Highlights of the Dolomites

Fly to Venice; transfer to Campitello. In the evening the leaders will hold a welcome meeting to discuss the week ahead and give advice on the local area.

We start in Campitello, a pretty Dolomite village chosen for its ease of access to the nearby hiking trails. In the evening, the leaders will hold a welcome meeting to discuss the week ahead and give advice on the area.

Our day combines high-altitude routes that capture picture-perfect Dolomite scenery with lower-level trails down to the Val di Fassa. The early season should ensure we see a wide variety of alpine flowers. We begin our journey by taking a cable car towards Col Rodella and then walk along the southern flank of Sasso Lungo/Sasso Piatto to Rifugio Sasso Piatto. There will be an opportunity for an optional walk as far as viewpoint Palacia. We retrace our steps to the refuge for lunch before we descend via Rifugio Micheluzzi to Campitello.

Distance: 10mi (16km); ascent: 800ft (244m); descent: 2,513ft (776m); 4hr 30min hour walking time

We begin our journey by taking a cable car towards Col Rodella. Following the circuit anticlockwise around Sasso Lungo/Sasso Piatto as far as Rifugio Sasso Piatto then descend to Campitello via Rifugio Micheluzzi.

Distance: 12mi (19km); ascent: 1,962ft (598m); descent: 5,030ft (1,533m); 6hr 30min hour walking time

We start the day by taking a bus to Vigo di Fassa, from here we take a cable car to Ciampedie.  Walking northwest to Gardeccia then up Val di Vaiolet to Rifugio Principe for lunch. Here you will get a fantastic view of the valley before returning via the same route to Gardeccia and Ciampedie with a possible alternative descent via chairlifts to Pera.

Distance: 10.5mi (17km); ascent: 2,133ft (650m); descent: 2,133ft (650m); maximum altitude: 8,520ft (2,597m)

We start the day by taking a bus to Vigo di Fassa; from here we take a cable car to Ciampedie. We continue by walking west to Baita Marino Pederiva then south, making our way to the western side of Catinaccio. The spectacular scenery at Passo Vaiolon will be our final stop before walking east to Ciampedie for the descent by cable car.

Distance: 9mi (14km); ascent: 2,789ft (850m); descent: 2,789ft (850m); maximum altitude: 8,402ft (2,561m)

Today we take a short bus journey to Alba and then a cable car to Col Rossi. We will walk east along a generally contouring path via Viel dal Pan with spectacular views of Marmolada (10,968ft/3,343m) to the south. We lunch at Col de Cuc, then descend through the Avisio valley to Penia for our bus back to Campitello.

Distance: 10mi (16km); ascent: 755ft (230m); descent: 3,543ft (1,080m); maximum altitude: 7,677ft (2,340m)

Today we take a short bus journey to Alba and then a cable car to Col Rossi. We will walk to Passo Pordoi where we will take another cable car up to Sass Pordoi, then circuit at high level taking in Piz Boe. Once we have taken in the impressive panoramic views, we will descend via cable car to Passo Pordoi, then to Pecol for the gondola lift down to Canazei ending the day walking alongside the river to Campitello (or by bus).

Distance: 10mi (16km); ascent: 1,804ft (550m); descent: 3,117ft (950m); maximum altitude: 10,341ft (3,152m)

Optional activities for the free day include self-guided cycling from Campitello or a day trip to see the remains of Ötzi the Iceman in Bolzano.

We begin by taking a bus to Pozza and then the gondola to Buffaure. After, we make our way towards Col Valvacin, continuing our journey up the minor peak and then east to Forca Neigra, stopping for lunch at Rifugio Passo San Nicolo. We finish the walk descending via Val di Contrin to Alba for our bus back to Campitello.

Distance: 9.5mi (15km); ascent: 1,706ft (520m); descent: 4,396ft (1,340m); maximum altitude: 8,228ft (2,508m)

We begin by taking a bus to Vigo and then the cable car to Ciampedie. After, we walk north via Gardeccia to Rifugio Principe for lunch. The second half of our walk will continue east over Passo Antermoia past Rifugio Antermoia to Passo Ciarajoles before descending Val de Udai to Mazzin for our bus back to Campitello.

Distance: 12mi (19km); ascent: 2,986ft (910m); descent: 4,921ft (1,500m); maximum altitude: 9,088ft (2,770m)

Today is the last day of the tour and we will venture into the Catinaccio range, walking over high passes along high-level footpaths. We will begin with a bus journey over Passo Costalonga to the Paolina chairlift.  Once at the top, we walk on the western side of the Catinaccio massif, making our way round to the eastern side for lunch at Baita Marino Pederiva. We finish our walk following the route to Ciampedie for our descent by cable car.

Distance: 7mi (11km); ascent: 984ft (300m); descent: 1,411ft (430m); maximum altitude: 7,513ft (2,290m)

We begin our final day of walking with a bus journey to Pozza and then a gondola to Buffaure. After, we make our way towards Col Valvacin. Once at the top, we walk east over Sass d’Adam then southeast to Riugio Passo San Nicolo for lunch. We retrace our route for a while before turning northeast over Forcia Neigra then down to Rifugio Ciampac for a cable car to Alba and then a bus back to Campitello.

Distance: 7mi (11km); ascent: 2,133ft (650m); descent: 2,789ft (850m); maximum altitude: 8,228ft (2,508m)

The trip comes to an end after breakfast. Say a fond farewell to Campitello as you begin your return journey home.