Notice: This is a shorter version of our Walking Holiday in the Dolomite Nature Parks, 8 days.
This walking holiday takes you through three nature reserves in the regions of South Tyrol and Belluno, which are some of the most beautiful areas of the Dolomites with the former Olympic city of Cortina d'Ampezzo in the center. The Dolomites have not without reason become a UNESCO World Heritage site. The mountains that surround you, reach heights above 3,000 meters (9,842ft).
Along the way you will see mountain lakes, high peaks, green fields with grazing cows and goats and mountain huts in traditional style.
The trip is an individual self-guided walking tour, where it is possible to choose between a shorter and a longer day walk. Depending on your fitness level maybe some days you will choose the long harder route and other days the shorter and easier variant. Your luggage is transported from hotel to hotel, so you only have to carry your daypack.
Arrival at the hotel in Dobbiaco / Niederdorf in Pusteria Valley.
Hotel (example): Aparthotel Germania***
Your walking holiday starts by the mountain lake Lago di Braies or Pragser Wildsee that will fascinate you with its turquoise water. Here you get the first impression of Prague Valley with dark coniferous forests against the white cliffs. You continue to pastures of Rossalm and reach the plateau Pratopiazza / Plätzwiese where the mountains Dürrenstein and Hohe Gaisl rise. From here there are magnificent views. In the distance you will see the mountains Cristallo, Tofana and the world famous Three Peaks of Lavaredo.
If you do not wish to walk that far, you can choose a shorter route, which starts at the Tuscherhof Inn. You will follow the river Stolla and pass small mountain hotels and rock formations shaped by wind and water before you reach the grassy areas of Pratopiazza / Plätzwiese, for your overnight stay.
Walking time:
Short trip: about 4-5 hours + 800m / -35m
Long trip: about 6-7 hours +1,100m / - 600m
Hotel (example): Hotel Hohe Gaisl***
Today you can decide whether you wish to walk the long or the short route. You can hike to the top of either Strudelkopf at 2,307m / 7,568ft (short) or Dürrenstein 2,839m / 9,314ft (long), both located in the Dolomites largest nature reserve, Fanes Sennes Braies.
You start from Pratopiazza / Plätzwiese that together with the mountains Croda Rossa / Hohe Gaisl and Kreuzkofelgruppe is a lovely nature and hiking area of the Dolomites. Along the way on both routes there are beautiful views of the Hohe Gaisl, Three Peaks of Lavaredos, Tofana and Monte Cristallo.
Walking time:
Short trip: about 3-4 hours +/- 350
Long trip: about 4 hours +/- 850m
Hotel (example): Hotel Hohe Gaisl***
The hike continues over Pratopiazza / Plätzwiese and down through Knappenfuss Valley (Valle dei canopi) to the saddle Cimabanche / Gemark, which forms the border between South Tyrol and Belluno. From here you can go directly to Cortina d'Ampezzo, or choose a longer route past the mountain hut Ra Stua and around the foot of the mountain Col Rosa, before you reach Cortina, located at the bottom of the valley between the mountains. You will spend one night in Cortina and may wish to stroll around the streets, where little shops lie side by side with cozy cafes and restaurants.
Walking time:
Short trip: about 1½-2 hours -0m / +460m
Long trip: about 6-7 hours +600m / -1.300m
Hotel (example): Meuble Villa Neve
On this day you will take a bus to Auronzo Hut, situated directly below the worldfamous rock massif of the „Three Peaks“. The imposing peaks, which were fiercely fought over as part of the front between Italy and Austria-Hungary during the mountain war in the First World War, are probably the best-known rock formation in the Dolomites. From here you hike leisurely down the Rienz Valley to the Dreizinnenblick and return by bus to the starting hotel of your hiking tour in Dobbiaco/Villabassa. For the more leisurely, there is the option of walking around the famous Three Peaks and returning by bus from the Rifugio Auronzo to Dobbiaco/Villabassa. (Ticket not included in the price)
Walking time:
Short trip: ca. 3-4 hours +350m / -350m
Long trip: ca. 4-5 hours +120m / -1.000m
Hotel (example): Aparthotel Germania***
Your walking holiday is coming to an end and it is time to find your way home.
The price is based upon two people sharing. It is also possible travel alone in a single room. Simply choose "single room" in the booking form and it will automatically add the single room surcharge.
On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.
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For example, if you want a flight included or changes to the trip, you can order a quote for this using the "Get a quote" button. Remember to describe in detail what, if anything, you want changed.
The process of your booking
When you book, we will start booking hotels and arranging all the practical details of the trip. This process typically takes 2-5 working days, but some bookings may take longer. If you are arranging your own transport, we recommend that you wait until we have confirmed your booking before arranging this.
Dates
If you can select the date in the tour calendar at the top of this page, this is a possible start date. We continually update the tours with sold-out dates, after which those dates will turn red and cannot be selected.
The flights to/from Venice, Italy are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.
Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.
Airport transfers
We can arrange a transfer from Venice to the first hotel. Contact us if you are interested in this option.
Book a quote
If you prefer that we handle your flight, then we would be happy to arrange this for you. You simply book a quote below the map on this page and we will return with a quote as soon as possible (usually within 48 working hours). Please note that we add a handling fee of 45 euro to each flight and this means that the flight will be cheaper if you book it yourself.
From Venice Airport is bus service directly to the Dolomites.
http://www.cortinaexpress.it/index.php/bus-line-cortina/?lang=en&lang=en
Should you arrive in Cortina too late to catch the last bus to Dobbiaco, we can arrange a transfer for you. See price on booking formular.
We can also arrange transfers from Venice Airport all the way to Dobbiaco. See the price on the booking formular.
On www.trenitalia.com it is easy to get an overview of times and destinations on the Italian trains, but since it is difficult to purchase or change the tickets online, we recommend that you first buy them at the train station before departure.
The overnight stays are at cozy 3-star and sometimes 4-star family-owned hotels.
Overnights in Dobbiaco / Toblach can also be in Villabassa / Niederdorf.
We can arrange extra nights for you in the Pusteria Valley.
We have included a hearty breakfast in the hotels.
Lunches can be purchased at the hotel.
It is possible to upgrade to a half board and add dinner on the trip. This can be selected in the booking form.
Note: It is not possible to provide half board in Cortina, thus the selection of half board means that dinner is included for 4 days.
The walks as described in the itinerary are graded Level 2-3. It is possible to choose between shorter and longer day trips, where the altitude will vary. Depending on your fitness level you may choose the long option some days and other days the shorter option. The short walks has an average walking time of 3-4 hours per day, and the long walks are about 5-7 hours of hiking per day (add breaks).
Your luggage will be transported from hotel to hotel, so you will only have to carry your day-pack.
Read more about our Grading System
Here you can get an overview of the entire route and the elevation profile for each day. The data shows the data from the GPX-files related to the tour. Notice that the routes are sometimes updated, which means that there might be small variations.
Colors
Blue routes: The route as normal
Red routes: Variations/options (such as shortened or extended routes)
Luggage transfer is included on this tour. Upon arrival at the first hotel you will be given luggage tags along with the rest of the welcome package. You fill out the luggage tags and put them on your bags where they will remain for the duration of the tour.
Your luggage is picked up from the hotel lobby around 9am every morning and will arrive at your next hotel at 6pm at the latest (often long before that). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer you will be notified upon arrival.
Luggage transfer includes one bag per guest and the bags can weigh 20kg each.
You will recieve the following documentation
Upon booking
You recieve practical information about the tour in a digital format
One month before arrival
You recieve your hotel list and your voucher (hotel list is often supplied upon booking)
Upon arrival
You recieve the welcome package which contains the printed version of the road book, luggage tags, local specific vouchers and if you have rented bikes then they will also be delivered and fitted at the first hotel.
It is hard to predict the weather in the mountains, so always bring waterproof clothing, and layer up, so you can ajust during the walk.
We are members of the Travel Guarantee Fund (nr. 2529) and have all available insurances. This covers you regardless of your nationality. Read more about that here.
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