Dolomites Hut Hike
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Overview
Highlights
- Visit Cortina d’Ampezzo is a classic Dolomites village
- Enjoy the hike up through the Alpe di Lagazuoi to the Rifugio Lagazuoi (gaining 2,530′) through this vast limestone plateau.
- Explore col Negro di Coldai, which looks over at the towering west face of Monte Civetta
- Drive to Ra Stua, this pleasant hike offers our first views of the Tofane, the Croda Rossa and the Croda del Becco.
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Trip includes
- All accommodations
- All breakfasts (some are continental-style) and all dinners
- Aki lift and transfers as per itinerary
- Group transfer to the airport on the last morning
- Guides and lots of great hiking.
Itinerary
The trip will begin at the hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Cortina d’Ampezzo is a classic Dolomites village nestled among the spectacular mountains of the Tofane, Cristallo, Sorapis and Antelao. This beautiful village has a wonderful main street lined with several ...
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Morning transfer to Ra Stua. This pleasant hike offers our first views of the Tofane, the Croda Rossa and the Croda del Becco. Passing the high alpine meadows of Ra Stua, our trail switchbacks up through the larch forest before arriving at our rifugio for the night, R...
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
From last night’s stop we first descend steeply (1,380′) to the valley and hike up to Rifugio Lavarella. This hike leads up Valle di Rudo to Rifugio Lavarella. This short day of hiking will allows time for a day hike to Lac Parom, ab...
After a short 30-minute hike we arrive at Lago di Limo and a spectacular 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains; a wonderful beginning to your day. The trail then opens into a lush, broad valley between the rocky summits of Monte Castello, which was heavily fort...
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
From Scotoni we hike up through the Alpe di Lagazuoi to the Rifugio Lagazuoi (gaining 2,530′) through this vast limestone plateau. Surrounding us are the Punta di Fanes, the cliffs of the Lagazuoi and the massive Tofana di Rozes (10,...
Today the trail takes us near two striking rock mountains: Averau and Nuvolao as we descend to Passo Giau. The trail then leads over the forcella Giau where the views of the Tofana and Monte Cavallo are inspiring, not to mention the mountai...
From Passo Staulanza, we join a popular trail and climb to the shoulder of Monte Coldai, which lies at the edge of the famous Monte Civetta (10,620′). After stopping for a picnic lunch at Lago Coldai, we continue to the col Negro di Coldai,...
From Tissi we descend to the val Civetta over the Col Rean, through beautiful, open, green meadows to the narrow valley of Val Corpassa. Our route takes us right below the sheer rock faces of the Torre Venezia and the Torre Trieste, both ri...
Continuing on the Alta Via 1, we first arrive at Passo Duran and cross the mountain road. The route from this point on is remote and rugged. The trail leads south of the rocky Tamer Grande and Castello di Moschesin. Rounding the corner at the pass at Moschesin you are...
The trip will end with a group transfer from the hotel to the Venice Airport. The departure time is about 7:00 am. Travel time is about 1 ½ – 2 hours; expected arrival at the airport is about 8:30 – 9:00 am. Note: We have purposely set the departure time early to accommodate morning flight departures from Venice. If you would like to depart later we can arrange for a later taxi at an additional cost.
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Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Distant Journeys.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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Tour Operator
The foundation of Distant Journeys rests on our expertise in adventure-based outdoor leadership and our extensive background in developing and running international hiking experiences. For 29 years, we have specialized in guided hikes and self-guided hiking and walking trips along Europe’s classic long-distance routes and to areas of inspiring natural beauty.
When we first started Distant Journeys, we were two young Outward Bound instructors eager to share the unique and unlimited possibilities that hiking Europe offered. After spending countless windy, rainy nights on pulling boats, when the cook stove wouldn’t light and the tarp leaked and the anchor dragged, or days of hiking through the Maine mountains weighted down with tents, cook pans and food while shepherding bands of energetic adolescents, the experience of arriving at a mountain hut at the end of a day of hiking to be greeted by a cold drink, a hot meal and warm bed was eternally captivating.
In our nearly 20 years of experience working as Outward Bound instructors, we each worked with a wide range of populations: from youth at risk, to women’s groups, to standard groups consisting of teachers, West Point and Coast Guard cadets and corporate executives. We instructed, supported and led course components including sailing, hiking, canoeing, rock climbing, ropes courses and problem-solving initiatives. And we worked with these groups in challenging and, at times, stressful wilderness situations, while imparting the skills necessary for participants to conduct their own expeditions.
Since offering the Tour du Mont Blanc for the first time as a guided trip 29 years ago, we have expanded our trip offerings to include 15 trips in eight countries. We have chosen to keep our company small so that we can remain true to our touchstone of personal service, and so that we can continue to guide the routes we love and still have time to develop new trips to destinations that intrigue us.
Our Distant Journeys trips are by no means Outward Bound courses. However, what we’ve learned from Outward Bound and from all of our time out on the trails of Europe is that if we are willing to leave the routines of our everyday lives and step into a life that is more in tune with the rhythm of the natural world, even if it is only for a short time, we will feel more alive, more energized and more vital. And, if we are willing to travel in a way that is open to surprises and the unexpected, then every journey becomes a true adventure.
Our Approach
While it’s been nearly thirty years since we first hiked the Tour du Mont Blanc, the true beauty of hiking in Europe remains. You can still throw a change of clothes, your rain gear and lunch in a pack, step out the door and walk anywhere you want to go. You are never far from a signpost, a footpath or a welcoming place to quench your thirst, quell your hunger or rest your head. You are never far from the good, congenial company of fellow hikers. Nowhere else is it so possible to walk from village to village, inn to inn, or hut-to-hut and barely lay foot to asphalt or pedal to the metal.
In planning our trips, we generally are drawn to Europe’s classic routes that have intriguing histories or compelling constructs, like hiking from one coast of England to the other or from Mont Blanc to the Mediterranean. We work to maintain the integrity and continuity of a route by hiking as much of it as possible and using alternate transportation only as needed, while at the same time fitting the experience into a time frame that most of us can manage.
We also understand the value of lingering. Some places are so welcoming and offer so much that it is worth settling in a bit, spending time doing day hikes and coming back to the same accommodation each evening.
Whether planning a long-distance route or a hotel-based trip, the key for us has always been simplicity and balance. Our aim is to travel well, but without excess, to travel in ways that are environmentally respectful and that are in tune with local traditions and customs. Traveling in the traditional European style of staying in small inns, hotels and mountain huts, carrying our own packs, and using local transportation, lifts and trams brings us closer to the heart of a place. Keeping our groups small minimizes our impact on our surroundings, and assures for flexibility and a higher level of personal attention.
Our trips are about the rewards of physical endeavour and the benefits of connecting with other people and other cultures in real ways. Above all they are an expression of our abiding respect for our natural world, for its beauty, its power and the gifts it holds for those who are willing to travel its contours slowly and simply.
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Logistics
What's excluded
- Airfare
- Lunches
- Travel to the hotel in Cortina
- The starting point
- Optional/individual transfers or excursions
- Items not on set dinner menu
- Beverages
- Tips to guides
- Insurance
- Items of personal nature.
Accommodation
Should you find it necessary to cancel, a cancellation fee will apply based on the date we receive written notice:
Over 60 days prior to departure —$200 fee
60-30 days prior to departure—50% of land costs
Less than 30 days or failure to show—no refund
There will be no refunds or credits for unused portions or uncompleted tours for any reason whatsoever.
Please note that a few of our trips have payment schedules and cancellation fees that are more stringent. These exceptions are clearly indicated in the detailed itineraries, printed separately for each trip.
Distant Journeys, Inc. reserves the right to cancel any trip prior to departure for any reason whatsoever, including insufficient registrations. Generally, a cancellation would be made more than 45 days in advance of the departure date. If we find it necessary to cancel a trip, all payments made to Distant Journeys, Inc. will be refunded immediately. However, Distant Journeys, Inc. shall not be responsible or liable for other expenses incurred by the participant as a result of such a cancellation.
6 Breakfasts and 7 Dinners
Luggage
This hike is not vehicle supported. You will need to carry a moderate sized pack with only the clothing and accessories you will need for the duration of hike. (See our sample packing list.) With advances in synthetic clothing and other travel gear, it’s possible to keep your pack weight to 20 lbs. or less, including lunch and water. Any extra luggage or belongings not needed on the hike will be transferred to our hotel in Forno di Zoldo.
Travel
Cortina is easy to access from several airports, but we recommend flying to Venice (Marco Polo) as a first choice. Once in Venice you can take a bus to Cortina. The buses depart roughly every two hours from the Venice Airport and travel to Cortina; travel time is about 2 1/2 to 3 hours. The buses arrive the main bus station Cortina from where it is a short walk to the hotel. We have very detailed travel information about getting to Cortina.
Who would like this trip?
Our Dolomites Hut Hike is perfect for those strong hikers looking for a challenging and varied hike and like staying at the wonderful rifugios. This hiking area is strikingly different from the French or Swiss Alps. The red, yellow, and orange rock faces of the Dolomites towering limestone peaks are nothing short of dazzling. This route should be on every hiker’s “must do” list.
Meeting Point
We will meet on Day 1 at 6:30 pm at the hotel in Cortina. Please contact us for detailed travel information regarding travel to Cortina.
Ending Point
The trip will end with a group transfer to the Venice Airport. Departure time from the hotel in Forno di Zoldo is 7:00 am. Travel time is about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Please allow for travel time when making plans.
More Information
If you would like register, would like to receive more information including a detailed itinerary (including elevation gains, loss and distance) and/or request a list of past participants please contact us and specify which trip.
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