Traverse the Dolomites in luxurious style, with gorgeous trails, deluxe 4 and 5-star spa hotels and gourmet meals.
Self-Guided Deluxe Dolomites Traverse
Self-Guided Deluxe Dolomites Traverse
Traverse the Dolomites in luxurious style, with gorgeous trails, deluxe 4 and 5-star spa hotels and gourmet meals.
- Self-Guided,
- Inn-To-Inn,
- Moderate to Challenging,
There are many things to fall in love with in the Dolomites. Rugged hikes and luxurious nights.
The culture is a rich blend of Tyrolean, Italian and local Ladin traditions. The cuisine mirrors these riches, with excellent coffee, wines, pastas, wild game and more (including the best Kaiserschmarrn in the South Tyrol). The mountains, meadows and picturesque villages paint one of the most attractive mountain landscapes in the world. And the hotels, yes, they are worthy. We love it all.
This is our most luxurious inn-to-inn tour. Not just in the Dolomites, but in the Alps. We have other deluxe tours that are very nice, to be sure, but if you like a world-class hotel, a scenic pool and outstanding cuisine to go with your beautiful mountains, the Dolomites are hard to beat. Let us show you around. You’re going to love it.
This tour is not available in late July or in August when 1 night stays are not possible. Our self-guided Great Hikes of the Dolomites tour is a better option for mid-summer, exploring the same region with 4 nights at each stop.
Itinerary At a Glance
Days 1-3
Ortisei to Alpe di Siusi
Ortisei is a great place to start, a sunny walkable village in the fantastic Val Gardena, home to one of our favorite 4-star hotels anywhere. After a scenic day hike above town, you’ll then head to the Alpina Dolomites, 5-star luxury tucked in the middle of the Alpe di Siusi, the largest alpine meadow in the Alps.
Days 4-5
Alpe di Siusi to Selva
Rolling trails through flower-filled meadows circle around to Selva, the highest village in Gardena valley. Another great day hike to a high alpine hut caps your time in the region, with a lovely 4-star hotel as your home base.
Days 6-10
Selva to Alta Badia and San Vigilio
Now you hike across a high pass to the Alta Badia region, stopping first in Corvara, then hiking part of the alta via 1 route to San Vigilio. This is a very traditional region, with a strong Ladin culture and tons of interesting WW1 history. Finish at an exquisite 4-star superior hotel.
Included
Your tour includes 9 nights in 4-5 star luxury hotels. We include all breakfasts and all dinners. Luggage transfers to all stops are included, as well as private taxis from Venice to Ortisei and San Vigilio to Venice, and selected taxis enroute. You will also receive topo maps, detailed route descriptions, gps routes and sightseeing suggestions. We are always available by phone if you have questions during your tour.
Pricing includes 1 private shuttle per group each direction to and from Venice.
Full Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive Ortisei
Arrive in Italy and transfer to Ortisei with time to wander the village, enjoying the crisp air and dramatic views from town. Ortisei has a charming pedestrian-only town center and a laid-back atmosphere. Your private taxi transfer from Venice, Verona, Innsbruck or Munich is included in your tour. Stay in a beautiful 4-star hotel with great food and a welcoming pool and spa.
If you have time, you might consider arriving early to stop in Bolzano, your gateway to the Dolomites. Bolzano is a pleasant city with large squares, outdoor markets, and a captivating natural history museum (home of the famous Ötzi iceman). We can arrange additional nights in Bolzano to give you time to explore this small, vibrant city before heading to the mountains.
- Dinner
Day 2
Ortisei, hike to Brogles hut
One of the many charms of Ortisei is the variety of trail options surrounding the village. On your first full hiking day, you might take a dayhike through high scenic meadows to the Brogles hut, where you can look out over your route to come, gazing upon the jagged needles of the Puez-Odle peaks.
Or for a more adventurous outing, meet up with a local guide for a via ferrata climb (guide and gear not included) on one of the local routes. Via ferrata climbs are famous throughout the Dolomites, and there are many options to choose among, from easy beginner hikes to steep, challenging routes. The local guide office can help you decide on an appropriate route, rent gear, and provide a guide.
HIKE: 5-7 hours, 8 miles; Elevation: 1180 ft up, 2360 ft down
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Day 3
Alpe di Siusi, Alpina Dolomites
You’ll start with an easy morning with plenty of time to relax before your hike. Start with a gondola from town up the vast meadows of the Alpe di Siusi, the largest mountain meadow in the Alps. The undulating trail across the meadows passes by a number of small mountain inns. We’ll send you to a favorite lunch spot where you can enjoy some of the best homemade local flavors in the Dolomites.
After lunch, you’ll head out across the Alpe di Siusi to the south with the Schlern massif looming above you before looping back to the 5-star Hotel Alpina Dolomites. The Alpina Dolomites is the epitome of mountain luxury, with beautiful rooms and a not-to-be-missed pool and spa. The Alpe di Siusi is a popular destination with hikers during the day, and takes on a quiet ambiance in the evening that allows you to relax and enjoy a beautiful evening high in the mountains.
HIKE: 4-6 hours, 9 miles, 1050 ft up, 1540 ft down
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Day 4
hike to Selva
Today you’ll traverse the dramatic Sassolungo and Sassopiatto mountain group. One option includes a steep and somewhat rugged ascent leading directly into the heart of the mountains, surrounded on all sides by jagged peaks. You might hike all the way to a high pass, to the Toni Demetz hut, where a fun gondola brings you down to the Sella pass where a bus takes you to Selva.
Alternately, hike along a lower circuit through green meadows with constant views of the mountains, finishing at the Ciampinoi lift, which will bring you directly to Selva. Selva is the highest village in the Gardena valley and has a number of fine hotels and restaurants. We like the traditional elegance of the 4-star Hotel Tyrol.
HIKE: 6-8 hours, 12 miles, 3150 ft up, 2000 ft down
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Day 5
Selva, hike Puez-Odle park
A second day in Selva gives you a chance to further explore this beautiful region. A great hike from town leads directly up to the Seceda meadows, part of the Puez-Odle Nature park. Seceda has a number of wonderful trails. A favorite leads to the higher reaches of the meadows to Piera Longia, a picturesque mountain restaurant at the base of the peaks.
Your descent from Seceda can be eased by a lift down to the valley floor, or you can take an energetic detour to the Stevia hut, for their fantastic apple strudel and otherworldly views of the Sella mountain. Return to Selva for a 2nd night.
HIKE: 6-8 hours, 9 miles, 3600 ft up, 3600 ft down
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Day 6
hike to Corvara
Leaving Selva, a dramatic hike through the U-shaped Vallunga valley leads you to a high, rocky landscape and the Puez hut, and then past the the Gardena pass to the peaceful Alta Badia valley. Alta Badia is a hidden paradise, with rolling meadows nestled among huge mountains in every direction.
The Gardena pass is also accessible from Selva by bus or cable car, and you can have an easier day today walking the many pretty trails near the pass. From here, a scenic descent or a short bus transfer brings you to Corvara. Tonight you’ll stay in a luxurious 4-star hotel in this pleasant village.
HIKE: 6-8 hours, 10 miles; Elevation: 3150 ft up, 3360 ft down
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Day 7
Corvara, hike to Lagazuoi peak
Today’s dramatic walk takes you high above the valley to the rifugio Lagazuoi, a popular hut perched at the summit of a mountain with incredible views and rich history. This was the scene of fierce fighting in WWI, and many tunnels and artifacts remain to this day.
A short bus transfers brings you to the trail head, where you head up and then up into the mountains. After a strenuous hike and time to look around at the Lagazuoi hut on the peak, you can either descend by trail or cable car to the Falzarego pass. There are frequent buses that can bring you back to your hotel in Corvara.
HIKE: 5-7 hours, 6 miles; Elevation: 3780 ft up, 120 ft down
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Day 8
hike Alta via 1 to San Vigilio
Another great hike high in the mountains. Again, a short transfer, and then hike along the famous Alta via 1 route, one of the epic long distance trails of the Dolomites. This is one of the best stretches, hiking through the Locia pass to a high meadow surrounded by incredible peaks. Stop at the Fanes hut for lunch and descend to Pederu, where a quick bus transfer brings you to San Vigilio.
The 4-star superior Hotel Excelsior is one of our favorites, a luxurious hiker-friendly retreat with 2 spas, a beautiful infinity pool, great meals, and incredibly friendly service. You won’t want to leave!
HIKE: 6-8 hrs, 11 miles; Elevation: 2490 ft up, 2420 ft down
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Day 9
San Vigilio, hike Piz da Peres
Short but steep, San Vigilio’s local mountain, Piz da Peres, is an adventuous peak ascent for views of the valley and surrounding area. Start with a bus or a taxi to the Furcia pass for this rugged loop trail.
If you prefer to take it easy today, the Excelsior has a couple of spa and includes a bountiful lunch buffet in your stay. They have mountain bikes free for your use if you want to mix things up. The wooded trail from San Vigilio to Pederu is nice by foot or by bike. Return to your hotel for one final night.
HIKE: 4-6 hrs, 5 miles; 2590 ft up, 2590 ft down
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 10
depart
Today you say arrivederci, and depart for your post-tour destinations. A private taxi to Venice is included in your tour, or we can book custom travel to other destinations.
- Breakfast