotel Sonne Sole (or similar)

DAY 7 – Trek from Pratopiazza to Strudelkopf summit

We take the public bus to Pratopiazza (1991m) – approximately 50 minutes – and walk a high-level track to the Durrenstein hut (2040m). From here we make a climb to the summit of Strudelkopf – a fabulous summit at 2307m. The panoramic views are superb and we can see the Tre Cime in the near distance. We descend the mountain via a westerly route through forests and then take a short bus ride back to the hotel.

Today’s 11 kilometre walk is expected to take around six hours with a total ascent of 480 metres and a descent of 1000 metres.
ACCOMMODATION:
Hotel Sonne Sole (or similar)

DAY 8 – Trip ends at Venice Airport

Departing Dobiacco this morning we drive to Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) where we will arrive about at 13.45 pm and this is where the holiday ends. The earliest time you should book a flight to depart today is 15.45 pm.

Daily distances
Day 2 – 5hrs – 14km

Day 3 – 11km – 6km

Day 4 – 6hrs – 15km

Day 5 – 0km

Day 6 – 7hrs – 13km

Day 7 – 6hrs – 11km

Total distance : 59 kilometres
Walking grade: Moderate
Trek details: This is a 5 day trek with an average of 5 to 6 hours walking each day. We follow well maintained trails with some steep sections which will be rocky underfoot.

Trek terrain: The day to day itinerary represents a selection of the walks that are available. The final itinerary will be dependent on the prevailing weather and interests and abilities of the group.

Max walking altitude (m): 2550