Hike the Italian Dolomites

The Dolomites are known for changeable mountain weather; you can experience sun, wind, and rain all in a single day. Your guides are experts in the region and will adapt the route if needed to ensure safety and enjoyment. In case of really adverse conditions, hikes may be shortened, swapped for lower-altitude routes, or replaced with scenic valley walks or cultural visits in nearby villages. Rest assured, you’ll still spend plenty of time outdoors exploring the incredible landscapes.

The Val di Funes section of the trip is generally quieter and more traditional—a landscape of Alpine meadows and the Odle spires that still feels tucked away from the main tourist hubs. By contrast, the Dobbiaco and Val Pusteria area is closer to some of the Dolomites’ best-known landmarks, meaning it naturally attracts more visitors. To balance both sides, your guide may plan some early starts and lesser-known variants (including an alternative to the classic Tre Cime loop) so you can enjoy the region’s highlights while still finding space and serenity on the trails.

You’ll be led by one experienced, English-speaking hiking guide throughout the week. The guides are fully qualified and know the area well. Group size is capped at 12 travelers, ensuring an atmosphere where everyone can move at a steady, comfortable pace. No additional support crew is required, as this trip is hotel-based and all daily logistics (transfers, luggage handling, etc.) are pre-arranged and managed by your host and guide.

Since this is a hotel-based trip, you’ll have a permanent base for your luggage throughout. You’ll stay three nights in Val di Funes and four nights in Dobbiaco, so any excess baggage can be safely stored at your hotel while you’re out hiking each day. There’s no need to carry your main bag on the trails, just bring a comfortable daypack for your essentials (water, snacks, layers, camera, etc.). Your main luggage stays securely at the hotels, ready for you when you return each afternoon.

The local tap water is safe to drink. Please bring along your own reusable water bottles (at least 2 liters) to fill up at the mountain huts to avoid buying single-use plastic bottles.

All hikes on this itinerary take place between 3,937ft and 8,202ft. You’ll climb to scenic viewpoints like Col di Poma (7,949ft), Rifugio Genova (7,566ft), and along the Sillianerhütte ridge near the Austrian border, as well as high passes around Tre Cime di Lavaredo. These elevations mean you’ll experience the full alpine environment – with cooler air, occasional snow patches early or late in the season, and spectacular views – but no technical altitude acclimatization is required. The hikes remain within safe, accessible high-mountain levels for fit trekkers.

On some days, you’ll set off directly from your hotel, while on others you’ll reach the trailheads by private minivan, with short transfers of around 15–40 minutes, depending on the route. In a couple of cases, you’ll also make use of local public buses or cable cars to access higher starting points such as Prato Piazza or Mount Elmo. All transfers are pre-arranged and included in the trip price, so logistics are fully taken care of.

Your adventure is split between two very different valleys, offering a real contrast of scenery and atmosphere.

• The Val di Funes is quieter and more rural, known for its picture-perfect alpine meadows, jagged Odle peaks, and iconic views of the Santa Maddalena church. It’s the Dolomites at their most idyllic and traditional.
• The Val Pusteria is more open and expansive, home to the famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo and beautiful alpine lakes like Lago di Braies and Lake Dobbiaco. Here you’ll find slightly longer, more challenging trails and grand panoramic ridges.

Together, they showcase two distinct faces of the Dolomites – wild and tranquil vs. dramatic and iconic.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers review the practical information available on the UK Government’s FCDO website, where you can find up-to-date advice by searching for your destination(s).

If you are based in the United States, you can also check the latest travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State.

For customers joining from other international locations, we recommend checking the official travel advice issued by your country of residence, as guidance may vary.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

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All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips typically consist of a mix of solo travelers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves, and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

The Dolomites enjoy some of the best weather in the Alps, with long, sunny summers and crisp mountain air—perfect for hiking. This trip runs from June to early October, when trails around Val di Funes and Dobbiaco are at their most accessible. In June and early July, you can expect fresh mornings and lingering snow patches on higher trails, particularly around Zsigmondy Hut or Monte Specie. July and August bring warmer temperatures (up to 82–86°F in the valleys) and lush alpine meadows, but also a higher chance of short, dramatic afternoon thunderstorms—it's best to start hikes early and carry a waterproof layer. By September and early October, the weather is cooler and clearer, with quieter trails and the start of autumn colors—ideal conditions for hiking. Regardless of the month, mountain weather can change quickly, so packing for both warm sun and chilly winds at altitude is essential.