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?
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 through an alpine plateau
with dramatic massifs and colorful wildflowers carpeting the grassy meadows 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 A sommelier-led wine tasting
in San Cassiano Explore dazzling Puez-Odle Natural Park, one of the most pristine areas of the Dolomites, keeping an eye out for chamois, mountain pheasants, eagles and marmots Our friend Heidi shares insight into the distinct language, culture and customs of the Ladin people.
Days 5-6 Dramatic views of the Cinque Torri, a collection of towering stone pinnacles
Climb to Rifugio Scoiattoli for staggering vistas en route to an impressive World War I open-air museum Cortina d'Ampezzo, a sophisticated - and distinctly Italian - ski village set beneath a battlement of stunning mountain peaks, invites a stroll Travel by cable car for a hike and perhaps a cappuccino at a rifugio with 360-degree valley views.
Trip Highlights
- 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 in Cortina d'Ampezzo
- Dramatic views of the Cinque Torri, a collection of towering stone pinnacles
- Shop for authentic Tyrolean specialties, such as jams, cheeses and flavored grappa
Premiere Inns
Romantik Hotel Turm (2 nights): A 13th-century hotel with Tyrolean-style décor, and delicious regional cuisine prepared by proprietor and renowned chef Stefan Pramstrahler. (pool, spa)
Rosa Alpina Hotel & Spa (2 nights): Built as a parish priest house in 1850, this alpine getaway now wows guests with its stunning setting, elegant décor and Michelin-starred cuisine. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool, spa)
Hotel de la Poste (1 night): Owned by the same family since 1835, this former mail coach inn occupies a superb location on Cortina's bustling Corso Italia.
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.
| Daily Route Options | ||||||||||
| Day | EASYGOING | ACTIVE | AVID | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | ||||||
| miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | |
| 1 | 2.6 | 300 | 4.4 | 800 | ||||||
| 2 | 5.6* | 500 | 8.9* | 1800 | 12.0* | 2300 | ||||
| 3 | 4.7* | 700 | 7.5* | 1700 | 9.9* | 3500 | ||||
| 4 | 6.9* | 800 | 8.4* | 1600 | 9.8* | 2100 | ||||
| 5 | 3.6* | 600 | 4.7* | 1900 | 5.9* | 2300 | ||||
| 6 | 3.7* | 1300 | ||||||||
* Includes a shuttle
2013 Dates & Pricing*
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 6/23-28 Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $720 for sgl. occ.)
- 6/30-7/5 Price: $4298 pp dbl. occ., (+ $720 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/7-12 Price: $4298 pp dbl. occ., (+ $720 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/14-19 Price: $4298 pp dbl. occ., (+ $720 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/28-8/2 Price: $4198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $720 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/25-30 Price: $4298 pp dbl. occ., (+ $720 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/1-6 Price: $4298 pp dbl. occ., (+ $720 for sgl. occ.)
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Guest Trip Reviews
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
I don't know how Backroads does it! This is my second trip with you and it was just like my first one to Patagonia in 2006, absolutely wonderful. My trip leaders were so nice, so well organized and so much fun to be with. I loved my time with them at meals, at wine tastings and while hiking. The hikes were over and through some of the most remarkable and unusual mountain terrain on the planet and I felt very privileged to get to walk the hikes and see what I saw. The group of people I traveled with were wonderful people. All of them were fun, smart and interesting and put themselves "out there" to have a great time. In summary, all of this is simply to say that nobody does this kind of travel experience better than Backroads and I continue to be a big fan! Thank you again for giving me another memorable Backroads hiking trip!- Atlanta, GA
First, let me say thank you!!! This was our honeymoon and we decided that just this once we'd really splurge and let someone else do the planning - figuring that we probably won't allow ourselves this kind of luxury again until we hit another major milestone. But the trip was so incredible that we just might be addicted to Backroads and totally unable to travel on our own ever again! Since this was our first time using an "active travel company," we did a lot of research to find the right trip - so we know that there's a ton of competition out there - but based on our experience in the Dolomites, I can't imagine any company doing a better job.- West Chester, PA
I have run out of superlatives for every Backroads employee I have encountered. The proof is in the number of trips I have taken both in the USA and around the world. When I get the itch for adventure, I pick up the phone and dial 800 GO ACTIVE. Bronwen answered the phone, put three trips back to back for me, and has encouraged and rooted for me ever since. Backroads is the BEST, and that is directly related to it's people.- Dewittville, NY
This is one of the best vacations I have ever had. The region is so rich, and the challenging hikes took us to places of such beauty and tranquility - exactly what I needed to get away from my hectic daily life. It ended much too soon.- New York, NY
The hikes were absolutely stunning...The views were beyond our high expectations. The biggest highlights, aside from the hikes, were Turm hotel, the dinner in the castle, and the refugio. Loved the refugio atmosphere and ate one of the best meals there.- McLean, VA
We were very happily surprised with the trip and with the Dolomites, which were stunning. I really liked meeting in Bolzano because I don't think we would have visited otherwise, and we really enjoyed our visit there. The towns were charming and beautiful, and the people were friendly and helpful. We had a wonderful time and felt very well taken care of. We were sorry to see the trip end!- Pleasant Hill, CA
The leaders where excellent. The itinerary was well thought out, planned, and executed. I have traveled all over the world both independently and on group tours. Backroads level of service is simply unparalleled.- Lafayette, CA
A wonderful experience. It was engaging and thoroughly restful at the same time. This is a trip I would seriously consider taking again.- San Francisco, CA
Felt like we really got a flavor of the Dolomites! Did all the longest hike options and really loved it.- Reno, NV
This trip was well designed to offer options that seemed to suit everyone. It had absolutely fabulous scenery, and was one of the more challenging trips we've been on.- Bingham Farms, MI
This was a wonderful trip - it offered the right amount of activity combined with cultural enrichment.- Bethesda, MD