The Dolomites are mountains on a grand scale with dramatic limestone peaks soaring skywards at every turn. Our traverse amongst these towering monoliths takes in the truly stunning landscape at the heart of the Dolomites National Park.

This trip involves a west to east traverse across the Dolomites that loosely follows the quiet Alta Via 9 (AV9), taking in the most spectacular scenery in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The route visits the famous towns of Campitello, Arabba and Cortina. We hike through some magnificent landscapes seeing mountains such as the Catinaccio (Rosengarten), the Marmolada (the highest peak in the Dolomites) and we stand at the base of the iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo.

Beginning our trek in Alpe di Siusi, 25 km north east of Bolzano, we head east crossing passes, hiking along ridges and making good use of the cable cars to gain altitude. Our route follows quieter trails and stays at carefully picked accommodation throughout. There are sections, however, where we will unavoidably be with larger numbers. We cover around 70km/ 45 miles and make some big ascents and descents – our maximum altitude is  2952 metres / 9685 feet.

We stay at 3-star hotels for six nights and spend one night at a carefully chosen, family-run rifugio. Your main luggage is transferred from hotel to hotel.

Itinerary: (subject to change)

Day 1 Arrival
Arrive in Venice and transfer to accommodation in Alpe di Siusi (1850m) by private minibus. Holiday briefing followed by evening meal.

Day 2 Alpe di Siusu to Rifugio Alpe di Tires
After breakfast, we head south through Alpine meadows, with views of the magnificent limestone peaks of the Catinaccio (Rosengarten) mountain range. We then make a steep ascent which brings us to 2500m with panoramic views to the south and east. Tonight we stay in the heart of the mountains at a family run rifugio (2440m) with fabulous views. NB You will not have access to your main pack tonight so need to pack accordingly. Towels can be rented and linen is provided. Distance: 9 miles / 14km Ascent: 700 metres Descent: 500 metres

Day 3 Trek to Campitello via the Catinaccio range
From the rifugio we head east and follow the magnificent  Sentiero Federico Augusto ridge.  There are excellent views of the Sasso Piato mountain, the Catinaccio range and the Seiser Alm plateau. We’ll stop at a rifugio for lunch and a well-earned apple strudel. We then descend to the town of Campitello (1450m) for the evening.
Distance: 9.5 miles / 15km Ascent: 350 metres Descent: 1300 metres

Day 4 Sass Pordoi to Arabba
Today we make good use of the lift system gaining altitude quickly. A short walk from the hotel brings us to the bubble lift  to Pecol (1930m). We then trek to the impressive Passo Pordoi (2239m) and take a short cable car ride to Sass Pordoi (2952m). From here the views are outstanding: a lunar-like landscape with mountains all around.
We hike across rocky ground to the Rifugio Boè which sits beneath  Piz Boè mountain. We can stop here for coffee and cake and take in the magnificent views. We return to  Sass Pordoi to take the cable car and then head down to the small town of Arabba (1600m).
Distance: 9 miles / 14km Ascent: 650 metres Descent: 1050 metres

Day 5 Arabba to Cortina d’Ampezzo
Today is a rest day and after breakfast,  we drive to Cortina (around 1.5 hours). The remainder of the day is free for you to relax and enjoy this premier ski resort. It is a pretty town located in a valley surrounded by mountains with the Boite River running through it.

Day 6 Trek to Tre Cime di Lavaredo
After breakfast, we take the bus towards the iconic peaks of the Tre Cime. We trek around to view the imposing north faces, regarded as some of the toughest mountainerring routes in Europe. We then continue downhill to Moso where we take a short bus ride to our accommodation in Dobbiaco where we spend our last 2 nights.
Distance: 9 miles / 14km Ascent: 700 metres Descent: 1200 metres

Day 7 Lago di Braies
This morning we take the bus to Ferrara to begin our hike to Lake Braies (1494m). We make our way through the fields and forest paths to arrive at this beautiful, emerald green lake surrounded by high cliffs. We have lunch here and explore further around the lake before taking the bus back to our hotel. Today’s walk is truly spectacular and a fitting end to our journey through the Dolomites.
Distance: 9 miles / 14km Ascent: 500 metres Descent: 500 metres

Day 8 Return to Venice
Today we take our private transfer to Venice Marco Polo airport where we depart on our return journey – or carry on elsewhere for more adventures.

• Price
• Grade
• Accommodation
• Guide
• Travel

£2500 in a twin room on 6 nights and shared dorm on 1 night. No single rooms available. Price includes: 6 nights' 3* hotel accommodation; 1 night rifugio in dormitory accommodation; 3 course evening meals each night; breakfast; 3 lunches; all transport on trek including cable cars and public buses; private transfer from / to Venice Marco Polo airport at specified time (tbc); luggage transfers between hotels (not available on the rifugio night where you need to pack an overnight bag); services of an International Mountain Leader. Not included: Transport to Venice; lunches not mentioned above; drinks; personal expenses; tips; insurance

This holiday is classed as challenging due to the long consecutive days of walking with a large amount of ascent and descent each day. You must be confident in your fitness and ability to walk over often uneven ground for several days in a row. Generally the footpaths are good but you will encounter rockiness, uneven ground and sections with fixed equipment such as handrails and short fixed ladders. The latter are normal in the area and we do not follow via ferratas or scrambling routes. As the route reaches a height of 2950m the effect of bad weather can mean cold and rainy conditions. You should not feel adverse effects at this altitude apart from perhaps a little shortness of breath.

We stay in 3-star hotels for 6 nights and at a comfortable rifugio for 1 night. Rooms at the hotels are on a twin-share basis: all have attached private bathrooms. All have a restaurant and many have wellness centres which can include steam rooms, saunas, Jacuzzis and small swimming pools. At some hotels the spa is included in your stay, at others you have to pay extra: €10 - €25. For the night at the mountain rifugio, we reserve small dormitories. The Rifugio allows us to get deep amongst the mountains and take the best route. The rifugio is not ‘just a night in a hut’but is privately owned, personal and offers facilities that are much better than you might expect. There are hot showers along the corridor and bedding is provided. You can rent a towel at the rifugio or take your own lightweight towel. Dinners are normally a set 3-course meal and are eaten in the hotel and rifugio restaurant area.

Your guide is a highly qualified local female International Mountain Leader who also has a current first aid certificate. She knows the route and area really well having done it many times before and loves to share it with trekkers.

The holiday starts and ends at the airport in Venice. There will be a private transfer from Venice Marco Polo airport at set times (tbc). On arrival, you will be met by your guide and the transfer takes between 3.5 and 4 hours. On the return the transfer takes around 3 hours.