After 10 Years Hiking Europe, These Are My 10 Favorite Treks

4. Cortina d'Ampezzo to Alta Badia: the Dolomites, Italy

Distance:  37 miles Effort:  Moderate

Why we love it:  The fang-like peaks of the Dolomites provide more than a stunning backdrop for trekking. They also deliver a lesson in history, geology, culture, and cuisine. The journey between the Venetian-influenced town of Cortina d'Ampezzo and the Ladin-influenced villages of Alta Badia in South Tyrol takes hikers through mugo pine and larch trees, past World War I tunnels dug into the mountainsides, around the fortress-like Sella Massif, and into the heart of Puez-Odle Nature Park. Along the way, you'll stay in charming  refuges  that serve typical local dishes such as  canederli  (bread dumplings).

Need to know:  Mid-June to early October is the best time for hiking in this region. Most people devote one week to this trek, planning for four to seven hours of hiking a day. You'll want to prepare your legs for some serious ascents and descents. The Dolomites are known for their vast network of  refuges , which offer private rooms and shared rooms, home-cooked meals, and some, like  Rifugio Lagazuoi  (from $85 for a dorm-style room), now feature saunas.  Dolomite Mountains , one of the region's most respected adventure operators, offers seven-day guided (from $4,570) and self-guided itineraries ($1,920) that include transfers, refuges, and meals.

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