Dolomites Hut to Hut Hiking

Dolomites Hut to Hut Hiking

Dolomites Hut to Hut Hiking

This Dolomites Hut to Hut Hiking trip is an absolute must for any enthusiastic hiker. Join Bigtime Aventura on this extraordinary 9-day guided hut to hut hiking adventure. In total, we will spend 12 days together on this trip which weaves through some of the most dramatic mountain scenery on the planet.

The Dolomites are simply superb, almost otherworldly. The striking features of these mountains resonate with outdoor enthusiasts, beckoning them to discover their hidden secrets, away from the crowded tourist attractions and buzzing towns. This hiking tour covers 115km (71 miles) with 5900m (19,200') elevation gain and 7650m (25,100') elevation loss.

Accommodation

The Dolomites are a rugged mountain range in northeastern Italy, with some of the most abrupt prominences anywhere in the world. One might think that with such distinct features the surrounding area would be pristine wilderness. That isn't necessarily the case however. The area has been populated by humans for millennia.  The Dolomites are well-developed and towns sprinkle the valley floors. The mountain culture has been present here for more than a hundred years. Therefore, there are plenty of hotels, hostels, and mountain huts in the Dolomites. On our trip, we'll stay in a combination of hotels and mountain huts.

Food and Drink

It's no secret that Italy is well known for fresh and tasty food. Pasta, pizza, and wine come to mind. The Dolomites have a mix of food based on human history in the area. Yes, there is plenty of pasta and pizza but there's also a strong Austrian/German influence. Sausages, strudel, and beer are found throughout the region, along with the more local Ladin cuisine and culture. Many people speak German and Ladin, along with Italian. During our trip we will have the privilege of trying all of these types of food and drink at the huts and hotels, which use fresh and local products to prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The Hiking

Hiking in the Dolomites is a real pleasure. The views are astounding. Since via ferratas were invented in the Dolomites during WWI, we will see many via ferratas as we weave our way through this magical region. It's nearly impossible to hike for multiple days in the Dolomites and evade cable-protected sections of hiking trail. Our route avoids via ferratas but we may encounter short sections of cable.

We'll also share a few sections of several of the famed Alta Via trails and the Via Alpina trail. However, this trip has been uniquely designed to take in several different areas of the Dolomites, so it's not a cookie cutter trip, or a simple trip that follows one well-marked trail. Buckle up for an adventure!

For more information continue reading below. When you're ready to get started, contact us to put the plan in motion.

Next Trip: September 9-20, 2024

  • Registration Deadline: April 1, 2024
  • Minimum participants: 4
  • Maximum participants: 10

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive Venice, Italy. Marco Polo Airport (VCE)
Transfer from VCE to Cortina d'Ampezzo
Check-in at hotel in Cortina
Free afternoon in Cortina
Welcome dinner at a restaurant in Cortina

 

 

Day 2

Cortina (Hotel 1)* - Hut 1
Distance: 8.5km (5.3 miles)
Elevation gain: 1165m (3820')
Elevation loss: 110m (360')
Time: 5-6hr
Technical Difficulty:⊗⊗⊗
Aerobic Difficulty: ⊗⊗⊗⊗
*Bus transfer to trailhead

Day 3

Hut 1 - Hotel 2
Distance: 9.7km (6 miles)
Elevation gain: 150m (500')
Elevation loss: 1200m (3940')
Time: 5-6hr
Technical Difficulty:⊗⊗⊗
Aerobic Difficulty: ⊗⊗⊗

 

Day 4

Hotel 2* - Hut 2
Distance: 10.2km (6.3 miles)
Elevation gain: 700m (2300')
Elevation loss: 700m (2300')
Time: 5-6hr
Technical Difficulty:⊗⊗⊗
Aerobic Difficulty: ⊗⊗⊗
*Chairlift transfer to trailhead

Day 5

Hut 2 - Hut 3
Distance: 12.2km (7.6 miles)
Elevation gain: 1080m (3550')
Elevation loss: 430m (1410')
Time: 6-7hr
Technical Difficulty:⊗⊗⊗
Aerobic Difficulty: ⊗⊗⊗

Day 6

Hut 3 - Hut 4
Distance: 14.5km (9 miles)
Elevation gain: 600m (1970')
Elevation loss: 1050m (3450')
Time: 6-7hr
Technical Difficulty:⊗⊗⊗
Aerobic Difficulty: ⊗⊗⊗

Day 7

Hut 4 - Hotel 1 (Cortina)
Distance: 15.5km (9.6 miles)
Elevation gain: 500m (1640')
Elevation loss: 1500m (4920')
Time: 6-7hr
Technical Difficulty:⊗⊗⊗
Aerobic Difficulty: ⊗⊗⊗

Day 8

Rest Day in Cortina
Free time on your own
Shopping
Culinary delights
Wine Tasting
Spa, Rest & Relaxation
Other Tourist attractions

Day 9

Hotel 1 (Cortina)* - Hotel 3
Distance: 12.2km (7.7 miles)
Elevation gain: 200m (650')
Elevation loss: 1100m (3600')
Time: 5-6hr
Technical Difficulty:⊗⊗⊗⊗
Aerobic Difficulty: ⊗⊗⊗⊗
*Bus transfer to trailhead

Day 10

Hotel 3 - Hut 5
Distance: 19km (11.2 miles)
Elevation gain: 1350m (4430')
Elevation loss: 1050m (3440')
Time: 8-9hr
Technical Difficulty:⊗⊗⊗
Aerobic Difficulty: ⊗⊗⊗⊗

 

Day 11

Hut 5 - Hotel 1 (Cortina)
Distance: 13km (8.1 miles)
Elevation gain: 100m (330')
Elevation loss: 500m (1640')
Time: 4-5hr
Technical Difficulty:⊗⊗⊗⊗
Aerobic Difficulty: ⊗⊗⊗⊗
Goodbye dinner at a restaurant in Cortina

Day 12

Depart Venice, Italy. Marco Polo Airport (VCE)
Check-out of hotel in Cortina
Transfer from Cortina to VCE
End of Trip or Continue your
European vacation on your own

 

 

Services Included

  • Certified guide
    • Union of International Mountain Leader Associations (UIMLA) accreditation.
    • Native English-speaking, fluent Spanish-speaking guide
  • Planning and logistics
  • Accommodation (11 nights)
    • 6 nights in hotels
    • 5 nights in mountain huts
  • Food
    • Dinner (7 nights)
      • At restaurants in Cortina d'Ampezzo (2 nights)
      • At each mountain hut (5 nights)
    • Picnic lunch from each hut (5 lunches)
    • Breakfast (11 breakfasts)
      • At each hotel (6 mornings)
      • At each hut (5 mornings)
  • Permits, access, and entrance fees to all areas on the hiking trip
  • Transportation
    • Day 1: Bus transfer from Venice Marco Polo Airport to Cortina d'Ampezzo
    • Day 2: Bus transfer from Cortina d'Ampezzo to trailhead
    • Day 4: Chair lift to trailhead
    • Day 9: Bus transfer from Cortina d'Ampezzo to different trailhead
    • Day 12: Bus transfer from Cortina d'Ampezzo to Venice Marco Polo Airport
  • Accident insurance during the trip
  • Liability insurance during the trip
  • Basic first aid kit

Services NOT Included

Prerequisites

  • A positive attitude and desire to be in the mountains.
  • This is an active vacation so be ready to move your body, feel the excitement, and view some of the most stunning mountains in the world!
  • Each participant should be capable of hiking for extended periods (5-9hr per day) and be accustomed to spending time in the mountains.
  • An intermediate level of physical and mental fitness is necessary for this trip.

Your Guide on this Trip

Rich GriffethUnion of International Mountain Leader Associations

Hello, my name is Rich Griffeth and I will be your guide on this Dolomites hut to hut hiking adventure. I am a certified UIMLA guide. I have been sharing incredible outdoor adventures in the mountains with people just like you since 2016. I am from the USA but I've lived in Spain since 2009. My native language is English and I'm fluent in Spanish. My goal for a trip like this is to engage you in a once in a lifetime adventure. I'll manage the safety and logistics during the trip. You just have to arrive and enjoy the experience. I hope to see you soon so we can make a memorable vacation together.

Other Bigtime Hut to Hut Hiking Trips

If you like this trip, click on the links below to take a look at some of the other hut to hut hiking trips that Rich offers.

Patagonia (Argentina)

Pyrenees (Spain and France)

Tour of Mont Blanc (France, Switzerland, Italy)

Costa Blanca (Spain; Hotel to Hotel Hiking)