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. We explore some of the region's best landmarks and towns including the Tre Cimes Di Lavaredo, Cortina d'Ampezzo Olympic village and the Rosengarten Mountains.
Days 1-2: Munich-Mittelberg-Neuschwantstein-Toblach
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. We then make our way to Italian village of Toblach.
Days 3-5: Pragser Nature Park and Wildsee-Tre Cime di Lavaredo-Cortina d'Ampezzo
Our first hike is 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 following day we hike to the base of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, three jagged spires known throughout the world. We spend the night in the village of Cortina d'Ampezzo, site of the 1956 Winter Olympics. We hike the next morning past the women's downhill course and the bobsled track en route to Dibona Hut and then back to Cortina.
Days 6-7: Passo Pordoi-Grodner Valley-Seiser Alm
A scenic drive this morning takes us to the Passo Pordoi, the highest paved road in the Dolomites. We hike along the ridge with breathtaking views of the glaciated face of Marmolada Peak. The next day brings us to Seiser Alm, the largest high alpine meadow in Europe. Here dairy cattle and wildflowers abound. We enjoy stunning views of the Rosengarten and Latemar mountain ranges on our hike to Schlernhauser, one of the most beautiful mountain refuges in the Tirol.
Days 8-9: Rosengarten Mountains-Bozen-Munich
We drive to Karer Pass and then ascend to Paolina Hut by gondola. Our hike is along the Rotwand, one of the largest walls in the Alps and well-known for its challenging rock climbing routes. We drive on our final day to the city of Bozen where we have free time to explore of visit the archaeological museum woith its mummified Bronze Age ice man, Otzi. We continue on to Munich, Germany where we bid our farewells.