Dolomites Walking
Mountain Majesty in Northern Italy
Imagine a rustic mountain hut that serves piping hot spaghetti al ragu and vino rosso. More than a warming hut, the traditional Dolomite rifugio is an oasis of simple comfort and hearty cuisine. No celebrity chefs. No pretense. But they're like everything in this region - like the sweeping pastures of wildflowers, the raw, jagged snowcapped cliffs, the never-ending views from gondola rides, and the charm of Cortina, a bustling Italian Alpine village. They're vibrant, filled with flavor and satisfying. These days we all work hard, long hours and have fast-paced lives. Isn't it the perfect time to find refuge in a rifugio?
- Hidden valleys, fairy-tale villages and majestic mountains in a multicultural mosaic
- Ride chairlifts, then hike past grassy meadows, pine forests, alpenrose and mountain huts
- Michelin-starred cuisine outside Cortina
- Dramatic views of the Cinque Torri, five towering stone pinnacles
- Shop for authentic Tyrolean specialties, such as jams, cheeses and flavored grappa
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Day 1 Hidden valleys, fairy-tale villages and majestic mountains in a multicultural mosaic 
Accompanied by views of the Sciliar massif, picnic at a 13th-century Gothic castle Hike into the hills above the picturesque village of Fiè allo Sciliar.
Day 2 Ride chairlifts, then hike past grassy meadows, pine forests and alpenrose In an amphitheater of soaring limestone peaks, we gather at a mountain rifugio for a home-cooked lunch of canederli, speck, polenta and other local favorites Taste regional vintages in our hotel's wine cellar.
Days 3-4 Explore dazzling Puez Odle Natural Park, one of the most pristine areas of the Dolomites Keep an eye out for chamois, mountain pheasants, eagles and marmots as we explore Climb the rocky terrain to Crespeina Pass, ablaze with spring and summer wildflowers A chairlift whisks us to the 15th-century Santa Croce chapel.
Days 5-6 Michelin-starred cuisine at Cortina's finest restaurant, where Italian celebs are known to dine Ascend to Rifugio Scoiattoli for staggering vistas en route to Cortina d'Ampezzo, a sophisticated - and distinctly Italian - ski village set beneath a battlement of stunning mountain peaks Ascend by cable car for a hike and perhaps a cappuccino at the rifugio with 360-degree valley views.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
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Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
This is our first Backroads trip. It far exceeded our expectations, in every way. The food was over the top in quality and quantity. The scenery and hiking are diverse and extraordinary. The inns were intimate and excellent. But it was the guides who made the trip so very special. They appeared to handle all the logistics effortlessly and we so appreciated having everything handled. They both provided leadership, but it never quite appeared so. They were tons of fun, inspiring, well informed and good teachers, and just so generally interesting as human beings I would have loved to have been almost anywhere with them. I effuse enough. It was a perfect trip.- Carmel, CA More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
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Dolomites Walking
Premiere Inns
Romantik Hotel Turm
Fiè allo Sciliar (2 nights) A 13th-century hotel with Tyrolean-style décor, and delicious regional cuisine prepared by proprietor and renowned chef Stefan Pramstrahler. (pool, spa)
Hotel La Perla
Corvara (2 nights) "Charming chalet-style lodge... surrounded by the spectacular jagged peaks of the Dolomites and features impressive timber construction and a Michelin-starred restaurant," noted Andrew Harper. (pool, spa)
Hotel de la Poste
Cortina d'Ampezzo (1 night) Established in 1835, a charming hotel located amid mountain peaks in the center of this well-heeled town.
Dolomites Walking
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Levels 1 to 2
2 Route Options Available
- 3.15 miles
- 330 - 990 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 3 to 5 2 Route Options Available
- 7.9, 11.2 miles
- 860 - 2200 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 5, 7.8, 10.5 miles
- 500 - 2160 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Level 2 1 Route Option Available
- 6.1 miles
- 700 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 2 2 Route Options Available
- 3.5, 6 miles
- 1730 - 2000 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- 1.9, 3.1 miles
- 710 - 1150 feet elevation gain