Itinerary

Day 1: Individual transfer to starting point Monguelfo/Welsberg, Italy. It is about 3 hours by train from Innsbruck and about 4 ½ hours by train from Venice. This lovely village is situated on the edge of the stately Dolomite Mountains. Overnight in a great family run hotel.

    There are other locations from where you can begin your hike; for example Belluno or Cortina. Let us know your travel plans and we can help with suggestions.

Day 2: Morning transfer to Ra Stua (The transfer is included). This pleasant hike offers the first views of the Tofane, the Croda Rossa and the Croda del Becco. Passing the high alpine meadows of Ra Stua, the trail switchbacks up through the larch forest before arriving at the Rifugio Fodara Vedla for the night.

A more strenuous option is a morning transfer to Pragser Wildsee (Lago di Braies). This stunning blue-green mountain lake is nestled between the surrounding mountains: the Seekofel, Croda del Becco and the Grosse Apostel. Your hike around the lake soon gives way to a steady, climb to the forcella (pass or col) Porta sora L’Forn (7,880′). The view from here is one of the best anywhere in the Alps! In front of you spread the mountains of Tofane, Pelmo, Cristallo, and Civetta. All these will mark your way as you head south. From the pass, you cross a limestone plateau and descend to your rifugio.

Day 3: From last night’s stop you first descend (1,380′) to the valley and then hike up to Rifugio Fanes and Lago di Limo for about 2 hours. A spectacular 360-degree view awaits you at a picnic spot at the Passo di Limo. The trail then opens into a lush broad valley between the rocky summits of Monte Castello, which was heavily fortified during WWI, and Piz des Cunturines (10,111′). The scenery and colors are stunning. This descent (1,500′) leads down to the valley floor followed by a 40-minute climb to Rifugio Scotoni. This small rifugio is set in a beautiful valley surrounded by the towering mountains of the Cime di Fanes.

Day 4: The first part of today’s hike is a steady hike up through the Alpe di Lagazuoi to the Rifugio Lagazuoi (gaining 2,530’.) Surrounding you are the Punta di Fanes, the cliffs of the Lagazuoi and the massive Tofana di Rozes. Near the pass there are several World War I underground passages called galleries, which serve as memorials to the terrible fighting that took place here in 1916. After a stop for lunch at Rifugio Lagazuoi, a mountain restaurant, you have an optional hike, which takes you down through one of these galleries, otherwise you can take advantage of the cable car that speeds you to the valley.

Once in the valley you cross an alpine road, rejoin the hiking route and begin your final ascent (950’) to the very friendly and comfortable Rifugio Cinque Torri that has been run by the same family since 1936. Once again the setting for this rifugio is remarkable as it looks at the long wall of the Croda di Lago and sits right near the Cinque Torri (Five Towers). In the distance rise Sorapis and Anteleo, simply put the view is awesome.

    Some enjoy adding an extra day in Cortina d’Ampezzo at this point. Cortina is a lovely village nestled between the spectacular mountains of the Dolomites. The broad streets and narrow lanes weaving through the village are welcoming and charming.

Day 5: Today the trail takes you near two, striking rock mountains: Averau and Nuvolao, as you descend 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 mountains on display to the south: Monte Fromin, Cernera, Pelmo and the upswept flank of Monte Mondeval. The trail leads over lush alpine meadows, perhaps spotting 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 your comfortable mountain rifugio at Passo Staulanza.

Day 6: From Staulanza, you hike by several farms, join a popular trail and climb to the shoulder of Monte Coldai. Monte Coldai anchors one end of the famous Monte Civetta (10,620′). After stopping for lunch at Lago Coldai, you continue to the Col Negro di Coldai that looks over at the towering west face of Monte Civetta. This “wall of walls” extends for over 4 miles! About midway past this wall you climb steeply to Rifugio Tissi perched on mountaintop looking out at the Val Civetta, down the Alleghe Valley and west to the Marmolada Glacier. This overnight stop is memorable.

Day 7: From the rifugio, you descend to the val Civetta over the Col Rean, through beautiful, open, green meadows and to the narrow valley of Val Corpassa. The route takes you right below the sheer rock faces of the Torre Venezia and the Torre Trieste, both rising some 2,000′ feet. You may see some climbers ascending these impressive towers. You pass by the Rifugio Vazzoler (5,656′), then ascend steeply through a dense forest to forcella de l’Orso and alongside Monte Moiazza’s southern flank and Rifugio San Sebastiano for the night. Though a strenuous day on some rugged terrain, this may be one of the prettiest and most varied days on the hike.

Day 8: From San Sebastiano transfer by private taxi to your hotel.

Day 9: The trip will in the morning after breakfast. Please allow for travel time when making plans.

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