Santa Lucia, the Dolomites, Italy

The craggy peaks and spires of the Dolomites rise above classic mountain villages. Our hiking journey offers a daily choice of fantastic hikes in these spectacular mountains.

Photo by Dan Heller

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Hiking in the Cortina Dolomites route-map

Trip Details at-a-Glance

Cost From: $3895   see pricing
Length: 8 days
Arrive: Venice, Italy
Depart: Venice, Italy
Lodging: 6 nights 3- and 4-star hotels and inns, 1 night comfortable alpine lodge with semi-private rooms, shared baths, and hot showers
Meals: All meals included except 1 dinner
Activity: Hiking / Trekking, Cultural Adventures
Trip Level: All transport during the trip (cable cars, etc.) included
45 explain

Highlights

  • Set your eyes on a fairytale landscape of splintered spires, huge rock walls, and picturesque villages
  • Moderate to challenging hiking options among the most spectacular mountains in all Europe
  • Enjoy delightful Italian alpine culture and cuisine


Beautiful, challenging, fun, and full of culture and nature. I highly recommend it!Kathy L.—Des Moines, IA

Choosing the Right Trip

We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please contact us.
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References

We are proud to have an exceptionally high rate of repeat travelers. For more information, we would be happy to put you in touch with a client who has traveled with us.

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Departure Notes

Once you have signed up on the trip, we send a complete packing list, relevant health information, and required travel documents.

Resources

Nothing quite prepares the eye for the awesome spectacle of the Dolomites, Italy’s magnificent rooftop of enormous spires and pinnacles. These snow-dusted towers soar like an apparition above deep green valleys, storybook villages, and steepled churches. This magnificent natural setting is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our journey focuses on the Cortina Dolomites, justly famed for unearthly towers including the Tre Cime di Lavaredo and the broad expanse of Marmolada, the highest peak in the Dolomites. With two (and often three) Trip Leaders and moderate or challenging hiking options, we explore some of Europe’s most incredible mountain scenery by day, and by night we delight in northern Italy’s alpine culture and mouth-watering cuisine, with a special overnight in a spectacularly situated hike-in lodge.

Itinerary at a Glance

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

Day 1
Venice / Passo Giau

From Venice, we head up to the mountains to our chalet-style hotel, the Albergo Passo Giau, in the heart of the Dolomites. From the broad deck of our hotel, there are wonderful views of the Tofane, Croda Rossa, Cristallo, and Croda da Lago massifs. We enjoy a short warm-up hike this afternoon.

Days 2-3
Passo Giau / Civetta Massif

Starting right from our hotel, we ascend to Forc d’ Giau (7,800') through beautiful meadows to Ambrizolla Pass, visit Rifugio Palmieri for lunch, and descend past waterfalls with stunning views of the Tofane Massif. An easier choice is a lovely ramble through woodlands beneath the soaring Tofane peaks. The next day, we hike a fantastic route circling the regal massif of Monte Pelmo, called the “Doge’s Cap” by patriotic Venetians. Other hiking trails bring us into the magnificent Civetta Massif, with its famous six-mile-wide north face known as “the wall of walls.”

Day 4
Rifugio Lagazuoi

We offer a strenuous or a moderate trail option (or even a cable car) to reach the fantastic Rifugio Lagazuoi, our awesomely situated mountain lodge, with its wonderful food and amazing views. From our lunch stop at Rifugio Nuvolau, panoramas stretch from Tofane to Marmolada (10,965'), the “Queen of the Dolomites.” Sunsets at Lagazuoi are marvelous, with the massive rock pinnacles taking on an extraordinary palette of ever-changing luminous hues.

Days 5-7
Cortina d’Ampezzo / Tofane / Tre Cime di Lavaredo

Cortina’s most famous massif is the Tofane: Tofane di Roses, Tofane di Mezzo, and Tofane di Dentro, three stunning peaks over 10,500 feet in height and renowned by alpinists worldwide. One challenging option in this massif features the “secret” valley behind the Tofane that few hikers explore. Our moderate option leads along a trail below the great spires of the Tofane di Roses and continues along the Alta Via 1, a long-distance footpath that traverses the Dolomites from north to south. Other hikes we can choose from on these days include an excursion northeast of Cortina into the world of the Sesto Dolomites and the famous Tre Cime Di Lavaredo (Three Peaks of Lavaredo), three steep, yellow-pink spires that offer quintessential Dolomites hiking. No matter which hikes we choose, the views are simply out of this world. Overnights are in the famous alpine village of Cortina, nestled beneath a grand cirque of peaks.

Day 8
Venice

Return to Venice Airport for afternoon flights home, or extend your stay in this glorious city.

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

What the Trip is Like

This trip is Level 4 or 5, depending on the hiking options you choose. During our six days of hiking (approximately three to seven hours a day), we have two hiking options to choose from each day. Most hiking is between 5,000 and 9,000 feet, with the routes featuring a good bit of up-and-down (although some level walks are available). The hikes show you some of the finest mountains and the most stunning scenery in the Dolomites. While the Dolomites are not exceptionally high, they are steep and rugged, and this trip, while not difficult, is aimed for those who have at least some experience of mountain hiking. All participants must be in good physical condition. No climbing or mountaineering experience is necessary. Of course, you are always free to skip a day’s hike and travel to the next destination in the support vehicle. On most nights, we return to our comfortable hotels to sample the gastronomic delights that the Dolomites offer. (On Day 4, we overnight at the Rifugio Lagazuoi, where there is no road access for our vans, but your overnight needs can be transported by cable car in a small bag). For your own enjoyment, we recommend that you make a special effort to be in good physical condition. Daily brisk walking and/or regular hiking (or using a stair-climbing machine at your gym) are excellent preparatory exercises. Sturdy, well-broken-in hiking boots are essential.

Explanation of Trip Levels

 

Departures & Leaders

Sep 12-19, 2010

Jun 26-Jul 3, 2011
Jul 16-23, 2011
Aug 27-Sep 3, 2011
Sep 11-18, 2011

*There may be up to 3 leaders on any departure. Please call for details.

Tour Costs

Prices are for 2011
$3895 (11-15 members)
$4195 (6-10 members)
Single supplement: $265

more on pricing

Tour Cost Includes:

  • expert leadership of at least two Wilderness Travel Trip Leaders (and sometimes three, depending on group size)
  • accommodations as noted
  • welcome and farewell dinners, other meals except one dinner, as noted in the Full Trip Brochure
  • land transportation, airport transfers as noted in the Full Trip Brochure
  • cable cars and uphill / downhill conveyance

Tour Cost Does Not Include:

International airfare, any meals not specified in the Full Trip Brochure, airport departure taxes, optional cultural events, optional tipping or gratuities to leaders or staff, additional hotel nights that may be necessary due to airline schedule changes or other factors, pre-trip expenses of travel insurance,
or passports and visas; and other expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.).

Trip Payment Schedule

At time of reservation: $500
120 days prior to departure: 20% of tour cost
60 days prior to departure: Balance

Cancellation Fee Schedule

Minimum fee: None
46-90 days prior to departure: 25% of tour cost
45 days or less: 100% of tour cost

Our Trip Leaders

Here are the Trip Leaders scheduled for this journey (please note that leader assignments are subject to change).

Richard Bell

Departure Dates: September 12-19, 2010

Richard Bell has been an avid traveler all his life. His first job was working as a purser on cruise ships for P&O and Princess Cruises, including a stint on that infamous vessel the Love Boat. Since that time his life has seen him tour, trek, and backpack in over 70 countries across the ...
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Nicos Caravellas

Departure Dates: September 12-19, 2010

Nicos Caravellas, born and raised in Greece, gained his love of nature early on family outings in northern Greece's mountainous countryside. During his university years, while earning his degree in teaching, he developed his mountaineering skills and decided to become a professional guide."I ...
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Richard Munro

Departure Dates: September 12-19, 2010

Richard Munro, born and raised in the English Lake District, developed his passion for the local hills and mountains at an early age. While attending the University of Lancaster, he was an active member of the climbing and caving club and later taught mountaineering, canoeing, and mountain ...
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Client Comments

Beautiful, challenging, fun, and full of culture and nature. I highly recommend it! Kathy L., Des Moines, IA This was a wonderful hiking trip. Great day hikes, comfortable accommodations, and excellent food and wine. We couldn’t have asked for more! Linda and Ira G., West Hartford, CT Cannot imagine that there is a better trip to the Dolomites out there anywhere! Mike J., Crested Butte, CO The scenery, activities, and the WT Trip Leader team made for an outstanding trip. Neil K., Columbia, MD Without a doubt, one of the best organized trips we have been on. All three leaders were truly outstanding, the arrangements were far beyond expectation. David D. and Judy M., Vienna, VA
Wilderness Travel has this trip down pat! Chuck T., Alexandria, VA Well designed, a good balance of hiking and social experiences, with flexibility for individual preferences. Allan C., Chapel Hill, NC This was a wonderful experience. I enjoyed the fact that we had three tour guides that were well versed in their subject area. Christine P., Moraga, CA