Itinerary

Day 1: The trip will begin at the hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Cortina d’Ampezzo is a classic Dolomites village nestled among the spectacular mountains of the Tofane, Cristallo, Sorapis and Antelao. This beautiful village has a wonderful main street lined with several shops and outdoor cafes. There is train access from Venice (3 1/2 hours) or even Milan (5 or more hours). Cortina is a great place to begin our trek. Welcome dinner and trip orientation.

Day 2: Morning transfer to Ra Stua. This pleasant hike offers our first views of the Tofane, the Croda Rossa, and the Croda del Becco. Passing the high alpine meadows of Ra Stua, our trail switchbacks up through the larch forest before arriving at our rifugio for the night.

Day 3: Our hike leads through the lush broad valley between the rocky summits of Monte Castello, which was heavily fortified during WWI, and Piz des Centurines. The scenery and colors are stunning. Our rifugio is set in a beautiful valley surrounded by the towering mountains of the Cime di Fanes.

Day 4: Today’s hike is steady climb to the Alpe di Lagazuoi to the Rifugio Lagazuoi over this vast limestone plateau. Surrounding us are the Punta di Fanes, theges called galleries, which serve as memorials to the terrible fighting that took place here in 1916. The setting for our rifugio is remarkable as it looks at the long wall of the Croda di Lago.

Day 5: Today’s remote trail leads us near two striking rock mountains: Averau and Nuvolao, as we hike to Passo Giau. The trail then leads over the Forcella Giau where the views of the Tofana and Monte Cavallo are inspiring, not to mention the grandeur of mountains on display to the south: Monte Fromin, Cernera, Pelmo and the up swept flank of Monte Mondeval. The trail leads over lush alpine meadows, where we perhaps will spot some wild edelweiss. The last part of the day leads below Pelmo’s north face, (which is 3,300′ straight up to the top at 10,454′,) to our comfortable mountain rifugio at Passo Staulanza.

Day 6: From Passo Staulanza, we join a popular trail and climb to the shoulder of Monte Coldai, which lies at the edge of the famous Monte Civetta (10,620′). After stopping for a picnic lunch at Lago Coldai, we continue to the col Negro di Coldai, which looks over at the towering west face of Monte Civetta. This “wall of walls” extends for over 4 miles! About mid-way past this wall, we climb to our rifugio (7,500′), Rifugio Tissi, perched on the mountain flank looking out at the Val Civetta, down the Alleghe Valley and west to the Marmolada Glacier. This overnight stop is memorable.

Day 7: We descend to the Val Civetta, through beautiful open green meadows and to the narrow valley of Val Corpassa. Our route takes us right below the sheer rock faces of the Torre Venezia and the Torre Trieste. The last part of our hike leads us below the massive Pala delle Masenade and Monte Mioazza to our rifugio for the night. This is a remote and varied hike.

Day 8: Today the trail leads south of the rocky Tamer Grande and Castello di Moschesin. Rounding the corner at the pass at Moschesin we are treated with views of Mont Talvena, Cima de Zita, the deep, narrow valleys of the La Clusa to the south and Val Pramper to the north. This is a remote, rugged, and quiet path. Overnight at Rifugio Pramperet.

Day 9: Today is our last day on the trail as we hike from Pramperet to the trail’s end. The hiking day is stunning, the views are huge, and the scale immense. This is a long day on some rugged terrain and includes a steep descent. However, the second half of the day continues down through wonderful hardwood forests on relatively “smooth” and wide paths making for easier going. At the end of the hike we meet our van for transfer back to our hotel in Cortina. Farewell dinner.

Day 10:The trip will end at the hotel in Cortina. There are taxi, bus, train and other travel options to Venice or points north. Please allow for travel time when making plans or any flight reservations. We are happy to help with schedules and travel plans.

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