Italy - Mountain hiking in the Dolomites - Alta Via
- High-altitude alpine walking holiday -
This walking holiday leads through three language areas and their related cultures: starting in the German-speaking Hochpustertal, it continues going through the Ladin-speaking Fanes and lastly in the south of the Passo Falzàrego, where the Italian language finally dominates.
In addition to the visible traces of the former so-called Alpenfront (Alps Front) which can be seen in an openair museum, this hiking path offers the possibility to meet this magical world in all its facets: extraordinary picturesque beauty, magnificent views, stunning peaks and wonderful walks. A true paradise and an exciting adventure for people who love the mountains!
About the route
The hiking route runs along marked mountain paths and hiking trails. The tour is suitable for anyone in good basic physical condition. Climbing experiences are not necessary! This hiking tour is suitable for children from the age of 16.
Great things about this tour
Itinerary See all daysClose all days
Individual arrival at the hotel in Hochpustertal (Niederdorf/Villabassa or Toblach/Dobbiaco). Free, unguarded public car park near the hotel.
Hotel (example): Aparthotel Germania***
Starting at the pearl of the Dolomite lakes, the lake Pragser Wildsee (1.494 m), you hike through the romantic area of the nature park Fanes-Sennes- Prags which is one of the largest protected areas of South Tyrol. In the shade of the impressive mountain massif Seekofel you will reach the high alpine pasture Fojedöra. Stop and enjoy the homemade bread and the tasty alpine cheese. Through the lonely high valley you hike past the lake Hochalpensee and finally reach the highest point. Far down in the valley you can already see the villages of the Gadertal.
Walking: ca. 5-6 hours
Distance: ca. 15,5km
+800 / -1.100m
Hotel (example): Chalet Corso****
The cable car Piz de Plaies takes you from San Vigilo to the starting point. The path leads through light woodland and meadows to Piz de Corn. The mountain Peitlerkofel is enthroned on the opposite side. You hike on to the saddle Ritjoch and cross the mountaineering village of La Val. The mighty flanks of the mountain Heiligkreuzkofel are always in view. At the foot of the peaks Neuner and Zehnerspitze you reach the shelter Heiligkreuz. After a short descent you take the cable car to Badia.
Walking: ca. 6 hours
Distance: ca. 16,5km
+960m/ -700m
Hotel (example): Hotel San Leonardo***
The cable car takes you back up to the pretty alpine huts above Badia/Abtei. The view invites you to linger: the peaks of Sella, Puezgruppe, Peitlerkofel and Kreuzkofel seem close enough to touch. Through thinning larch and fir forests you hike in the direction of St. Cassiano. On the way you will cross so-called „Viles“, as the original settlements of the Gadertal are called.
Walking: ca. 5-6 hours
Distance: ca. 15,5km
+170 / -660
Hotel (example): Steinrösl***
From the hotel you start today‘s hiking trip. At first, the path continues comfortably along the valley floor to the Capanna Alpina. In the shade of the majestic peaks of Fanes and Conturines, follow the signs to the Scottoni refuge. From here the path goes through a rocky gorge that leads to one of the pearls of Alta Badia/Abtei: Lake Lagazuoi. It is a small, crystal-clear mountain lake at the foot of the Scottoni peak, whose waters reflect the bizarre peaks of the Fanes Dolomites. You hike along the Dolomite High Trail to the saddle of mountain massiv Lagazuoi. If you wish, you can follow the serpentine road to the refuge or summit. The descent leads via forcella Travenanzes to the passo Falzarego. It is possible to take the cable car directly from the summit to the pass (included in the price).
Walking: ca. 7-8 hours: ca. 20km +900m / -600m
If you take the cable car from the Falzarego Pass and then the bus to Cortina, the distances are a little shorter
Walking ca. 5-6 hours: ca. 14 km +1.050m /-900m
Hotel (example): Hotel de la Poste
The last day of hiking starts in the centre of Cortina d‘Ampezzo. Through woodland and meadows, the route is
initially relatively to the Rifugio Mietres, from where you can take a last look at Cortina. once more. Afterwards, the
trail becomes steeper and steeper and leads to the Forcella Zumèles. A fantastic panorama at the highest point will
soon make you forget the efforts of the ascent. Afterwards, it is almost all downhill through the idyllic idyllic Val
Padeon to the end of the stage in Ospitale. You then continue by public bus to the Alta Pusteria.
Walking: ca. 5-6 hours
Distance: ca. 14km
+970m / -720m
Hotel (example): Aparthotel Germania***
Individual departure or possibility to extend your stay.
Price includes
- 6 nights in 3-star and 4-star hotels
- Breakfast every day
- Detailed travel information (route maps or overview maps, route description, tourist attractions, important telephone numbers)
- Luggage transfer between accommodations
- Tickets for transfers according to the program (cable-car and bus)
- 24-hour local and international service hotline for the duration of the tour
- This is a packaged holiday and is therefore covered by The Travel Guarantee Fund - See which benefits this means for you - click here
- Transportation to/from Italy
- Tourist tax (if due)
- Busticket to Cortina and Toblach/Niederdorf
- Cable car St. Kassian and Falzarego Pass,
- Handling fee (20 euro)
Practical info
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.
Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill in anything. Here's how:
- Choose your desired start date
- Click on the green button "See price and reserve your holiday" and go to the booking form
- Select number of people, add any optional extras and see the price at the bottom of the page (you don't have to fill in anything on the form).
Get a quote
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 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.
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.
How to get there
By car: on the motorway Brenner/Brennero (A22) to Brixen/Bressanone – take the exit “Brixen-Pustertal”, then along the valley Pustertal/Valle Pusteria (SS49) to Niederdorf/Villabassa or Toblach/Dobbiaco, depending on the location of your hotel or drive along the Felbertauernstraße to Lienz in Eastern Tyrol (Austria) and then further into Italy through the valley Pustertal/Valle Pusteria to Toblach/Dobbiaco or Niederdorf/Villabassa,
depending on the location of your hotel.
By train: Take the train from Innsbruck over the Brenner/Brennero to Franzensfeste/Fortezza. Change trains for the Pustertal/Valle Pusteria - Lienz and get off either at Niederdorf/Villabassa or Toblach/Dobbiaco depending on the location of your hotel. Timetable available on: www.deutschebahn.de, www.oebb.at, www.trenitalia.com.
By plane: Low cost flights are available to Innsbruck airport, Sant’ Angelo - Antonio Canova airport in Treviso and/or to the Marco Polo airport in Venice. On request, we can organise transfers from the airport to the starting point of the cycle tour.
On this holiday you will stay in 3- and 4-star hotels.
Breakfast is included every day. It is easy to find lunch in the small villages before the walks and you will have plenty of choices for dinner in the many restaurants.
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.
This tour has difficulty grade 3.
Grade 3
Walking in hilly or mountainous terrain, with longer ascents and descents. You will walk 5-7 hours a day. Requires good fitness and good health, but no technical experience. Requires good footwear such as trekking or hiking boots.
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)
It can be hard to plan your trip according to the weather, but to give an idea of the local climate, you can see the data below:
The statistics are from yr.no
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.
Call our experts on weekdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Phone: +44 20 3936 1208
Or write to us at
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Phone: +44 20 3936 1208
Mail: [email protected]