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Dolomites Cortina D'Ampezzo Self-Guided Hiking Loop

Dolomites Val Gardena to Alta Badia Self-Guided Hiking Trip

Self-Guided Day Hikes in Cortina

Trip Overview

Cortina is in Veneto and the flavor here is clearly Italian.  Since it hosted the Winter Olympics in 1956 it has been Italy’s best-known mountain resort.  It is also one of Europe’s most appealing mountain towns.   The surrounding peaks are spectacular.  18 of these peaks rise to more than 3,000 meters (9,840 ft.) and visitors arriving in Cortina for the first time are awed by the magnificent amphitheater of the craggy mountains with Cortina at center stage.  For all its fame, Cortina is still a town of white timbered houses next to a rushing stream surrounded by forests, meadows, and, of course, the legendary peaks.   You can relax and unpack and enjoy hikes from the based of your charming hotel in the heart of the pedestrian zone.  

Some of the Highlights

• Hikes amid a magnificant landscape of pillars, pinnacles, and rock walls
• Varied, moderate hikes with challenging options
• Charming hotel in the center of the pedestrian zone and the heart of old Cortina
• Old world charm and contemporary Italian style
• Fascinating history, especially of the “Great War”, artifacts of which can be seen on hikes in open air museums
• Delicious Austro-Italian regional cuisine

Sample Daily Itinerary for Cortina Based Walking Adventure

Day 1  

Travel independently to Cortina.  We will provide joining instructions and assist in coordinating transportation.  Meet in the lounge of the hotel at 6:00 p.m. for welcome drinks and orientation.  

Day 2  

We'lll walk directly from our hotel and ride the cable car from Cortina (1226 m./4,022') to the top of Faloria (2,123 m./6,965'). We'll continue on foot up to Rifugio Tondi and additional spectacular views from Tondi de Faloria.  We'll then walk down from Rifugio Faloria to Ristorante Rio Gere continuing through the forest to Rifugio Mietres and wonderful views of the Pomagagnon range.  At Rio Gere, if the weather is clear, we'll take an excursion by cable car up Cristallo Mountain for lunch at Rifugio Lorenzi and exceptional vista-- the same vistas that can be seen in the movie Cliffhanger, which was filmed there.  We'll ride back down to Rio Gere and continue our hike down through the forest to Rifugio Col Tondo.  At this point there is the option to take a chairlift back to Cortina or to walk back to town. 4-5 hours of hiking. +820'/-3,612' (gradual).  Considerably less downhill with final chairlift of the day.  

Day 3  

We'll enjoy a scenic 21 mile drive up over the gentle Tre Croci Pass in the direction of Lake Misurina to Rifugio Auronzo (7,650') and the start of one of the must-do hikes in the Cortina area.  We'll circle around Tre Cime (Three Summits) and Monte Paterno/Paternkofen, one of the best known and most dramatic sights in the Dolomites.  We'll have lunch at Rifugio Locatelli/Drei Zinnen Huette (7,800') while enjoying the spectacular view of the north faces of the Tre Cime.  The north faces were first climbed in the 1930s and are part of the history of mountaineering.  We'll also pass by tunnels, bunkers and old barracks, reminders of WWI.  We'll walk around Toblinger Knoten and Col Forcellina back to Rifugio Auronzo.  4-5 hours of hiking. +550/-550'.  

Day 4  

We'lll transfer 20 minutes from our hotel by van to our hike in the famous Tofane Mountains.  We'll start at Cason di Rozes (6,232') and hike up a wide trail that was built during WWI, walking in gradual switchbacks up to the Forcella Col de Bos (7,642') at base of the Castelletto and Tofana di Rozes mountains.  We will hike up and under the massive rock wall of the Tofana and make a last ascent to the Rifugio Guissani (8,400') for lunch.  We'll enjoy the panorama at lunch between the Tofane di Rozes and Tofane di Mezzo.  After lunch we'll descend on the same wide trail we used earlier in the day to the Rufugio Dibona and our transfer back to Cortina. 4-5 hours of hiking. +2,200'/-1,600'.  

Day 5  

Today we'll return by van to the Passo Tre Croci and continue to the Lago (Lake) di Musurina chairlift.  We'll take the lift to Col de Varda (6,939') and walk to Rifugio Citta di Carpi on a well graded trail with beautiful views of Crtistallo, Sorapis, Tre Cime and the Cadini di Misurina above us. The path continues to Rifugio Citta di Carpi where we'll have lunch. We'll return to the chairlift via the same trail. Those looking for more walking will have the option of walking up and down without use of the chairlift. If we wish we can also enjoy a walk around Lake Misurina for a different perspective on the surrounding mountains. 3-4 hours of walking and fairly level without extensions. 6+ hour alternative with +/-1,968'.  

Day 6  

The Cinque Torri area is well-known for the climbers who ascend its famous five peaks, and as the headquarters of the mountain artillery unit during WWI. Today we'll have the opportunity to both watch the climbers and visit the Great War open air museum.  After a short transfer, we'll ride the chair lift up from Bai de Done.  From there, we'll descend toward the towers and then ascend to Rifugio Cinque Torri where we'll have lunch.  This moderate two hour walk would allow those who wish to take the afternoon off time to do so.  For those who wish to have a more vigorous and longer walk today, there is an 8.1 miles 4 1/4 hour loop alternative up to Rifugio Averau and Rifugio Nuvolau.

Day 7  

After our final breakfast we depart Cortina for home or other destinations.

Please bear in mind that this is a sample itinerary.  We would be delighted to develop a custom proposal for an adventure that is just right for your needs. 

Call us toll free (U.S.) at 866-533-4361 or

+203-840-0295 (outside the U.S.)

info@bredeson.com