At a Glance
Walk in the heart of the northern Italian Dolomites on an 8 day self-guided trip to discover the beauty and sheer magnificence of the majestic Alta Pusteria Valley. This itinerary invites you to wander through UNESCO-listed landscapes from the world-famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo (2,999m at the top) to the turquoise Lago di Braies. Based in a single, elegant hotel for your entire stay in the beautiful Tyrolean village of Dobbiaco, you will immerse yourself in the opulence of the Italian Alps, returning each evening to familiar comforts after a day of mountain discovery.
Your adventure begins in the charming village of Dobbiaco at Park Hotel Bellevue, your home for the entire trip. You'll enjoy hikes through some of the region's most stunning landscapes, including Lago di Braies, the Tre Cime ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- All buffet breakfasts and evening meals
- 7 nights in a 4 star accommodation on a twin-share basis
- 7 day Mobil Card
- Walking navigation app
- Briefing at the start of your holiday
Itinerary
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Make your own way to the enchanting town of Dobbiaco, you will check into your home for the next seven nights: the charming Park Hotel Bellevue. Today is yours to settle in and explore at your own pace. Located in the heart of the Dolomites, the Park Hotel Bellevue combines alpine charm with classic elegance. The hotel’s refined interiors and traditional architecture create a welcoming and sophisticated atmosphere for travellers. You are invited to relax in the hotel's wellness centre, which features a sauna and swimming pool to help you unwind after a day in the mountains. You can also book a variety of beauty treatments or relax in the cozy lounge with a good book. In the evening, enjoy a custom-made aperitivo from our bartenders. |
Park Hotel Bellevue
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Approx. 15km (9miles), 5 hours walking Begin your journey from the hotel, strolling along serene country lanes that wind gently uphill through the idyllic Tyrolean countryside. As you walk, you'll pass through charming villages and quaint hamlets scattered across the hillside, each one home to its own picturesque chapel or church. These architectural gems not only offer breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes but are also adorned with intricate frescoes, showcasing the region's rich cultural heritage. Pause at Stadlern, a particularly scenic spot, perfect for a leisurely picnic. Here, you can take your time to soak in the stunning mountain panorama, with rolling peaks stretching as far as the eye can see. The peaceful atmosphere and natural beauty make it an ideal place to rest and reflect before continuing your adventure. |
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The return route leads you gently downhill toward Dobbiaco, following the lively Rienza River. The sound of the bubbling water accompanies you as you make your way back. Unwind in your hotel and relax by the picturesque garden with mountain views or a dip in the pool. |
Park Hotel BellevueBreakfast, Dinner |
Approx. 17km (11 miles), 6 hours walking Your day begins with a brief journey by bus, leading you to a spectacular gondola that will lift you to the high Rotwand pastures. At an elevation of 1,914 meters, you will find yourself standing in the shadow of the mighty Croda Rossa limestone peaks. From this breathtaking vantage point, a gentle descent awaits, guiding you along pine-scented forest trails to the ancient Kreuzbergpass, South Tyrol’s most easterly mountain pass. As you continue, the path ascends toward the Malga Nemes refuge, a panoramic sanctuary that offers an idyllic setting for lunch. Here, surrounded by open, sun-drenched pastures, you may witness marmots foraging freely in their natural habitat. Your journey concludes with a descent along a wide woodland track to the charming Tyrolean village of Moos, where a bus will await to escort you back to Dobbiaco. For those who wish to further immerse themselves in the landscape, a longer walking option is also available. |
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Come evening, dine in the elegant, glass-walled winter garden and experience a delightful blend of Italian cuisine and the bold flavours of South Tyrol. |
Park Hotel BellevueBreakfast, Dinner |
Approx. 19km (12 miles), 7 hours walking Prepare for a day of unparalleled beauty as you embark on a full-day hike through some of the most breathtaking scenery the Dolomites have to offer. With approximately 800 meters of both ascent and descent, this trail is a journey of rewarding challenges, promising incredible views at every turn. Your adventure begins with a gentle walk along the turquoise shores of the magnificent Lago di Braies, its crystalline waters reflecting the sky and surrounding peaks. From there, the path begins its ascent, winding through the picturesque Alte Kaser pastures where wildflowers bloom in vibrant bursts of colour. Continue your climb to reach the serene mountain bowl of Hochalm, a tranquil alpine meadow where you will pause for a well-deserved lunch amidst the grandeur of the mountains. The descent guides you through a dramatic, sculpted valley, a landscape framed by towering, majestic peaks and striking, sheer cliffs that speak to the ancient power of nature. A shorter hiking option is also available. |
Park Hotel BellevueBreakfast, Dinner |
Approx. 16km (10 miles), 6 hours walking Venture into the breathtaking Ampezzo National Park, located in the Italian-speaking Veneto region. Your journey begins at Cimabanche, where you'll follow the path of a disused railway line, a flat and scenic route perfect for easing into the adventure. From there, the trail ascends through the picturesque Gotres Valley along a historic military road, offering glimpses of the region’s rich history and rugged terrain. The climb leads to Forcella Lerosa, a stunning high mountain pass known for its expansive pastures framed by dramatic limestone peaks that seem to touch the sky. Pause here to soak in the awe-inspiring panoramic views, a reward for the effort of the climb. From this vantage point, you can take in the pristine beauty of the Dolomites, surrounded by nature at its finest. After savouring the views, the trail descends gently into the lush meadows surrounding Rifugio Ra Stua, a charming alpine refuge where you can take a well-earned break, enjoy a snack, or simply relax in the serene environment. To conclude your hike, a peaceful forest footpath winds its way back toward the vibrant mountain town of Cortina d’Ampezzo. |
Park Hotel BellevueBreakfast, Dinner |
Approx. 14km (9miles), 6 hours walking This hike takes you along the crest of the Carniche Alps, offering stunning views and a mix of terrain to explore. The day begins with a bus ride followed by a cable car ascent (tickets need to be purchased locally) that takes you up towards Mount Elmo, which sits at an elevation of 2,041 meters. From there, you’ll follow an old military supply route that leads to the Sillianer Hutte, a mountain refuge located in Austria. The route along this ridge serves as a natural border between Italy and Austria, providing expansive views of the surrounding Austrian Alps. After enjoying the scenery at the Sillianer Hutte, the trail continues with a descent along a less clearly defined rocky path. This section crosses through the peaceful mountain pastures of Klammbachalm, an area known for its alpine beauty and grazing livestock. The trail eventually leads you to the Klammbachhutte, a charming mountain hut where you can take a break and perhaps enjoy refreshments. The final stretch of the hike follows a forest track that winds its way back down to the village of Moos. The hike offers a mix of well-maintained trails and rugged paths, making it an engaging and varied experience for hikers who enjoy both natural beauty and a touch of historical significance from the old military route. |
Park Hotel BellevueBreakfast, Dinner |
Approx. 17km (11 miles), 6 hours walking As a magnificent finale to your week, you will take a local bus to the high-altitude Rifugio Auronzo, situated at the base of the world-renowned Tre Cime di Lavaredo. These three colossal, freestanding limestone towers, reaching a height of 2,999m, are an iconic symbol of the Dolomites, drawing hikers from across the globe. From Rifugio Auronzo, you will begin your trek along a wide, gravel track originally constructed by soldiers during the First World War. This relatively flat path takes you towards Rifugio Lavaredo. As you proceed, the trail gently ascends to the Forcella Lavaredo viewpoint. Here, you will be rewarded with the first, and arguably most classic, viewpoint of the three immense spires rising dramatically before you. Continuing on, the path descends into a vast basin before rising again toward Rifugio Locatelli (Dreizinnenhütte). From this vantage point, you gain what is considered the finest perspective of the Tre Cime's iconic north faces. The trail then leads you around the base of the peaks, offering ever-changing views of the surrounding Sexten Dolomites as you complete the loop back to your starting point at Rifugio Auronzo.A longer walking option is also available. |
Park Hotel BellevueBreakfast, Dinner |
Savour one final alpine breakfast, a moment of quiet reflection amidst the grandeur of the mountains, before bidding farewell to this enchanting landscape. Depart at your leisure making your own way for your onward journey. NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. |
NoneBreakfastDates & Prices
Please contact us for private departures and group bookings. Single Supplement is available on request.
More Info
- The departure and finish point is Dobbiaco
- The nearest airport to Dobbiaco is Bolzano/Bozen (BZO) Airport, approximately 71.9 km away. Another nearby option is Innsbruck Airport in Austria, which is also relatively close.
- Airport transfers are not included. Joining location starts in your accommodation at Dobbiaco in the evening of Day 1 of the itinerary making your own arrangements there. Alternatively, airport transfers can be arranged at an additional cost, please contact us.
The Dolomite Mountains offer some of the best weather in all of the Alps – perfect for year-round active adventures. As a mountain range, the Dolomites receive less precipitation on an annual basis than do the majority of the Alps. During the summer temperatures vary between 20°C – 22°C, while temperature starts dropping a bit in September. Equally, at all times you need to be ready for the occasional stormy day.
The walking level on this trip is rated Level 3 Moderate.
Level 1 Leisurely: Experience is not necessary; anyone fit and healthy enough to complete a weekend walk will thrive. Walks are often optional. Trails are seldom flat, so expect a reasonable number of ascents and descents. You normally walk for two to five hours per day; daily ascents will likely be around 985ft to 1,640ft (300m to 500m), perhaps with the odd day around 1,970ft (600m).
Level 3 Moderate: Expect easy, medium-length walks or harder, shorter walks. Some experience is useful, but not essential. Good health and reasonable fitness are important. There will be walks at higher altitudes and some longer, harder days. Generally, though, the underfoot conditions will be fair. A walking day is normally five to seven hours; daily ascents will likely be around 1,640ft to 2,625ft (500m to 800m), perhaps with the odd day around 2,955ft to 3,280ft (900m to 1,000m).
Level 5 Challenging Fitness is vital with extended walking in mountainous terrain. You might also experience high altitude, challenging climates and remote locations. Trekking experience is desirable, but not vital if you are confident in your physical condition. Walking days are usually between six and eight hours, although they may be longer for passes or peaks. Daily ascents can be around 2,955ft to 3,280ft (900m to 1,000m), perhaps with the odd day around 3,610ft to 3,940ft (1,100m to 1,200m).
Level 7 Tough: Trekking experience is essential and preferably at altitude. You need complete confidence in your ability to trek for many days over difficult terrain. You may encounter extreme altitude and weather conditions and may need to use ice axes and crampons. Stamina is essential as walking days last six to nine hours (sometimes more on occasions). Daily ascents will likely be around 2,955ft to 3,280ft (900m to 1,000m), perhaps with the odd day around 3,610ft to 3,940ft (1,100m to 1,200m).
Split and optional grades: Where a trip falls between two grades, an intermediate or ‘split’ grade is used. For example, Level 2 (Leisurely/Moderate). Occasionally there are optional ascents available; in this case, the grade will be highlighted.
This is a centre-based independent walking holiday. Walks can easily be extended/shortened by using the complimentary 7- day Mobil Card which gives unlimited access to local buses and selected cable cars and chairlifts. The walking is along varied and well signed footpaths, both at high altitude and in the lower valleys. There are moderate ascents on most days, and longish descents on days when a cable car is used to gain altitude. Walkers should have a good fitness level and be confident on uneven terrain. This trip is unsuitable for severe vertigo sufferers, but will appeal to people wanting challenging high level mountain walking by day, and luxury 4-star hotel accommodation at night.
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There may be others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. You are provided with route notes for each day, which begin with an overview of the walk and advice on lunch, followed by detailed instructions. The route notes contain a 24 hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the hotelier is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 100 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 100 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 100 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 100 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a tour with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the tour has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any tour up to 60 days prior to departure if the minimum number requirement is unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the tour or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.
