Cortina Dolomiti Ultra Trekking

Arrive in Cortina d’Ampezzo (1,224m / 4,016') on your own and check into your hotel (private transfer available on request). Cortina d’Ampezzo is a charming alpine resort town surrounded by stunning peaks. Host to the 1956 Winter Olympics, and co-host to the forthcoming 2026 Winter Olympics, Cortina enjoys a reputation for great skiing in winter, and in the summer attracts hikers and climbers who challenge the rocky faces of the nearby mountains. This chic Venetian town also caters to the high society crowd, offering many year-round social activities, shopping, and fine dining. 

In the afternoon (time to be confirmed), meet a Dolomite Mountains representative who will provide a trip briefing and orientation, route maps and your duffel bag (1 bag every 2 members).

In the morning at 08.30 you will meet your local English speaking Hiking Guide and begin your exciting adventure in the Dolomites.    

A superb itinerary to the soaring Tre Cime di Lavaredo – probably the most famous landmark in all the Dolomites, and known across the world. You can have lunch in one of the rifugios in the area, tasting local specialties such as canederli (a Tyrolean dumpling) and goulash (a beef soup or stew). A wonderful way to appreciate the Tre Cime di Lavaredo in summer is by hiking a loop around these mountains, during which their usual shapes mutate from sharp points to soft corners, the three sections of the mountain apparently merging into one. The area is a sort of “open air museum,” as there are lots of reminders of the First World War – tunnels, bunkers, and old barracks. Tre Cime is also part of the world history of mountaineering – the first routes were climbed in the 1930s.

Another adventure awaits today. From your Rifugio descend to Lago di Landro along Valle di Rienza and take a private transfer to the second part of your hike. Today you will travel under the Tofana di Rozes massif to the summit of Mount Lagazuoi (2,778m / 9,114'), a veritable castle of rock, with lots of spires, turrets and hidden military forts to explore. Here you will reach one of the highest rifugios in the Dolomites.

This stage is of great interest for both the spectacular mountains around and the abundance of reminders of the terrible years of WWI, due to the vicinity of the former border between the long-dismantled Hapsburg Empire and Italy.
From Rifugio Lagazuoi, descend to the main road either by cable-car (not included) or on foot. Hike a memorable traverse below the awesome Tofana di Rozes, ascending Forcella Lagazuoi (2,573m / 8,442’), Forcella Travenanzes (2,507m / 8,225’) and Forcella Col dei Bos (2,331m / 7,648’) and gradually descend along the line of trenches. Reach the main road that goes from Cortina to Passo Falzarego, cross it and climb through forests to the fascinating, renowned Cinque Torri area (option to ascend by chairlift, not included) and stop at Rifugio Scoiattoli for lunch, with incredible vistas around.
After lunch, you may wish to circumnavigate the Cinque Torri. This area saw heavy fighting during WWI, trenches and Italian army shelters have been restored creating the Grande Guerra open air museum of WWI, offering insights into the war and fighting through interpretive panels. Here you have the opportunity to walk through the open air museum, through trenches and visiting military installments. After the “museum,” you will hike through the middle of the rock towers, where you will likely see climbers high up on the walls, finally arriving at your Rifugio. You may also choose to skip the museum and interior of the towers, and follow path 443 directly to your Rifugio at Passo Giau (~5-6 hours hiking 11.6km / 7 miles, 582m / 1,908’ ascent, 1,040m / 3,412’ descent).

Today you will enjoy a beautiful hike around the Croda da Lago massif (2,236m / 1,389'). From the Rifugio, begin to hike uphill to the rear of grassy Col Piombin, that takes its name from a past mining activity. The trail leads over the Forcella Giau (2,360m / 7,742') with plenty of ups and downs; here the views of the Tofana and Lastoi de Formin are inspiring. The path drops to cross streams, and then gains the earthy saddle Forcella Ambrizzola (2,277m / 7,470'). From here hike to Rifugio Croda da Lago Palmieri (2,042m / 6,699’) and to Malga Federa. After the Malga, continue on the dirt road until a cross-bar where the asphalt starts: here you will find your private transfer back to Cortina d’Ampezzo (~4-5 hours hiking 9km / 5.5 miles, 303m / 994' ascent, 695m / 2,280' descent).

Breakfast and departure on your own (private transfer available on request).