Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Cortina  

Arrival on your own at Cortina d’Ampezzo. Elegant Cortina enjoys a reputation for great winter skiing (it was the site of the 1956 winter Olympics), and in the summer attracts hikers and mountain climbers who challenge the rocky faces of the nearby mountains. You’ll meet the other guests and your guide, have a trip briefing, and enjoy a welcome dinner. D, 3* Hotel Beppe Sello in Cortina  d’Ampezzo

Day 2: Tre Cime di Lavaredo

We'll enjoy a scenic 21 mile drive up over the gentle TreCrociPass in the direction of LakeMisurina to Rifugio Auronzo (7,650') and the start of one of the must-do hikes in the Cortina area.  We'll circle around Tre Cime (Three Summits) and Monte Paterno/Paternkofen, one of the best known and most dramatic sights in the Dolomites.  We'll have lunch at Rifugio Locatelli/Drei Zinnen Huette (7,800') while enjoying the spectacular view of the north faces of the Tre Cime.  The north faces were first climbed in the 1930s and are part of the history of mountaineering.  We'll also pass by tunnels, bunkers and old barracks, reminders of WWI.  We'll walk around Toblinger Knoten and Col Forcellina back to Rifugio Auronzo.  Hiking time: 4-5 hours. +550/-550'.   B,D, 3* Hotel Beppe Sello in Cortina  d’Ampezzo

Day 3: Tofana di Rozes

We'll transfer 20 minutes from our hotel by van to our hike in the famous TofaneMountains.  We'll start at Cason di Rozes (6,232') and hike up a wide trail that was built during WWI, walking in gradual switchbacks up to the Forcella Col de Bos (7,642') at base of the Castelletto and Tofana di Rozes mountains.  We will hike up and under the massive rock wall of the Tofana and make a last ascent to the Rifugio Guissani (8,400') for lunch.  We'll enjoy the panorama at lunch between the Tofane di Rozes and Tofane di Mezzo.  After lunch we'll descend on the same wide trail we used earlier in the day to the Rifugio Dibona and our transfer back to Cortina.  Hiking time: 4-5 hours. +2,200'/-1,600'.   B,D, 3* Hotel Beppe Sello in Cortina  d’Ampezzo

Day 4: Croda da Lago - Rifugio Averau

We’ll have a short transfer to Pezie du Paru, from where we’ll hike to Rifugio Croda da Lago under the impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site Croda da Lago Massif. From here we’ll hike to Forcella Ambrizzola and up to Passo Giau. From Rifugio Passo Giau we have the option to hike or take chairlift to Rifugio Averau, our home for the night. The New York Times features the huts restaurant in a recent article and you’ll enjoy the wonderful experience of spending the evening and night in the hut after the sun goes down and the day hikers are gone. Approximately 6 hours of hiking. B,D, Rifugio Averau

Day 5:  Passo Falzarego - Forcella Lagazuoi - San Cassiano

The Cinque Torri area is well-known for the climbers who ascend its famous five peaks, and as the headquarters of the mountain artillery unit during WWI. Today we'll have the opportunity to both watch the climbers and visit the Great War open air museum. From the Rifugio Averau we’ll hike towards Passo Falzarego and hike or take gondola up to the Rifugio Lagazuoi. Mount Lagazuoi is the incredible setting of the rifugio, which is one of the highest rifugi in the Dolomites. The rifugio is nestled on the summit of Mount Lagazuoi, a veritable castle of rock, with spires, turrets, and military forts hidden deep within. On its patio you feel as though you're sitting on the edge of the world. In fact, its spacious deck offers a 360° view of the Dolomites. There is also a wonderful restaurant in the rifugio that serves local specialties such as polenta with roe deer and the typical strudel. We’ll hike down to Capanna Alpina and to our hotel in Alta Badia, enjoying the romantic experience of arriving at our next destination on foot. Val Badia is located in South Tyrol. Before WWI, this area was part of Austria, and the mixed Austrian-Italian culture is reflected in the food, the architecture and the language. The local people (called the “Ladini”) speak Ladino, a language that derives from the Romansh Language, one of the four official languages spoken in Switzerland and also spoken in northern Italy. You’ll note that the signs are written first in Ladion, then German and lastly in Italian. Hiking time: approximately 6 hours. B,D, 3* Hotel Stores in San Cassiano

Day 6: Santa Croce Sanctuary

We’ll indulge in a hearty alpine breakfast before hiking to Santa Croce Sanctuary, a 15th century chapel set under the towering rock face of Sasso della Croce. Our walk will take us by hamlets with traditional farmhouses and barns built in small clusters since the middle ages, and through forests and green pastures, to a typical Ladino shepherd’s house for lunch. We’ll sample local specialties such as turtres (Ladino vegetable pastries), grilled veggies, and homemade cakes. Treat yourself to a relaxing massage in the afternoon if you wish! Hiking time: 5 hours. B,D, 3* Hotel Stores in San Cassiano  

Day 7: Val di Fanes

Today we’ll hike through the Altopiano di Fanes and enjoy superb panoramas of the Western Dolomites and the Marmolada Massif, the "Queen of the Dolomites".  Hiking time: approximately 5 - 6 hours. B,D, 3* Hotel Stores in San Cassiano

Day 8: Departure

Breakfast and departure on your own, tearing yourself way from this beautiful part of the world. B

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