Dolomite Hut Hike: Self-Guided Hike
Hiking Trip Details
- Location: Northern Italy
- Length: 9 days; this is flexible
- Grade: Strenuous and moderate
- Accommodations: Rustic rifugios and hotels
- Dates: Late June to mid-September
- Self-Guided Land Cost (US$): From $1,875 for 9 days. Land cost may vary depending final itinerary.
Hiking Trip Summary
From soaring rock towers to grassy alpine meadows the Italian Dolomites offers some of the most dramatic, exciting and challenging hiking areas 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.
The Dolomites were once submerged under a coral sea, which led to the gradual formation of layers of sediments: limy mud, sand silt, clay. These elements combined with massive forces of the earth’s sifting crust and resulted in the formation of the Dolomites. Since that time, many, many millions of years ago, the Dolomites have been worn to their present state by glaciation, erosion, frost, wind and rain. More recently in social history, this region saw heavy fighting during World War I and remnants of this are still very apparent. Three languages are spoken in this area: German, Italian and Ladin, an old dialect, which came to the area from northern regions.
Beginning in the Italian Sud Tirol, the hike leads south along the high route, Alta Via 1, through the Pragser, Tofana, and Civetta mountain groups. The impressiveness of the scenery and the variety of terrain on this route is matched only by the warmth and hospitality offered by the mountain huts. The unusual contrasts in landscapes, changing colors and textures of the mountains and curious mix of Italian and Austrian influences means fantastic hiking, stunning scenery and plenty of pasta.
This linear trip is a great hike highlighted by breathtaking views, rustic and lively mountain refuges, a sense of excitement of what lies around the next bend or the next pass and the satisfaction of traveling by foot through this beautiful and remote area.
Itinerary
- This itinerary is just one of many options. Please contact us for other possibilities.
Day 1: Individual transfer to starting point Monguelfo/Welsberg, Italy. It is about 3 hours by train from Innsbruck and about 4 ½ hours by train from Venice. This lovely village is situated on the edge of the stately Dolomite Mountains. Overnight in a great family run hotel.
- There are other locations from where you can begin your hike; for example Belluno or Cortina. Let us know your travel plans and we can help with suggestions.
Day 2: Morning transfer to Ra Stua (The transfer is included). This pleasant hike offers the first views of the Tofane, the Croda Rossa and the Croda del Becco. Passing the high alpine meadows of Ra Stua, the trail switchbacks up through the larch forest before arriving at the Rifugio Fodara Vedla for the night.
A more strenuous option is a morning transfer to Pragser Wildsee (Lago di Braies). This stunning blue-green mountain lake is nestled between the surrounding mountains: the Seekofel, Croda del Becco and the Grosse Apostel. Your hike around the lake soon gives way to a steady, 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 you spread the mountains of Tofane, Pelmo, Cristallo, and Civetta. All these will mark your way as you head south. From the pass, you cross a limestone plateau and descend to your rifugio.
Day 3: From last night’s stop you first descend (1,380′) to the valley and then hike up to Rifugio Fanes and Lago di Limo for about 2 hours. A spectacular 360-degree view awaits you at a picnic spot at the Passo di Limo. The trail then opens into a lush broad valley between the rocky summits of Monte Castello, which was heavily fortified during WWI, and Piz des Cunturines (10,111′). The scenery and colors are stunning. This descent (1,500′) leads down to the valley floor followed by a 40-minute climb to Rifugio Scotoni. This small rifugio is set in a beautiful valley surrounded by the towering mountains of the Cime di Fanes.
Day 4: The first part of today’s hike is a steady hike up through the Alpe di Lagazuoi to the Rifugio Lagazuoi (gaining 2,530’.) Surrounding you are the Punta di Fanes, the cliffs of the Lagazuoi and the massive Tofana di Rozes. Near the pass there are several World War I underground passages called galleries, which serve as memorials to the terrible fighting that took place here in 1916. After a stop for lunch at Rifugio Lagazuoi, a mountain restaurant, you have an optional hike, which takes you down through one of these galleries, otherwise you can take advantage of the cable car that speeds you to the valley.
Once in the valley you cross an alpine road, rejoin the hiking route and begin your final ascent (950’) to the very friendly and comfortable Rifugio Cinque Torri that has been run by the same family since 1936. Once again the setting for this rifugio is remarkable as it looks at the long wall of the Croda di Lago and sits right near the Cinque Torri (Five Towers). In the distance rise Sorapis and Anteleo, simply put the view is awesome.
- Some enjoy adding an extra day in Cortina d’Ampezzo at this point. Cortina is a lovely village nestled between the spectacular mountains of the Dolomites. The broad streets and narrow lanes weaving through the village are welcoming and charming.
Day 5: Today the trail takes you near two, striking rock mountains: Averau and Nuvolao, as you descend to Passo Giau. The trail then leads over the forcella Giau where the views of the Tofana and Monte Cavallo are inspiring, not to mention the mountains on display to the south: Monte Fromin, Cernera, Pelmo and the upswept flank of Monte Mondeval. The trail leads over lush alpine meadows, perhaps spotting some wild edelweiss. The last part of the day leads below Pelmo’s north face, (which is 3,300′ straight up to the top at 10,454′,) to your comfortable mountain rifugio at Passo Staulanza.
Day 6: From Staulanza, you hike by several farms, join a popular trail and climb to the shoulder of Monte Coldai. Monte Coldai anchors one end of the famous Monte Civetta (10,620′). After stopping for lunch at Lago Coldai, you continue to the Col Negro di Coldai that looks over at the towering west face of Monte Civetta. This “wall of walls” extends for over 4 miles! About midway past this wall you climb steeply to Rifugio Tissi perched on mountaintop looking out at the Val Civetta, down the Alleghe Valley and west to the Marmolada Glacier. This overnight stop is memorable.
Day 7: From the rifugio, you descend to the val Civetta over the Col Rean, through beautiful, open, green meadows and to the narrow valley of Val Corpassa. The route takes you right below the sheer rock faces of the Torre Venezia and the Torre Trieste, both rising some 2,000′ feet. You may see some climbers ascending these impressive towers. You pass by the Rifugio Vazzoler (5,656′), then ascend steeply through a dense forest to forcella de l’Orso and alongside Monte Moiazza’s southern flank and Rifugio San Sebastiano for the night. Though a strenuous day on some rugged terrain, this may be one of the prettiest and most varied days on the hike.
Day 8: From San Sebastiano transfer by private taxi to your hotel.
Day 9: The trip will in the morning after breakfast. Please allow for travel time when making plans.
- Please note it is possible to end this trip in a variety of locations: Welsberg/Monguelfo, Cortina, Belluno or even a transfer to Venice. Let us know your travel plans and we can assist you.
- It is also possible to extend this great hike on the Alta Via 1 three more days beyond Passo Durano and continue into more remote and equally stunning areas of this route. Contact us for more information about this.
Additional Information
Included
This may vary depending on final itinerary: Two hours of general consulting regarding hiking dates and abilities; travel information on getting to and from the starting point; travel suggestions; maps: Italian Tabacco Maps; the 1:25,000 scale covering the route; detailed trail notes, which include additional information covering various aspects of your trip (i.e. lunches, laundry, water, refuge routines, alternate transportation, etc.); we make and prepay all overnight accommodations, which include breakfast and most dinners; we make and prepay all private taxi transfers as detailed in the final itinerary; hotels with private baths. Other overnight accommodations will vary; lots of great hiking.
Not Included
This may vary depending on final itinerary: Air fare, lunches, travel to and from starting point, transfers or excursions on trains, lifts, buses, taxis, extra charges due to changes in itinerary, items not on set dinner menu, beverages except what is served at breakfast, bottled water, insurance, extra costs, if any, for parking a personal car, items of personal nature (phone calls, laundry, excess baggage charge, medical expenses, evacuation costs, insurance, passport fees, etc.). Allow roughly $150 – $300 in additional costs depending on final itinerary.
Luggage
This hike is not vehicle supported. You will need to carry a small to moderate sized pack with only the clothing and accessories you will need for the duration of hike. (See our sample packing list.) With advances in synthetic clothing and other travel gear, it’s possible to keep your pack weight to 15 to 20 lbs. including lunch and water. Any extra luggage or belongings you may have can be left at the hotel or will be transferred as detail in final itinerary.
Accommodations and Facilities
Hotels: The hotels are warm, welcoming and comfortable. All the rooms have private baths
Rifugios: The rifugios vary greatly depending where they are located, but are usually simple and rustic, yet comfortable. Some accommodate as few as 20 hikers; most serve from 30 – 50. They have bunk rooms with 2 – 8 bunks per room with blankets and pillows. One overnight may be in a larger bunk room with up to 15. The facilities are shared and there is a hot shower or two available. There are common dining areas, where meals are served.
Meals: Breakfasts and dinners are served at the hotels or rifugios and lunches are picnic style along the trail.
Travel
You can reach Welsberg/Monguelfo by train from Venice, Milan, Munich or Zurich where there are major international airports. Venice is normally the best arrival airport. It is roughly 4 – 5 hours by train from Venice to Welsberg/Monguelfo. There are several travel options, please call us.
Who would like this trip?
Our Self-Guided Dolomites Hut Hike is great for hikers who look forward to wonderful, challenging hikes and like the thought of staying remote but comfortable rifugios. Many nights at the rifugios (though not all) include in private rooms. This hike should be on every hiker’s list of musts!
What makes Distant Journeys’ trips different?
We are a small owner operated company. As owners we take part in every aspect of the business from designing our trips, to speaking directly with prospective hikers, to guiding. We are intimately familiar with our trip areas, the hotel and hut owners and service providers with whom we work. At the end of a day of hiking on one of our self-guided itineraries, whether you are ending your day at a mountain hut or village hotel, you will be greeted with the same anticipation and welcome as if we were arriving along with you. We are dedicated to providing personal attention and crafting a quality experience at good value that is just right for you.
For a more detailed itinerary that includes elevation gains, loss and distance, or to register, please call.
