Italian Dolomites Walking Escape

We arrive in Dobbiaco and settle into the Park Hotel Bellevue for seven nights – breakfast and evening meal included.

From the hotel, we ascend gently along peaceful country lanes through picture perfect Tyrolean villages and hamlets dotted across the hillsides – each with a chapel or church adorned with frescoes and far reaching views. At Stadlern we pause for a picnic to savour the mountain panorama, then follow the bubbling Rienza River back to Dobbiaco.

We start with a short bus ride, then a spectacular gondola up to the high Rotwand pastures at 1,914 m, just below the mighty Croda Rossa limestone peaks. From here it is a gentle descent on pine scented forest trails to the ancient Kreuzbergpass, South Tyrol’s most easterly mountain pass. We then climb to the Malga Nemes refuge – a superb panoramic spot for lunch where marmots often forage in the sunny pastures – before descending a wide woodland track to the Tyrolean village of Moos to take the bus back to Dobbiaco. You can choose a longer walking option.

We enjoy spectacular scenery on one of the finest trails in the Dolomites. It is a rewarding full day hike with around 800 m of ascent and descent for unrivalled views. We begin with an easy stroll along the turquoise shores of Lago di Braies, then ascend via the Alte Kaser pastures to the idyllic mountain bowl of Hochalm for lunch. Our descent follows a deeply carved valley beneath colossal peaks and strikingly striated cliffs. You can opt for a shorter walk.

Today we head into the heart of Ampezzo National Park in the Italian speaking Veneto region. We set off from Cimabanche along a disused railway, climbing through the Gotres Valley on an old military road to the high mountain pasture of Forcella Lerosa. We descend to the idyllic meadows at Rifugio Ra Stua and follow a narrow forest path towards Cortina d’Ampezzo.

We follow the impressive crest of the Carniche Alps. The day begins with a bus and cable car ascent – payable locally – towards Mount Elmo at 2,041 m. An old military supply route leads to the Sillianer Hütte refuge in Austria, on a ridge that forms the border between Italy and Austria and offers sweeping views across the Austrian Alps. We descend on a less well defined rocky path across the pretty pastures of the Klammbachalm to the picturesque Klammbachhütte, then take the forest track back down to the village of Moos.

A tremendous finale awaits as we take the bus – payable locally – to high altitude Rifugio Auronzo at the foot of the world famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo, whose highest point reaches 2,999 m. These towering freestanding limestone spires have become a symbol of the Dolomites. We follow a wide mountain trail built by soldiers during the First World War, offering the finest perspectives of the three immense columns. You can choose a longer walking option.

We round off the week with a bus ride – payable locally – to Rifugio Auronzo, set at high altitude beneath the iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo at 2,999 m. The famous freestanding limestone towers dominate the skyline and embody the spirit of the Dolomites. We take the broad military trail from the First World War for the most impressive views of all three peaks. You may opt for a longer walk.