Best of Dolomites Traverse
Quick Facts
Witness the grandeur of the Dolomites on this 09-day itinerary that provides the support and valuable interpretation of an experienced guide, comfortable accommodation and fabulous local food. Each day will captivate your imagination as you trek through forests, meadows, lush alpine pastures, past emerald lakes and jagged peaks. Providing inspiration to artists and trekkers alike, this region will astound you with its wild beauty of varied terrain and scenery. You will begin to understand why this striking pink-grey mountain range is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On our Dolomites Traverse you’ll journey from east to west, passing through three provinces.
DAYS 1-4
- Day 1: Welcome in the Dolomites!
Lodging : hotel. Arrive in Bressanone / Brixen, a very typical and historical town in the Dolomites. It’s a perfect place to spend your first night. Check into your hotel.
Bressanone is the city from there we will start the tour. The best airport to arrive is Venezia Airport. But possible to arrive from Milan, Austria or Germany (Munich).
- Day 2: Bressanone – San Candido – Val Campo di Dentro – Tre Cime
Distance : 12.5 km (8 mi) – Ascent : 950 m (3117 ft). Descent : 100 m (328 ft). 4 hrs of hiking.
Lodging : mountain hut. Included meals : breakfast, dinner. Meals not included : lunch.
Meet at 9 am at your hotel with the taxi. Transfer to Val Campo di Dentro, start of your hike. An easy and pleasant walk will lead you to Dreischusterhütte Hut where you really enter the heart of the Dolomites. Then hike to the legendary Tre Cime, beneath Torre di Toblin, well known for its via ferrata, a relic from the First World War. You reach Locatelli Hut, built in 1883 (renovated since) and one of the oldest huts in the Dolomites, leave your backpack and head out for a stroll to explore the Tre cime or Torre di Toblin close up.
Please note: In the afternoon, from Locatelli Hut, you have the option of climbing a via ferrata
(Paterno or Torre di Toblin) with an Italian Mountain Guide (you need to book and pay in advance).
Note: No luggage access this day but it is well worth it!
- Day 3: Locatelli hut – Pratopiazza hut
Distance : 16 km (10 mi) – Ascent : 800 m (2625 ft). Descent : 1200 m (3937 ft). 6 hrs of hiking.
Lodging : mountain hut. Included meals : breakfast, dinner. Meals not included : lunch.
Enjoy your last views of the Tre Cime’s north faces as you leave Locatelli Hut. Head west on an easy trail down through the wild Val Ribon. From the bottom of the valley, hike uphill to Strudelkopfsattel Pass (2,200m/7,218ft), beneath Monte Specie, and into Pratopiazza Valley, with its typical Dolomite pastures.
- Day 4: Pratopiazza hut – Lago di Braies
Distance : 12.5 km (8 mi) – Ascent : 500 m (1640 ft). Descent : 1000 m (3280 ft). 5,5 hrs of hiking.
Lodging : hotel. Included meals : breakfast, dinner. Meals not included : lunch.
After crossing Pratopiazza meadow, hike towards Croda Rossa and then to Gaiselleitte (2,257m/7,405ft), along the spectacular mountainside trail equipped with chains (people with vertigo can take another trail through Ponticello). Then, a traverse through beautiful alpine pastures leads to Cavallo Pass (2,287m/7,503ft). Hike down from the pass to beautiful Lake Braies, located in a magical setting surrounded by breathtaking peaks.
DAYS 5-8
- Day 5: Lago di Braies – Forcela de Riciogogn – Pederu
Distance : 14 km (9 mi) – Ascent : 850 m (2780 ft). Descent : 800 m (2625 ft). 6 hrs of hiking.
Lodging : Hotel. Included meals : breakfast, dinner. Meals not included : lunch.
Hike on the other side of the lake and west side of Croda del Beco. Once at Forcela di Riciogogn (2,331m/7,647ft), cross through a fascinating meadow covered in rocks. Traverse to the tiny traditional Biella hut where you can eat lunch. From here, hike down into the valley, passing by Gran de Foses Lake. Then continue to the bottom of the valley, where the charming Malga Ra Stua Hut is located
- Day 6: Pederu – Fanes
Distance : 8 km (3,7 mi) – Ascent : 550 m (1800 ft).3 hrs of hiking.
Lodging : hut in rooms 2 to 3 people. Included meals : breakfast, dinner. Meals not included : lunch.
Short day through Fanes Valley to reach the well-known vast alpine meadows. You’ll spend the night in a hut with its warm and welcoming atmosphere and delicious local cuisine. Afternoon : optional walk into the reserve or to the lake de Limo or Ucia de Gran Fanes to appreciate the reserve (+2h de rando 150mD+ / 150m D-).
Note :: Shorter day for recuperation and optional walk in the afternoon
- Day 7 Fanes – Medesc pass – Alta Badia – Villa Stern
Distance : 10 km (6 to 7 mi) – Ascent : 800 m (3937 ft). Descent : 1200 m (3937 ft). 6hrs of hiking.
Lodging : hotel . Included meals : breakfast, dinner. Meals not included : lunch.
The atypical hike through Fanes’ altipiano to Medesc Pass takes you back thousands of years into the past when this high plateau was an island with a lagoon. If you are lucky enough maybe you will spot a fossil or two. At Medesc Pass the trail leads downhill to Alta Badia and la Vila Stern.
- Day 8: Vila Stern – Gardnaccia- rifugio Puez – Val Gardena – Bressanone
Distance : 15 km (9.5 mi) – Ascent : 650 m (2132 ft). Descent : 1000 m (3280 ft). 6 hrs of hiking.
Lodging : hotel. Included meals : breakfast. Meals not included : lunch, dinner.
From the hut, a short hike leads to Gardenaccia Pass (2,543m/8,343ft). The trail then takes you on a pleasant traverse to the Puez Hut, with great views of the Marmolada and other peaks in the area. From the hut, the trail winds down steep terrain into San Silvestro Valley, where you will stroll through peaceful alpine pastures until reaching San Silvestro church and the village of Wolkenstein. Your trek ends here. Transfer back to Bressanone to enjoy your last night.
- Day 9: Bressanone – arrivederci!
Included meals : breakfast. Meals not included : lunch, dinner.
Enjoy your last breakfast before checking out. Take the time to explore Bressanone before heading off.
Inclusions:
- A French and English-speaking hiking guide (UIMLA certified mountain leader) from day 1 to day 9.
- Costs of the tour leader from Aquaterra Adventures
- Meals: breakfasts, dinners (except in Bressanone), picnic
- Accommodations as described, in rooms (hotels) and dorms (huts).
- Luggage transfers every day except day
- Energy snack bag for the
- Aerial trams, gondolas, or chairlift transfers as described on the
Exclusions:
- Transportation from to
- Drinks and personal
- Dinners in
- Insurance for trip cancellation/interruption, lost/stolen baggage, or
- Anything that is not specified in the “included in the price”
Spending and other expenses during your trip
- Tickets to any
- Drinks, tips and personal
FROM PREVIOUS EXPEDITIONS
Take a look at photos & videos from previous journeys. Read testimonials from our new & regular clients.
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WHY GO WITH AQUATERRA ADVENTURES
A question easy to answer, you may wonder, in an age where adventure travel is apparently booming. Varying costs are available and there is no shortage of operators willing to run your trip. This is possibly the most important decision for you to make, after you have chosen to take on an adventure trip.
An Experienced Team
Our team of guides has years of experience of travel throughout the Indian Himalaya, from running rivers to leading treks – from the barren Zanskar to the tropical rainforest of Arunachal Pradesh. They speak English, have completed graduate school, are current with First Aid and CPR certification and form the most experienced guiding team in the country today.
Value for Money
The prices of our trips provide a high value for money returns. They are priced to keep our standards high and your trip, smooth. Cost usually is a deciding factor for many a trip, but for an adventure trip, the deciding factor should be confidence in your operator. We combine high operator confidence with a pricing balanced to give you a trip to remember.
Best Equipment
Equipment on all our adventure travel trips matches worldwide standards. On treks, we use 4 season 2-person tents, which can withstand the harshest weather conditions, and keep you dry and protected from the elements. Outfitter wings accompany all mountain trips for dining under.
Great Food
Our staff is trained in hygienic preparation of meals and offers a great variety of food on an outdoor trip. Good equipment, food and guides is what makes an outdoor trip an experience to savour.
WHAT TRAVELLERS SAY ABOUT US
Kubra Sait
Actor
Scream and Shout! For I just completed the hardest treks in the Himalayas, the lesser known Auden’s Col Trek. It tests you, beats you down but you when you summit starting in the wee hours of the morning you know that it couldn’t have been a better decision not for just the moment but for life.
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Rajat Rilach
Businessman
Well what a wonderful trip it was, we were 14 climbers with about 60 helpers including guide and porters. It could not have been better, right from our stay at Kuflon to Pooja at Gangotri to climb to the Auden’s to stay at the glaciers and finally a walk through the forest which can beat the amazon.
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Mr. Sareen
Avid Trekker
A difficult trek made so much easier by the professional, ever-ready-to-help, alert trek leaders of Aquaterra. The support staff was wonderful and made the hard days lighter by their cheerful attitude. All along it felt not like client and staff but friends out for a trek.
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Mr. T.S Sareen
Business Owner
Everything right from the beginning till the end – the pre-trip updates, travel planning, itinerary, equipment, camping sites, medical help and preparedness, food, etc. were all well thought, planned and great.
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