Dolomites Hikes

Hiking from Cortina d'Ampezzo to Alta Badia

Experience the incredible diversity of the Dolomites on our one-week hiking trip. From Venetian-influenced Cortina d’Ampezzo to Alta Badia’s South Tyrolean and Ladin roots, discover how towering peaks separate beautiful lush valleys and their distinct cultures and cuisine.

Trip Overview

Soaring high in the sky, Italy's majestic Dolomites play host to our exciting traverse through the Dolomite Mountains. Wild alpine meadows alternate with deciduous and evergreen woods, high altitude lunar-like terrain soaring peaks provide dramatic walls and towering heights.

On this great itinerary, you’ll explore two very different areas in the Dolomites: the Veneto and the South Tyrol – both surrounded by dramatic mountains!  Begin in the refined town of Cortina d’Ampezzo – a chic alpine town, full of high-end boutiques along a pedestrian walk-street through the center of town. At the end of your trek, you’ll arrive in the quaint villages of Alta Badia, a string of six villages in the Val Badia, or Badia Valley. The culture here is a combination of Austrian – from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Italian – by acquisition, and Ladin – the native culture that dates back to Roman times. Little did you know this trip would also offer you so much cultural diversity!


Hiking in and traversing between these two regions, you’ll have ample opportunity to enjoy the diverse geology and geography of the Dolomites as well. From lunar landscapes of dolomite rock, to lush meadows carpeted with wildflowers, to forests of mugo pine and larch trees, there is a different vista around every corner. And along the way you’ll be treated to stays in charming rifugi (mountain inns), with comfortable accommodations and hearty Dolomite cuisine!

Highlights

  • Hike from Cortina d’Ampezzo to Alta Badia on scenic trails, walking through alpine pastures, across mountain passes, surrounded by breathtaking vistas
  • Hike in Cortina and admire the dominating Cristallo and Tofane mountain groups
  • Travel on the Déodat de Dolomieu trail, taking in stunning views of the classic dolomite rock layers, named for the geologist who discovered them
  • Make a loop around Prato Piazza, and take in the incredible views of the red-iron-stained Croda Rossa Massif, the Cristallo Group, and Tre Cime di Lavaredo
  • Explore the Sella Massif, surrounded by four connected mountain passes
  • Spend two nights in charming, high mountain rifugi, including in one of the highest rifugi in the Dolomites with 360-degree-views

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 Cortina d’Ampezzo

  • Day 2

    Hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo (B)

  • Day 3

    Rifugio (B,D)

  • Day 4

    Rifugio (B,D)

  • Day 5

    Hotel in Alta Badia (B,D)

  • Day 6

    Hotel in Alta Badia (B,D)

  • Day 7

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.

Want to learn more about our Hotels and B&Bs?
The Dolomites has a multi-faceted culture and history that is reflected in each village we visit, and we make sure to provide you with the most authentic experience of the region possible through the hotels and B&Bs we offer. Hotels and chalets are available in the larger villages, while agriturismos (working farms with accommodations similar to B&Bs) are more common in rural areas. And we always make sure you have access to inspired regional cuisine, and the best panoramas you can get in the Dolomites!

Prefer luxury accommodations?
You can also book a custom departure of this trip using our Luxury Hotels. For details, please contact us.

Want to learn more about our Mountain Inns & Rifugi?            
Rifugi – or mountain huts in English – are the classic accommodation for hikers, climbers, mountaineers, and ski mountaineers in the Alps. Set in spectacular locations high in the Dolomites, rifugi are accessible only on foot (with a few exceptions that are reachable by car). These marvelous establishments are open primarily in the summer, with a select few in winter, and offer meals and sleeping facilities.

The Dolomite rifugi are considered the best in the Alps. While some are dormitory style with bunk beds, many meet the standard of a simple guest house with private rooms and en-suite bathrooms, and each has its own unique character and charm. Bedding and linens are provided, hot showers are available, and meals are served in common dining areas – like a small mountain inn set high in the mountains with the most incredible vistas in the Dolomites. Whether you’re hiking in summer or skiing in winter, an overnight rifugio stay is not to miss on a Dolomite holiday.

To learn even more about rifugi in the Dolomites, check out our Rifugios in the Dolomites article and learn about one of the best ways to experience these incredible mountains!

VIA FERRATA OPTION
Add a day (or more!) of climbing via ferrata with one of our UIAGM/IFMGA professional mountain guides! The vie ferrate, or iron paths of the Dolomites, allow non-climbers to discover the mountains in safety and adding a new dimension to hiking the pristine alpine wilderness of the Dolomites. Contact us for details!

Still want more? Why not extend your adventure!
Dolomite Mountains offers fantastic extensions that you can enjoy before or after your trip in the Dolomites. Explore VeniceVeronaLake GardaFlorence, or Milan, or any of the many other magical places found throughout Italy. There's no more perfect way to recover from jet lag upon arrival, or delay your return to reality at the end of your trip!

Cost

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

Guided Trip:
€ 3.880 per person (2 participants)
€ 2.610 per person (4 participants)
€ 2.210 per person (6 participants)

Self Guided Trip:
€ 1.620 per person (2 participants)
€ 1.420 per person (4 participants)
€ 1.360 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. 
  • There is a private-room supplement in Rifugi: €40 per Rifugio, per person per night (based on availability).
  • 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 3-star hotel in Cortina d'Ampezzo
  • 2 nights accommodation in rifugio (shared dormitories)
  • 2 nights accommodation in 3-star hotel in Alta Badia
  • All breakfasts
  • All dinners (except in Cortina d'Ampezzo)
  • Luggage transfer from Cortina d'Ampezzo to Alta Badia
  • Transfer as per itinerary
  • Local English speaking Hiking Guide (guided trips)
  • Lift tickets (guided trips)
  • A €15 donation to Wow Nature’s reforestation projects makes your trip carbon-neutral 
  • Local tourist tax
  • Italian VAT tax

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