Three Dolomite Valleys Hiking Traverse

Arrive in Val Gardena (1,563m / 5,128') on your own and check into your hotel (private transfer available on request). Set among the mountains of Sassolungo, Puez, and the Sella Massif, Val Gardena is best known for skiing and rock climbing, as well as  woodcarving, which has flourished here since the 17th century. Home to three cultures – Italian, Austrian, and the native Ladin, most signage in Val Gardena is written in the three languages – Italian, German, and Ladin! Depending on when you arrive, you may have time for a hike or to explore one of the three villages of Val Gardena – San Cristina, Ortisei, or Selva Gardena.

In the morning, meet your local English speaking hiking guide (or a Dolomite Mountains representative for self guided trips) who will provide a trip briefing and orientation.

The flank of the Odle mountain group, amply named “needles” in Ladin, has been subject to long term erosion, revealing the fascinating earth and rock strata underlining the principal pale Dolomite rock. The array covers grey-white chalks dating back 240-250 million years along wine red porphyry from a relatively late volcanic phase. Ongoing weathering of the oldest, a blood-red variety of sandstone, led to the 1968 discovery of intriguing skeletal fragments belonging to a long extinct porpoise-like lchthyosaurus, now displayed in the museum at Ortisei, a recommended follow up to the walk.

From the town of Ortisei, take the Resciesa funicolar (not included) to Chalet Resciesa from where you will start your hike. This is an easy hike, suitable for almost anyone, as the trail is predominantly flat with little or no elevation change. Stop for a drink or a rest at a local Rifugio and admire the jagged north faces of the dramatic Odle Group before descending toward Ortisei by cable-car.
(~5-6 hours hiking, 13.3 km / 8.3 miles, 350 m / 1,150' ascent, 700 m / 2,300’ descent)
 
This afternoon, discover the charming Tyrolean town of Ortisei on foot.

The Puez-Odle/Geisler Nature Reserve comprises an expanse of 10,722 hectares (25,194 acres) and is named after the striking peaks of the Puez and the pinnacles of the Odle/Geisler massifs. Today’s hike presents some challenges, but the views will be breath-taking!

In the morning take the Dantercepies cablecar (not included if self-guided) to Passo Gardena (2,120m / 6,955'), then hike up to the Passo Cir (2,470m / 8,100') and follow a wider trail on undulating terrain that leads to the Forcella Ciampai Pass (2,365m / 7,760') and up to the Rifugio Puez (2,475m / 8,120’) where you can stop for lunch.
A longer option allows a one-hour ridge hike from the Passo Cir to the Sass Ciampac (2,673m / 8,770').
A final three-hour hike downhill on an easy and panoramic trail brings you to the town of Colfosco and then onto Corvara (1,560m / 5,120'), where your hotel is located.
(~7-8 hours hiking, 15 km / 9,3 miles, 590 m / 1,935' ascent, 1,150m / 3,775' descent.)

Today you’ll hike to the Santa Croce Sanctuary at the base of the Sasso della Croce (Sass dla Crusc for the Ladin-speaking population). Begin walking uphill on a paved road, passing through a number of closely-knit hamlets formed of clusters of ancient shingle-roofed timber farmhouses and barns, known as viles, or small communities, characteristic of Val Badia.

In the morning take a private transfer to San Cassiano and the start of your hike. After a 45-minute walk on a road, pass through the last vile, continue hiking on a gravel trail that leads to the Santa Croce Sanctuary. Walk gradually uphill through the pine forest with great views of Santa Croce, the Conturines, and Sella mountain groups, as well as the towns of La Villa, San Cassiano, Corvara, Pedraces, and San Leonardo – all part of the Val Badia valley. Along the way there are a couple of steep ascents.
It takes about two hours from San Cassiano to reach the church and sanctuary of Ospizio S. Croce (2,045m / 6,710').  There is a charming rifugio here, where you can enjoy a traditional Dolomites lunch. Don’t miss the famous Kaiserschmarren, a crepe-like pancake with powdered sugar and jam!

Enjoy a meal and a rest at the Ospizio of Santa Croce restaurant  (2,045m / 6,710'). 
When you are ready to depart, descend along the Armentara meadows to La Villa and take a private transfer to your hotel.
(~5-6 hours hiking, 13.0 km / 8.1 miles, 600 m / 1,970' ascent, 530 m / 1,740’ descent.)

Option for a shorter hike.

After breakfast, take a private transfer to Capanna Alpina (1,726m / 5,663'), a restaurant built just at the edge of the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Natural Park, located in an incredible setting.
From here, begin your hike with a steep, 1,5-hour ascent. After arriving at Col de Locia (2,069m / 6,788'), you will enter in a fairytale valley, set between mountains, carpeted with green pastures. You’ll hike numerous ups and downs for about 3 hours, until you reach a cozy mountain hut, Malga Fanes Grande (2,104m / 6,903'). This cheery converted farm offers light meals (option to have lunch here). Pass by Lago di Limo, a beautiful mountain lake at 2,159 meters (7,083'). In summer, the waters here are surrounded by gentians, buttercups, and globe flowers. Descend to reach your rifugio for tonight. (~4-5 hours hiking, 9.1 km / 5.7 miles, 520m / 1,705' ascent, 200 m / 660' descent).

This walk to the Alpe di Sennes uplands entails a good range of scenery and habitats. Grandiose Dolomite groups headed by the Croda Rossa are foremost features, their lower flanks cloaked by flourishing woods of a healthy mix of evergreen conifer and deciduous species.
Depart your rifugio this morning and hike down to Rifugio Pederü (1,540m / 4,313') on Alta Via n.1. From Pederü hike on to Rifugio Fodara Vedla (1,965m /6,447'), which is also part of the Natural Park of Fanes-Sennes-Braies. From here you will have a superb view east on the Croda Rossa Massif (2,818m / 9,245'), so-called for its blood-red rock due to the presence of iron oxide.
After lunch, you’ll hike on a stony track, a former wartime mule route, traversing a series of grassy basins dotted with bushes and dwarf mountain pine, the ideal home of marmots and chamois. The final part of today’s hike winds steadily down through Arolla pine and larch to Rifugio Malga Ra Stua, where your driver awaits to take you to your hotel in Cortina d'Ampezzo.
(~5-6 hours hiking, 13.2 km / 8.2 miles, 500 m / 1640' ascent, 880 m / 2,890' descent.)

Shorter option available.

This morning begins with a private transfer to Passo Tre Croci,  right above the North-East border of Cortina.
Today's hike will allow you to admire the view of the Cristallo mountain group to the North, the Tofane to the West behind the Cortina basin, and the Ciadin del Loudo to the South.
Hike a section of the panoramic “Dolomieu Trail”, providing stunning views of the classic Dolomite's rock layers as you hike through woods of larches and spruce pines just above Rio Gere. Take a transfer back to your hotel in Cortina.
(~5.5 hours hiking, 11.4 km / 7.1 miles, 510 m / 1,670' ascent, 600 m / 1,970' descent.)

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