Leisure Experiences

Messner Mountain Museum: Six Places, Six Exibitions, Six Experiences

Experience the interface between the nature and culture of mountains as you visit all six of the Messner Mountain Museums, and enjoy a unique perspective as you discover what the mountains really mean to mountain people.

Trip Overview

“I have dedicated to the mountains and the mountain culture a unique project, a network of museums located in six extraordinary places in South Tyrol and Belluno. The Messner Mountain Museum is a place of encounter with the mountains, with mountain people and ultimately with ourselves. Every visit is like a mountain tour… a unique experience!” ~ Reinhold Messner   

Mountains have always fascinated man… from the conquest of the summit, to scientific discovery, to cultural curiosity. And on this incredible itinerary, you will not only get to the chance to explore mountains and all of their questions, but be “guided” through them by legendary Italian mountaineer and extreme climber, Reinhold Messner. The Messner Mountain Museum (MMM) is a series of six museums conceived and created by Reinhold Messner, spread across the extraordinary Dolomite Mountains. The museums, Messner states, have been designed to offer “a place of encounter with the mountains, with mountain people and ultimately with ourselves.” The museums – and this itinerary – are designed to educate visitors, leveraging the various ways we experience mountains, dealing with the science of mountains and glaciers, the history of rock climbing and mountaineering, the history of mythical mountains, and the history of mountain-dwelling people. Every museum, every visit, every experience, is like a mountain tour.

Each of the six museums offers a unique perspective on the mountains, providing a deep dive into one topic, exploring the various ways we experience mountains. Mountain cultures. The world of ice. Magic of the mountain. Rock. Man’s encounter with the mountains. The supreme discipline of mountaineering. These topics are each uniquely presented in the six Messner Mountain Museums – Ortles, Ripa, Juval, Dolomites, Firmian, and Corones. The six locations that comprise the Messner Mountain Museum (MMM) are interconnected. The paths and roads that link them are part of the overall experience. 

But this itinerary is not “merely” a museum tour. It is equally a discovery of place, of the uniquely majestic Dolomite Mountains. Discovery of mountains – both through the museums, and the mountains themselves. You will explore the Dolomites top to bottom – touring and hiking through some of the most beautiful mountain landscapes in the world. You’ll have the opportunity to hike on the Renon High Plateau above Bolzano, walk on Waalweg trails of the Val Venosta, and hike down from Plan de Corones / Kronplatz on the Panoramaweg, to name a few. Additionally, you’ll explore the charming cities and towns and experience first hand the mountain cultures that make this region so unique, the culinary specialties of every valley, and the varied countryside of South Tyrol.

Highlights

  • Explore the majestic Dolomite Mountains through the eyes of a mountaineer, as you visit all six of the Messner Mountain Museums
  • Discover mountain cultures, the world of ice, the magic of the mountain, rock, man’s encounter with the mountains, and the supreme discipline of mountaineering through meticulously curated exhibitions by Reinhold Messner, world-class climber, writer, photographer, and former member of the European Parliament
  • Hike as much – or as little! – as you like as you approach different museums set on glorious mountaintops and deep into hillsides
  • Explore the provinces, cities, and towns of Bolzano, Brunico, Cortina, Sesto and Belluno, as you traverse the Dolomites

Day By Day

Trip itinerary may vary based on weather conditions, fitness levels and abilities of participants, and/or the recommendations of the Dolomite Mountains Team and your mountain guide. Daily mileage and altitude gain may vary depending on the device used.

  • Day 1

    Hotel in Bolzano

  • Day 2

    Hotel in Bolzano (B)

  • Day 3

    Hotel in Sulden (B)

  • Day 4

    Hotel in Brunico (B)

  • Day 5

    Hotel in Brunico (B)

  • Day 6

    Hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo (B)

  • Day 7

    Hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo (B)

  • Day 8

Accommodation

Great hotels with Dolomite Mountains. Whether intimate lodge, family run B&B, or luxury spa resort, our hotels are unique, eminently local, and hard to leave.

About our Accommodations
At Dolomite Mountains, we hand pick accommodations that best reflect the style of each region, to provide you with the most authentic experience of the unique cultures found in the different cities and towns where we travel. We work directly with the owners of each property, forging strong relationships to ensure you receive the best service and care during your stay. Regardless of whether it is a five-star luxury hotel or a cozy bed and breakfast you desire, we choose the best-in-class accommodations within each category, providing you stays at the most sought after hotels in each region. And, we always make sure you have access to inspired, regional cuisine!

Cost

All itineraries are subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control including, weather, road or trail conditions.

Guided Trip:
€ 6.170 per person (2 participants)
€ 4.340 per person (4 participants)
€ 3.660 per person (6 participants)

Self Guided Trip:
€ 3.290 per person (2 participants)
€ 2.830 per person (4 participants)
€ 2.590 per person (6 participants)

The cost is based on the specified hotel category (please see the cost inclusions list). If you would like an upgrade, please get in touch with us for a quotation.

We will do our best to accommodate you in the specified class of accommodations. However, if there is no availability in this category, we will offer you the next available classification at a supplementary price. 

Important to note:
- There is a high-season 15% surcharge from July 14th to Sept 8th. 
- Prices may increase between the time of quotation and booking. Your Dolomite Mountains consultant will inform you of any changes.

Cost Includes:

  • Trip briefing
  • Logistics and maps of the area
  • 2 nights accommodation in 4-star hotel in Bolzano
  • 1 night accommodation in 4-star hotel in Sulden
  • 2 nights accommodation in 4-star hotel in Brunico
  • 2 nights accommodation in 4-star hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo
  • All breakfasts
  • Private transfers as per itinerary 
  • Local English speaking guide (guided trips)
  • Luggage transfer as per itinerary
  • MMM Tour-Ticket (Admission to all 6 Messner Mountain Museums)
  • Lifts and cable cars (guided trips)
  • A €15 donation to Wow Nature’s reforestation projects makes your trip carbon-neutral 
  • Local tourist tax
  • Italian VAT tax

Area Map