Classic Dolomites – Premium Adventure

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Trek through the Italian Dolomites

The traditional village of Villabassa in South Tyrol lies close to the Austrian border, surrounded by the unmistakeably jagged peaks of the Dolomites. Here, spectacular scenery meets the fiercely proud Tyrolean heritage. Our home for the week, the Hotel Adler, epitomises this, housing a wonderful spa and renowned restaurant within its 400-year-old walls.

The walking is diverse and memorable as we venture into the Fanes-Sennes and Dolomiti di Sesto National Parks for great views of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo and the open-air museums that dot the landscape reflect the area’s history as the frontline between Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire in WWI.

Fascinating, imposing, unforgettable, the Dolomites are waiting.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • The Expert Leader for the trip is: Karl Mather
  • 4-star hotel with delicious food, warm family hospitality and wellness centre
  • Tre Cime di Lavaredo, UNESCO World Heritage site
  • Challenging (level 5) on selected departures
  • SPECIAL OFFER on room upgrades

Itinerary

Dolomiti

Itinerary

Day1

Start Villabassa.

Start at the Hotel Adler in Villabassa. The leader will give a short briefing to give an overview of the week ahead. The hotel is handily located on the village square, so any free time can be spent with a little stroll around, perhaps up past the church or down to the river. Alternatively, why not soak up the atmosphere with relaxing drink.

Day2

Lago di Braies (level 3 weeks)

The ideal start to visiting this vast area is a walk straight from the hotel through the very pretty, flower-filled Braies Valley. We walk through small villages and farmland until we reach the magnificent Lago di Braies itself, one of the 297 glacial lakes in the area. It is certainly one of the most beautiful, surrounded by jagged peaks that are reflected in the extraordinary mirror-like surface of the water. We follow the route of ‘SS hostages’, the leaders of 19 countries who were freed after the First World War by the inhabitants of Villabassa.

Approx. distance 14km, 650m ascent, 255m descent.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Rossalmhütte (level 5 weeks)

Some departures of this trip are at Level 5. On these weeks the walks completed are slightly different. 

We start our walk today from the beautiful Lago di Braies and ascend to Rossalmhütte.

Approx. distance 15km, 750m ascent, 1000m descent.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day3

Kreutzberg Pass to Nemes Alm (level 3)

Today we explore high pastures and ridges along the Austrian border. We walk steadily exploring the meadows under the ridge of Knieberg. We have great views towards the Rotwand and Monte Popera. Later in the afternoon we visit Alpe Nemes hut, a great spot for a drink and a bite of homemade apple strudel.

Approx distance 14-16km. 6-700m ascent, 6-700m descent.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Kreuzberg Pass to Knieberg (level 5 week)

Following a different track to the level 3 weeks, we aim to summit Knieberg, descending later in the afternoon to Alpe Nemes hut.

Approx. distance 21 km, 1000m ascent, 1000m descent.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day4

Climb up towards Strudelkopf (level 3 weeks)

We start at 2000m altitude walking amongst beautiful wildflowers and ascend to the summit of Strudlekopf (2307m). We stop at the Durrenstein hut in the early afternoon to try the local Kaiserschmarren speciality. On a clear day, from the summit, we can enjoy views of the Tre Cime, Monte Piana and Monte Cristallo.

Approx. distance 15km. 500m ascent, 1000m descent.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Durrenstein Summit (level 5 weeks)

Starting at Platzwiese, we walk to the summit of Durrenstein (2839m), a majestic peak which boasts views all the way to the Austrian Tyrol.

Approx. distance 15km, 900m ascent, 900m descent.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day5

Free day

A free day to relax in the hotel’s wellness centre or take a self-guided cycle ride around this wonderful area. Alternatively, you can make your way to Bolzano to visit a museum dedicated to Oetzi, the 5000 year-old ‘iceman’ whose remarkably well-preserved body was found in 1991 high on a glacier on the Austro-Italian frontier. Or you could journey to the attractive provincial capital of Lienz in Austria; or closer to the cosy town of Brunico.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day6

Tre Cime di Lavaredo (level 3 weeks)

We enjoy a memorable walk under the famous ‘Three Chimneys’, or Tre Cime di Lavaredo (or Drei Zinnen in German). Set amid one of the classic mountain groups of this area, our walk around these impressive peaks is certainly a highlight of the week. Tonight the hotel’s restaurant will delight your palate with an authentic Tyrolean gourmet dinner.

Approx distance 18km, 550m ascent, 1100 descent.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Tre Cime di Lavaredo (level 5 weeks)

Today we complete a beautiful walk near the spectacular Tre Cime di Lavaredo; we then follow the path on the north side of Paternkofel heading to the Comici hut above Fischleintal. Tonight the hotel’s restaurant will delight your palate with an authentic Tyrolean gourmet dinner.

Approx. distance 19km, 600m ascent, 1400m descent.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day7

Monte Piano (level 3 weeks)

To complete the week, we take the amazing estern approach route up Monte Piana. After 600m ascent we find ourselves upon the flat-topped mountain surrounded by some of the most impressive scenery in the Dolomites. It is the site of an open-air museum dedicated to the First World War where trenches, dugouts and shell craters can be seen amongst the many alpine flowers. On our return, we have time to spot the brilliant blue gentians, alpine white edelweiss and bright saffron that create a beautiful scene around Lake Misurina, thanks to the beautiful pink of the limestone rock.

Approx distance 15km, 700m ascent, 800m descent.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Monte Piana (level 5 weeks)

We ascend the southern crag, with the aid of few bridges and a ladder; there is then time to explore the open-air museum, stretched between the northern summit of Monte Piano and the southern summit of Monte Piana.

Approx. distance 13km, 1000m ascent, 700m descent.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day8

End Villabassa.

The tour ends after breakfast in Villabassa.

Meals Included: Breakfast

KEY INFORMATION

  • 7 nights 4-star Hotel Adler
  • 5 days centre-based walking; one free day.
  • Altitude maximum 2539m (level 3) / 2839m (level 5), average 2300m
  • Not recommended for vertigo sufferers
  • Countries visited: Italy

WHATS INCLUDED

  • All breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners, one of which will be an authentic Tyrolean gourmet dinner
  • All accommodation (see accommodation section)
  • All transport and listed activities
  • Tour leader throughout
  • Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
  • Tips for local staff

Images courtesy of Exodus Travel 

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