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Hikes in the Dolomites

Hotel-Based Trip: Not Offering in 2008

The Trip

From soaring rock towers and grassy alpine meadows to rolling hills and quiet valleys the Italian Dolomites offer some of the most dramatic and spectacular walking in the Alps. Strikingly different from the French or Swiss Alps, the limestone Dolomites rise dramatically from narrow valleys to form impressive spires, canyons, sheer rock walls rising 3,000' and huge limestone plateaus.

On our trip we will stay in two distinctly different Dolomite villages: Monguelfo/Welsberg and Cortina d‘Ampezzo. Monguelfo/Welsberg is located in the bilingual (Italian and German) province of the Sud Tirol. As mandated by law all written information and places must be in both languages therefore Monguelfo’s German name is Welsberg. All residents speak both languages.

Monguelfo/ Welsberg is located on the lush northern part of the pastoral Puster Valley next to the forested hillsides of two nature preserves the Fanes-Sennes-Brais and the Sextener. In the distance rise steep peaks of the Durrenstein, Haunold and Birkenkofel. This small village is characterized by the locals going on about their daily business.

Cortina d’Ampezzo is a classic Dolomites village nestled among the spectacular mountains of the Tofane, Cristallo, Sorapis and Antelao. This beautiful village has a wonderful main street lined with several shops and outdoor cafes. After a day of hiking it is fun to roam around Cortina and soak in the atmosphere.

The impressiveness of the scenery and excellent hiking is matched only by the warmth and hospitality of the family run hotels.

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Itinerary

Day 1:Rendez-vous 2:00 pm at the Veice Mestre train station for a group transfer to our hotel in Welsberg, Italy.

Day 2: Our hike today will take us along the high open plateau of the Stolla Valley with the Durrenstein rising dramatically to the north. After a short climb we gain the Strudelkopf, offering 360 degree views of these spectacular mountains

Day 3: Our hike starts at Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee), a stunning blue-green mountain lake nestled between the surrounding mountains of the Seekofel, Croda del Becco and the Grosse Apostle. Our hike around the lake soon gives way to a steady, sometimes steep, climb to the forcella (pass or col) Porta sora L'Forn (7,880'). The view from here is one of the best anywhere in the Alps! In front of us spread the mountains of Tofane, Pelmo, Cristallo, and Civetta. Though a strenuous hike we are richly rewarded

Day 4: Today is a hike of contrasts from the quiet forested valley of the Fischleintal to the rugged craggy peaks of the Sexten Dolomites. From the small village of Moos we hike through the wispy larch forests to the end of the valley. From here we begin our ascent into the heart of the Sexten Dolomites as we hike up to the “back door” to the Dreizinnen Hutte or in Italian the Rifugio Locatelli.

When we reach the top our view will be dramatic as the north wall of the famous Drei Zinnen or Tre Cime de Lavaredo (three chimneys) lie straight ahead.

Day 5: Today’s hike will first take us by cable car up to Rifugio Lagazuoi from where the “whole” of the Dolomites stretches out before us: Cristallo, Antelao, Sorapis, Marmolada, and Civetta the list goes on. This area saw heavy fighting during WW I. During the hike we pass by building foundations left over from WW I, descend through a narrow gulley which was a supply line for the Austrians, by a tiny chapel filed with WW I remembrances and to the small Rifugio Scotoni for a well earned rest stop and an apple strudel perhaps! Our final descent brings us to our meeting point at Capana Alpina. Return to Cortina.

Day 6: From Passo Giau, we hike over the Forcella Giau, where we have incredible views of the Tofana and Monte Cavallo. Our trail leads us over lush alpine meadows and below the rocky towers of Monte Fromin and Monte Cernera, with Monte Civetta and Monte Pelmo in the distance. At the Forcella Ambrizzola we turn north and hike along the eastern ridge of the Croda da Lago. Our hike continues along this ridge offering wonderful view of the Sorapis Mountain range. Our descent takes us through the woods to end of the trail where we will be met and return to Cortina. Farewell dinner.

Day 7:Group transfer to the Venice Airport arriving about 9:30 am.

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Additional Information:

Included:

Transfer from Venice Mestre train station on the first and last day and to the Venice Aiprot on the last day, all accommodations, all buffet breakfasts, all dinners, all group transfers on ski lifts, buses and trains included in guided walking options, guides, great walking and great memories.

Not Included:

Airfare, lunches, beverages, optional/individual transfers or excursions, items not on set dinner menu, insurance, tips to guides/leaders, items of personal nature.

Accommodations and Meals:

We will be staying at friendly, comfortable hotels. The rooms are double occupancy with private baths. Breakfast buffet will be served each morning and set dinners will be taken in the village. Village markets provide a wide selection of local fare for picnic-style lunches. It may possible to incorporate into our day hikes lunch stops at mountain inns and huts.

Airports and Travel:

We recommend you fly directly to Venice. You can also reach Venice by train from Milan where there is a large, major international airport, Malpensa, just be sure to allow for travel time.

Meeting Point:

2:00 pm at the Venice Mestre train station

Ending Point:

At the Venice Airport about 9:30 am.

For a more detailed itinerary or to register please call.

DISTANT JOURNEYS
P.O. Box 1211, Camden, Maine 04843-1211
tel: 888-845-5781, fax: 207-236-0972
Contact us!
journeys@distantjourneys.com
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