Italy: Western Dolomites, Hut to Hut Hiking

Hut to Hut Hiking in the Western Dolomites

Hut to Hut Hiking Western Dolomites. The Dolomites: Mythical, magical, incredible. These are a few of the accurate but still understated adjectives used to describe this spectacular mountain range in the Alps of northeastern Italy. The Dolomites are unlike any other mountain range in the world. Lush green valleys give way to massive gray rock walls that dramatically rise from the hills. The changes in elevation are enormous and the sheer verticality of the walls is astounding. Around every corner another sensational view awaits. It's easy to see why mountaineers, alpinists, rock climbers, via ferrata enthusiasts, mountain bikers, hikers, and every outdoor adventurer is attracted to the Dolomites.

Hut to Hut Hiking in the Dolomites

Hiking in the Dolomites is a special experience. The beauty of the area is best seen on foot. Exploring the hidden valleys between walls, peaks, and ridges is reserved for the active adventurer. The best way to experience these areas is by hiking. The very nature of the terrain facilitates the need to move carefully through rocky areas at higher altitudes. Inevitably whichever trail you are on in the Dolomites, you will come across some steel cables that serve as fixed protection. There are hundreds of via ferratas in the Dolomites but there are also hundreds of sections of cable-protected hiking trails. These are not via ferratas but simply protected sections of hiking trail. The hut to hut hiking trips led by Bigtime Aventura will pass several of these cable protected sections.

Serviced huts in the Dolomites

Serviced huts in the Dolomites are common. We will stay at these huts during our hut to hut hiking trips in the Dolomites. They provide food and shelter for us to recharge our batteries and continue our multi-day adventures. Each night we will stay at a different hut and each day we will hike on a different trail. This allows us to see varying terrain, different mountains, and changing views every step of the journey. Around every corner will be a new experience.

Dolomites

The Dolomites are a region in northeastern Italy. They are nearly equally shared between the Italian provinces of Belluno, South Tyrol, and Trentino. In 2009 they were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Within the rough boundary of the Dolomites there are several protected natural parks and a national park. They are divided into several groups, which are based on clustered mountain massifs. The groups are generally separated by valleys.

Western Dolomites

For this 6 day and 5 night hut to hut hiking Western Dolomites adventure, we will concentrate our trip in an area described as the western Dolomites. This incorporates the Catinaccio group, Sassolungo, the Sella group, and the Puez-Odle group.

Duration: 6 days, 5 nights

Next Dates: July 1 - September 30, 2023 (dates may vary depending on conditions and availability)

• Certified mountain guide: Union of International Mountain Leader Associations (UIMLA) and Spanish Mountain Guides Association (AEGM). Native English, fluent Spanish
• Planning and logistics
• 5 nights accommodation in mountain huts (Day 1-5). We will stay at a different hut each night.
• Food is provided at the huts. This includes: 5 dinners (Day 1-5), 5 breakfasts (Day 2-6), and 5 picnic lunches (Day 2-6).
• Liability Insurance during the activity
• Accident Insurance during the activity
• Basic First Aid Kit

• Transportation to and from the start/finish point
• Breakfast and lunch on Day 1 and dinner and lodging on Day 6
• Drinks in the huts (beer, wine, soda)
• International Travel Insurance (highly recommended).  See links below for more information.
  • Global Rescue
  • Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance

Parking 1 - Hut 1

Distance: 9.5 km

Elevation gain: 900m

Elevation loss: 425m

Time: 6-7 hr

Hut 1 - Hut 2

Distance: 12.5 km

Elevation gain: 1350m

Elevation loss: 1150m

Time: 9-10 hr

Hut 2- Hut 3

Distance: 13 km

Elevation gain: 900m

Elevation loss: 600m

Time: 6-7 hr

Hut 3 - Hut 4

Distance: 11.5 km

Elevation gain: 1100m

Elevation loss: 1200m

Time: 9-10 hr

Hut 4 - Hut 5

Distance: 9.5 km

Elevation gain: 530m

Elevation loss: 650m

Time: 6-7 hr

Hut 5 - Parking 2

Distance: 7 km

Elevation gain: 200m

Elevation loss: 1300m

Time: 5-6 hr

• A positive attitude and desire to hike in the mountains! This is an active vacation so be ready to move your body, feel the excitement, and visit some extraordinary places!
• Each person must be capable of hiking for extended periods (8-10hr per day) and be accustomed to spending extended time (6 days) in mountainous alpine terrain. This means that we will be hiking over varied terrain during six consecutive days in the mountains and possibly in varying weather conditions. One day may be sunny and hot but the next day could be cold and wet. It is possible that this type of scenario could occur on the same day.
• Each participant must be prepared for changing weather conditions and variations in terrain.
• A medium to high level of physical and mental fitness is necessary for this trip.

The following is a list of personal material that each participant should bring:

• Waterproof/Goretex hiking/trekking boots with rubber soles (i.e. Vibram). High top or medium top boots are recommended. Please break in your boots before this hike! Nothing can put a damper on a multi-day hike like a blister on Day 1!
• Appropriate clothing for outdoor adventures in the mountains. Dress in layers, like an onion. The 3-layer system is important and should definitely be utilized on our multi-day hike. Base layer: synthetic thermal clothing to wick away perspiration and keep you dry. Middle layer: fleece jacket to maintain body heat. Outer layer: waterproof/windproof shell to protect against the elements.
• Long pants (recommended that they are water resistant)
• Long sleeve shirt (recommended that it is water resistant)
• Comfortable socks
• Backpack to carry all your personal gear. Ideally 30-40L capacity. Pack light and do not bring more than is absolutely necessary! Aim for < 10kg.
• Water bottle(s)/Camelback, etc. Minimum 1L.
• Personal medication
• Sun glasses, sun screen SPF 30+, sun hat, lip balm
• Light sleeping bag or sleeping sheet (the huts have blankets but you can bring your own if you want)
• Headlamp
• Hiking poles (highly recommended)
• Binoculars (optional)

More Hut to Hut Hiking

• Do you want to continue hiking and seeing more incredible scenery in the Dolomites? You can add on more days of hiking by joining Bigtime Aventura's other hut to hut hiking trips in the Dolomites.
• Take a look at our 5 days and 4 nights Italy: Central Dolomites Hut to Hut Hiking adventure which starts two days after the Western Dolomites trip.
• If you really want the full tour of the Dolomites, add on our 6 days and 5 nights Italy: Eastern Dolomites Hut to Hut Hiking trip, which starts two days after the central Dolomites trip.
• In total, you can hike across the Dolomites in 17 days by doing all three of our hut to hut hiking trips. The sequential order of the trips is west, central, and east. Or combine any two segments to lengthen your stay in the Dolomites, such as west + central or central + east.

Via Ferrata

• Have you ever done a via ferrata? Via ferratas were invented in the Dolomites during WWI. If you were ever going to try a via ferrata, the Dolomites are the place! Join Bigtime Aventura for a week of via ferratas in the Dolomites during our Italy: Via Ferratas Dolomites trip, which occurs after the three weeks of hut to hut hiking.

Austria: Hut to Hut Hiking in Stubai Valley, Tyrol

• Interested in exploring another beautiful area of the Alps? Join Bigtime Aventura's Austria: Stubai Alps Hut to Hut Hiking trip in August for 5 days and 4 nights of hiking in the rugged and glaciated Stubai Valley of Tyrol.
• Contact us to add on a few days of via ferrata in the Stubai Valley after the Austria: Stubai Alps Hut to Hut Hiking adventure!