Tour of the Dolomites' Most Beautiful Mountain Huts

Difficulty Level 4/5:
Around 3.5 to 7.5 hours of walking daily, with an elevation gain of 430 to 1290m/1410 to 4230ft per day; 2 days with an elevation gain of +1200m/3940ft or more. A few high-altitude passes. Altitude: from 1685m/5528 ft (minimum) to 2681m/8795ft (maximum)

With partial luggage transport: nothing to carry except a small backpack with your personal belongings for the day. Except for nights 3, 4, and 6, when you will need to carry your necessary overnight belongings. Your luggage will be transported by vehicle.

Day 2 and Day 3: you will find all your luggage at the refuge
Day 4: you carry a minimum of belongings for the night
Day 5: you will find all your luggage at the refuge
Day 6: you carry a minimum of belongings for the night
Day 7: you will find all your luggage at the refuge
Day 8: you will find all your luggage at the Passo Costa Lunga

On days when you carry your necessary belongings for one night, the surplus in your bag remains limited (the refuges are comfortable and have blankets).

Group Size: 6-10 people. Supervision by an EU certified Grand Angle mountain guide.

Guide gratuities are optional and at your discretion. To reward outstanding service, a suggested guideline is 5–10% of the total trip cost. Local currency is preferred.

Trip Length: 8 days / 7 nights / 7 days of walking

Start

Day 1, at the hotel in Bolzano. Check-in available after 3pm.

Finish

Day 8, at around 3pm, at Bolzano station.

Extend Your Stay

It is possible to add extra nights before or after your tour in Bolzano. Please contact our sales team for availability and rates.

Accommodation / Catering

Accommodation

A 3* hotel in Bolzano in private double occupancy rooms with ensuite bathrooms. All other nights are in mountain huts with dormitories or shared rooms with shared bathroom facilities. The mountain huts in the Dolomites are very comfortable and showcase great hospitality.

Meals

The food is very good in the Dolomites. Some of the dining rooms offer panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Dinners and breakfasts are served hot by our hosts and always very plentiful. Sometimes you will have a choice of menu (especially at the superb Gardenaccia hut). Lunch will be picnics during hikes prepared by your guide, balanced and adapted to mountain walking.

*Please let us know when you register if you are allergic to anything or if you have a special diet; we will do our best to have hotels adapt your meals.

Trip Starting Destination

This tour starts in Bolzano, Italy

Trip Ending Destination

This tour ends in Bolzano, Italy

By Plane

For this trip it is recommended to use the Verona airport, Innsbruck or Venice airport for international access. From both airports you can easily reach Bolzano by train.
Verona Airport (VRN): Verona Villafranca Airport | Valerio Catullo Airport
Innsbruck Airport (INN): Airport Innsbruck
Venice Airport (VCE): Venezia Airport – Airport in Venice Marco Polo (VCE)

Connection Verona Airport – Verona Station with the Aerobus.
The journey takes about 15 minutes. For more information, please visit:
aeroportoverona.it/en/transport/verona-airlink.html

Connection Innsbruck Airport to the main train station. Bus line F runs directly from Innsbruck Main Station to the airport terminal and back – the journey takes approximately 20 minutes.https://www.ivb.at/en/. From the main train station, you can travel on to Italy. Check schedules here: Startseite - ÖBB

Connection from Piazza Piazzale Roma to Venice Marco Polo Airport by bus. The journey takes about 20 minutes. For more information, please visit: www.atvo.it or
https://www.veneziaairport.it/en/transport.html

Bolzano has a small domestic airport: Aeroporto Bolzano | BZO Airport

By Train

Find out about schedules and tickets:

• Italian railways: connect to EN - Trenitalia or FS Italiane - EN
• Austrian railways: Startseite - ÖBB

By Bus

Find out about schedules and tickets:

• Flixbus: FlixBus: Convenient and affordable bus travel

By Car

Check your itinerary on any navigation application. But the best thing is to come by train or plane!

Parking a Car

Possibility to park a car in Venice Mestre, Verona or Bolzano (for a fee).

You will receive an email about two weeks before your departure, specifying the time and place of the group’s orientation meeting, the name and contact details of the guide and the address of the first accommodation in Bolzano.

It is the client’s responsibility to arrive prepared with the items listed below to help insure a safe and enjoyable trip.

CLOTHING CHECKLIST:

The following items are required for this trip unless otherwise noted. When packing, think layered clothing systems that work together and can be easily added or removed.

• Hiking Boots/Shoes – waterproof, sturdy molded sole, deep tread and ideally well broken in (Note: buy boots/shoes 1/2 size to 1 size larger than street shoes to allow for feet swelling and thicker socks)
• Hiking Socks – one pair for every day or two days of the trip. Hiking/Sport specific padded socks, no cotton please!
• Sun Hat – wide brimmed hat or baseball cap/bandana combo
• Warm Hat & Gloves – lightweight beanie and light-to-mid weight fleece or wool gloves
• Hiking Shirts – non-cotton, breathable short sleeve and/or long sleeve shirts (Note: long sleeve shirts provide better sun protection)
• Warm Top – mid-weight sweater or pullover of wicking material such as merino wool, fleece or polypropylene
• Insulating Jacket – down-fill or synthetic-fill insulated “puffy” jacket or warm, heavy weight fleece jacket
• Hiking Pants & Shorts – nylon pants AND shorts, zip-offs or leggings
• Base Layer/Long Underwear – 1 pair of wicking tops and bottoms that are lightweight to midweight, synthetic wicking materials such as polyester, polypropylene, merino wool, etc.
• Rain Gear – waterproof jacket and pants or high-quality poncho, breathable fabric such as Gore-Tex® or coated nylon. For the pants look for side zippers that will easily allow pulling them over footwear.
• Casual Clothing & Footwear – comfortable clothes and shoes to wear in the evening after activities.

Important Note: Please, no cotton hiking/cycling clothes. Synthetic clothing is very efficient in drying quickly. Merino wool material clothing is also efficient in drying quickly, is comfortable to wear and has the advantage of not developing a bad odor after use.

GEAR CHECKLIST:

• Backpack – a 30-50 Liter sized comfortable pack with a waterproof cover for use day-to-day while hiking.
• Personal Luggage – small duffel bag, suitcase or backpack – for extra clothes and casual clothes. This bag is transported to the next accommodation on stages with luggage transportation.
• Hydration System – 2+ liters capacity, either water bottles or bladder/hose system and an additional water bottle
• Trekking Poles – telescopic/adjustable poles to help reduce the impact on joints and support hikers in steep and/or rocky terrain. (Note: strongly recommended)
• Headlamp – preferably with an L.E.D. bulb that works with AA or AAA batteries (Note: always test headlamp before trips and travel/pack without batteries in device)
• Picnic/Lunch Kit – knife, plate or bowl, box with closeable lid, utensils, etc.
• Sleep Sack, Sheet & Personal Linens – for use in Refuges.
• Pack Towel – small towel for shower use
• Phone & Charger – local sim card or international plan may be needed. Consider bringing a small power bank to use to recharge devices during trip activities.
• Waterproof Travel Case or Pouch – used to keep important documents (i.e. passport, health/travel insurance, etc.) & phone safe from weather/water
• Sunglasses, Sunscreen, & Lip Balm
• First Aid Kit – see first aid kit suggestions below
• Personal Toilet Paper Kit – most public restrooms outside of lodging will have toilet paper available, but it is good to be prepared with a personal toilet paper kit to potentially use during portions of this tour. Along the trail, there may be the need to use natural settings for toilets (i.e. digging catholes, etc.) when there are no public toilets available. Kits should include toilet paper, wet wipes, sanitizer & sealable plastic bag(s) for carrying out used paper/wipes.
• Toiletries
• Contact Lenses & Glasses – if wearing contact lenses, please also bring back-up pair of glasses and contacts.
• Prescription Medication – with emergency back-up supply. Please inform trip leader of any medications used.
• Money – It is good to have some local currency, often smaller local businesses do not accept credit cards and/or prefer cash. Some public restrooms require small amounts of cash to use. If desired, tipping private drivers is acceptable and the average amount is just a few Euros per ride, but it is not expected and fully optional.

OPTIONAL ITEMS:

• Face Masks; Over-the-counter Rapid Antigen COVID-19 Tests (Note: recommended but optional)
• Travel Power Adapter – Electric power voltage in Italy is 230 V / 50 Hz and the plugs are F & L type
• Support Braces – consider bringing any joint braces that may be currently needed or from past injuries (i.e. knee, ankle, elbow, etc.)
• Sleep Mask & Ear Plugs
• Bug Repellent
• Bandana(s)
• Swimsuit

FIRST AID KIT SUGGESTIONS:

After years of experience planning adventure travel around the world, we’ve learned that anything can happen, and every traveler should carry a basic personal first aid kit. We want to ensure our guests are well-prepared and make smart informed travel decisions. In many of the places we operate trips, it may be challenging to find certain medications and/or first aid supplies, and sometimes common items you desire may not be available in the destination you are travelling. That’s why it’s good to be prepared and carry a small supply of first aid supplies, any prescription medication, and/or over-the-counter medications you may require during your travels.

We recommend discussing your travel plans, vaccination requirements, and any medication usage with your primary healthcare provider before embarking on our trips. This helps ensure you have a safe and enjoyable travel experience.

During our “Guided” trips, our staff always have emergency equipment on hand to assist anyone in need, including our guests. This equipment includes communication devices and a comprehensive first aid kit with items we’ve found to be effective for the most common health issues we encounter.

Here is a basic list of what we think makes a good personal travel first aid kit:

• Medications – Brands of your choice, all medications should be either prescribed directly by your doctor or discussed with a doctor prior to use.
• Electrolyte Replacement/Drink Mix – brand of choice
• Creams – Antibiotic ointment, Anti-Itch: Hydrocortisone, Arnica
• Eye Problems: Dry/Itchy – Eye drops
• Feminine Hygiene – Tampons
• Wound Care – a various pack of bandages, antiseptic swabs
• Blister Care – blister kit made up of items of your choice
• Sun Protection – sunscreen, SPF lip balm
• Various Items – Athletic tape/"KT Tape", Nail clippers, Tweezers, Small bottle of hand sanitizer, Sewing kit (clothing/button repairs), Disposable surgical gloves (1-2 pairs)

PACKING FOR TRAVEL:
It is recommended that you prepare your items in the following manner for your travels to this trip.

“Carry-on Bag(s)” - This is the bag you will bring with you on the plane. We recommend all your pertinent information be in this bag (passport, travel documents, etc.) as well as your most important gear items (hiking footwear, jacket, prescription medication, etc.) in case any checked luggage items becomes lost or delayed.

“Checked Bag(s)” - This bag will be checked and contain the rest of your personal items (clothing and gear, etc.).

Important Note: Again, it is recommended to either wear or pack in your “Carry-on Bag” the main gear items you need for this trip vs. putting them in your checked “Travel Bag” (in case luggage is delayed). Hiking footwear is probably the hardest item to replace last minute if items become lost or delayed past the intended start date of the trip. Lost or delayed luggage has become increasingly common in major airports for international travel since the global pandemic.

LUGGAGE MANAGEMENT DURING TRIP:
During this trip, the packing system needs to be in 2 bags.

Extra Luggage - “Checked Bag(s)” & “Carry-on Bag(s)”: This bag will contain all the items you want to bring along on the trip. It will be transferred by vehicle, and you will have access to it at the end of stages where luggage transport is included. One piece per person, limited to 15kg/33lbs. Extra luggage beyond the one limit is not allowed on the trip. There are long term luggage storage options in Verona, Venice or Bolzano.

Day Backpack (not provided): All guests need a backpack, which they will be responsible for carrying during trip activities. Items in this bag should include anything you may need throughout the day during the trip and used for the overnight stages where luggage transport is not included. (i.e. rain gear, warm layers, water, sunscreen/lip balm, snacks/food, camera/phone, etc.).

Italy, a member state of the European Union.
Capital: Rome

Documents

Travellers from the European Union, including children, need a valid identity card or passport. Check
with the authorities in your home country for the conditions of entering this destination.

Health/Insurance

Do not forget your card and/or policy details for your health insurance and/or travel insurance.

In the Dolomites, the region is often bilingual: people speak either German or Italian or both. Tourist area employees almost always speak some English.

Phone Country Code: Calling Italy, + 39

European Emergency Number: 112
Italian tourist information office phone number: +390142660366.
See Discover Italy: Official Tourism Website - Italia.it

Italy is a Member-State of the European Union and uses its uniform currency – the Euro €. Italy, as is the case with the other Member-States of the E.U. uses eight coins as follows: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and 1 and 2 Euros. The banknotes are issued in the following denominations: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Euros. Currency exchange rates are clearly displayed in every bank that accepts currency exchange, while credit card holders may acquire money from the ATMs of the collaborating banks. Italian banks are open for the public from 8:00 to 13:00 and from 14:30 to 16:30 Monday to Friday. They are closed on Public Holidays. Euros can also be exchanged for notes of other foreign currencies at exchange offices that are situated at the airport and certain main ports, in the larger cities, as well
as at many tourist destinations. A passport is required when exchanging currencies. Italy more than other EU destinations, still prefer cash in most settings, but credit card use is becoming increasingly available.

Central European Time (CET/UTC+1) and Central European Summer Time (CEST/UTC+2) during daylight saving time.

THE DOLOMITES
Déodat Tancrède Gratet de Dolomieu (1750 – 1801) was a French man of aristocratic origin. He was the man who discovered the chemical composition of dolomitic rocks in which calcium and magnesium carbonates become crimson at dawn and at sunset. It arouses a deep emotion that warms your heart!

This new mineral was discovered in 1789 and it received the name of “Dolomite” in honor of Dolomieu. The rock itself was called “Dolomitic rock”. Later, in 1864, the whole mountainous region where this rock prevails took on the name we know today, the DOLOMITES.

In the Dolomites, which are a genuine stone garden, we find more than 1,500 different species of plants, but also wood and forests among the largest and the most varied ones in Europe. At the season of blooming flowers, it is an explosion of colors. More than 50 varieties of orchids and countless meadow flowers are mixed with red fruits, edelweiss, and other solitary mountain flowers. We can also find a great number of herbs and medicinal plants and mushrooms of all sorts. The diversity and the variety of the ground enable the blooming of this huge multicolored garden that
contributes to the peculiarity of the Dolomites.

Painters, writers, and poets, have all praised the mountains of the Veneto region. For centuries, explorers, fearless climbers, tireless hunters, mushroom lovers, and hikers searched for unspoiled, hidden nature and pure air to breath within these mountains. The distinct and memorable contours etched against the boundless expanse of the celestial heights in the upper atmosphere offers an emotion you must experience firsthand to perfectly understand it. The Dolomites, mountains of legend and of extreme rock climbing, with their spiked summits and their bright pastel tints, exert a magical and strong attraction on all human beings.

They offer the possibility to live an unforgettable experience, an opportunity for all, of any age and physical condition; indeed, to appreciate them and be definitively conquered by their beauty, it is not necessary to climb them; you only must get close and look at them. This is the aim of this trip.