Hike, Bike and Canoe in the Dolomites

Marta Marinelli, raised in Italy’s serene Prosecco Hills, dreamt of global adventures, inspired by her father's travel stories. Her passion evolved into a career, backed by a decade of studies including degrees in international tourism and destination management. She’s worked in the adventure travel sector since 2012, living in Italy, the UK, and now sunny Portugal.

Over twenty years, Marta has explored over 55 countries, visiting remote areas like Ghana, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Haiti and Nepal’s Upper Mustang region. As a Senior Adventure Expansion Manager at Much Better Adventures, she focuses on creating life-changing experiences, ranging from multi-activity adventures, challenging treks to ultimate adventures in iconic places. She loves the challenge of finding the best local adventure hosts around the world, collaborating on adventures that offer genuine immersion, pushing beyond the beaten path and working on exclusive itineraries that challenge your comfort zone.

What makes her tick? Enabling people to live adventure-rich lives while positively impacting and empowering local communities around the world, generating sustainable opportunities for both the host, guides, community, and the environment.

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.

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.

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.

Yes, but as a reminder first, in terms of bags your host recommends all you need is: a personal rucksack approx. 20-30L to carry your essential items for each day, plus one main piece of luggage at your hotel. On Day 4 your host will transfer your main luggage from the hotel in Selva di Cadore to the agriturismo in Sospirolo. There is a 23kg weight limit, one bag per person, for your main luggage as your host has to arrange for the luggage to be transferred during the middle of the trip.

If you're travelling with extra baggage, perhaps you're in the middle of a bigger trip for example, then any Excess Luggage can be stored with your host free of charge on Day 1, and you'll then have access to it again at the end of your trip on Day 6. Please note, this Excess Luggage service is included in the trip cost only if you join the group arrival transfer in Venice, as that will be the opportunity to hand it over to the host for storage.

The weather in the national parks can be pretty unpredictable, with rain, wind and extreme temperatures possible at any time of the year. 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 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 always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers 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.

Interested in a more exclusive experience? Opt for a 'Private Group' through the dates and prices tab to book this adventure for just you and your chosen companions.

Our team of Adventure Hunters create exclusive adventures with highly vetted, specialist hosts. 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.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).

For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.