Deluxe Dolomites High-Alpine Hike in Val di Fassa 6D5N, Fully Guided

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 2, Approx. 8km (5 miles), 2-4 hours walking, Elevation gain: 365m (1200 ft)
Level 3, Approx. 10km (6 miles), 2-5 hours walking, Elevation gain: 490m (1600 ft)

Your adventure begins at the Four Points by Sheraton Bolzano Hotel, located at 35 Via Bruno Buozzi in Bolzano, Italy. We will meet inside the hotel under the central atrium, where your Trip Leaders will be waiting. Please arrive dressed in your hiking clothes, ready for today's activities. Bring your luggage and a daypack with any essentials you might need, such as rain gear and extra layers. We will transport your luggage to our first hotel.

From Bolzano, we will shuttle into the scenic Ega Valley, making our way to Val di Fassa. This valley is one of four Ladin-speaking valleys surrounding the iconic Sella massif, which will be the stunning backdrop for our week's adventures. Once we arrive in Pozza di Fassa, your leaders will provide you with walking sticks, maps, and water bottles, followed by a safety briefing.

A gondola and chairlift will then take you up to Buffaure, an alpine area known for its rolling terrain and expansive panoramas. From the summit, you'll hike along a grassy ridge, enjoying 360-degree views of the Dolomite peaks and valleys. Your descent will lead to a cozy, family-run rifugio for a traditional Fassan lunch.

In the afternoon, you can choose to hike down forested trails to the hotel or take a gondola to Alba, followed by a short walk to the village of Canazei. Our hotel for the next two nights, the Croce Bianca, awaits. Once you've checked in, you can relax with an aperitivo, visit the wellness centre, or explore the town. This evening, we will gather for a welcome reception and dinner.

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 3, Approx. 15km (9 miles), 2-5 hours walking, Elevation gain: 365m (1200 ft)
Level 4, Approx. 18km (11 miles), 4-6 hours walking, Elevation gain: 790m (2600 ft)

Begin your day with a hearty alpine breakfast before joining your leaders for a short walk to the gondola. Today's adventure starts near the border of Trentino and the Veneto region, where you will have two options. Those seeking a greater challenge can begin the hike immediately, while others may opt for a chairlift to a higher point on the trail.

Regardless of your choice, you will be treated to a day of spectacular scenery. We will follow the historic Strada del Pane, or "bread road," a vital trade route that once connected the remote valleys. This narrow ridge trail winds through lush alpine meadows, offering views of jagged peaks in every direction. You will see Marmolada, the highest mountain in the Dolomites, its glacier gleaming above the deep blue waters of Fedaia Lake.

Our group will come together for lunch at a traditional mountain rifugio along the ridgeline, providing a perfect vantage point of this legendary landscape. Afterward, we will descend toward the lake and visit the WWI Museum near the Fedaia Pass. Here, the owner will share the story of the "City of Ice"—a wartime network of tunnels carved into the glacier.

A scenic shuttle will then return us to Canazei, leaving you with a free afternoon to relax or explore. For dinner, you can choose to savour local delights at the hotel’s restaurant or from a variety of excellent local restaurants; your leaders will be happy to provide recommendations.

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 3, Approx. 10km (6 miles), 2-5 hours walking, Elevation gain: 365m (1200 ft)
Level 5, Approx. 10km (6 miles), 5-7+ hours walking, Elevation gain: 1310m (4300 ft)

Today, we ascend to the high plateau of the Sella Group, a stark contrast to the lush meadows from our previous hikes. This is an otherworldly, almost lunar landscape of fossil-rich Dolomite rock, loose scree fields, and sweeping views that stretch to the horizon.

You have two options for the morning's hike. The more challenging route begins with a short shuttle and an epic climb into the heart of this majestic massif. For a more relaxed approach, you can walk to the gondola and ride to the top, then set out on foot to meet the rest of the group.

We will all reunite for a hearty lunch at Rifugio Boé, a remote alpine hut situated on a rocky plateau. Afterward, you can choose to descend by cable car and transfer back to the hotel, or you can extend the adventure by climbing to the summit of Piz Boé, the highest peak in the Sella range. Either way, the day concludes with a gondola descent to the Pordoi Pass, followed by a shuttle to our hotel for the next three nights.

Nestled in the heart of the Dolomites, the X Alp Hotel offers a sanctuary of modern alpine elegance where you can rejuvenate your body and soul in the serene wellness centre after a day of exploration. Dinner tonight is at your leisure at the hotel. Indulge in exquisite culinary creations at the hotel's restaurant, where traditional flavours are reinvented with a contemporary twist, promising a feast for the senses.

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 3, Approx. 10km (6 miles), 2-5 hours walking, Elevation gain: 213m (700 ft)
Level 4, Approx. 15km (9 miles), 4-6 hours walking, Elevation gain: 701m (2300 ft)

Our day begins with a shuttle to Malga Frommer, a tranquil meadow at the foot of the Rosengarten Group, a magnificent UNESCO World Heritage site. From there, a gondola will lift us toward the jagged peaks, unveiling sweeping views of the Latemar range and the Eggental valley below. We will follow a trail along the Rosengarten's flanks, pausing mid-morning for a scenic coffee break amidst the alpine grandeur. Our path leads us to a local malga, a traditional summer farm where we'll enjoy a rustic lunch of regional dishes rooted in Ladin culture.

After an easy afternoon hike back toward the valley, you will have ample time to unwind at the hotel. Relax on the terrace, visit the spa (please note that the sauna and wellness areas at X Alp Hotel require advance booking), or simply admire the views.

This evening, our culinary exploration continues. We will shuttle to a nearby family-run farm for a special experience, where you'll learn to prepare traditional strudel. We will then sit down to a dinner of recipes specific to this valley, ending with our homemade dessert as the perfect finale.

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 3, Approx. 11km (7 miles), 2-5 hours walking, Elevation gain: 396m (1300 ft)
Level 5, Approx. 19km (12 miles), 5-7+ hours walking, Elevation gain: 975m (3200 ft)

On our last day in the Dolomites, a chairlift will carry you from the hotel to the eastern slopes of the Rosengarten Group, directly beneath the Vajolet Towers. Here, you can choose between two alpine hikes.

The more challenging route leads you toward the Antermoia Pass, ascending to an elevation of 8,850 feet. Your reward is the serene Antermoia Lake and a well-earned lunch at a remote mountain hut before a steady descent back to the lift. For a more moderate option, you can hike to Rifugio Vajolet for a relaxed alpine lunch. Afterward, a longer, steeper descent will guide you back to the lift for your ride down to the valley.

Back at the hotel, the afternoon is yours to enjoy. You can unwind in the sauna, relax in the hot tub, or enjoy some quiet time in your room. This evening, we will gather for a celebratory aperitivo and a festive farewell dinner, toasting to an unforgettable week in the Dolomites.

Level 2, Approx. 5km (3 miles), 2-4 hours walking, Elevation gain: 120m (400 ft)

As dawn breaks on your final day, you may wish to stretch your legs one last time and join your leaders for an early morning walk near the hotel, soaking in the crisp mountain air. Alternatively, if a more relaxed morning appeals to you, feel free to sleep in and savour a leisurely breakfast. Whichever you choose, you will have ample time to freshen up before the shuttle departs for Bolzano in the late morning.

NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.