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“Hiking in the Dolomites offers breathtaking views of rugged mountains and pristine alpine landscapes.”.
After very successful trip to Dolomite in last Autumn we have added the another date for 2025.
Nestled in the northern Italian Alps, the Dolomites are a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for their jagged peaks, towering rock formations, and lush meadows. For hiking enthusiasts, this is a paradise offering everything from leisurely strolls through flower-covered valleys to challenging climbs along the rugged terrain. If you’re seeking a hiking experience that blends breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and authentic Alpine culture, the Dolomites should be at the top of your travel bucket list.
At Namaste Nomad Ltd we specialise in offering unforgettable hiking tours through this spectacular mountain range, tailored to meet the needs of both seasoned adventurers and casual hikers alike. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore why hiking in the Dolomites is a must, what our tours offer, and how you can make the most of your visit to this alpine wonderland.
Why the Dolomites?
1. Unique Geography and Landscapes: The Dolomites are like no other mountain range. Their sharp, craggy peaks, sculpted by glaciers and erosion over millennia, give them a striking appearance distinct from the smoother, more rounded mountains of other ranges. The region is home to some of the most iconic and photographed mountains in the world, such as the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Seceda, and the Marmolada, the highest peak in the Dolomites.
The diversity of landscapes is truly impressive. One moment you’re hiking through alpine forests, the next you’re traversing rolling green pastures, and within hours, you find yourself among high-altitude rocky spires that seem to pierce the sky. Glacial lakes with crystal-clear water, meandering rivers, and cascading waterfalls add to the region’s scenic allure.
2. Rich Cultural Heritage: The Dolomites are not just a natural wonder—they are steeped in culture and history. The region is home to Ladin communities, an ancient people with their own language, customs, and traditions that have been preserved for centuries. Hiking through the Dolomites often means encountering traditional mountain huts (rifugi), where you can sample authentic Ladin and Tyrolean cuisine, such as polenta, speck, and hearty mountain cheeses. Many trails also pass by medieval castles, old monasteries, and World War I fortifications, offering a fascinating glimpse into the region’s past.
3. A Hiker’s Paradise for All Skill Levels: One of the greatest attractions of the Dolomites is the variety of hiking trails. Whether you’re a beginner looking for an easy walk through the valleys or an experienced hiker seeking a more strenuous ascent, the Dolomites have it all. From family-friendly paths to the exhilarating via ferrata (iron paths)—secured climbing routes with metal rungs, cables, and ladders—there’s no shortage of adventures.
Our Tour Offers: A Personalized Dolomite Experience
At Namaste Nomad Ltd, we understand that every hiker is different, which is why we offer a range of customisable hiking tours designed to cater to all levels of fitness and experience. Whether you’re seeking a multi-day trekking expedition or a leisurely day hike, we have the perfect tour for you.
1. Guided Multi-Day Trekking Tours:
For those seeking an immersive hiking experience, our multi-day trekking tours allow you to truly explore the heart of the Dolomites. These treks take you deep into the mountain range, where you’ll spend nights in charming rifugios, waking up to stunning sunrise views over the peaks.
One of our most popular routes is the Alta Via 1, a long-distance trail that spans approximately 120 kilometers. This hike takes around 8-10 days to complete, and along the way, you’ll pass through breathtaking landscapes including dramatic cliffs, serene valleys, and pristine alpine lakes. Our experienced guides will ensure that you stay on track, offering insights into the local flora, fauna, and geology while helping you navigate the more challenging sections of the trail.
If you’re looking for something more challenging, the Alta Via 2 is a tougher, steeper route, known as the “High Route of the Legends,” offering even more dramatic views and a sense of remoteness. These tours are fully supported, with luggage transfers available, allowing you to hike with only a light daypack.
2. Single-Day Guided Hikes:
Not everyone has the time for a multi-day trek, and for those seeking a shorter but equally memorable adventure, we offer single-day guided hikes to some of the Dolomites’ most iconic landmarks. Popular choices include:
- Tre Cime di Lavaredo: This world-famous trio of peaks is one of the most recognized symbols of the Dolomites. Our guided hike around these majestic mountains is moderate in difficulty and offers plenty of opportunities to stop for photos, admire the panoramic views, and visit nearby rifugios.
- Seceda: Known for its stunning ridgeline that seems to float above the clouds, a hike up Seceda is perfect for those looking to combine a moderate challenge with jaw-dropping views.
3. Via Ferrata Adventures:
For thrill-seekers, the Dolomites are the birthplace of the via ferrata, and our guided via ferrata tours offer a unique way to experience the mountains. With safety equipment provided, you’ll ascend along iron cables and ladders, experiencing the exhilaration of scaling vertical rock faces with the help of a guide. No previous climbing experience is necessary, but a head for heights and a moderate level of fitness are required. The views from the top are well worth the effort!
4. Family-Friendly Hikes:
Traveling with children? Our family-friendly hikes are designed to be accessible and enjoyable for younger adventurers. These routes typically focus on shorter distances with easier terrain, but still provide plenty of scenic rewards. We make sure to include engaging activities along the way, such as visits to alpine farms where children can interact with local animals, or stops at mountain huts serving delicious, homemade treats.
5. Customizable Private Tours:
If you prefer a more personalized experience, we offer private hiking tours that can be tailored to your exact preferences. Whether you want to focus on photography, wildlife watching, or simply enjoy a more intimate experience with your own guide, we can create the perfect itinerary for you.
What’s Included in Our Tours?
When you book a Dolomite hiking tour with us, you can expect an all-inclusive experience designed for your comfort and convenience. Our packages typically include:
- Experienced Local Guides: All our guides are locals who know the Dolomites like the back of their hand. They bring not only technical expertise but also a passion for sharing the region’s natural beauty and history with our guests.
- Accommodation in Rifugios: Multi-day tours include stays in traditional mountain huts, where you’ll enjoy hearty meals and cozy lodging. The rifugios in the Dolomites offer a unique experience, allowing you to connect with fellow hikers while enjoying the warmth of a crackling fire and the rustic charm of the Alps.
- Transfers and Logistics: We take care of all transportation logistics, including airport transfers, luggage transfers between accommodations on multi-day tours, and any necessary transport within the region.
- Meals: On our multi-day treks, breakfast and dinner are included at the rifugios, and we also provide packed lunches to keep you energized throughout the day.
Ready to Experience the Dolomites?
Whether you’re seeking a challenging adventure, a family-friendly holiday, or a scenic escape into nature, hiking in the Dolomites is an unforgettable experience. With Namaste Nomad ltd, you’ll enjoy personalised service, expert guidance, and the chance to explore one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world.
Join us for a hiking tour in the Dolomites, where every trail tells a story, and every step brings you closer to the natural beauty of Italy’s Alpine wonderland. Please check the itinerary below.
Itinerary
In the Itinerary arrival night in Venice and also the night before departure we spend the night in Venice which is not included in this itinerary, because some people may like to join us directly at the Dolomites starting point. **Your flight to Venice and return to Dublin is not included.
Day 1: Arrival in Cortina d’Ampezzo
Our base camp hotel Meuble Ville Neve for this trek is in Cortina d’Ampezzo, a small town that can boast a long tradition in the world of tourism and events. Cortina is surrounded by the world-famous Dolomite mountain groups like Monte Cristallo (Mount Crystal), the Cinque Torri (the Five Towers) and the Tofane. On Corso Italia, the main street of Cortina, where culture and entertainment come together, you can admire historic buildings, and high-end boutiques and drink a cup of coffee in one of the many elegant cafés in the evening before the trek. Today we will meet and greet.
Day 2: Cortina to Tre Cime
The most famous is the classic hike to the Tre Cime, called Drei Zinnen in German. It’s not going to be a remote walk – the Tre Cime are like the Matterhorn to the Dolomites – well photographed and admired the world over. You’ve probably seen them on posters and calendars around the Dolomites, and they are very handsome. Three sheer towers standing side-by-side that top out at 2999 meters.
This hike starts and finishes with a longish bus, so there is some travel time to account for and return schedules to keep an eye on. But this is a classic walk, a beautiful, striking mountain, and a nice way to spend a day around Cortina.
We will stop for lunch at Rifugio Locatelli at the halfway point. or at Langalm just past that, Return to the hotel in Cortina.
Ascent 525 m
Decent 534
Highest point 2532
Hours 5 Hike.
Day 3: Lake Sorapis
Our Journey starts from the Hotel and is a short drive to the starting point Tre Corci Pass, and then we start the walk. This walk to Lake Sorapis is one of the most beautiful excursions in the Dolomites. The lake is famous for its intense colour, in hues ranging from light blue to turquoise. The colour is created by the fine rock dust brought down from the like-named glacier whose spring and summer meltwater gives rise to the lake. Starting from the Tre Croci Pass, take track n° 215. This is a varied, panoramic track, with uphill and downhill sections but only a small overall vertical distance. It runs through a beautiful forest, with views onto the mountain groups Cristallo, Popena, Cadini di Misurina and Tre Cime di Lavaredo. After an initial flat part, it becomes more difficult, with several metal ladders and some exposed sections along a flat ledge, equipped with metal cables.
After these short equipped sections, you will soon reach the mountain lodge Rifugio Vandelli, an amenable, authentic lodge in a breath-taking position at the centre of a gigantic natural amphitheatre on the north slopes of Mount Sorapis, almost on the edge of the pedestal from which the waterfall emerges and plunges downwards. From the lodge, originally built in 1890, you can see the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Misurina and its lake to the north, and, closer, the superb Alpine lake that is like a gemstone set into the mountains, with the pinnacle “Dito di Dio” (“God’s Finger”, 2,603 m) above. The lake was formed directly in the rock, and it has no surface outflowing sources. Its water reaches the large rock slab of the glacial floor underground and finally emerges at the waterfall named “el Piss”. The name of the mountain group “Sora el Piss” is derived from this etymology, meaning “above the Piss waterfall”. During the winter season, the many cascades freeze, providing ice-climbing opportunities for alpinists. Return to Hotel In Cortina.
Ascent 425 m
Decent 434
Highest point 2603
Hike 5+ Hours
Day 3: Hike to Refugio Giussani
We start our hike from our hotel in Cortina after breakfast, with the option also to drive almost halfway. Rifugio Giussani rises in the middle of Forcella Fontananegra at 2561 mt, a wide pass between Tofana di Rozes and Tofana di Mezzo, among huge boulders and WWI firing points. The entire area offers the chance to discover a part of the Dolomites, where a very sad page of Italian history during World War One was written.
All around this side of the mountain, it is possible to visit old war buildings and surpluses. The suffering, hardship, and death those very young soldiers endured become painfully clear. We have a few different options to reach this begins at our normal start from Fiames and hikes up the scenographic Val Travenanzes and the Majariè of Tofana. It is a path of medium difficulty level. Night stay in Refugio Giussani.
Ascent time: 4,30 hr– 5 hrs.
Day 5: Rifugio Giussani (2580 m) to Passo Valparola (2180 m)
This stage traverses one of the “hearts” of the eagle’s war: Lagazuoi, Castelletto, and Tofane. Without forgetting the other mountains, we think these have remained in the collective imagination as the “Mountain War” par excellence, just as Adamello for the “White War.” A very beautiful and fascinating route on trails, galleries, and equipped sections with continuously changing panoramas. This trail is coming with many other trails so getting confused sometimes is normal here, this is also a very time-consuming trail as there are so many memorials to learn about WW. Tonight we are staying in one of the cosy Rifugio Valparola. Duration: 6 hours and 30 minutes
Distance: 13.3 km
Elevation gain: ascent 1998 m, descent 1573 m
Day 6: Refugio Valparola to carda da lago
This loop trail does not present any specific technical difficulties and crosses the typical Dolomites environment. On the way, you will be able to admire Lake Valparola, and once you reach Cima Settsass, you can enjoy a 360° panorama of the mountain groups of the Dolomites, from Sass Pordoi to Sorapiss. If you are lucky, it is also possible to meet the marmots that populate the slopes crossed by the trail.
Distance 19 Km
Elevation gain: 750m
Time 6 hrs
Day 7: Carda La lago to Cortina
Another day multi-stage trek starts from Rifugio Croda da Lago, walking downhill on track n° 432 towards Malga Federa. Once you have reached the Malga, take the spectacular new Gores de Federa track which runs through gullies, canyons and past waterfalls, then rejoin track n° 432. Continue on track n° 432 until you meet track n° 406 on the left. Take this path until you reach the intersection with track n° 431, and then go right and continue until you reach Lake d’Ajal.From the mountain lodge Rifugio Lago d’Ajal, carry on downhill on track n° 430 until you reach Lake Pianozes, and continue walking to the traditional Ladin village of Campo di Sopra. We continue to hike from her for another 1 hour to Cortina to our hotel for a hot shower and group dinner. Today is the End of our Multi-day Hike in Dolomite.
Day 8: Departure from Cortina d’Ampezzo
Your Dolomites hiking trip has come to an end. After you have checked out of the hotel it will be time to leave the Dolomites.
We can extend this trip for 2 more days which includes Arrival In Venice and also spending Night in Venice before departing Home.
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Price includes
- Accommodation in mountain huts: depending on the itinerary, shared room
- Accommodation in 3-star base camp hotels: first and final nights of the trip
- Breakfast and dinner in the mountain huts.
- Breakfast in the hotels.
- Pack lunch Sandwich.
- Airport transfer by bus.
- 24-hour on-call support.
- Local English-speaking mountain guide.
- Transport of luggage between the base camp hotels.
- Transportation from the base camp hotel to the trailhead.
- Transportation to the base camp hotel after the trek.
Price excludes
- Travel Insurance.
- Drinks at dinner.
- Use of hot shower in the mountain huts: € 3 – 5.
- Hot lunch( pack sandwich provided).
- Optional lifts on the route.
- Tourist tax in the lodging establishments where applicable.
- Flights from Dublin and Return.
- Phone or laundry services.
Complimentary services
Storage of luggage in the base camp hotel during the trek – for the route options with a finish in Cortina.
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