Italy | Italian Dolomites Trek

Trip Highlights:

• See the breathtaking spires of the Alta Badia.

• Explore the fabled Tyrolean culture and cuisine.

• Stay in world-class inns built in the 14th century.

Towers of vertical limestone, tinged pink in the evening light, rise above rolling green meadows, ancient castles, and the onion-domed church steeples of the enchanting Alto Adige (Südtirol) region of Northern Italy. The Dolomites are one of the earth’s most beautiful and dramatic mountain ranges, drawing hikers and mountaineers from around the world for their extraordinary light, startling vertical topography, and breathtaking scenery.

Just as captivating is the region’s blend of cultures. Our journey takes us from the German-speaking Tyrolean villages around Völs and Val Gardena, through the Ladin heartland of Alta Badia, and finally to Cortina d’Ampezzo, the decidedly Italian alpine center of the Dolomites.

Our point-to-point route traverses the region from west to east, linking spectacular mountain scenery in the Sciliar, Sassolungo, Puez-Odle, and Tofane ranges with some of the most atmospheric villages in the Dolomites. We hike primarily on high mountain footpaths, many above tree line, and take advantage of lifts where appropriate, allowing us to climb high into the mountains for expansive views across the Dolomites to the Austrian Alps and the Marmolada.

We begin in the historic Tyrolean village of Völs am Schlern/Fiè allo Sciliar, with its cobblestone streets and impressive limestone backdrop of the Sciliar. From here, we climb onto the Alpe di Siusi, the largest alpine meadow in Europe, where views stretch across the surrounding Dolomites and north toward the Austrian Alps. We spend one memorable night above tree line at Rifugio Alpe di Tires before hiking beneath the dramatic Sassopiatto and Sassolungo into Val Gardena.

In Sëlva di Gardena/Wolkenstein, we spend two nights surrounded by some of the Dolomites’ most iconic scenery. Our loop hike high above the valley explores the spectacular Puez-Odle Nature Park and Seceda, crossing broad alpine meadows beneath the jagged Odle Group and Geisler peaks. From Sëlva, we ascend the beautiful Val Lunga and cross into Alta Badia, where the ancient Ladin culture remains very much alive. The Ladin language evolved from Latin and the languages of the region’s earlier inhabitants and survives today in a handful of protected valleys in the Dolomites. We spend the night in Corvara, a picturesque mountain village beneath the imposing Sella massif.

Finally, we enter the dramatic Tofane range and descend into Cortina d’Ampezzo, the lively and decidedly Italian alpine center of the Dolomites.

Along the way, we stay in a handpicked collection of charming four-star hotels, with one memorable night in a simple mountain refuge. From traditional Tyrolean inns filled with regional character to elegant four-star hotels known for their warm hospitality, inviting atmosphere, and exceptional cuisine, each has been chosen to reflect the character of its village and surroundings.

The cuisine is another highlight of the journey, blending the hearty flavors and traditions of Austria and Tyrol with the fresh ingredients and culinary influences of Italy. At dinner, the excellent wines of the Alto Adige offer the perfect complement to the region’s cuisine.

Curious about the Alta Via 1? Our Italian Dolomites Trek offers a more comfortable alternative to the classic hut-to-hut route, combining spectacular high-mountain trails with handpicked four-star hotels, luggage transfers, and one unforgettable night at Rifugio Alpe di Tires, spectacularly situated above tree line. You’ll experience the dramatic landscapes and iconic peaks of the Dolomites by day, while enjoying the comfort, cuisine, and character of the region’s villages each evening.

Learn more about the Northern Italian Alps-Dolomites destination

Trip Itinerary