Hiking in the Dolomites

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Breathe in pure air and experience a variety of hikes among spectacular landscapes in a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
• Enjoy the atmosphere of mountain rifugios, in true mountaineer style
• Hike the tunnels constructed during World War I and explore the historical remains of this conflict
• Learn to climb a via ferrata, the “iron paths” of the Dolomites

Soaring high in the sky, Italy's majestic Dolomites mountains play host to our exciting family adventure.  From hiking, biking, via ferrata, and rock climbing, to learning about the mountains, unique cultures, and history, there are plenty of options for kids and adults alike. And you’ll find plenty of time for family activities that you can share together.

Our days will be spent actively exploring these majestic mountains, while evenings you’ll relish the comfort of small hotels nestled among the surrounding peaks. Cozy wood-paneled bedrooms and big fluffy duvets make for a great end to the day!

We'll spend the first few nights enjoying chic Cortina d’Ampezzo. From here we hike to the Rifugio Lagazuoi where we will overnight and experience the unique mountain inn style, in addition to its superb panoramas and fascinating WWI relics. We return to Alta Badia, enjoying this bastion of the ancient Ladin culture that remains intact here in the heart of the Dolomites.

The Italian Dolomites are a great destination for family adventures.  Truly a hiker's paradise, thousands of trails wind their way between the fantastic pinnacles of these jagged mountains, which magically turn from pale gray to gold and pink at dusk.  And via ferrata, literally translated as the iron way or iron path, run throughout the Dolomites, incorporating a system of iron ladders to assist hikers on steep mountainous terrain. These trails, originally built and used by WWI soldiers fighting in this region, are an exhilarating way to access spectacular mountain terrain.

But besides the exhilarating hiking, our family trip features mountain biking, the option to travel to the Austrian border, a train ride, swimming pools, waterslides, and a summertime adrenaline adventure park. The Dolomite Mountains truly to have something for everyone, to make this the ultimate family summer vacation!

Check out our high definition videos in: SUMMER VIDEO GALLERY!

TRIP DETAILS

Length: 5n / 6d

Start / Finish:  Cortina / Alta Badia 

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

Cost: starting at €1990  

Includes: Accommodations in family hotels and charming rifugi with private rooms, meals as noted in itinerary, UIAGM/IFMGA professional mountain guide, bicycles, climbing, and ferrata equipment, lifts and cable cars in the area, private local transfers, maps, trip briefings, local medical and evacuation insurance). Airport transfer on request.

View Group Departure Dates
This trip is available as a custom departure on dates of your choosing or as a group departure on set dates.

On our Family Trips: 

• when children share a room with two adults, youths between ages 7-12 receive a 10% discount;
• when children share a room with one adult or another child, a 10% discount is applied to the youth's trip price;
• when one child is in a single room, the full private room charge will apply.
  

PREFER A SELF-GUIDED FAMILY ADVENTURE? 
Check out our Family Traverse in the Dolomites!

VENICE EXTENSION
We also offer a "Venice Extension with the Kids" on request!  Play with the pigeons at St. Mark’s Square, climb a campanile, float along the canals, watch a glass blower at work, enjoy a museum “kids day”, and so much more!  
2 days / 3 nights

Hiking in the Dolomites

• INFORMATION REQUEST
  Ready to take the next step? Just complete and return our Trip Questionnaire, or contact us directly to plan your Dolomites adventure today!
  
  
  
  
  
  

  Dolomites biking

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  Via Ferrata & Climb

ITINERARY
Trip itinerary may vary based on 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 on your own. Check into your hotel, and meet your guide for a trip briefing.

Cortina d’Ampezzo (1,224m / 4,016') is a chic Venetian town that caters to high society crowd.  Host to the 1956 Winter Olympics, it is a popular ski resort that offers many year-round social activities, shopping, and dining.  Depending on when you arrive, you may have time for an afternoon hike or to explore the town of Cortina. 
D… Family Hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo

Day 2 ~ Mountain Bike Cortina d’Ampezzo / Dobbiaco / San Candido / Cortina d’Ampezzo
One of the best ways to see the Dolomites is by mountain bike. You have the benefit of being off-the-beaten path away from paved roads, and covering more ground and helping you see more of these majestic mountains from trails than you would be able to on foot.

Today we’ll ride from Cortina d’Ampezzo to Dobbiaco, where we’ll have incredible vistas of Tre Cime, a trio of famous peaks towering grandly over Bolzano / Bozen.  Our route will follow an old railway that has been converted into a bike path. Electrified in 1929, the Cortina-Dobbiaco train line operated up until 1960s, when the bus transport took over. Fortunately for us, the bridges and stations were left standing, and today the route is perfect for mountain biking.

Our trip today goes along the Val di Landro (Landro’s valley) where the train used to pass, providing communication between the towns of Calalzo,  Cortina, Dobiacco, and Austria.  The slope here is very gradual and easy to bike, and the incredible iron bridges traverse deep canyons providing views of the mountains and glaciers that are some of the most beautiful in the Dolomites.

En route we’ll pass the Ospitale, the site of a 13th century frescoed chapel and hospice for pilgrims.  Damaged during WWI, it has since been reconstructed and transformed into a charming restaurant Ospitale – Hotel Tre Cime, with a view of the stunning Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Another 5 km takes you to the beautiful village of San Candido where we can stop for lunch and visit the town. (Biking 28km / 17 miles each way.)

For family members (or entire families) seeking more of a challenge, you can ride an additional 44 kilometer (26 mile) to Lienz, Austria, a quaint Austrian village with a fascinating castle.  Return by Return by train and bus to Cortina.
B, D… Family Hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo

Day 3 ~ Via Ferrata Col dei Bos – Rifugio Lagazuoi – WWI Tunnels
After breakfast, we’ll transfer to Col Gallina and begin our short hike to the Via Ferrata Col dei Bos.  From the top of Col dei Bos, the views of the surrounding mountains are unforgettable. From here we descend to Rifugio Lagazuoi (2,750m / 9,022'), our home for tonight.  For children and parents who do not wish to hike or climb a via ferrata, we will transfer to Passo Falzarego to ride the cable car up to Rifugio Lagazuoi.

Mount Lagazuoi, the incredible setting of the rifugio, is Rifugio Lagazuoi is one of the highest rifugi (refuges or mountain inns) in the Dolomites. It is nestled on the summit of Mount Lagazuoi, a veritable castle of rock, with spires, turrets, and hidden military forts hidden deep within. On its patios you feel as though you're sitting at the edge of the world.  In fact, its spacious deck offers 360° view of the Dolomites! What’s more? There is a wonderful restaurant in the rifugio that serves local specialties like polenta with roe deer and the typical strudel.

From the rifugio, we will walk to the Galleria del Lagazuoi, a fascinating open-aire WWI museum carved into the mountains. Here the Italian and Austro–Hungarian armies dug shelters out of the mountains, transforming them into an impenetrable 20th century fortress of tunnels, trenches, and machine gun posts. Numerous routes take us on a behind-the-scenes tour of a dramatic, high-altitude battles that were unique in the history of man.
B,D… Rifugio Lagazuoi

Day 4 ~ Hike to Alta Badia
After a hearty breakfast at our rifugio this morning, we’ll hike to Capanna Alpina, passing by the Rifugio Scotoni, and surrounded by spectacular views of the Cime di Fanis. We then transfer ten minutes to the charming mountain village of San Cassiano, from where we will take a gondola up to Piz Sorega (2,003m / 6,570'). From here we hike on a wide ridge trail with 360-degree views to our lunch spot at the Rifugio Bioch (2,088m / 6,850'). After lunch we’ll hike an hour down to our family run hotel in the town of Corvara (1,561m / 5,120'), located in the Alta Badia.

Located in a large valley surrounded all around by the gorgeous peaks of the Dolomites, Alta Badia is truly the “heart of the Dolomites.” Located in the South Tyrol (Südtirol), this area was part of Austria prior to the First World War. Here you’ll find unique mountain scenery with villages rich in natural beauties and ancient traditions, witness the simple everyday life of the local people (the “Ladini”), as well as the customs and traditions of the ancient Ladin culture.  You’ll notice signs are written in three languages – first in Ladino (a language comes from the Romansh language), then in German, and lastly in Italian. The mixed culture is very well marked not only in the language, but also in the architecture and cuisine.  You’re sure to enjoy hearty meals that are representative of the incredible diversity of this region!
(4-5 hours hiking ~ approx. 9½ miles ~ 1,000' elevation gain / 2,790' loss.)
B,D… 4-Star Hotel in Alta Badia

Day 5 ~ Biking & Zip-Lining in Alta Badia
We’ll spend most of today pedaling through Val Badia's scenic Ladin villages, conifer forests, and flower-carpeted fields, surrounded by a fantasy land of lofty rock towers all the while! A variety of cycling options are available, including:

San Vigilio – Bicycle along the river and beautiful larch forests through the towns of the Alta Badia region arriving in the picturesque valley of San Vigilio, the heart of the Dolomites. We’ll have lunch on the way, enjoying fantastic views of the Dolomitic mountains. Return to your hotel by bike or by bus. (5-6 hours biking, 30-35 km / 19-22 miles, 457m / 1,500' ascent; option for additional 25km / 17 miles.)

Santa Croce Sanctuary – Cycle through forest and green pasture to a typical Ladino shepherd’s house for lunch. Taste local specialties such as turtres (Ladino vegetable pastries), grilled vegetables, and homemade cakes. After lunch, enjoy an exhilarating descent to the tiny village of San Leonardo, and then ride gravel roads back to your hotel.
(5-6 hours biking, 30km / 19 miles, 658m / 2,159' ascent.)  

Fanes-Sennes-Braies Natural Park – More challenging, but undoubtedly one of the most panoramic trips that the Dolomites has to offer in the beautiful Fanes-Sennes-Braies Natural Park. Ride to the top of the Col Locia massif where superb panoramas await you. We’ll then have excellent biking on the Altopiano di Fanes as we travel to a typical Ladino shepherd’s house for lunch.Descend on a gravel road to chic Cortina D’Ampezzo. Afternoon transfer back to Alta Badia.  (6-7 hours biking, 45km / 28 miles, 1,890m/ 6,201' ascent).  

In the afternoon, kids can enjoy an adventure park where they can take an exhilarating zip-line ride where they’ll whip past the canopy of trees from platform to platform (ages 7-14) or try their hand at a ropes course. Other afternoon options include hiking, paragliding, golfing, shopping, or – dare we say it? – relaxing at the spa at your hotel! There truly is something for everyone on this trip!
B,D… 4-Star Hotel in Alta Badia

Day 6 ~ Depart
Breakfast and departure.
B…