Ortisei- Arrive in Italy and make your way to Bolzano, a beautiful small city surrounded by vineyards and filled with plazas and museums.  Bolzano’s natural history museum is home to the famous Ötzi iceman, and it’s worth spending some time here to see the museum and other nearby attractions.

We’ll have a private taxi meet you in Bolzano and take you to Ortisei, a beautiful town surrounded by the stunning scenery of the Gardena valley.  Enjoy a wonderful welcome dinner and settle in to your comfortable and friendly 3-star hotel for the night.

• 3-star Hotel Stetteneck or similar
• D

Ortisei – Today’s hike starts with a funicular train ride to a ridge high above town, and take a dayhike through high scenic meadows to the Brogles hut, where you can scan practically the entire Gardena valley and gaze upon the jagged needles of the Puez-Odle peaks.

In the evening, spend some time exploring town.  Ortisei is a beautiful village with shops and cafes lining their cobblestoned, pedestrian-only main road.  Your stay also includes entrance to the Mar Dolomit pool and spa, a great place to relax for an hour or two.

• Hotel Stetteneck or similar
• B / D
• hike: 5-7 hours, 7.5 miles; Elevation: 380 ft. up, 3210 ft. down

Schlernhaus hut –  After a relaxing morning, begin today by ascending a gondola to the rolling green hills of the Alpe di Siusi, the largest mountain meadow in the Alps.  After a mellow crossing of the meadows and an unforgettable stop at the lively Gostner Schwaige for lunch, continue on a short but steep ascent to the peak.

Finish the day at Schlernhaus, an historic mountain inn atop the mighty Schlern peak, with breathtaking views in every direction.  Trails radiate from the hut for optional walks to even higher views.  Schlernhaus is fairly rustic, with private rooms, bathrooms down the hall, and no showers.  Their beautiful dining room is a cozy place to relax in the evening enjoying a night high in the Dolomites.

• Schlernhaus Hut
• B / D
• hike: 5-7 hours, 9.5 miles; Elevation: 2590 ft. up, 1110 ft. down

Plattkofel hut – Off to the next hut, you’ll make a moderate high traverse toward the towering Sassolungo mountain group.   The trail provides stunning views of the famed Catinaccio/Rosengarten group enroute.

Plattkofel hut is tucked at the base of the pyramidal peak it is named for, and an optional trail leads to the top, if you are in the mood for an energetic day.  Plattkofel hut is more a comfortable mountain inn than a hut, with cozy private rooms and hot showers, and a quiet ambiance that encourages relaxation.

• Plattkoffel Hut
• B / D
• hike: 5-7 hours, 8 miles; Elevation: 1260 ft. up, 1750 ft. down

Selva – Today you traverse around the northwest corner of the Langkofel Group, towering in stark relief over the Alpe di Siusi.   You’ll spend the day winding your way through boulder fields, grassy meadows, and spruce-larch forests before catching a cable car down to Selva.

A more strenuous optional trail leads right through the heart of the Langkofel/Plattkofel group, and is a fun, dramatic detour for those looking for a challenge.

• 3-star Hotel Krone or similar
• B / D
• hike: 5-7 hours, 7 miles; Elevation: 1400 ft. up, 1590 ft. down

Selva- Today you’ll hike up to explore the high Seceda meadows below the dramtic Puez-Odle mountain group, perhaps stopping in at the Regensberger or Stevia huts along the way.  There are dozens of criss-crossing trails through this area that invite exploration, and all boast unforgettable views of the region.

In the evening, you can unwind and enjoy the delicious cuisine at your tasteful village hotel.  Many of our Selva hotels include small spas if you would like to relax before your final dinner.

• 3-star Hotel Krone or similar
• B / D
• hike: 6-8 hours, 9 miles; Elevation: 3150 ft. up, 3150 ft. down

depart – After breakfast, your taxi driver will meet you at your hotel to take you back to Bolzano.

• B