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Map of Hiking in the Dolomites including Italy

A hiking adventure with creature comforts in the heart of the Dolomites

Immerse yourself in the rugged beauty and stunning scenery of the Dolomites on an 8-day small group hiking adventure. This trip offers a comfortable yet active way to enjoy this scenic region. Base yourself in the pretty Italian town of Dobbiaco and spend each day exploring the Dolomite’s iconic backdrop of towering cliffs, lush pastures and emerald green lakes. With easy to moderate walks, conveniently located accommodation, and a knowledgeable leader, this hiking adventure is filled with natural wonders.

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Terms & Conditions
Start
Venice, Italy
Finish
Venice, Italy
Destination
Italy
Style
Original
Theme
Walking & Trekking
Code
ZMXI
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Revel in the beauty of the sheer rock walls, deep valleys and lush pastures of the Dolomites, a mountainous area in the northern Italian Alps.

  • Base yourself at a charming hotel surrounded by parkland and native woods, within easy walking distance of the pretty town of Dobbiaco.

  • Hike the Three Peaks of Lavaredo loop, a full day walk which is widely regarded as the most scenic hike in the Dolomites.

  • See the Earth Pyramids of Platten, naturally formed earth towers which are the tallest and most perfectly shaped earth pyramids in Europe.

  • Enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch featuring some of the region’s famous produce at the green pastures of Ampezzo Dolomites Natural Park.

Is this trip right for you?

  • The Dolomites boasts pleasantly warm weather, with hot summer days and possibly rain and thunderstorms on occasion. It can get cool in the evening throughout the year so bring warm clothes. Good walking clothing including waterproof wet weather gear and appropriate footwear are a must.

  • We will walk up to 14 km per day, with a maximum elevation gain of 800 metres. You may wish to bring walking poles with you.

  • On Day 7 we will take a cable car ride from Versciacio to the start of our walk. The views will be stunning, but if you suffer from vertigo, you may feel slightly uncomfortable for a short period of time.

  • On our final day we aim to reach Venice Airport Marco Polo at approximately 1.30 pm. Flights should be booked from 4 pm onwards.

Group hiking in the Dolomites towards Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Authentic apple strudel found in Cotrina D'Ampezzo
The Earth pyramids of Platten
View of the Dobbiaco Hotel across Lago di Dobbiaco
Hiking toward the peaks of Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Dolomites
Crystal blue waters of Lago di Braies
Traditional Tirolese picnic plate filled with sausage and cheese
The valley and town of Cortina D'Ampezzo
Different types of Italian cheese wheels

Itinerary
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Welcome to Venice! Meet your leader and your group in the Arrivals Hall at Venice Airport Marco Polo at 3.45pm. Sit back and relax during the drive to the pretty town of Dobbiaco which is nestled in a green valley surrounded by alps. Settle in at your comfortable guesthouse which is within easy walking distance of Dobbiaco. Surrounded by parkland and nearby woods, this is your home for the next eight days as you explore the natural beauty of the Dolomites.

Accommodation
  • Guesthouse (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Complimentary Group Arrival Transfer from Venice Airport
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting at 7pm at your hotel as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
Total driving time today is 3 hours.

After breakfast, catch the public bus and begin your Dolomite hiking adventure with a hike up one of the popular summits in the region – Strudelkopf. The mountain is relatvely well accessible as you can drive all the way up to the elevation of 2000 metres above sea level. The hike offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains, and the pastures you’ll hike across will welcome you with great selection of wildflowers. The very top of Strudelkopf, sitting at 2307 metres above sea level, may give you a glance at the famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo (if it’s not too cloudy!). After some time at the summit, loop your way back down and across the valley, but before you reach the finish line, take a break in one of the mountain huts and taste local’s favourite strudel – where better to do it than at the foot of Strudelkopf?
Accommodation
  • Guesthouse (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Strudelkopf summit guided hike
  • Local apple strudel tasting
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total walking distance is approximately 10 km, with 320m of elevation gain/loss and may take up to 5 hours.

Hit the road in your private vehicle and travel towards Bruneck, a pretty town at the heart of the Kronplatz region. You will have some time to walk around this town, but beforehand, hike to the unique Earth Pyramids of Platten which are more than 25,000 years old. These naturally formed earth towers are the tallest and most perfectly shaped earth pyramids in Europe. After snapping a few pictures at this incredible place, hike further up on well defined, yet slightly steep paths – walking poles for support are a very good idea! Soon you’ll reach a plateau with great views and a small hut serving great food and drinks. Take a break before heading back down to catch a local bus to Bruneck, where you will have some time before returning to Dobbiaco in early afternoon. Upon your return, enjoy a cheese tasting at the cooperative dating back to 1882!
Accommodation
  • Guesthouse (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Malga Gonner Alm guided hike
  • Earth pyramids of Platten guided hike
  • Cheese tasting at local cooperative
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total walking distance is approximately 8 km, with 570 m of elevation gain/loss. It will take up to 5 hours.

After breakfast, take the public bus to Podestagno and start your exploration of the Ampezzo Dolomites Natural Park. During the hike, keep an eye out for Sempervivum dolomiticum, the rare endemic plant which is the symbol of this park. Enjoy spectacular views of waterfalls and the Boite River, and take a rest at a cafe housed in a traditional building surrounded by lush green pastures. Enjoy a picnic lunch, then choose whether you’d like to hike further into the valley, or rest at the green pastures by the waters of the Boite river. Hiking back down, you’ll take a different path, which features a short crossing of a steep slope. The path, however, leads to the most picturesque viewpoints of surrounding mountains and valleys one can ask for! Take a bus to Cortina d’Ampezzo for some free time to explore this charming town before heading back to Dobbiaco.
Accommodation
  • Guesthouse (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Malga Ra Stua guided hike in the Natural Park of the Ampezzo Dolomites
  • Cortina d'Ampezzo leader led walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today’s total walking distance is approximately 10 km, with 450 m of elevation gain/loss. It will take up to 6 hours.

Today is slightly different, with a free day for you to enjoy your way. You can take a bus to the start of one of the many trails in the area and enjoy more hiking on your own, or visit local museums, experience WWI history in Monte Piana and Monte Piano, rent a bicycle or do anything else that interests you. Or, you may want to visit Bolzano, home of the Europe’s oldest natural human mummy known as the Ice Man. Your tour leader will be able to help you with arrangements.
Accommodation
  • Guesthouse (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today is a full day excursion which explores the Three Peaks of Lavaredo. This loop walk is widely regarded as the most scenic hike in the Dolomites and is packed with rugged peaks, lush alpine meadows and pristine lakes. Keep your camera handy as there is superb scenery at every turn, especially at Rifugio Locatelli with a fantastic view of Laghi dei Piani.
Accommodation
  • Guesthouse (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Tre Cime di Lavaredo scenic hike
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total walking distance is approximately 11 kms, with 400 m of elevation gain. The time needed to complete Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop is 4 to 5 hours.

This morning will be slightly more relaxed with an option to leave your hotel as late as 9am. Take a short train ride to the town of Versciacio, a popular ski resort in winter months. Here you will catch a cable car and enjoy unbelievable views on your way to the start of today’s hike – a short, but relatively challenging trek up Monte Elmo. The last part of the hike takes you up a steep slope, but fear not, there’s a lovely restaurant at the bottom in which you can wait for the rest of the group if you don’t feel like climbing up the steep path today. If, however, you reach the top of Monte Elmo, not only will you be greeted with breathtaking views, but you’ll also have a chance to cross the Italian-Austrian border, which runs precisely through the summit point. This afternoon is free to enjoy at your leisure, perhaps with a final celebration at one of the many bars or restaurants in Dobbiaco.
Accommodation
  • Guesthouse (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cable car ride in Versciacio
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Your walking distance today is approximately 7 km with 400 m of elevation gain/loss.

After breakfast, your Dolomites hiking adventure finishes with a group transfer to Venice Airport Marco Polo, arriving at approximately 1.30 pm. Please book any flights from 4 pm onwards.
Included Activities
  • Complimentary Group Departure Transfer to Venice Airport
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

7 breakfasts, 1 lunch

Transport

walking, Private vehicle, Taxi

Accommodation

Guesthouse (7 nights)

Included activities

  • Complimentary Group Arrival Transfer from Venice Airport
  • Strudelkopf summit guided hike
  • Local apple strudel tasting
  • Malga Gonner Alm guided hike
  • Earth pyramids of Platten guided hike
  • Cheese tasting at local cooperative
  • Malga Ra Stua guided hike in the Natural Park of the Ampezzo Dolomites
  • Cortina d'Ampezzo leader led walk
  • Tre Cime di Lavaredo scenic hike
  • Cable car ride in Versciacio
  • Complimentary Group Departure Transfer to Venice Airport

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Hiking in the Dolomites trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. Your adventure begins with a complimentary group arrival transfer from Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) at 3.45pm (going via Venice Mestre so you can choose where to join). If you decide not to take/cannot make the group transfer, welcome meeting will be held in our hotel in Dobbiaco at 7pm on Day 1. Please see Joining Point Hotel listed in the Essential Trip Information for this itinerary.
2. Your adventure ends on Day 8 after breakfast. There are no activities included on that day. You are free to stay in Dobbiaco or take an advantage of complimentary group departure transfer to Venice Marco Polo Airport. We will aim to arrive at the airport at around 1.30pm.
3. A single supplement is available for this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
4. Please note, due to unpredictable weather in shoulder seasons (early to mid-June and early to mid-September) some hikes may need to be adjusted or even replaced. We will always aim to provide equally interesting and picturesque hikes of similar difficulty.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

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