HEART OF THE DOLOMITES self-guided

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7 days 7 days
Self-guided Self-guided
With baggage transport With baggage transport
Accommodation Classic or comfort
Level *** Level ***
From 670 € From 670 €

From spectacular balconies to green valleys

The Dolomites are located in the extreme north-east of Italy, near the Austrian border. This area has a tumultuous history and was an important stake between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Italy especially during the First World War. Numerous vestiges lay testament to those days...
You will hear German and also Italian spoken as the double culture is deeply rooted. Ladin, a local dialect, with a mixture of Latin and German influences is also spoken in some valleys. Many signs are in all three languages.
The Dolomites owe their name to a geologist, M. Déodat de Dolomieu, intrigued by the strange aspect of the rocks, studied and discovered the composition in 1782.
Known for their famous Via Ferrata, the Dolomites also have fabulous hiking routes. It is not necessary to walk very far or on technical paths to discover the sumptuous landscapes.
From spectacular balconies to verdant valleys, the proposed route crosses different massifs, all equally impressive.

You will like

  • A total immersion in some of the most unusual mountains in the world
  • A striking alternation between green and mineral landscapes
  • Pleasant trails at the heart of verticality
  • A legendary welcome in the gites and refuges
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HEART OF THE DOLOMITES self-guided

From 670 €

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Hike details

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Dates & prices

DEPARTURES AND PRICES

Daily departures from 13 June to 10 Octobre 2023                                                       

Without baggage transport
670€/ person, classic accommodation

With baggage transport
Group of 2: 1070person, classic accommodation
Group of 3: 925person, classic accommodation
Group of 4: 850person, classic accommodation
Group of 5: 830€/ person, classic accomodation
Group of 6: 795€/ person, classic accomodation

Comfort option, double bedroom (registration based on 2 people): 95€/ person.

Information and reservation by phone or mail.

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THE PRICE

The price includes

  • Accommodation with half-board formula, except dinner on Day 4 at Sennes (to be paid on site) ;
  • A road book: description and maps (1 road book per registration up to 4 people. A supplementary road book for groups of 5 or more. Extra road book supplement 10-25€) ;
  • Organisation and booking fees ;
  • Daily baggage transport exept on day 4, if you have chosen this option ;
  • Tourist tax.

The price does not include:

  • Picnic lunches ;
  • Dinner on Day 4 at Sennes ;
  • Potential shower tokens ;
  • Personal expenses, drinks, touristic visits, etc.;
  • The bus between Cortina and Auronzo and bus or cable car on Day 7 (approx 20€ per person) ;
  • Your return journey from home to the point of departure/end point, airport taxes and other exclusions clearly described within the corresponding technical sheet ;
  • Cancellation insurance.

The price is all inclusive from departure to end point.

L’itinéraire jour après jour...

Day 1

Take the bus from Cortina d'Ampezzo bus station to Refuge Auronzo (regular service, approx 30 mins)

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO - REFUGE AURONZO - TRE CIME TOUR
Circuit hike at the foot of the famous Tre Cime de Lavaredo, a mythical section of the hike amidst spikey peaks, towers and surrounding summits, passing via the Locatelli Refuge. Night at refuge Auronzo.
2.5 hour walk / Elevation: +250m -250m / 9km

Day 2

LANDRO VALLEY - STRUDELSATTEL - PRATO PIAZZA 
After the north face of Tre Cime, a beautiful descent into the Landro Valley followed by a steep climb, with a short (50m) well-secured cabled passage, which contours the Strudelkopf. Cross the Specie pass and descend into the beautiful mountain pasture of Prato Piazza. Climb possible via the Specie Valley. Night in a refuge.
6.5 hour walk / Elevation: +930m -1200m / 20km

Day 3

PRATO PIAZZA - LAKE BRAIES
Descend through the Stolla Valley, then climb and traverse via a trail between mountain pastures and scree to reach the small pass leading down to Lake Braies. The surronding summits show their curious stratification and the alpine pastures look like a golf course! Shorter stage is possible (-1 hour) via Croda Rossa with a short cabled section.
5.5 hour walk / Elevation: +600m -1100m /14km

Day 4

FORCELA DE RICIOGOGN - SENNES
From the splendid Lake Braies surrounded by a natural amphitheatre, climb a mineral valley to the Riciogogn Pass (2331m). Multiple paths are possible to descend to the wide Sennes pasture, the Biella hut under the Croda del Becco, Munt de Sennes pasture or even the summit of Muntejela de Sennes (2787m) for the sporty ones!
Night in a refuge (*dinner is reserved but not included in price of the tour)
4 hour walk / Elevation: +850m -250m / 9km

 

Day 5

SENNES - FANES PLATEAU
Optional detour via the Sennes plateau to enjoy the altitude lakes at Gran de Foses, then descend into the Crosc Valley. Climb and continue to the hamlet of Fodara. Descend to Pederu before climbing up to the lake and Refuge Fanes or Lavarella.
6 hour walk / Elevation: +1000m -900m /15km
Shorter option descending directly to Pederu: 4 hour walk / Elevation: +600m -500m

Day 6

COL DE LOCIA or FORCELA DE LECH - PASSO VALPAROLA
Cross the Fanes plateau surrounded by dolomitic cliffs. Climb to Forcela de Lech, a window in the mountain that opens onto a mythical descent above the beautiful turquoise lake of Lagazuoi and the Scotoni pasture. One more effort to cross the Valparola pass. Possibility of a shorter route through the Locia pass. Night in a refuge at the mountain pass.
4 hour walk / Elevation : +150m -550m (by the Col de Locia) / 11km
6 hour walk / Elevation : +860m / -700m (by the Forcela de Lech) / 14km

Day 7

VALPAROLA - CORTINA
Climb to the Falzarego pass for a chance to buy a few souvenirs in the shop. Continue on a balcony trail under Tofana de Rozes before descending to Cortina. It is possible to take the cable car for the climb (but there is still a little bit of a hike afterwards!).
5 hour walk / Elevation: +450m -1040m /16km

End point in Cortina d’Ampezzo in the afternoon.

Depending on availability in accommodation, the program may be a little different.

Personalised tour available, contact us...

The trip

LEVEL ***         

Elevation: +/- 850m average per day.
Walking time: 4 to 6 hours average per day, with optional routes.
Type of trek: mountain hike on marked trails without technical difficulty. There are some steep passages but well equipped with cables.
The route in general is well indicated, and the Roadbook provided sufficiently complete to allow you to hike in complete safety. However, it remains essential to know how to read the 1:25,000 map and to be sufficiently autonomous in the mountains to be able to approach the route confidently, whatever the weather.

ROAD BOOK

Before departure, we send you a travel folder containing: 
- 1 IGN MAP 1/25 and 2 map sections with the route highlighted. 
- 1 road-book containing all the information necessary for the trek. 
- 1 waterproof map holder.
- Accommodation list.

ACCOMMODATION

CLASSIC
1 night in hotel, in twin bedroom (or triple bedroom if uneven number)
1 night in gite, in a 4-person bedroom
4 nights in refuge, in dormitory                                                                                      
COMFORT 
Comfort option is subject to availability: up to 6 nights in twin bedroom (or triple bedroom if uneven number).
All accommodation has hot showers.

MEALS

Breakfasts and dinners are served in accommodation (*dinner of Day 4 at Sennes is not included)
Picnics are not included. Some hikers prefer to take the opportunity to eat in mountain refuges along the route or you will need to provide your own picnics or order a picnic lunch the night before at your accommodation.

PHYSICAL CONDITION

Ability to easily walk 20km (on flat trails) in a maximum of 4 hours.
If this is not the case, we recommend you to train during the three weeks prior to departure, for example running 4-5km or hiking/cycling 3-4 hours, 2 to 3 times per week. Your physical preparation will enable you to enjoy your trek to the maximum.

MAPS

Carte Tabacco 03 Cortina d’Ampezzo (1/25000)
Carte Tabacco 10 Dolomiti di Sesto (1/25000)
Carte Tabacco 31 Dolomiti di Braies (1/25000)

PERSONALISED TOURS

We can personalise a tour according to your requirements... number of days, participants, level of route, accommodation etc. please contact us.

Practical information

ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT

From Cortina d’Ampezzo, bus to Refuge Auronzo (with your baggage). 

BY TRAIN (then bus)
Paris – Milano- Venise, then Venise-Cortina enby bus, (2h10 and 45€ return)
>> Bus : Cortina Express
Or Stuttgart, Munich, Fortezza et Dobbiaco, Dobbiaco – Cortina by bus (45mn)

BY PLANE
Venice International Airport Marco Polo, bus to Cortina d'Ampezzo (2 hours, approx 40€ return)
>> Cortina Express
>> ATVO : Ligne 29

BY CAR
By Milan, Verona, Venice, Belluno and Cortina.
Two long-term free car parks on the outskirts of Cortina (about 10 minutes walk from the train station/1km): "Lungo Boite" (west) and "Parcheggio Via del Parco" (south).

End point in Cortina d'Ampezzo in the afternoon.

ACCOMMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER

Cortina d'Ampezzo Tourist Office: www.cortina-tourism.com
If you wish to extend your stay with a supplementary night(s) before or after your tour it is possible, please contact us.

CONTACT US

In case of delay please inform us on: +33 (0)4 50 79 09 16 or +33 (0)6 42 49 76 07

Equipment & baggage

EQUIPMENT LIST

Clothing

  • Walking trousers
  • Shorts (Bikini/swimsuit, just in case!)
  • Breathable or merino wool t-shirts
  • Breathable or merino wool leggings
  • Fleece or jumper
  • Wind stopper or Goretex jacket
  • Waterproof poncho + gaiters or Goretex trousers + waterproof rucksack cover
  • Pair of gloves and a warm hat
  • Sun hat or baseball cap
  • Walking socks (1 pair per day)
  • Sturdy walking boots with a good sole, already broken in
  • 1 change of clothes for the evening
  • A pair of comfortable shoes for the evening

Other Equipment

  • Toilet bag
  • Quick drying towel
  • Sunglasses and sun cream
  • Water bottle or Camelback (1.5 litre minimum)
  • Knife, fork and spoon
  • Plastic lunch box/plate for your picnic lunches
  • Plastic cup for coffee
  • Small First Aid kit (antihistamine, ibuprofen, Compeed type blister pads...)
  • Survival blanket
  • Head torch or hand torch
  • Sleeping bag liner sheet and pillowcase (blankets provided at accommodation)
  • Two adjustable walking poles (highly recommended)
  • Identity card or passport

BACKPACK

Bring a comfortable backpack of 30 to 40 litres for your personal belongings for the day (warm clothes, waterproofs, water, plate and cutlery for your picnic, sunscreen and your identity papers) and please keep a little room to carry a picnic and snacks.

BAGGAGE TRANSPORT

Your baggage will be transported daily between accommodation by our logistics vehicle. You are allowed 1 soft, sports type bag with all your possessions inside, no heavier than 8kg. Your bag has to be carried everyday by the driver, where access is not always easy, please think of their backs! Baggage which is too big and too heavy won't be accepted by the drivers!

If you wish to prolong your holiday, we can safely hold another bag for you which you may leave with us at the departure point and it will be deposited at the end point with your other baggage.

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