Europe & Africa / Italy
Italy Dolomites Hiking Tour
Hike in Italy's Fabulous Dolomite Mountains
The Dolomites, well known for sheer pinnacles and high walls, are the most stunning mountains in the eastern Alps. This demanding but rewarding trek takes us through wildflower-filled alpine meadows, past blue and green lakes, and above tree line at over 10,000 feet. One of the area's most spectacular hikes leads to our hut at the base of the Tre Cimes Di Lavaredo, the Dolomites' best known landmark.
Days 1-2: Munich-Mittelberg-Neuschwantstein
Transfer by train from Munich airport to the quaint village of Mittelberg for our reception dinner. Our first stop is Neuschwanstein, built by Ludwig II and copied by Walt Disney for his theme parks. A hike up Mount Tegelberg rewards us with spectacular vistas of the surrounding countryside before taking the gondola back down to the charming medieval village of Fussen.
Days 3-5: Puster Valley-Pragser Wildsee-Central Dolomites
Our private bus takes us south to the Alps and our charming guesthouse in Olang, Italy. Hike through forests and alpine meadows to the Brunst Alpe and Burgstall for lunch. Then we're off to the Pragser Wildsee, considered to be South Tyrol's most stunning lake. The Apostel and the Seekofel are mirrored in the lake as we hike up to the Roßhütte the following day.
Days 6-7: Lake Dürrensee-Col de Varda
Use old trails from the Austrian warriors to reach the Heimkehrerkreuz, with splendid views of the Rautkofel and the Three Cimes. Jump into the chilly waters of the Dürrensee, then tranfer to Tre Croci Pass, from which our hike is truly stunning. Passing waterfalls and old farm houses we reach a larch forest and then the Hotel Cristallo for lunch the next day. In the afternoon we enter the Cadini Group and hike to Rifugio Col de Varda.
Days 8-9: Tre Cimes Di Lavaredo-Puster Valley
A spectacular hike, the Sentiero Bonacossa, brings us to the Cadini group. We make an incredible circumnavigation of the Three Cimes, spending the night at the Drei Zinnen Hütte at the base of these famous spires. Then we trek over Gwengenalpen Pass before a long descent to lunch at the Dreischusterhütte. Continue on to Innichen where your reward is great food, massage, sauna and spa at the Hotel Leitlhof.
Days 10-11: Mittelberg-Munich-Departure
Transfer back to Mittelberg for our farewell dinner and then on to Munich by train the following morning to connect with flights home.