A Taste of South Tyrol: Hike, Bike, Explore and Savor!

Arrive in Alta Badia on your own (private transfers available on request) and reach San Cassiano, a lovely village situated at the foot of the imposing rock faces of Lavarella, Conturines, and Lagazuoi, with several excellent gourmet restaurants. 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 the street 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 will surely enjoy hearty meals that are representative of the incredible diversity of this region!

On your first evening you will enjoy a delicious degustation menu dinner in the Cocun Restaurant, one of four available at Hotel Ciasa Salares. Get ready to taste wonderful flavors!

In the afternoon (time to be confirmed), meet a Dolomite Mountains representative (self guided trips) who will provide a trip briefing and orientation, route maps and everything necessary for your self guided adventure.

In the morning meet your Local English speaking Hiking Guide (guided trips) for a trip briefing and orientation, and to start your adventure in the Dolomites.

Today you will discover the Pralongia High Plateau. It is possible to ascend/descend the Pralongia Plateau on foot, or with the help of a cable car from San Cassiano, depending on your energy level. This area is surrounded by mountains including the Marmolada (3,343m /10,964'), the Queen of the Dolomites, the highest peak in the Dolomites and home to its largest remaining glacier. Once on the Plateau, there are plenty of rifugios (mountain inns) where you can enjoy the panorama and have lunch and a good glass of wine.
To return to San Cassiano, you can either return to the cablecar station along the same way, or alternatively, you could hike down to San Cassiano on a gentle gravel path.
(Descend by cable car 2-3hrs, 8.7km / 5.22 miles, 188m /616' ascent and descent; Descend on foot to San Cassiano 3-4 hour hiking, 11km / 6.6 miles, 188m / 616' ascent, 651m / 2,135' descent).

This evening, enjoy a wine tasting followed by a delicious gourmet dinner at 1-Star Michelin restaurant 'La Stua de Michil'. Return transfers included.

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. These small communities are characteristic of Val Badia; in medieval times they were grouped together for protection, forming self-sufficient units with their own collective oven and well. The properties have also been safeguarded from demolition and destruction, thanks to the deeply rooted and legally recognized custom of the maso chuiso – closed farm – introduced in the sixth century, whereby the eldest son is expected to carry on farm activities and traditions while siblings must leave to seek fortune elsewhere. In the morning take a private transfer to San Cassiano and hike first on asphalt road and then on a gravel trail that leads to the Santa Croce Sanctuary. Along the way there are a couple of steep ascents. As you get closer to Santa Croce, you will discover stations of the cross lining the trail of this pilgrimage walk. It takes about two hours from San Cassiano to reach the church and sanctuary of Ospizio S. Croce (2,045m / 6,710'). 

In the afternoon, hike across woods and pastures to reach the hamlet of La Val, the end of your hike.
(3-4 hours hiking, 11.42km / 7.1 miles, 626m / 2,055' ascent, 600m / 1,968' descent.)

En route to your hotel in San Vigilio di Marebbe your driver will take you to Genuss Bunker. You’ve heard of wine and cheese pairings, but what about beer and cheese? Venture into a natural stone bunker, a World War II relic, and enjoy a delicious tasting of Alpine cheeses produced Italy, locally in the South Tyrol, and in neighboring countries. The owner, a fromelier (cheese master) and cicerone (beer sommelier), will guide you through historic tunnels, share how cheeses are aged here, and share a cheese tasting in this unique ambiance, accompanied by incredible craft beers.
Dinner included in your hotel’s restaurant.

After breakfast, take a private transfer to Passo Furcia (1,800m / 5,904’). Today’s hike will take you to the top of Kronplatz.
Kronplatz is a popular destination, with its majestic 2,275-meter (7,464') peak standing out from the surrounding mountains. On the top of a wooded area, along the south side of the Pusteria Valley, it offers a 360-degree panorama of the entire surroundings. In fact, the view from Kronplatz is one of the most beautiful in the Alps, and offers vistas across all points of the compass: from Austria’s Lienz Dolomites to the east, to Italy and Switzerland’s Ortler Group to the west, from the Dolomite’s Marmolada Massif to the south, and across the Puster Valley to the Zillertal Alps in the north.
(2-3 hours hiking, 8km / 4,8 miles, 400m / 1,312’ ascent)

On arrival at the top, visit the LUMEN Museum: spanning four floors it offers the possibility to experience the history of mountain photography from its beginnings until the present as well as displaying the art of mountain-photographers from all over the world. A scientific approach and entertainment are not contradictions — LUMEN shows historic pictures and digital innovations, exciting temporary and special exhibitions as well as spectacular productions.
Enjoy a gourmet lunch at AlpINN commissioned and managed by the Michelin star chef Norbert Niederkofler, a concept restaurant serving dishes created entirely using local ingredients, produced solely by local farmers. Not to mention that the restaurants boasts large glass windows offering breath-taking views as well as an open kitchen.
Descend by cable-car and take a private transfer to your hotel.
Dinner is included in a traditional local restaurant with specialties from the region.

In the morning, take a private transfer to Lago di Braies / Pragser Wildsee (Lake Braies, 1,469m / 4,818'). Known as the Pearl of the Dolomite lakes, the reflection of Croda del Béco / Seekofel (south of the lake, at 2,810m / 9,219') in the lake is simply beautiful. Lago di Braies is set in the Valle di Braies, with origins attributable to a mud-flow. Not only is this one of the most beautiful lakes of South Tyrol, but it is also one of the deepest, with an average depth of 17 meters (56'), and 36 meters (118') at its deepest point.
Today you will hike a loop around the lake and appreciate glorious views of its emerald-green waters from every direction. The path was created in 1910, financed by the guests and owners of the Hotel Lago di Braies / Hotel Pragser Wildsee with the money collected from organized games, lotteries, and dances that took place in the hotel. A small beach invites you to take a short break and enjoy the view, or even a quick dip in the water if the day is particularly warm.
(1-2hrs hiking, 3.6km / 2.16 miles, 100m / 328' ascent and descent.)

At the end of your hike, take a short private transfer to Alpe Pragas, a local fruit processor that makes delicious organic jams, preserves, smoothies, and syrups. Founded in 1997 with the idea of processing first-rate fruit,  Alpe Pragas creates exclusive finished products of the highest quality. Enjoy a visit to the "fruit manufactory," followed by a tasting of their mouth-watering creations, made with excellent basic ingredients that do not require any kind of artificial additive, only a little sugar or sweet agave juice, the juice of ripe Sicilian lemons, and a touch of apple pectin.
Take a private transfer to your hotel in San Candido, and get ready for your next gourmet experience in the Dolomites, a wonderful degustation dinner at the 1-Michelin Star restaurant Tilia Restaurant in Dobbiaco.

In the morning rent your bikes in town. From San Candido bike towards east on the designed cycle-lane along the plains, charming villages and small hamlets of Val Pusteria. The route is suitable for all types of bikers and for families with young children as it is almost always away from the road,  on the other side of the Drava river, and well signposted throughout.
Today's cycle ride will take you across the Austrian border to the town of Lienz (650m / 2,132’) in East Tyrol.

En route to Lienz you'll find the Loaker factory which produces delicious crispy wafers, delicately smooth chocolates and snacks. Specialities are produced to perfection, selecting only the best ingredients, just like Alfons Loacker did when he opened his small patisserie in 1925. Today you'll find out how Loacker delicious and fragrant wafers are made and participate in the process by making your very own, under the guidance of experts you will make your personalized wafers like a real pastry chef! You can fill the fragrant freshly baked waffles with your favorite filling that you will choose from the delicious Loacker creams. After having divided and packaged your creations, you can take them away with you to savor later on, perhaps along the way to Lienz, or during the train journey back.
Continue your bike ride to Lienz, drop off your bikes and take a train back to San Candido.
(Biking 43km / 26,7 miles, 500m / 1,640’ elevation change.)

Get ready for your last dinner in South Tyrol, a gourmet experience in the rustic, warm and homely setting of Jora Hut, just 20min walk from San Candido. Enjoy the sophisticated South Tyrolean cuisine in an alpine setting at an altitude of 1,325m/4,346', all dishes are prepared freshly by chef Markus Holzer and his team, using high-quality and natural ingredients sourced from local farmers.

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