Explore the Dolomites of Gardena and Alta Badia, an inspiring landscape of enormous limestone towers, colorful wildflowers, and lush green meadows.
Self-Guided Dolomites Dayhikes: Ortisei and San Cassiano
Self-Guided Dolomites Dayhikes: Ortisei and San Cassiano
Explore the Dolomites of Gardena and Alta Badia, an inspiring landscape of enormous limestone towers, colorful wildflowers, and lush green meadows.
- Self-Guided,
- Village Retreats,
- Relaxed to Moderate,
The Dolomites, six days, need to get away… where should you go? We have the answer.
The Val Gardena and Alta Badia are our two favorite regions in the Dolomites, and Ortisei and San Cassiano are the two best villages to base yourself for hikes into the surrounding landscape. The Dolomites are fantastic… Italian, Tyrolean and Ladin culture melding into a perfect whole, with wonderful pampering hotels in dreamy villages, and hiking trails that range from easy, meandering routes to challenging via ferrata climbs. Don’t forget the spa and the mouth-watering food.
Explore the Dolomites with flexibility and comfort. Ortisei is a charming village in the heart of the traditional Val Gardena, with a pedestrian-only village core and miles of hiking trails radiating in every direction. San Cassiano sits in a dreamscape of mountains and rolling hills in nearby Alta Badia. You will have plenty to do, and plenty of time to slow down, breathe and simply be. It might just be the perfect getaway.
Itinerary At a Glance
Day 1-3
Ortisei
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. Hike to the beautiful Brogles hut to see the famous Odler mountains. Walk across the Seiser Alm, the largest “alp” in the Alps, and just generally enjoy the ambiance of this amazing valley.
Day 4-7
San Cassiano
Now either hike or hop on your private taxi east to the Alta Badia region, to serene San Cassiano and another beautiful 4-star hotel. This is a very traditional region, with a strong Ladin culture and seemingly endless views. WW1 tunnels dot the rocky mountains, and there are numerous huts to visit and scenic vistas. Leave time for the pool and spa afterwards! Depart by private taxi back to Bolzano at the end of your stay.
Included
Your tour includes 6 nights in luxurious 4 star hotels, with all breakfasts and 5 dinners. Your tour includes a private taxi from Bolzano to Ortisei, to San Cassiano (or just for luggage if you hike), and back to Bolzano at the end of your tour. You will also receive topo maps, detailed route descriptions, and sightseeing suggestions. We are always available by phone if you have questions during your tour.
What's great about this tour
- Perfect flexibility for easy, moderate or epic hiking days
- A relaxed village retreat-based tour with 2 stops in 6 nights
- Comfortable and welcoming 4-star hotels in both villages
- Want to splurge? 5-star options available.
- A beautiful mix of Tyrolean, Italian and local Ladin cultures
- Fascinating WWI history
Full Itinerary
Day 1
Ortisei
Arrive in Italy and transfer by train to Bolzano, your gateway to the Italian Dolomites. Bolzano is a pleasant city with large squares, outdoor markets, and an captivating natural history museum (home of the Ötzi iceman) and is worth a stop if you have extra time.
We’ll arrange a private taxi to pick you up in Bolzano, and take you on the 50 minute trip to Ortisei, a charming village with narrow, cobblestoned streets lined with elegant shops – and your base for hiking for the next 3 days.
- 4-star Grones or similar
Day 2
Ortisei
Ortisei is surrounded by pleasant hiking trails and is blessed with beautiful views from every corner. One favorite hike takes you up to the Seiser Alm, or Alpe di Siusi, the largest high alpine meadow in the Alps. Siusi is threaded with trails of all varieties, with gorgeous views of the Sassolungo and Sassopiatto group, and the massive Schlern mountain.
Walk through flower-filled meadows, past alpine farms and huts, perhaps stopping in for a special gourmet lunch at a favorite local restaurant. In the evening, you can unwind in the sauna or pool in Ortisei, and enjoy the gourmet cuisine at your tasteful hotel.
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Day 3
Ortisei
Another favorite hike starts right from town through a hidden valley behind Ortisei. Hike up through wooded trails past the oldest chapel in the valley, gaining more and more spectacular views as you ascend. An optional detour brings you to the Pic mountaintop for a 360-degree panorama. Now through the Siusi meadow, a variety of trails lead past alpine farms and huts where you can stop for lunch.
Options include hiking down to the village of Selva, where you return to Ortisei by bus, or continuing up toward the jagged Odle mountain group, where a cable car whisks you back to Ortisei.
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Day 4
San Cassiano
We’ll send a private taxi to your hotel to pick you and and take you one valley to the east, the Alta Badia region, and the pleasant little village of San Cassiano. If you’d like to hike to day, your taxi can drop you in Selva, where a long and beautiful trail leads you through the U-shaped Vallunga valley, up over high, rocky passes, and down to Alta Badia.
For an easier day, ask to be dropped at the Gardena pass enroute, where a pleasant downhill trail offers a half-day of walking with jaw-dropping views of the gigantic Sella massif.
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Day 5
San Cassiano
Alta Badia, is a wide valley with numerous hiking possibilities. The meadows of Pralongia above town beckon with miles of trails, and surprising views in all directions.
An alternate mountain route starts with a gondola ride high above the nearby town of Badia to the small chapel of la Crusc. A very pleasant trail starts below the mountains and offers delightful views as it traverses the hillsides back down to San Cassiano. Dinner will be on your own to explore at your leisure.
- Breakfast
Day 6
San Cassiano
A longer hike heads south from San Cassiano into a dramatic valley through the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park and up to the famous Lagazuoi hut. Lagazuoi was the scene of fierce fighting during WWI, and many trenches and tunnels remain to this day, with informational placards describing life as a soldier on the front.
It’s also a beautiful hike in its own right, passing the friendly Scotoni hut, a small lake, and gaining incredible views from Lagazuoi itself. From the top, a cable car brings you down to a bus to return to the valley below.
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Day 7
depart
After breakfast, your taxi driver will meet you at your hotel to take you back to Bolzano or Bressanone. Alternate final destinations can be arranged on a custom basis.
- Breakfast