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

Experience Italy’s Dolce Vita and Europe’s Most Dramatic Peaks

A Significant Discount on 2009 Departures is Available, Due to the Rebound in the Dollar. See Details Below Tour Costs.*

Nothing quite prepares you for the visual spectacle of the Dolomites, where enormous spires, towers, and pinnacles soar dreamlike above storybook villages and steepled churches. The Cortina (eastern) Dolomites, the Italian-speaking center of the Alps, are justly famed for unearthly spires including the Tre Cime di Lavaredo and 10,965-foot Marmolada, the highest peak in the Dolomites. With 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. We have up to three Trip Leaders for maximum flexibility and a special overnight in a spectacular hike-in lodge.

Highlights

  • Moderate or challenging hiking options
  • Delightful Italian alpine culture and cuisine
  • Discover the most spectacular mountain spires in Europe

Details

  • 8-day trip begins and ends in Venice
  • 6 nights in 3- and 4-star hotels and inns, 1 night in comfortable alpine lodge with semi-private rooms, shared baths, and hot showers
  • All meals included except 1 dinner in Cortina
  • Moderate to challenging trails, altitudes of 5,000-9,100 feet, van support (for luggage or tired feet), team of up to 3 Trip Leaders
  • All transport during the trip (cable cars, etc.) included

Tour Costs

$4095 (13-15 guests)
$4395 (10-12 guests)
$4695 (5-9 guests)

Single supplement: $355

Prices are for 2009 dates

Departures & Leaders

Jul 3-10, 2009  Sean Morrissey
   Leila Thompson, Tim Burford
Jul 19-26, 2009  JoAnn Lantz
   Gianluca Canalicchio
Aug 29-Sep 5, 2009  Annie Hawkins
   James Fuss, Gianluca Canalicchio
Sep 13-20, 2009  Richard Bell
   Sergio Mastroberardino, Mark Black
Jul 1-8, 2010
Jul 19-26, 2010
Aug 29-Sep 5, 2010
Sep 12-19, 2010

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

*Significant Savings Available on 2009 Departures!

The US Dollar has strengthened against the Euro, and Wilderness Travel would like to pass the savings along to you! Here's how it works: we will purchase the Euros for your trip when you sign up, which lets us lock in the current exchange rate, and guarantee your savings. To receive the discount, the first deposit on the trip ($500 per person) is non-refundable. If you prefer to have your deposit be fully refundable up to 90 days before departure, you can sign up at the regular published rate for the trip.

To find out the current discount available at today’s rate, please call us at 1-800-368-2794 or send us an email.

Suggested Reading

Reading list, click here.

Itinerary at a Glance
Hiking in the Cortina Dolomites route-map

Days 1-3
Passo Giau / Civetta Massif

From Venice, we head up to the mountains and to our hotel, the Albergo Passo Giau, spectacularly set in the heart of the Dolomites. With multiple Trip Leaders, we can choose between at least two hiking options most days. One fine choice is a route that circles the regal massif of Monte Pelmo, called the “Doge’s Cap” by patriotic Venetians. Our other hiking trails are in the magnificent Sella Massif, with its summit, Piz Boe (10,400'), the highest walkable point in the Dolomites, and the Civetta Massif, whose famous north face is 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 for the night, with its wonderful food and amazing views. Our lunch stop en route at Rifugio Nuvolau offers views of Tofane, Cristallo, and Marmolada (10,965'), the highest peak in the Dolomites. Sunsets at Lagazuoi are marvelous, with the massive rock pinnacles taking on brilliant hues.

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

The famous alpine ski village of Cortina is nestled beneath a grand cirque of Dolomites peaks, from the impressive massif of Monte Pelmo to the pink-toned spires of Cristallo and Tofane. We hike part of the breathtaking long-distance footpath that traverses the Dolomites from north to south and into a secret valley behind the massive 10,500-foot-high Tofane spires. We also hike trails with incredible views of the Tre Cime Di Lavaredo, the three most famous spires of the Dolomites. No matter which hikes we choose, the views of the astounding Dolomites are glorious.

Day 8
Venice

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