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Dolomites Highlights (Guided)
Arrival day: Arrive in Bolzano
Your trip begins on arrival in Bolzano, a small city on the main train line between Venice and Munich. Surrounded by mountains on 3 sides, Bolzano is the capital of Italy's Südtirol region and the gateway to the Dolomites. Spend the night in the enchanting old town. Your group goes out to enjoy a first taste of regional dishes like speck and knödel, paired with local wines.
Hotel in Bolzano (breakfast)
Your trip begins on arrival in Bolzano, a small city on the main train line between Venice and Munich. Surrounded by mountains on 3 sides, Bolzano is the capital of Italy's Südtirol region and the gateway to the Dolomites. Spend the night in the enchanting old town. Your group goes out to enjoy a first taste of regional dishes like speck and knödel, paired with local wines.
Hotel in Bolzano (breakfast)
Stage 1: Alpe di Siusi to Passo Sella
Red 4 (grade) 19.7km, 1010m ascent, 630m descent
Begin at Compatsch in the famous Alpe di Siusi (the largest high Alpine pasture in Europe). Enjoy iconic views over the Sassolungo group as we walk gradually uphill on tracks and paths through the meadows. We aim for the Forcella Denti di Terrarossa, and as we near the top the going gets rockier. Views of the Rosengarten group open up as the col is reached. A short descent leads to Rifugio Alpe di Tires, and from here we follow a long traverse to Sella Pass, initially along the edge of Alpe di Siusi, and then traversing below the Sassolungo cliffs. Reach your welcoming hotel by the road.
Hotel at Passo Sella (dinner and breakfast)
Red 4 (grade) 19.7km, 1010m ascent, 630m descent
Begin at Compatsch in the famous Alpe di Siusi (the largest high Alpine pasture in Europe). Enjoy iconic views over the Sassolungo group as we walk gradually uphill on tracks and paths through the meadows. We aim for the Forcella Denti di Terrarossa, and as we near the top the going gets rockier. Views of the Rosengarten group open up as the col is reached. A short descent leads to Rifugio Alpe di Tires, and from here we follow a long traverse to Sella Pass, initially along the edge of Alpe di Siusi, and then traversing below the Sassolungo cliffs. Reach your welcoming hotel by the road.
Hotel at Passo Sella (dinner and breakfast)
Stage 2: Passo Sella to Corvara
Red 2 (grade) 15km, 480m ascent, 1110m descent
Today we traverse around the Sella group to reach the welcoming village of Corvara. The morning begins by descending through wildflower meadows on rolling footpaths and then ascending to the road pass at Passo Gardena. From here the going gets rockier as we follow sections of the Alta Via 2 and venture into the Sella Group. Our route traverses the bottom of the cliffs on narrow paths, and then descends steeply, before a final track is followed into the village.
Hotel in Corvara (breakfast)
Red 2 (grade) 15km, 480m ascent, 1110m descent
Today we traverse around the Sella group to reach the welcoming village of Corvara. The morning begins by descending through wildflower meadows on rolling footpaths and then ascending to the road pass at Passo Gardena. From here the going gets rockier as we follow sections of the Alta Via 2 and venture into the Sella Group. Our route traverses the bottom of the cliffs on narrow paths, and then descends steeply, before a final track is followed into the village.
Hotel in Corvara (breakfast)
Stage 3: Col Alto to Passo Valparola
Red 2 (grade) 12km, 630m ascent, 440m descent
We take the Col Alto cable car out of the village and onto the Pralongia Platau. Enjoy outstanding views in all directions as we follow a panoramic trail across the 'Amphitheatre of the Dolomites'. To the East, see the Marmolada and to the West, get your first glimpse of Lagazuoi and the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Natural Park. The going gets rockier at the far end of the plateau and we descend through outcrops and World War 1 trenches to reach the road at Passo Valparola. Take the bus down the valley to your hotel in San Cassiano.
Hotel in San Cassiano (breakfast)
Red 2 (grade) 12km, 630m ascent, 440m descent
We take the Col Alto cable car out of the village and onto the Pralongia Platau. Enjoy outstanding views in all directions as we follow a panoramic trail across the 'Amphitheatre of the Dolomites'. To the East, see the Marmolada and to the West, get your first glimpse of Lagazuoi and the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Natural Park. The going gets rockier at the far end of the plateau and we descend through outcrops and World War 1 trenches to reach the road at Passo Valparola. Take the bus down the valley to your hotel in San Cassiano.
Hotel in San Cassiano (breakfast)
Stage 4: Rifugio Pederu to Sciaré
Red 3 (grade) 15.5km, 660m ascent, 580m descent
Travel by taxi to reach Rifugio Pederu in the heart of the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park. Here we follow the Alta Via 1 route, which climbs steadily to reach the Fanes Plateau, with welcoming huts for a lunchtime stop and spectacular views of Monte Castello, Punta Lavarella and Conturines. A flatter sections leads through the spectacular Val Fanes, flanked by rocky cliffs, before we drop more steeply to reach Capanna Alpina and, just beyond, Sciaré, where a short bus ride takes you back to San Cassiano.
Hotel in San Cassiano (breakfast)
Red 3 (grade) 15.5km, 660m ascent, 580m descent
Travel by taxi to reach Rifugio Pederu in the heart of the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park. Here we follow the Alta Via 1 route, which climbs steadily to reach the Fanes Plateau, with welcoming huts for a lunchtime stop and spectacular views of Monte Castello, Punta Lavarella and Conturines. A flatter sections leads through the spectacular Val Fanes, flanked by rocky cliffs, before we drop more steeply to reach Capanna Alpina and, just beyond, Sciaré, where a short bus ride takes you back to San Cassiano.
Hotel in San Cassiano (breakfast)
Stage 5: Rifugio Lagazuoi to Cian Zope
Red 2 (grade) 11.7km, 350m ascent, 1380m descent
Take the bus to Passo Falzarego and then the cable car up to Rifugio Lagazuoi, the highest point of our route, and a commanding viewpoint. Follow mountain paths down the valley, then ascend the other side to reach Rifugio Scioatolli. Our route then descends through the famous Cinque Torri (Five Towers). Spend time exploring these rock formations before descending to the road at Cian Zope and taking a bus to Cortina.
Hotel in Cortina (breakfast)
Red 2 (grade) 11.7km, 350m ascent, 1380m descent
Take the bus to Passo Falzarego and then the cable car up to Rifugio Lagazuoi, the highest point of our route, and a commanding viewpoint. Follow mountain paths down the valley, then ascend the other side to reach Rifugio Scioatolli. Our route then descends through the famous Cinque Torri (Five Towers). Spend time exploring these rock formations before descending to the road at Cian Zope and taking a bus to Cortina.
Hotel in Cortina (breakfast)
Stage 6: Rifugio Auronzo to Sesto
Red 4 (grade) 20.9km, 530m ascent, 1540m descent
Take a taxi from Cortina to Rifugio Auronzo. Our onward route follows well made paths around the epic Tre Cime with ever-changing views over the three towers. From Rifugio Locatelli we leave the most popular route and stride out on more mountainous paths to reach Rif Pian di Cengia. From here it's all downhill, though steep in places. Pass Rifugio Comici on the way and exit the Dolomites through Val Fiscalina. From Sesto we take a taxi to Dobbiaco for our final hotel night.
Hotel in Dobbiaco (breakfast)
Red 4 (grade) 20.9km, 530m ascent, 1540m descent
Take a taxi from Cortina to Rifugio Auronzo. Our onward route follows well made paths around the epic Tre Cime with ever-changing views over the three towers. From Rifugio Locatelli we leave the most popular route and stride out on more mountainous paths to reach Rif Pian di Cengia. From here it's all downhill, though steep in places. Pass Rifugio Comici on the way and exit the Dolomites through Val Fiscalina. From Sesto we take a taxi to Dobbiaco for our final hotel night.
Hotel in Dobbiaco (breakfast)
Departure day: Depart from Dobbiaco
After a last breakfast we depart from the Dolomites. Trains make it easy to reach Austria and Munich. In the other direction, take buses to Venice airport, changing in Cortina. We love to advise on onward travel - please ask us for suggestions on places to visit after your Dolomites trip.
After a last breakfast we depart from the Dolomites. Trains make it easy to reach Austria and Munich. In the other direction, take buses to Venice airport, changing in Cortina. We love to advise on onward travel - please ask us for suggestions on places to visit after your Dolomites trip.
2027 Dates
Please join one of our guided Dolomites Highlights trips:
DHIg1 24 to 31 July 2027
Scheduled Guided Trips
Our scheduled guided Dolomites Highlights trips follow a schedule of 6 stages and 7 nights of accommodation. We use our classic mix of accommodation. The maximum group number at any one point will be 8 clients to 1 Alpine Exploratory International Mountain Leader.
Although the walking dates on our scheduled guided trips are fixed, we are very happy to book extra nights in Bolzano before your trip, or nights in Belluno after your trip, for you to explore the area more. Please ask us for more details.
Private Guided
We would be delighted to plan a privately guided trip for your family or group of friends at any time within our walking season. We will book you one of our leaders and book your accommodation on the dates your choose. You will have full flexibility over the length of your trip, your choice of accommodation and your dates. Please see our Dolomites Highlights self-guided page for full details of the options available.
Join us any time in our season from 15 July to 16 September 2027.
2026 Prices
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Dolomites Highlights (Guided) 15 July to 16 Sept 2027 |
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| Classic | Comfy | ||
| Guided | |||
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6 stages (7 nights) |
GBP 2,450 Singles 440 Main Trip |
Not available | |
| Options | |||
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Baggage transfer |
Please ask us |
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Accommodation
Where we stay
The accommodation on our Dolomites Highlights is of a high standard, with hotel stays every night. This is our comfiest offering in the Dolomites. Stay in ensuite rooms every night and enjoy delicious buffet breakfasts every morning.
Single Room Supplement
If you would like to stay in single occupancy rooms in the hotels we add our single room supplement. This covers the additional cost of booking rooms for 1 person (rather than sharing twin, double or triple rooms). Single rooms are possible every night if desired.
Route
Our Dolomites Highlights route combines some of the best trails in the Dolomites with some of our favourite hotels there.
Based on our knowledge of the Alta Via 1, Alta Via 2 and Alta Via 9, we have put together walks that we hope will let you see the highlights of the area in a week.
The Terrain
Underfoot, you'll follow wide valley tracks, grassy paths through meadows, and narrow rocky paths. We avoid some of the hardest stages in the Dolomites, but still include steep ascents and descents. In some places the paths are loose and rocky. There are no sections of via ferrata, which are those aided climbs ('fixed equipment') known in the Dolomites.
Is it for me?
This trip is ideal for people looking to hike for around 6 hours every day over a wide range of terrain, and enjoy hotel stays every single night.
Difficulty
The terrain on the Dolomites Highlights is easier than our other trips in the Dolomites (we grade it Red, rather than Purple or Black) but the spacing of hotels means some of the stages are longer than on our other routes in the Dolomites. This is particularly the case on Stage 1 and Stage 6.
Regarding terrain, the hardest section is on Stage 2, where our route traverses below the North side of the Sella Massif on rocky paths. This section is prone to landslide and the ground can be loose underfoot.
Expect steep ascents and descents as you walk - typical of terrain in the Dolomites. On Stage 1 the ascent to Forcella Denti di Terrarossa is a steep and rocky ascent. On Stage 6 the final long descent out the Dolomites is one of the steepest descents of the trip.
How to get there (to Bolzano)
Your holiday starts in Bolzano. Bolzano is a delightful little town`on the main train line between Venice and Munich. Airports in Venice, Munich or Innsbruck work well, for the shortest train times. One easy option is to fly to Munich, then take the train from Munich to Bolzano. This train passes through Innsbruck and crosses the Brenner pass (one of the key Alpine passes) on its way to Bolzano, Verona and Bologna.
How to get back (from Dobbiaco)
We book your last night in Dobbiaco. Dobbiaco is one of the pretty resort towns on the train line between Fortezza/Franzenfest (Italy) and Lienz in Osttirol (Austria). Flights from Munich or Innsbruck work well, at this end of the trip. Or, travel by bus to Venice or Treviso, with a change in Cortina.
Included
- 7 nights of accommodation
- Breakfast every morning
- Dinner at Passo Sella
- Baggage transfers (1 bag per person as standard, to each hotel)
- An Alpine Exploratory International Mountain leader
- Transfers to and from the hotels and the trail by taxi or bus
- Expert advice and local information
- Full support during your trip from the Alpine Exploratory team (9am until 9pm in the Alps)
Not included
- Travel to and from your trip
- Local transport whilst on the trip unless specified
- Travel insurance
- Lunches, snacks, drinks and evening meals
Baggage transfer
We include baggage transfers in the Dolomites Highlights (Guided) trip. We deliver your bags to all stops on our Dolomites Highlights (Guided) trip.Please ask us for more details.
Got questions about the Dolomites Highlights (Guided)?
Feel free to ask us any questions you have about any aspects of your planning and preparations! Ben, Caoimhe, Eve, Evie, Ione, Lucy, Nicky, Rob, Skyler, Steph or Simon will reply with expert advice. We spend a lot of time walking our routes and more broadly exploring hiking trails around the world so please feel free to ask anything.
 
Enquiry Form
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If you prefer, please feel welcome to email or call us. Thanks!
| Contact Alpine Exploratory | |
| info@alpineexploratory.com | |
| Phone | +44 (0)131 214 1144 |
| Our times |
9am to 5pm UK time Monday to Friday |
| Australia | 02 8319 2266 |
| Canada | 416-628-3473 |
| New Zealand | 04 889 4515 |
| USA | 646-757-1102 |
Open to the world
Since Alpine Exploratory started in 2005 we have loved getting to know our clients from around the world. Our best-represented countries are the US, UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Please use our national-rate numbers for a cheaper call to contact our office in Edinburgh.
Walking near Rifugio Fanes on the Dolomites Highlights
Alpine Exploratory
