Best Hikes in the Dolomites tour. Hiking in the Sesto Dolomites and the Val Gardena. The Dolomites are a hiker's paradise!

About the website Newsletter Archives Press Clippings Client Log-in Passport information (from U.S. State Dept) Trip Evaluation (Hiking) Trip Evaluation (Heritage) John Osaki's Blog Amy Osaki's Blog Mtnseeker Channel	5 The peaks of the Odle Geisler from Rasciesa, Italian Dolomites.
	July 4-13, 2009 Plan your arrival in the Dolomites for July 3 Plan your departure from the Dolomites for July 14 July 4-10, 2009 Plan your arrival in the Dolomites for July 3 Plan your departure from the Dolomites for July 11 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 part of the trip centers on the eastern Dolomites where the needle-like spires and pinnacles of the range are at their finest. The second part 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! Looking instead for a less strenuous walking trip in the Dolomites? Perhaps our Dolomites for Walkers trip is right for you! 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

	5 Lago di Antorno, near Lago di Misurina, reflects the peak of Sorapiss.
	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.
	5 Hikers approaching Rifugio Citta di Carpi in the Cadini mountain group.

	5 The peaks of the Cadini Group rise beyond the Rifugio Auronzo, Sesto Dolomites.
	Day 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.
	5 The Tre Cime di Lavaredo, a Sesto Dolomites icon, as seen from Rifugio Locatelli.

	5 Lago di Sorapiss	Day 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.
	You spoiled us with fabulous choices! --JAN NARAGON
	5 Monte Cristallo with a cloud wreath seen from the meadows of Monte Piana.
	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.
	5 View from Lagazuoi with the peaks of Croda da Lago (left) and Pelmo (right).

	5 Like the back of a dragon, the peaks of the Cir Group rise above Passo Gardena.
	5 Hut in the upper Val Badia.	Day 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.

	5 Snow-capped Marmolada, Queen of the Dolomites, with the Belvedere ridge in the middleground.
	5 Village church, Colfosco.	Day 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.
	5 Rifugio Boe sits amidst the austere, lunar-like landscape of the Sella plateau.

	5 The peaks of the Sassolungo rise above the Alpe di Siusi.
	5 Hut on the Alpe di Siusi. 5 Hker's paradise in the Val Gardena.	Day 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).

	5 The spires of the Odle Geisler as seen from Seceda.
	Day 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!
	5 Hiking to Rifugio Brogles beneath the spires of the Odle Geisler.
	Gastronomic Delights from the Val Gardena The Ladin culture has its own gastronomic signature which can be sampled by travelers to the Dolomites. Crafuncins are a form of ravioli; panicia is a barley soup with pieces of smoked meat; ribl da furmenton is a kind of buckwheat pancake dish. A jufa is a puree made with corn meal and wheat flour; grosti da patac cun craut are roast potatoes and sauerkraut; tirtles are pastries filled with spinach; and crafons are pastries with a poppy seed filling. Yum!
	5 Rifugio Stevia.	Day 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.
	5 Hiking in the meadows at Mont Seura, Val Gardena.
	5 The Sassolungo.	Day 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. Return to Santa Cristina for the evening; enjoy a farewell dinner. Your breakfast tomorrow morning is included.

	5 A sun-burnished trail in the Val Gardena leads back to your comfortable lodgings in the valley!
	Other Details about this Trip Trip Dates July 4-13, 2009 (Trip leaders: Steve and Jo Zimmermann) Price: $4,075 Single Room for entire trip: $350 Meeting Point: Hotel in Bressanone (Brixen), Italy on the morning of July 4. We suggest you plan your arrival in Bressanone for July 3. The nearest large international airports are in Munich, Germany and Milan, Italy. Connecting air service is also available to Innsbruck, Austria. Rail service is available from each of these cities to Bressanone. Departure Point: Trip services end officially in Santa Cristina, Italy after dinner on July 13. However, your lodging for that evening and your transfer to Bressanone train station on the morning of July 14 is included in the price of the trip. We suggest you plan your departure from Bressanone for some time after 12:00 noon. Accommodations: Ten nights in small hotels. All rooms with private bath. Ten breakfasts and seven dinners are included. Trip Dates July 4-10, 2009 (Trip leaders: Steve and Jo Zimmermann) Price: $3,595 Single Room for entire trip: $250 Meeting Point: Hotel in Bressanone (Brixen), Italy on the morning of July 4. We suggest you plan your arrival in Bressanone for July 3. The nearest large international airports are in Munich, Germany and Milan, Italy. Connecting air service is also available to Innsbruck, Austria. Rail service is available from each of these cities to Bressanone. Departure Point: Trip services end officially in Santa Cristina, Italy after dinner on July 10. However, your lodging for that evening and your transfer to Bressanone train station on the morning of July 11 is included in the price of the trip. Estimated arrival time in Bressanone on July 12 is 12:00 noon. Please plan your departure from Bressanone for some time after 12:00 noon. Accommodations: Seven nights in small hotels. All rooms with private bath. Seven breakfasts and five dinners are included.
	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
	5 Dolomites flora (left to right): Potentilla; Rhaetian poppy; Nigritella.
	Printable version of itinerary
	Other Resources Learn more about the Naturpark Sextner Dolomiten (in German)/Parco Naturale di Sesto (in Italian). You'll have the opportunity to hike the trails of this nature reserve during your stay in Santa Cristina. If you speak some German, you can learn more about the Naturpark Puez-Geisler or the Parco Naturale Puez-Odle, if you prefer Italian. You'll explore the trails of this nature reserve during your stay in Colfosco and Santa Cristina. The Schlern (or Sciliar) Nature Reserve can be accessed from Santa Cristina. Learn more about the Parco Naturale dello Sciliar (in Italian)/Naturpark Schlern (in German).
	5 Enrosadira ("alpenglow") on the Sassolungo, seen from the Val Gardena.
	Back to top
	Dolomites Trail Sampler Walking Softly Style! \| Choosing a Hiking Trip Patagonia \| New Zealand \| Northern Greece \| Bulgaria \| Switzerland Dolomites of Italy \| Dolomites for Walkers \| Peru Trekking Glacier National Park \| Olympic National Park \| Canadian Rockies Hokkaido, Japan \| Great Wall of China \| Kyushu, Japan Nicaragua Volcanoes Trail Samplers Jordan Heritage \|Japan Heritage Home \| Dear Traveler \| About Us From Our Mailbox \| Reserving Your Place \| Showtime! \| The World's Heritage \| Contact Us
	© Walking Softly Adventures, Inc., PO Box 86250, Portland, OR 97286 503-788-9017, Toll free 1-888-743-0723, info@walkingsoftly.com