Hut-to-Hut Trekking in the Dolomites

Meet your driver 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 your comfortable spa hotel 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. Before dinner with the group at the hotel, you'll have time to do any repacking required and then your host will collect your main bag for storage. You needn't pack too much in your hiking backpack, just the essentials for the next three days, as you'll have a chance to access your main luggage again during the transfer on Day 4. Your mountain guide will join you in the morning of Day 2 to go through the details of the trek before you set off.

Kickstart your adventure with a stunning trek to Tissi Refuge. Set off on dirt roads through lush conifer woods and the pastures of the Val Fiorentina until reaching the Col dei Baldi area, which offers spectacular views over the Central Dolomites and their mighty peaks (including Mondeval, Croda Da Lago, Marmolada and Pelmo). From here you'll follow a variant of the iconic Alta Via 1 trail, which will lead to the Coldai Refuge – a chance to refuel with a hearty lunch. Continue on to until you reach the spectacular Coldai Lake (2172m), reflecting the majestic towers of the Civetta in its turquoise waters. Push on with a final climb – mostly steady, but with the occasional steep section of rough terrain as you traverse the mighty ‘wall of walls’. This is Civetta’s western face, measuring 1200m in height and over 5000m in width! Reach Tissi Refuge, set in a breathtaking location facing the giant limestone mountain walls, where you can relax over a delicious hot dinner, enjoy the warm hospitality and bed down for the night in comfortable four-bed dorm rooms.

Today you'll cross into the wild landscapes of the Moiazza range. You will notice that fewer trekkers make it this far along the route, making the hiking experience extra-special. Set off on a relatively smooth descent into Val Civetta passing over rocks, through shrubs and green pastures. For the first part of the trek you'll be surrounded by trees and the impressive rock towers of the Civetta massif. Reach Rifugio Vazzoler, nestled amongst woodland with dramatic views of the Torre Venezia and Torre Trieste as a backdrop, where you can grab some refreshments before pushing on towards Forcella Col dell’Orso (1823m), along the flanks of Torre Trieste and Forcella del Camp. A final ascent through more woodland will bring you to the welcoming Rifugio Carestiato, where a well-deserved dinner awaits.

After breakfast, set off from Rifugio Carestiato and enjoy a panoramic descent down the valley. Admire the splendid Alpine views all the way into Agordo. Your host will meet you at the end of the trail with the van and your main bag that you gave them on Day 1, so that you can swap out your dirty clothes for clean ones if you wish. There's also a restaurant nearby for an early lunch. After approx. 1hr stop in Agordo, you'll then take a short transfer to the charming Malga Ciapela for the continuation of your trek. From there, set off on foot into the enchanting Val Ombretta, with the dramatic southern face of Marmolada visible in the distance. Despite the loftiness of the surrounding peaks, the rest of today's trail is relatively smooth so you have plenty of time to take in the views. Stop at Malga Ombretta (don't miss the chance to try their famous yogurt) before continuing along the the uphill trail, where where a totem marks the central geographical point of the Dolomites. Bed down for the night at the renowned Onorio Falier Refuge, which has stunning views of the south face of Marmolada's peak.

This morning you'll descend from from Val Ombretta along the Val de Franzedaz and under the walls of Monte Fop, following a quieter variant of the Alta Via 2 to Forcella di Forca Rossa. You'll then join a picturesque trail known as the Alta Via dei Pastori (High Shepherd's Way), an ancient shepherds' path which links the pastures and mountain huts of the Val del Biois, via centuries-old woodland where close encounters with local fauna such as marmots and ibex are common. Your host will have transferred your main luggage to the hotel ahead of your arrival, ready for you to take a shower and get out of your hiking kit. Your home tonight is the stunning and comparatively luxurious Rifugio Flora Alpina, where you can enjoy complimentary access to their Green Wellness Spa which includes a hydromassager, a biosauna, a Kneipp path and a "sensory" outdoor shower. Make a toast to the end of your epic trek with a spectacular view of the nearby peaks, then enjoy one final cosy sleep before you leave the mountains tomorrow.

Enjoy a relaxing morning of free-time at the very comfortable Rifugio Flora Alpina. Pre-breakfast sauna anyone? Or an easy stroll to stretch your legs and take in the mountain air one more time perhaps? Like all good things, your Dolomites adventure comes to an end mid-morning, when your host will meet you at the hotel and drive you back to Venice Airport in time for your onward flight home.