Luxury Dolomites Lodge to Lodge Hike 6D5N (High-Alpine Luxury In Northern Italy), Fully Guided

Level 3, Approx. 8 km (5 miles), Elevation gain: 457 m (1,500 ft)

On the first day of the trip, meet your tour leaders inside the central atrium of the Four Points by Sheraton Bolzano Hotel, located 10 minutes by taxi outside the city centre at Via Bruno Buozzi, 35, in Bolzano, Italy. Please ensure you arrive dressed in your hiking clothes and bring your luggage and a daypack containing your rain gear and anything else you may want for the day's hike (your luggage will be transported to our first night's accommodations).

Willkommen in Südtirol! Welcome to South Tyrol! Listen for German in this multicultural area where our adventure begins. After meeting in Bolzano we shuttle to Kastelruth, a little fairy-tale village at the base of the Schlern massif, one of the Dolomites' most spectacular peaks. The word "dolomite" was derived from the name of a French geologist, Déodat de Dolomieu, the first person to describe the type of carbonate rock abundant in these mountains.

Soak in your first glimpse of typical South Tyrolean architecture and the area's rustic charm. Set off on a loop hike from the village to the castle ruins above town. Following a delectable lunch, ascend via chairlift to our trailhead and hike up Compatsch on the Seiser Alm. Bordered by striking massifs and brilliant fields of wildflowers, Compatsch is famed as the recreational base of the Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park.

Nearby is our comfortable home for the next two nights, the 5-star COMO Alpina Dolomites. Seated on the Seiser Alm, this majestic architectural masterpiece offers breathtaking views of some famed Dolomiti peaks: Schlern, Sasso Piatto, and Sasso Lungo. Relax in the hotel's spa with a massage or holistic wellness treatment. (Spa treatments are at own expensw). Or enjoy the spa's indoor and outdoor pools, or explore the select shops by the lift and take in the magnificent meadow landscape around you. We convene for a welcome reception and a dinner of local specialties tonight.

THREE HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 2, Approx. 8 km (5 miles),  Elevation gain: 213 m (700 ft)
Level 4, Approx. 16 km (10 miles),  Elevation gain: 457 m (1,500 ft)
Level 4, Approx. 18 km (11 miles),  Elevation gain 823 m (2,700 ft)

Today marks the beginning of our first full day of hiking in the Dolomites. We begin right outside the door of our hotel, exploring the western part of the Seiser Alm near the Schlern massif, an enduring and endearing symbol of this formerly Austrian region. Artefacts from on top of the mountain and elsewhere on the Alm indicate that locals have visited the area since at least the Bronze Age for religious rites.

As you hike, notice how the landscape has been revamped and manicured by the people who have relied on it for centuries to nourish their animals. The forest was trimmed, birthing summer pastures with ample grass for grazing. Woode baite (traditional structures previously used as sheds), rudimentary shelters, and small bars decorate the terrain. For the past few decades, many of the buildings have been expanded and renovated to serve winter and summer recreational tourism. However, to this day, dairy farming, Haflinger horse breeding, haymaking, and other agricultural practices remain essential cultural and economic activities for the area.

There are several hiking options to pursue in the awe-inspiring area. Choose a longer loop toward Tierser Alpl Hut and a more jagged landscape. Or conquer a moderate ascent and descent to Mahlnecht Hut. Traverse a loop in the meadow, which gives you more free time in the afternoon to browse shops or take advantage of the hotel's amenities. Each route ends with a section of paved roads and dirt paths that take you to an appealing hut where lunch awaits. On the way back, you are still surrounded by panoramas of stunning verdant pastures that will inspire you to pause and take it all in.

This evening, relish a tasting of South Tyrol's famed and varied wines. With whetted appetites, we gather for a meal that showcases the finest local and regional ingredients crafted into modern, flavour-packed dishes in Alpina's restaurant.

THREE HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 2, Approx. 11 km (7 miles), Elevation gain: 274 m (900 ft)
Level 3, Approx. 16 km (10 miles), Elevation gain: 335 m (1,100 ft)
Level 4, Approx. 18 km (11 miles), Elevation gain: 579 m (1,900 ft)

Following a delightful breakfast, we set out from our mountain getaway to the family-run Savoy Dolomites Luxury Spa Hotel in Selva Gardena. Our lodge-to-lodge treks take us east along the semi-groomed paths of the Seiser Alm, navigating alpine meadows and descending to the Saltria base. From here, journey along a winding dirt road to Monte Pana. Alternatively, you can take the chairlift to access higher alpine vistas and more technical landscapes. Midday, we gather for lunch at a typical establishment with lovely views of surrounding peaks.

From Monte Pana, trek or take a shuttle to the Ladin-speaking Gardena Valley before going to the exquisite four-star Savoy Dolomites in Selva's leading resort, our home for the next two nights. Get comfortable in your elegant room and consider how you'd like to enjoy the afternoon. If you still have it in you to cover more miles, conquer the trails leading to nearby alpine meadows or up into this spectacular mountain range.

Travel into the valley's heart to shop in stunning Selva Garden this afternoon, or stay at the hotel and, unwind in your cosy room or visit the spa. Enjoy dining at your leisure at the hotel's renowned restaurant tonight with a menu that features the finest natural South Tyrolean gourmet cuisine with Mediterranean flavours and an impressive wine collection.

THREE HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 2, Approx. 11 km (7 miles),  Elevation gain: 366 m (1,200 ft)
Level 3, Approx. 14 km (9 miles),  Elevation gain: 457 m (1,500 ft)
Level 4, Approx. 14 km (9 miles), Elevation gain: 610 m (2,000 ft)

Indulge in a delightful breakfast before our daily briefing, and journey from Selva Gardena to nearby Santa Cristina. A gondola brings us to the heart of the Puez-Odle Nature Park and Col Raiser base—hit the trail along this south-facing hillside, framed by rugged limestone formations. The Puez-Odle Nature Park is popular for its peculiar features, from peaks and valleys to tarns and meadows. The park houses an impressive variety of wildlife, including ibex, golden eagles, deer, marmots, and chamois (a European species of goat-antelope).

Take the trail below the striking and hilly Geisler Group from the lift, with gorgeous views of the Sella massif, the Sasso Piatto and Lungo Group, and the Schlern. A tranquil and wild path beneath the Odles needles takes you past grazing cows, donkeys, and horses. You get a chance to see Edelweiss flowers up close. If you want to conquer higher elevation, you can hike up the rocky bowl to the Stevia plateau with expansive panoramas of Puez-Odle Park, the Cir Group, Sella, and beyond. Enjoy authentic mountain hut cuisine for lunch, with impressive photo opportunities of the Central Dolomites.

To return to our lovely hotel, you can descend by gondola and take a shuttle or trek back. The descent from Stevia takes you through Selva brown, where you can stroll by yourself and get some souvenirs or explore further before returning to the hotel. Dinner tonight is on your own in Selva Gardena. Your leaders are ready to recommend some of their favourite local restaurants.

THREE HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 2, Approx. 8 km (5 miles), Elevation gain: 122 m (400 ft)
Level 3, Approx. 11 km (7 miles),  Elevation gain: 274 m (900 ft)
Level 4, Approx. 18 km (11 miles), Elevation gain: 640 m (2,100 ft)

Relish a full, final day of hiking in this esteemed mountain range. This morning, our walk takes us to the gondola that transports us to the picturesque Gardena Pass, one of the four mountain passes surrounding the spectacular Sella massif. Here, we reenter the lunar-like Puez-Odle Park, a World Heritage site. This morning, we hike a hillside flanked by a cragged ridge opposite the Sella mountain's dramatic north face. Walk amidst wildflowers, pine forests, and quaint baite, listening for the distinct whistle of marmots. Journey past the Badia Valley, home to the Ladin community and considered the heart of the Dolomites region. The first thing that comes into view and also doubles as our destination for the last night of the trip are the villages of Corvara and Colfosco.

The extended route to Puez covers wilder terrain, with jagged trails and a series of saddles to climb over before reaching the remote hut where we have lunch. From here, take a long, scenic descent into the Badia Valley and to the hotel.

If you're on the main route flanking the base of the Cir group, you have the shorter option of taking a steeper descent that leads straight to our hotel, where you can have lunch and enjoy the hotel's facilities. You can also take the gradual climb to the gorgeous Col Pradat Lodge for lunch on the terrace with incredible views of the Dolomites' most famous and rugged peaks. The lift next to Col Pradat brings you to Colfosco, where a peaceful single track across the meadows delivers you to the lodge's doorstep.

You’ll stay at Kolfuschgerhof Mountain Resort, nestled amid the breathtaking peaks of the Dolomites. With serene gardens, sun-kissed terraces, and both indoor and outdoor pools, this resort is a sanctuary for your relaxation. Indulge in the bliss of hot tubs, unwind in the warmth of saunas, or take a refreshing dip in the shimmering pools, all while soaking in the stunning mountain vistas that surround you.

This evening, gather with your leaders and travel companions for a final cin cin before sitting down to a celebratory dinner at the hotel.

Rise early for a refreshing hike through the valley, trekking along the base of the majestic al Massif with sweeping views of the Pisciadu Waterfall, the jagged Cir Group, Sassongher, and the charming village of Colfosco. The winding trail is a perfect morning stretch before the day’s journey ahead. Afterward, savour a hearty breakfast, freshen up, and regroup for heartfelt farewells before boarding your private coach to Venice, where this unforgettable adventure draws to a close.

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