1 week in the dolomiti

I personally went there with no specific plan or routes. Had few misadventures that I would have done differently if someone advised me earlier or if I had found any efficient information online I am going to share few scenic itineraries among thousands you can take, how to get to them, their approximate hiking duration and how much this trip might cost you approximately. I will start by answering few common questions.

How many days should you reserve for visiting the Dolomites region?

At least a week to be able to get an overview on the Dolomite region.

When is the best time to go?

Starting from the end of June until the beginning of September. It might also rain or get foggy on high altitudes at any time.

Can anyone adventure on this trip? What is the excursion difficulty?

The itineraries are mainly intermediate to difficult demanding expert excursionists. But I personally think if you are an adventurous dynamic person, eager to discover natural beauties and ready to hike at least 3-4h per day. Even with no experience (like me) you can do it.

What regions would you recommend in general in the area?

Val di Fassa – Val Gardena – Parco Natural delle Dolomiti d’Ampezzo – Parco Naturale di Fannes Sennes Braies – Parco Natural Tre Cime

Where should you stay?

In “Rifugi”. In the examples I will feature later on, are the ones I stayed in or some special ones I would have wanted to go to if I had more time because I would totally recommend them. But otherwise there are dozens on every route where you can stay for a night even without reservation (it is a bit risky sometimes especially when you are choosing a high altitude hut or coming during the high season). You wouldn’t want to be rejected after a long hiking and tiring day, so better trying to book previously. Most of the huts do not exist on booking.com or other platforms so you are going to have to search for them on your own to be able to access their personal websites. Most of them demand a deposit upon reservation. Do not hesitate to choose a half board formula because there, it is all about generous and tasty food. Furthermore staying in a hut is more economic than hotels and the average price fee goes between 50 and 70 euros per person including halfboard, trust me it is worth it!

Where can you eat?

I would recommend always booking breakfast and dinner in the huts because the food is consistent and generous and you will need to eat well to get some energy for the day. Concerning lunch if you are on a budget always provide a picnic or snacks in your backpack for the day. Or you can also choose to eat in the huts that you might encounter on your hiking route, for reasonable prices (10-20 €).

How can you move around the regions? Or which transportation should you take?

I would personally recommend arriving to Bolzano by train and getting around the Alto Adige region by foot and public buses that you can find everywhere on the main roads. This way you won’t have to go back the same track to catch your car, and you can adventure deeper in the protected natural parks areas or on Roadless high altitude mountains.

Another option that also seemed very appealing to me is to rent a motorbike to ride around the regions, allowing you to pass longer distances in less time, but unfortunately not crossing the protected areas unless by trekking to them and then going back.

You can also rent mountain bikes which is very practical but beware of the high peaks and mountains you are going to have to climb, it won’t be easy unless you are on steep roads.

8- What are the essentials to provide in your backpack?

– Insulating bottle

– First aid kit

– Hiking shoes

– Hat

– Sun protection; lip balm, sunscreen, sunglasses

– Flashlight

– A thick rain coat for the cold nights or possible rain

What is the approximate price/person for a 1 week hiking trip to the Dolomiti?

Transportation:

Night Train from Rome and back: approx. 60 €

Buses in the dolomites: approx. 50 €

Cable cars: 35 €

Rifugi: Approx. 50 € / night (Prices vary from a Rifugio to the other)

Daily expenses: Max 20 €/ day (groceries shopping or lunch).

Total: Approx. 565€

Which trails would you recommend?

Bus from Pozza di Fassa to Gardeccia – 3h hike to lago d’Antermoia on high altitudes – Afternoon resting on the magnificent lake then dinner and overnight in Rifugio Antermoia

http://www.rifugioantermoia.com/gestore-2/rifugio/

Nb: Maps are available either in the Gardeccia huts or the tourist info point in Pozza di Fassa

On the Next day you can either go all the way back or take a 3-4h hike from Rifugio Antermoia to the closest village Fontanazzo, then take the public bus (1.8 €) to Canazei a dynamic town. Afterwards you can either choose to stay in Canazei which might be a bit expensive, or take a 1h hike up to Rifugio Monti Pallidi surrounded by scenic peaks.

http://www.rifugio-dolomiten-travel.com/

NB: Don’t forget to pick your free map in the Canazei tourist info point

Take a public bus from Rifugio Monti Pallidi to Rifigio Salei. Hike from Rifugio Salei to Passo Gardena (4h hike ) – overnight in Rifugio Frara

http://www.rifugiofrara.it/it/index.html

1 day break from walking take the Public bus from Rifugio Fara to Passo Falzarego (connecting buses in Corvara in Badia)

When arrived to Passo Falzarego take the lift up by cable car to Rifugio Lagazuoi.

Spend the rest of the day roaming around the area of Mount lagazuoi; walking through high peaks with breathless views and discovering tunnels and catacombs dating from 1st world war.

http://www.rifugiolagazuoi.com/Ita/prezzi.php

Take a bus from Passo Falzarego to Fiammes (connexion in Cortina d’Ampezzo) Then start hiking towards Rifugio Fodara Vedla through the Dolomiti d’Ampezzo Natural Park (4h hike). All the way up you will see beautiful waterfalls and lots of wild animals – Overnight in Rifugio Fodara Vedla managed by a welcoming family.

http://www.fodara.it/

Hike from Fodara Vedla to Lago di Braies through the Fannes – Sennes – Braies Natural Park – relax on the lake in the afternoon then catch a bus to Dobbiaco and spend the night in the Dobbiaco Youth Hostel a very beautiful historical complex turned into a hostel.

http://dobbiaco.jugendherberge.it/cs.asp?st=1&sp=en&b=jugendherberge_7_en

Take a public bus from dobbico to Tre Cime di Lavaredo and spend the day hiking the the Tre Cime Natural Park – Spend the night in Rifugio Lavaredo

http://www.rifugiolavaredo.com/home.html

A challenging hike starting from Passo Tre Croci to the turquoise lake sorapis and back. Passo Tre Crocci is linked to Cotina d’Ampezzo by public bus. You can either spend the night or take a lunch break in Rifugio Vandelli by the lake.

http://www.rifugiovandelli.it/siamo-qui-prezzi.html