
DURATION
LOCATION
ANNUAL LEAVE
SEASON
GROUP SIZE
MEETING POINT
ACCOMMODATION
Hotel · Agroturismo
OVERALL RATING
0.0
DIFFICULTY
You'll need good fitness and to be comfortable on mountain terrain. No previous experience is needed for canoeing or e-biking.
Trek one of Europe’s most striking mountain ranges, tackling the Cinque Torri trail and the Mondeval high plateau
Pedal forest trails up Mount Fertazza (2080m) on e-bikes, for staggering views of some of the world's most famous spires
Canoe in the emerald lake waters of Lago del Mis, a hidden gem surrounded by a wild basin and sparkling cascades
Bed down in a 4-star mountain spa hotel and an agriturismo with lush surroundings, tucking into tasty local food
Day 1
To the mountains!
Meet your host at Venice Airport and jump in your transfer to Selva di Cadore, right in the heart of Italy's iconic Dolomites – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Check in and enjoy the sight of some of the most famous peaks such as towering Mount Pelmo, the spires of Cernera and jagged Civetta, right from your hotel's doorstep. Meet up with your group for dinner, chat through the itinerary with your host, then get some rest before the adventure ahead.
Day 2
Hike into the stunning Dolomites
Hiking
Kick off your adventure with a superb hike from the iconic Passo Giau, one of the most scenic passes in the Belluno Dolomites, to the high plains of Mondeval di Sora. Along this plateau, a Mesolithic burial site was found in 1987, along with the remains of the Mondeval Man who lived in this area thousands of years ago. Today, the skeleton is preserved at the Vittorino Cazzetta museum in Selva di Cadore (which you may opt to visit later this afternoon, after your hike). Trekking along undulating trails, you'll be surrounded by the most majestic views of verdant valleys and iconic peaks, including Monte Pelmo, Croda da Lago, Monte Cernera, and the imposing wall of the Lastoi de Formin. It won't take long to see why this is considered one the the most beautiful mountain landscapes in the world!
Day 3
Pedal through the peaks
Cycling
Hang up your boots – this morning you'll leave the hotel on the saddle of your electric mountain bike to cycle gravel trails and forest roads up leading all the way to the top of Mount Fertazza at 2080m. First, tackle a steady 7km climb to the Fertazza hut, winding among wonderful spruce and larch forests – thanks to your e-bike, the ascent will feel smooth and manageable. A further 2km push will take you all the way to to the mountaintop, where your efforts will be rewarded by one of the most iconic views in the whole of Dolomites, with the towering Marmolada, Averau and Pelmo peaks dominating the valley below. You'll stop here for a memorable lunch at the famous Belvedere hut, where you can tuck into some hearty dishes among the breathtaking natural surroundings. After lunch, begin your thrilling descent back to the hotel along a mix of easy gravel and off-road trails, passing scenic pastures along the way.
Day 4
Hike Averau and the Cinque Torri
Hiking
This morning you'll hit another iconic hiking trail in the Averau-Nuvolau Dolomites group, with 360° views that stretch out across the peaks. After a short transfer to the trailhead, you'll set off on a relatively easy path followed by an ascent over boulders and rocky terrain towards Forcella Averau, offering a splendid panorama of the Lagazuoi and Tofane mountains. Continue on in the direction of the iconic Cinque Torri, famous for their rugged beauty but also for the unique open-air museum tucked away near these majestic towers. Take your time to properly explore the remains of trenches and walkways used during the First World War before continuing towards the Falzarego Pass, where a vehicle will pick you up for your onward transfer (around 1.5 hours). You'll be taken to the wonderful Mis Valley, a hidden gem in the Dolomites. Your home for the next two nights in is a cosy, family-run farmhouse surrounded by beautiful gardens.
Day 5
Canoe the turquoise Lago del Mis
Canoeing
Hiking
Wake to the sounds of nature and enjoy a slow breakfast in your agriturismo. Then head out to explore the stunning Mis Valley and its pristine scenery by canoe, paddling the turquoise waters of the Lago del Mis, one of the most beautiful lakes in the whole of Italy. Lake Mis is man-made, but located in a spectacularly untouched Alpine context in the heart of the Monti del Sole and Vette Feltrine. On foot, you'll explore the stunning La Soffia Waterfall and the Cadini del Brenton, two of the most breathtaking attractions in the valley. Weather permitting, you'll also have the chance to enjoy a few hours at leisure along the lake's shore, soaking up the sun or sipping on a cool drink. Back at the agriturismo, raise a toast to the end of your epic mountain adventures with a farewell dinner, cooked by a local chef.
Day 6
Goodbye Italy!
Bid farewell to the stunning scenery of the Dolomites, as this morning you'll leave your accommodation after breakfast and head back to Venice Airport for your flight home. Arrivederci!
Included
Guides
Local, expert, English-speaking guides
Accommodation
3 nights in a 4-star hotel and 2 nights in an agriturismo
Meals
All breakfasts and 5 dinners
Transfers
Airport transfers and everything in between
Equipment
All your e-biking and canoeing equipment
Not Included
Flights to and from the meeting point
Travel insurance
Tips for your guides
Some meals as described
Personal expenses
Visas where required
Day 1
Day 2 – Day 3
Day 4 – Day 5
Day 6
What is the food like?
All evening meals will be included in the trip, and will either be a three-course set menu in the hotel, or a meal at a restaurant selected by your guide including a local pizzeria in Sospirolo. Some of the region's highlights include potato gnocchi with smoked cottage cheese or pumpkin, canederli (balls of bread with speck), and barley soup. For main courses, you’ll often find pastin (a regional Belluno dish usually comprising minced pork or beef) and polenta with mushrooms featured on the menu. Lunches are not included, but you can buy your own each morning before the day's activity from a local deli or supermarket or you may opt to order some tasty hot meals and refreshments from the mountain huts where you'll stop for your activity breaks.
Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for - please just request this on your passenger info form.
What is the accommodation like?
Pescul (Selva di Cadore)
Your first three nights will be spent at the 4-star Orso Grigio Hotel. Located right in front of the famous Civetta ski slopes in Pescul, it's 3km from Selva di Cadore and approximately 30km from the famous Cortina d'Ampezzo. This comfortable mountain retreat features a wellness centre with two Finnish saunas, sensory showers, a Turkish bath and relaxation area, perfect in which to relax after an active day out on the trails. Accommodation will be on a twin-share basis, in en suite rooms with pine-wood furnishings, warm carpeting, fine fabrics, LCD TVs and stunning views. The hotel also includes a restaurant, which serves a delicious breakfast buffet and tasty local cuisine for lunch and dinner.
Sospirolo
You'll spend the final two nights of your trip in an agriturismo, a beautifully converted farmhouse immersed in a private woodland area, with a botanical garden and farm. Accommodation will be in a mix of twin rooms and apartments, all of which are en suite. Each is tastefully decorated with a unique design and theme, using local materials and handicrafts. The property includes a cosy dining area, where daily breakfasts will be served as well as a special farewell dinner on the last night of the trip.
Upgrades
Due to limited availability, a solo room upgrade can be requested only for the first three nights of the trip at Hotel Orso Grigio (subject to availability). Please see Optional Extras for prices and request this as the time of booking.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Venice Marco Polo Airport
16:00 on Day 1
Ends
Venice Marco Polo Airport
11:00 on Day 6
Transfers
On Day 1 your driver will meet you at Venice Marco Polo Airport (at 16:00 at the latest; exact timings will be confirmed by your host prior to your trip, depending on the group's incoming flights). You'll be transferred to Selva di Cadore, which is approximately two hours away. On Day 6, your host will transfer you from Sospirolo back to Venice Marco Polo Airport, where you'll arrive at around 11:00. This can be dependent on traffic, therefore please don't book a flight departing before 14:00 in case of delays.
Please note that alternative transfers between the airport and the Dolomites are very expensive, whilst connections by public transport are limited and often not available: we therefore recommend that in order to join the group transfer, you ensure you leave ample time between your flight arrival time and transfer departure time of 16:00. Your transfer won't be able to wait beyond 16:00, so in the case of significant delays, the best option is to contact your host who can provide you with a trusted taxi number. Please not that this will be expensive (approx. €300 for a one-way transfer to Selva di Cadore).
Travel options
Venice Marco Polo Airport is accessible via various direct flights from the UK and mainland Europe. Flights from the US generally connect through Madrid, London or Frankfurt.
For those who wish to avoid flying, Venezia Mestre is well connected with high-speed trains from London, via Paris. The journey will take an average of 21 hours and usually involves two changes.
Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear
In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.
What's provided?
All your e-biking and canoeing equipement
What do I need to bring?
BAGS
Overnight duffle bag or soft luggage
20-30 liters day rucksack
Waterproof liner/drybags for rucksack
CLOTHES
Lightweight waterproof and windproof jacket
Breathable wicking layers
Fleece jacket or similar
Buff or neck scarf
Lightweight trousers/shorts/skirts
T-shirts
Underwear and socks
Sunglasses
Sunhat
Something to sleep in
Hiking boots (worn-in)
Lightweight shoes or sandals
Swimnwear
OTHER
Quick-dry towel
Universal travel plug adapter
Power bank or solar charger
Passports (and visas)
Travel insurance documents
Suncream
Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment such as Compeed)
Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
Alcohol hand-gel
2 x 1-litre reusable water bottle
OPTIONAL
Earplugs
Hydration salts, Energy bars and Snacks
Trekking poles
Optional Solo Rooom Upgrade (3 nights at Hotel Orso Grigio)
Payable Before Departure
Optional Solo Rooom Upgrade (3 nights at Hotel Orso Grigio)
…
We’re still waiting to collect any reviews from other travellers on this trip. However, all our hosts go through an extensive vetting process to ensure that your adventure is awesome.
We've crunched the numbers to work out the total carbon footprint of this trip, and plant enough trees to suck 2x as much back out the atmosphere.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 168kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal for 2023 to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
- A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. For every person booked with us since 2016 we’re planting enough trees to suck at least 2x more carbon out the atmosphere than is emitted by their trips. All native trees, as part of amazing projects that are re-foresting degraded land, tackling the biodiversity crisis and supporting local communities at the same time. We go further than that too, also funding re-wilding projects worldwide to help protect important keystone species from extinction. See the reforestation and re-wilding schemes we support. See our carbon action plan.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
This trip requires a decent level of fitness and you must feel comfortable in mountain environment, although none of the included activities are hugely demanding and no previous experience is necessary. You'll have expert guides to show you the ropes and help you navigate the e-biking and canoeing. On the hiking trails, you'll be accompanied by an expert mountain guide.
The bike ride up Mount Fertazza is best enjoyed if you feel comfortable riding an electronically assisted bike off-road; however, no technical mountain biking skills are needed and you'll have a bike fitting and briefing before setting off. Should you wish to opt out of this activity, there is the opportunity to get to Mount Fertazza by cable car and meet the group there for lunch.
The included hikes include some trails over uneven, rocky terrain and the occasional short steep ascent, but they are overall of moderate difficulty so should are manageable by anyone who can handle hiking in mountain terrain for a few hours. The guide will assess the group's fitness, so there may be the option to slightly extend some of the treks, should everyone feel comfortable with it.
You'll be exploring some of the most iconic sites of the Dolomites, a UNESCO-listed site since 2009. The scenery is incredibly varied, ranging from rocky peaks and walls, to grassy hillsides, lush woodland and wide-open grassland.
The first part of the trip is based near the lovely town of Selva di Cadore in the Val Florentina, near Pelmo-Croda. This is great base from which you'll explore famous sites and viewpoints on bike and on foot, such as Passo Giau, Mondeval Altopiano, Mount Fertazza and Cinque Torri.
On the final part of the trip, you'll be based in a more untrodden area of the Dolomites: the town of Sospirolo in the Mis Valley, one of the main gateways to the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park. The area is wild and unspoilt, with natural features such as canyons, gorges, mountains, lakes and waterfalls, which will be a joy to explore on foot and by canoe.
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
The water in the Dolomites is safe to drink and you are able to fill up freely at the mountain huts you stop at and the hotels you stay in. Make sure to bring a couple of reusable drinking bottles, or a bladder.
The Dolomite Mountains offer some of the best weather in all of the Alps. The summer months (mid-July to September) have warm temperatures and plenty of sun. However, it is also not unheard of for snow to fall on higher ground during the summer, and patches of snow may still be present into July. While the average maximum temperature may reach 30°C (86 °F) on the valley floor, it may feel cooler in the wind or in the shade. July and August are the hottest months and carry the greatest risk of thunderstorms, which can be torrential and usually occur in the afternoon. Being well-prepared and equipped for all these eventualities is essential.
During the activities, you'll only need to carry a personal rucksack with your essential items for the day; you can leave your main luggage at your hotel. On Day 4 your host will transfer your luggage from Selva di Cadore to Sospirolo.
For current advice about travelling in Italy, have a read of the UK Foreign Office pages.
The weather in the mountains can be pretty unpredictable, with rain and cold temperatures possible at any time of the year – especially at higher altitudes. The best you can do is to be prepared for anything and come equipped with layers of clothing, sunscreen and waterproofs. Your host will be monitoring the weather conditions during the course of the trip and will suggest alternative, safer hiking routes or activities should the weather get particularly bad.
On this trip lunches are not included. Your budget for largely depends on the type of meal you choose to order at the local supermarkets or mountain huts where you'll stop during the activities. A simple sandwich or panini with local cured meats and cheese costs approximately €8, while a first or second course in a restaurant will usually be a hot meal and cost approximately €15 and €18 each. Soft drinks and beers are usually around €3-5.
On this trip you'll also need to budget for some city taxes, payable at the hotel in cash at the end of your stay. Please allow approximately €2-2.50 per night for this.
You'll be looked after by three different expert local guides, each qualified for the relevant activity (hiking, cycling and canoeing). This means there won't be a single local tour leader throughout the trip but a team of different friendly and professional guides.
So in Selva di Cadore, you'll be accompanied by a mountain guide on the two hiking trails, and by a local cycling guide for the thrilling e-bike ride up Mount Fertazza. In Lago del Mis, you'll be led by a qualified kayaking and canoeing instructor.
You'll be provided with electric mountain bikes (normally Giant or similar). E-bikes are becoming increasingly popular across Europe and on this trip you'll get the chance to test one on a short ride to Monte Fertazza. Generally speaking, e-bikes are bicycles with battery-powered assistance that comes via pedalling. When you push the pedals, a small motor engages and gives you a boost to help you tackle more challenging climbs or rough terrain. It very much feels like a natural extension of a rider's own pedalling power. They have a maximum speed limitation and you can also opt to use your e-bike without any support to feel your legs burn, if you prefer!
You'll be using what is commonly known as a 'Canadian' canoe – an evolution of the original birch bark canoes used by the indigenous peoples of North America. You'll be in twin canoes; the Canadian is a lightweight, mostly open-top canoe with plenty of space for baggage as well as two passengers. Your personal gear is kept in large drybags (supplied by your host) which are then secured to the inside of the canoe. The weight limit is approximately 100kg per person.
Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing.
Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness.
We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last-minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.
You're in good company. Our adventures are typically made up of a mix of solo travellers and small groups of two or three friends who simply love adventure, pushing themselves and meeting awesome like-minded people. See here for more info about our lovely bunch of Much Better Adventurers.
Want to book a private trip? Just tap ‘Private Group’ in the dates and prices tab.
Your trip is led by carefully curated local hosts and expert guides. See here for more info about the guides we work with.
Pay In Installments
You can choose to pay for this trip in as many installments as you like, with no interest or fees.
Full Financial Protection
Your money is safe. Every booking is fully financially protected.