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  July 5-14, 2008 Plan your arrival in the Dolomites for July 4 Plan your departure from the Dolomites for July 15  July 5-11, 2008 Plan your arrival in the Dolomites for July 4 Plan your departure from the Dolomites for July 12 Printable version of itinerary  Explore the trails and landscapes amidst the peaks whose jagged silhouettes inspired one writer to call the mountains, "flames frozen in stone." Among the most visually stunning mountains anywhere, the Dolomites offer a superb network of trails—from broad, well-graded paths to challenging vie ferrate—that caters to hikers of all abilities. The first week of the trip centers on the eastern Dolomites where the needle-like spires and pinnacles of the range are at their finest. The second week focuses on the western portion of the range where extensive meadowlands, flower-filled villages, and soaring peaks make for a quintessential Dolomites adventure! The classic alpine landscape and the wide range of hiking choices makes the Dolomites one of our favorite destinations! Revel in the glory of the Monti Pallidi ("Pale Mountains") that legend says wear a cloak spun from moonbeams! This week in the presence of lofty mountains...I have felt renewed by the awesome beauty of this country. My own senses teach me, but not completely. Your passions and knowledge and insights about this small patch of glorious earth teach me much more—and deepen my love for it. How kind you have been to all—how respectful and sensitive to our needs and unique interests...It is your generosity of spirit which will make my Dolomites adventure live forever in the great memories. --SALLY SHORR |
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Day 1 Overnight in Misurina Dinner included The trip begins this morning at our meeting point in Bressanone. Travel from Bressanone to Lago Misurina, an alpine lake that legend says was filled by the tears of a princess. Our route takes us up the Pustertal and brings us eventually to the small settlement on the shores of Lago Misurina whose still waters reflect the magnificence of the surrounding peaks. Start your exploration of the Dolomiti di Sesto with a hike into the heart of the Cadini mountain group, bristling with rocky spires and pinnacles. Follow a gentle trail through larch woods high above the Val d’Ansiei with stunning views toward the peaks of the Marmarole. If you desire, try a rugged traverse of the Cadini group over a lofty mountain pass. Enjoy a welcome dinner this evening. |
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2 Overnight in Misurina Breakfast & dinner included After breakfast, travel a winding mountain road to Rifugio Auronzo at the base of the spectacular mountain spires of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo (called Drei Zinnen in German). A broad, well-groomed trail leads along the base of the Tre Cime to the Rifugio Lavaredo. Continue over the Paternsatel to reach the more remote Rifugio Locatelli which offers the quintessential view of the Tre Cime! Or opt for a more strenuous 7-hour loop hike around Monte Paterno through the heart of the rugged Dolomiti di Sesto. Enjoy lunch on your own in one of the mountain rifugi. Share tales of your trail adventures with your fellow travelers over dinner this evening. |
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3 Overnight in Misurina Breakfast included Continue your exploration of the Sesto Dolomites! In the Cadini mountain group, you can hike to the upper edge of a glacial cirque called the Ciadin dei Tocci where the spectacularly-sited Rifugio Fonda Savio awaits! Or, choose a hike to the turquoise Lago di Sorapiss hemmed in by mountain ramparts. The route to this lake involves an exciting section of trail where cable handrails and metal staircases have been installed to aid your passage. |
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You spoiled us with fabulous choices! |
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Day 4 Overnight in Colfosco Breakfast & dinner included After breakfast, we’ll travel by vehicle to the flat-topped summit of Monte Piana, scene of vicious fighting during the first World War. Hike over the now peaceful meadows, surrounded by skyscraping peaks. Watch for edelweiss and chamois! Depart the Misurina area bound for the quiet village of Colfosco in the Val Badia. En route, we’ll ride the cable car from Passo Falzarego to the top of Monte Lagazuoi for one of the most stunning panoramas in the Dolomites. Ride the cable car back down, or descend on foot by way of the Galleria Lagazuoi, a spiraling tunnel that was blasted through the heart of the mountain during World War I. Continue by vehicle to Colfosco. |
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5 Overnight in Colfosco Breakfast included Explore the trails of the upper Val Badia. From Colfosco, trails provide access to the Cir group of peaks and the austere mountain landscape of the Puez Plateau. Or, wander trails that wind through the vast expanse of meadows below Passo Gardena. Dinner is on your own; consider indulging in the luxury of a gourmet meal at the Stria restaurant. |
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6 Overnight in Colfosco Breakfast & dinner included Hike into the lofty, other-worldly landscape of the Sella massif. Ride a cable car to the Belvedere ridge high above the Fassa Valley for stunning views of glacier-clad Marmolada, a peak known as the "Queen of the Dolomites." Another cable car carries you higher to the edge of the Sella plateau from where you follow a trail to the Rifugio Boe in the heart of the Sella. Weather permitting, it may even be possible to traverse the Sella massif on foot by ascending the exciting trail from Passo Gardena which features short sections of via ferrata. |
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7 Overnight in Santa Cristina Breakfast & dinner included Travel from the Val Badia to the Val Gardena. Depart Colfosco via the twisting road over the Gardena Pass. The towering peaks of the Sassolungo ("Long Stone") stand like sentinels at the upper end of the Val Gardena. The Val Gardena is home to people who speak Ladin (or Ladino) which linguists classify as a Rhaeto-Romance language. Dating from the 5th century, Ladin developed when the Romans invaded the high valleys and the local mountain language mixed with Latin. About 40,000 people consider themselves Ladin. Arrive in Ortisei, largest town in the Val Gardena, and ascend via cable car to the Alpe di Siusi (or Seiser Alm, in German). Two hiking options provide you with an intimate encounter with this superb landscape—one of the most expansive alpine meadowlands in Europe. At the end of the day, arrive in Santa Cristina, your base for four nights. SEVEN DAY OPTION CONCLUDES THIS DAY (breakfast and transfer to Bressanone the following morning are included). |
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8 Overnight in Santa Cristina Breakfast & dinner included From Ortisei, ascend into the mountains via the Seceda cable car. Hike among the craggy peaks of the mountain group called the Odle Geisler (odle means "needles" in Ladin), and amble through the open meadowlands of the Alpe di Cisles and Mastle Alm. Descend to Santa Cristina via the Col Raiser gondola. Or, undertake the classic Dolomites hike across the Forcella Pana. Ascend via the Rasciesa chairlift to the wide-open meadows of the Rasciesa di Dentro and follow the path to the picturesquely-sited Rifugio Brogles. Follow the exciting, switchbacking path into the heart of the Odle Geisler to the narrow mountain notch known as the Forcella Pana. From here, a spectacular vista of meadow and mountain peak suddenly unfolds! |
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Gastronomic Delights from
the Val Gardena |
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9 Overnight in Santa Cristina Breakfast included Enjoy a delightful hike in the Val Gardena on quiet paths and farm lanes leading through rolling alpine meadows, cool forests and past mountain hamlets. A second hiking option ascends via switchbacks and steps to a less-frequented portion of the mountains where a supremely perched mountain hut offers stunning views over the upper Val Gardena. |
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10 Overnight in Santa Cristina Breakfast & dinner included Get "up close and personal" with the Sassolungo, the distinctive mountain that dominates almost every view from Santa Cristina. Ascend by chairlift to Mont Sëura from where you can follow a trail that leads into the heart of this magnificent mountain massif. |
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Another possibility is the hike to lofty hut atop the anvil-shaped summit of the mountain known as Schlern (Sciliar, in Italian). Return to Santa Cristina for the evening; enjoy a farewell dinner. Your breakfast tomorrow morning is included. | |
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Other Details about this
Trip
Patrick and Suzanne were outstanding: prepared, experienced, flexible and always in good spirits. They were...perhaps the primary reason for our trip’s success. --STEVEN & LINDA SCOTT The best hiking trip ever! --JEAN WEAVER Attractive, comfortable lodgings are even more appealing to the fatigued hiker! I loved the excellent beds, bathrooms, heated towel bars, generous and tasty breakfasts and elegant dinners. Down comforters made me feel pampered... --SALLY SHORR |
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Printable version of itinerary
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Other Resources |
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Softly Adventures, Inc., PO Box 86250, Portland, OR 97286 |
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