Mountain Romance – Hike & Via Ferrata Luxury Escape

Arrive in Cortina d’Ampezzo (1,224m / 4,016') at your leisure and check into your hotel (private transfer available on request). Host to the 1956 Winter Olympics, Cortina enjoys a reputation for great skiing in winter and, in the summer, attracts hikers and mountain climbers who challenge the rocky faces of the nearby mountains. It is also a destination for the international society set and offers many year-round social activities, shopping, and dining.

In the morning, meet your UIAGM/IFMGA Professional Mountain Guide or a Dolomite Mountains representative for a trip briefing and orientation. Today you have your choice of hiking or of climbing a Via Ferrata.

Hiking option:
This morning begins with a private transfer to Cimabanche, the trailhead from where your trek begins, along Val dei Chenópe valley, which takes the name from the stream ‘Ru de Chenópe’.
Hike along the spectacular section below the northern face of Croda Rossa Mountain and Prato Piazza, set in an idyllic high alpine pasture valley.

This is probably the best vantage point for viewing the Croda Rossa, so called for its blood red rock caused by the presence of iron oxide. Reach Rifugio Vallandro (2,040m / 6,690'), the perfect lunch stop. Here you will enjoy fantastic views of the Croda Rossa Massif (Red Wall in English, Rote Wand in German), the Cristallo group, the Tre Cime di Lavaredo and the Natural Park of Fanes–Sennes–Braies. 
Once you arrive, there is an optional additional hike to the top of the Picco di Vallandro/Mt Specie (2,838m / 9,311').
After lunch, descend along the gravel road to Carbonin for your private transfer back to Cortina (please call your driver 1hour ahead). 

(~4-5 hours hiking 10km / 6 miles, 50m / 1,640’ ascent, 560m / 1,840’ descent. Additional hike to Picco di Vallandro/Mt Specie: 3,4km / 1,8 miles, 860m / 2,822' ascent, 30m / 98' descent one way.)

Option: Via Ferrata Ra Pegna & Ra Bujela
Ra Pegna (~2,500m / 8,200') & Ra Bujela (2,257m / 7,405') are two wonderful Via Ferratas that rise up at the foot of Punta Anna and the Pomedes tower in the spectacular Tofana Group. These are a great relaxed and easy alternative to the more demanding via ferrate in the area. The Via Ferrata routes ascend the side of the boulder with no major obstacles or difficulties, and enables first time climbers What’s more? The summit offers great views and photo opportunities of the nearby peaks. Because of their great location and short distance covered, these via ferratas can be combined with the nearby “fixed rope” Sentiero Astaldi trail.(1-1,5 hour ascending per Via Ferrata, approx 200m / 656' via ferrata. Total 100m / 328' ascent and descent.)

Today you’ll begin three days and two nights of hut-to-hut hiking – truly one of the best ways to experience these magical mountains. This hike to the Alpe di Sennes uplands entails a wonderful range of scenery and habitats, two natural parks—Dolomiti d’Ampezzo and Fanes-Sennes-Braies – and the spectacular Croda Rossa (Red Wall in English, Rote Wand in German) mountain group. You’re likely to see chamois – a native European goat-antelope species, roe deer, marmots, and their trustworthy companions – birds of prey.
Hike to a family run rifugio at 1,965 meters (6,447'), a beautiful place to spend the night with superb view east to the Croda Rossa Massif (2,818m / 9,245'). (~5 hours hiking, 12km / 7.4 miles, 920m / 3,018’ ascent, 630m /2,067’ descent. A shorter hiking option is available.)

You'll move to your next rifugio today, a beautiful hike to a mountain inn that sits just beneath the Limo Pass (2,172m / 7,126'), offering a splendid view of the Tofane Mountains. Once you arrive at the rifugio, there is ample opportunity to do additional hikes from the hut. (~4 hours hiking 7km / 4 miles, 690m / 2,264' ascent, 620m / 2,034' descent.)

Hike through the Altopiano di Fanes to Alta Badia, a sunny hollow on the south side of the Val Badia, in the Alto Adige region where you'll spend the next three nights. Here in the heart of the Dolomites, you'll enjoy superb panoramas of the Western Dolomites and the Marmolada Massif, the "Queen of the Dolomites." (~5 hours hiking, 11.4km / 7 miles, 779m /2,556’ ascent, 1,111m / 3,645' descent. A shorter hiking option is available.)

Choice to experience the thrill of a via ferrata or hike and via ferrata combination on the Sella Massif up to the top of Piz Boè with a professional mountain guide. Regardless of which option you choose, you'll delight in remarkable views of the Marmolada glacier, the Dolomites’ highest peak. Take a gondola and a chair lift to Rifugio Kostner, and from there start your via ferrata or hike. (Ascend a moderate to difficult 200m / 656' via ferrata. Hike to the top of Piz Boè: ~5-6 hours hiking 7km / 4 miles, 652m / 2,139' ascent, 913m / 2,995' descent.)


Hike to the Santa Croce Sanctuary at the base of the Sasso della Croce (Stone of the Cross in English, Sass dla Crusc for the native Ladin-speaking population). The sober white church was consecrated in 1484 and holds an image of Christ bearing the cross, hence the name of the mountain—Sasso della Croce, “Stone of the Cross” (~4-5 hours hiking 11km / 7 miles, 590m / 1,935' ascent and descent). In the afternoon, relax by the pool or treat yourself to a luxurious massage!

Breakfast and departure (private transfer available on request).