“The Ultimate Active Experience in the Dolomites”

Rifugio Lagazuoi, Dolomites

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Experience the rich Ladin culture with many traditions that make this region so unique
• Hike amid glorious landscapes of pillars, pinnacles, and colossal rock walls of the Dolomites
• Stay in cozy mountain rifugios with the civilized comforts of a warm bed and hearty cuisine

In this trip you visit some of the most incredible areas in the Dolomites on foot. We take the best of this fairy-tale setting – incredible scenery, gorgeous hotels and Rifugio and delectable cuisine – and we weave them together with great hiking.

Wild alpine meadows, deciduous and evergreen woods, high altitude lunar-like terrain, soaring peaks, dramatic walls and towering heights alternate with the refined South Tyrolean – Italian town of Cortina d’Ampezzo and hidden mountain inns that you encounter during your daily hikes.

TRIP DETAILS

Length: 6n / 7d

Start / Finish:  Cortina d'Ampezzo

Activity Level: For everybody in good and active physical health.

Cost:
€1550 with 2-3 members
€1060 with 4 members

Cost includes: English speaking mountain guide, 2 nights double occupancy accommodation in B&B in Cortina d’Ampezzo, 4 nights rifugio in best accommodation available, meals as noted, map of the area.

GROUP DEPARTURE DATES
10 - 16 July
24 - 30 July
4 - 10 September
18 - 24 September

• INFORMATION REQUEST
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ITINERARY
Trip itinerary may vary based on amp;nbsp;weather conditions, fitness levels and abilities of participants, and/or the recommendations of your guide.

Day 1  ~ Arrive in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Dolomites
Arrive in Cortina d’Ampezzo (1,224m / 4,016') on your own (private transfer on request), and check into your bed and breakfast. Cortina enjoys a reputation for great winter skiing and in the summer attracts hikers and mountain climbers who challenge the rocky faces of the nearby mountains.
Meet your guide in the afternoon for a trip briefing and orientation.
D… 3-Star Hotel in Cortina d'Ampezzo

Day 2  ~ Fanes-Sennes-Braies Natural Park
This hike to the Alpe di Sennes uplands entails a wonderful range of scenery and habitats, two natural parks—Dolomiti d’Ampezzo and Fanes-Sennes-Braies—and the spectacular Croda Rossa mountain group.
Hike from Cortina d’Ampezzo to the Rifugio Malga Ra Stua (1,668m / 5,472'), a cozy hut-cum-dairy farm set in a valley lying between the Croda Rossa (northeast) and Lavinores (west) Dolomite groups.
Hike on a wide gravel road to Rifugio Sennes Biella (2,116m / 6,942') and to the family run Rifugio Fodara Vedla (1,960m / 6,429'), a beautiful place to spend the night with superb view east to the Croda Rossa massif. (4-5 hours hiking.)
B,D… Rifugio

Day 3 ~ Val di Fanes
From last night’s stop you first descend (421m / 1,380') to the valley, and then hike up to Rifugio Fanes and Lago di Limo for about 2 hours. A spectacular 360-degree view awaits you at a picnic spot at the Passo di Limo. The trail then opens into a lush broad valley between the rocky summits of Monte Castello, which was heavily fortified during WWI, and Piz des Cunturines (3,082m / 10,111'). The scenery and colors are stunning. This descent (457m / 1,500') leads down to the valley floor, followed by a 40-minute climb to Rifugio Scotoni. This small rifugio is set in a beautiful valley surrounded by the towering mountains of the Cime di Fanes. (6 hours hiking.)
B,D… Rifugio

Day 4 ~ Cinque Torri
The first part of today’s hike is a steady hike up through the Alpe di Lagazuoi to the Rifugio Lagazuoi (gaining 771m / 2,530'). Surrounding you are the Punta di Fanes, the cliffs of the Lagazuoi, and the massive Tofana di Rozes. Near the pass there are several World War I underground passages called “galleries”, which serve as memorials to the terrible fighting that took place here in 1916. We’ll stop for lunch at Rifugio Lagazuoi, a mountain restaurant where you’ll feel like you’re sitting on the edge of the world.

After lunch, you have the option to hike down through one of the galleries, or to take advantage of the cable car that speed you to the valley below.
Once in the valley you cross an alpine road, rejoin the hiking route and begin your final ascent (290m / 950') to the very friendly and comfortable Rifugio Cinque Torri that has been run by the same family since 1936. Once again the setting for this rifugio is remarkable as it looks at the long wall of the Croda di Lago and sits right near the Cinque Torri (Five Towers). In the distance rise Sorapis and Anteleo. Simply put, the view is awesome. (6 hours hiking.)
B,D… Rifugio

Day 5 ~ Pelmo Massif
The Giro del Pelmo provides a complete circumnavigation of one of the Dolomites’ most impressive mountain: 3,167-meter / 10,391-foot-high Pelmo. Awe-inspiring from every angle, it towers over the Boite and Zoldo valleys, with its giant throne-like appearance and horizontal rock layering that is easily recognizable from afar. The narrow exposed ledges and steep flanks were explored by local hunters in search of chamois (a native European goat-antelope species), long before the peak was officially claimed by British pioneer John Ball in 1857. This tight passage on the normal ascent route now bears his name, Cengia di Ball.
Here we'll encounter marvelous views during the hike from the Boite Valley to the mighty Civetta.

From Rifugio Passo Giau we hike up to Forcella Giau (2,373m / 7,785'). Then we descend slightly to Lago de la Bastes (2,277m / 7,470'), and continue on the famous Alta Via N.1 to Forcella da Lago (2,277m / 7,470'), passing by Malga Mondeval. From here we stay on the Alta Via N.1 which takes us to the Rifugio Citta di Fiume with a spectacular panorama of the Pelmo massif. (6-7 hours hiking.)
B,D… Rifugio

Day 6 ~ Pelmo Massif – Cortina d'Ampezzo
From the rifugio we hike back to Forcella Roan (1,996m / 6,548') and descend the Val de Busella. We cross meadows and sweet-smelling forests of tall pines and larch, and encounter several old timber tabià huts. The path takes a wooded crest to La Sentinella (1,639m / 5,377'), then drops steeply. We pause at the upper limit of vehicle access, just above Rifugio Sennes (1,214m / 3,983'). From here, we can appreciate the majestic form of the Antelao, rising up across the valley. A side path leads straight down over the River Boite to the thriving township of San Vito di Cadore (1,010 m / 3,313'). We take a public bus directly to Cortina, where you are free to enjoy the remainder of the afternoon relaxing in the hotel or shopping in Cortina. (5-6 hours hiking.) 
B… Hotel in Cortina d'Ampezzo

Day 7 ~ Depart
Breakfast and departure.