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Guided Day Hikes in Cortina

Dolomites Val Gardena to Alta Badia Self-Guided Hiking Trip

Dolomites Cortina D'Ampezzo Self-Guided Hiking Loop

Guided Departures Also Available June to October

Trip Overview

This inn to inn hiking loop starts and ends in Cortina d’Ampezzo, the “Jewel of the Dolomites”.  This itinerary has both a guided and a self-guided option in some of the most beautiful areas of the Dolomites.  Prices vary based on the number of people in your party, whether you are opting for a guided or a self-guided option and your specific itinerary.  We are also able to provide a backpacker's hut-to-hut loop without baggage shuttle. We have provided 2012 pricing for the self-guided option with luggage shuttle described below.

Highlights

• A loop around Cortina d’Ampezzo passing by some of the most famous Dolomites massifs like: Sorapiss, Croda Rossa and Tre Cime di Lavaredo
• Wild alpine meadows, deciduous and evergreen woods, high altitude lunar-like terrain soaring peaks, dramatic walls and towering heights
• The refined South Tyrolean – Italian town of Cortina d’Ampezzo
• Hidden mountain inns that you encounter during your daily hikes.

2012 Prices for the Self-Guided Itinerary Described Below

$2400 per person double occupancy for 2 - 3 people

$2250 per person double occupancy for 4 - 5 people

$2100 per person double occupancy for 6 - 8 people

Single supplement:  $150 (limited availability and not available in rifugios)

From July 22 to 29 August there is a 15% increase on the given price.

$500/person deposit payable by credit card or check.

Balance is due 90 days before departure by check.

Rating

Moderately strenuous.  The daily itinerary is a guideline.  This trip will be customized to the desired level of challenge of the participants.

Trip Available

Mid June through October

Questions and How to Sign Up

Contact Deborah Lewis at (866-533-4361 (toll free in the U.S.), 203-840-0295 or dlewis@bredeson.com for a sign-up form or if you have questions.  You can also follow the steps identified on our sign-up page.

Itinerary

Day One:   Arrive in Cortina d’Ampezzo

Arrival on your own in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Cortina enjoys a reputation for great winter skiing and in the summer attracts hikers and mountain climbers who challenge the rocky faces of the nearby mountains.  Meeting with the guide (guided option) or Bredeson Outdoor Adventures representative (self-guided option) and briefing on the itinerary. Dinner on your own.  Hotel in Cortina

Day Two:  Hiking in the Fanes Valley

This lovely hike will take us into the Fanes-Sennes-Braies National Park, a stronghold of the Ladin language.  (We will see signs written in Ladin, German, and Italian.)  Short transfer by bus (five minutes) to Fiames (1292 meters) on the Cortina-Dobbiaco Road, from where you hike on a winding trail through the woods below Col Rosa mountain.  The trail cross the Ponte Outo ("outo" is Ladin for the Italian "alto," i.e, high -- 1386 meters).  The larch trees, with their light green foliage in spring and red and yellow colors in autumn contrast with the dark evergreens.  The track soon reaches some commemorative rock plaques marking the 1916 Austrian front near the Lago di Fanes, and keeps on winding gently uphill to the Malga Fanes (2100 meters).  This area, called the Altiplano di Fanes, is very well known for backcountry skiing and the same trails one skis in winter can be hiked in the summer.  It's another 45-minute hike to your charming home for the night -- the Mountain Inn Fanes, run by Max and Petra Mutschlechner.  The Inn was constructed in 1928 by the brothers Fritz, Rudi, and Alfred Mutschlechner as a winter ski hut.  Alfred Mutschlechner, the father of the present hut host Max, took over the hut and managed it until 1978.  Its wood and stone structure, beds with down comforters, marvelous views of green pastures and rocky mountains and boisterous dining room filled with people singing Tyrolean music is a fitting end for a great day.  Hiking time:  4-5 hours.  Elevation gain:  792 meters.  Elevation loss: 30 meters.  Rifugio Fanes.  Breakfast and dinner.

Day Three:  Fanes – Sennes –Braies Natural Park

From the Rifugio hike along the river on path #7 to Pederu (1548 meters).  From here take path 7-9 to Rifugio Fodara Vedla, a particularly comfortable establishment with a lovely view east to the Croda Rossa situated in a delightful basin housing a batch of old timber huts with a resident rabbit.  Path #7 for Rifugio Sennes starts off as a jeep track.  Some 10 minutes uphill a marked path branches off north through the shrubs, climbing to a panoramic ridge where the Croda del Becco (north), Croda (east) and even the Cristallo (southeast) come into view.  The jeep track is rejoined the rest of the way to Rifugio Sennes (2126 meters), standing in rather bare surroundings but apparently satisfactory for the herds of hearty cows around.  Hiking time: 5 hours.  Elevation gain:  568 meters.  Elevation loss:  512 meters.  Km:  approximately 8.5 km.  Rifugio Sennes.  Breakfast and dinner.

Day Four:  Croda Rossa Traverse

This rewarding hike involves an especially panoramic diagonal crossing of the Fanes – Sennes – Braies Park. New landscapes are revealed every step of the way and there are ample opportunities to see wildlife in the form of chamois, marmots and ibex. Highlights en route are the spectacular section below the northern face of Croda Rossa Mountain and Prato Piazza, set in an idyllic high-altitude pasture valley. It is probably the best vantage point for viewing the Croda Rossa, so-called for its blood-red rock due to the presence of iron oxide. The mountain evidently assumed its coloring in legendary times to express solidarity with Princess Moltina. A timid newly-wed, she was subject to spiteful ridicule when a jealous noblewoman exposed her humble origins – she had been brought up by marmots! Moltina’s embarrassment and bright red blush were absorbed directly by the mountain, Croda Rossa, which has retained its sanguine color to this day.

You'll take Path Alta Via Number 1 to Rifugio Biella after which you will pass by Forcella Cocodain (2332m), a great spot for views which reach as far as the snowbound Austrian Alps. The path leads to photogenic Ross Alm (or Malga Cavalli, 2142m), the summer residence of a shepherd who keeps horses and offers simple hiker meals and refreshments. You'll find yourself on grassy terrain in the company of lightening-struck Arolla pines, isolated black sentinels. At a sharp turn right, a spot marked as Gaiselleite on maps, the terrain becomes more earthy and crumbly and there are several exposed passages rendered trouble-free by a well-secured chain and cable. Once out of this, more ascent takes you shortly to the highest point on this route, 2358m. You walk along the sloping barren rock and scree flanks of the Piccola Croda Rossa, habitat of sizeable herds of chamois and yellow Rhaetian poppies, and descend almost imperceptibly in and out of dramatic moraine valleys. You'll soon find yourself on a well-maintained rocky mountainside path with timber fencing on a grassy hollow with a magnificent outlook onto Croda Rossa Peak, its modest remnant glacier and frontal moraine, the heaped-up debris gradually pushed downhill by the advance of the ice mass in a previous era. The path begins its gentle descent through light confifer woods and crosses a water course, amidst masses of wild flowers where you may also glimpse wood grouse. You'll arrive in the picturesque valley of Prato Piazza, where the Rifugio of the same name is situated.  Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours.  Elevation gain: 323m.  Elevation loss: 405m.  Km: 10Km. Rifugio Prato Piazza/Vallandro.  Breakfast and dinner.

Day Five:  Hike to Lago di Dobbiaco

Lake Dobbiaco is situated in-between two nature parks: the Sesto Dolomites Nature Park as well as the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park. This lake originated from several rock falls in antiquity.  Mussolini had five bunklers built around the lake in order to protect the access roads to Italy in 1939. These structures were part of the Alpine wall, a protective barrier dating back to WWII.  In summer you can explore the lake by boat  and in the winter it is perfect for ice skating and curling.  Also a main cross-country ski trail surrounds Lago di Dobbiaco.
Moreover this lake is particularly popular with those who love bird watching, as several rare migrant birds stop in this area in spring and autumn.

From Prato Piazza take Path 40 that leads to Picco Vallandro. At the junction with the Alta Via Number 3 turn left and hike on this path under Picco Vallandro to Forcella della Chiesa / Kirchler Scharte (2280m). Continue on Alta Via Number 3 to Forcella Vallettina / Flodige Sattel (2159m), where the path joins Path Numbers 14-33. You are now hiking on the Alpe di Serla, where many farmers take their cows for the summer months to pasture on the green meadows. You will have fantastic views of the meadows and the valleys with the Dolomites summits rising around you. In front of you, you can see Monte Serla /Sarlkofel, which is made of a particular dolomites stone, the Sarl Dolomite, which is lighter than the common Dolomite stone. At a junction just before Passo Serla follow Path 14 descending along the Sarlbach River on green meadows towards Malga Serla/Sarlhuette (1720m). Here the path turns into a jeep track, which you descend until you reach the Rienza river. During the descent you can glimpse the Dobbiaco Lake below. Follow the track to the lake and settle down for a quiet evening at this nice little hotel.  Longer option: Ascent of Monte Serla (2378m).  Instead of taking Path Number 14 continue on Path 33, Alta Via Number 3, following the signs for Monte Serla.  From here descend to Malga Serla the same way you came up. This adds 400m of elevation gain and 4Km to the hike.  Hiking time: approximately 5-6 hours.  Elevation gain: 100m.  Elevation loss: 840m.  Km: 9Km.  Hotel Lago di Dobbiaco.  Breakfast and dinner.

Day Six:  Under the Baranci group

From the hotel hike for a short distance along the road until you arrive at Path 28b, which leads through meadows and woods under the Baranci Group. Hike to the Hackhoferkaser and take Path 28, which leads towards San Candido. At the path junction with Path 6 turn right and hike on this path to Rifugio Baranci/Haunold Huette (1499m), where you can stop for lunch. After lunch take Path Number 7, which leads to Piccola Rocca dei Baranci / Haunoldkoepfl (2158m). Instead of ascending this summit take Path 7a which takes you to Rifugio Tre Scaperi / Dreischusterhuette (1617m). The Rifugio Tre Scarperi is situated in the quiet Campo di Dentro Valley overlooking the Val Pusteria with its little towns of San Candido and Sesto.  More strenuous option: Hike over the Baranci Group. From your hotel hike a short distance on the path that takes you along the road until you reach Path Number 8 that ascends through shady woods up towards the Baranci Group. Once the woods open up a bit you hike on scree and the Forcella dei Baranci (2540m) comes into view. From this point you have a fantastic view west through the central Dolomite area and northwest to the Austrian Alps, while in front of you views range from the Tre Scaperi to the east, to the unmistakable Tre Cime di Lavaredo to the southeast. Descend between the mountains of Rocca dei Baranci and Croda dei Baranci towards Rifugio Tre Scarperi situated in a wild and solitary valley. (8Km, + 1287m/-920m).  Hiking time: approximately 6 hours.  Elevation gain:367m.  Elevation loss:0m.  Km:12Km.  Rifugio Tre Scarperi.  Breakfast and dinner.

Day Seven:  Tre Cime di Lavaredo

On this hike you'll have the chance to admire the soaring Tre Cime di Lavaredo – probably the most famous Dolomites, known over the world.  Pioneer British travelers Gilbert and Churchill likened them to “Egyptian Colossi” while for Amelia Edwards (1873) they “surpass in boldness and weirdness all the Dolomites of Ampezzo”. The arduous 2999m peak of Cima Grande was first scaled by Paul Grohmann 1896, amidst fierce competition involving talented mountaineers from many nations.  

After breakfast start along the jeep track for Rifugio Locatelli. At the end of the jeep track take Path 105 that ascends along the San Candido River situated under the Costa San Candido/Innichbacher Riedl to Gwengenalpe Joch/Passo A. Mattina (2449m). Continue to Rifugio Locatelli (2405m). The Rifugio is located at Forcella di Toblin, a stunning spot for admiring the Tre Cime. First opened in 1883 at the cost of 813 florins, the hut needed additions soon afterwards as visitor numbers in the following seven-year period shot up to 3375. The figure would barely cover a matter of days now in midsummer!  A recommended side trip follows to Sasso di Sesto, fiercely contested during the First World War.  Side trip to Sasso di Sesto (40min):  Right behind the hut (northwest) is the Sasso di Sesto, its base pierced by a line of man made rock windows. A signed path for the Via Ferrata Torre di Toblin can be found near Rifugio Locatelli’s chapel. Follow this up to the saddle that separates the Torre di Toblin from Sasso di Sesto, and turn sharply left (south) for the nearby 2539m top (20 minutes), an extraordinary lookout that takes in the far-off Marmolada southwest, preceded by the Tofane and the Cristallo. Return to Rifugio Locatelli the same way. From Rifugio Locatelli take Path Number 102 west in common with the descent to Landro and make sure that after about a quarter of an hour of downhill switchbacks you fork off southwest on Number 105. It traverses a lovely undulating basin (Pian da Rin) that is sparsely grassed and hosts a colony of shy marmots. This glorious route is much quieter than the outbound path and gives you plenty of time to appreciate the colossal peaks ahead. Early summer visitors may encounter old patches of snow in the hollows, however, whatever the season it’s important to keep track of the irregular red/white paint splashes marking the route as landmarks are rare. One useful point is a formerly deserted stone shepherd’s hut (2283m), an evocative rest point and now a summer dairy where you can stop for snacks or a light lunch. Then it’s a steady easy ascent to Forcella Col di Mezzo (2315m), also spelled del Col de Mezo, which marks the path to the south side of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, with more wonderful views over the Cadini, Sorapiss and the Marmarole range.  Number 105 continues southeast for the final stroll to Rifugio Auronzo (2320m) and the parking lot. You'll take the bus back to Cortina d’Ampezzo, where you will stay tonight.  Hiking time: approximately 6 hours.  Elevation gain: 821m.  Elevation loss:118m.  Km: 9Km. Hotel in Cortina.  Breakfast.

Day Eight:  Departure

Breakfast and departure on your own.

Cost Includes

• 4 nights half board in rifugio in best accommodation available (2, 3, 4, to 10 beds) and shared bath
• 2 nights b&b 3* hotel accommodation at Cortina d’Ampezzo
• 1 night half board in hotel
• Meeting on first night with our local expert guide
• Meals as noted in the itinerary
• Luggage transfer Cortina to Lago di Dobbiaco and Lago di Dobbiaco back to Cortina
• Topographical maps
• Italian mobile phone with 20 Euros for emergency calls
• Trip planner with information packet with cultural information, connecting and other practical information, restaurants, packing list

Cost does not Include

• Private and public transportation during the itinerary
• Airfare
• Airport in/out transfers
• Showers in the rifugi where this is a charge for this
• Drinks and variations on the menu for included meals
• Lunches (you should expect to pay between $15-$20 per day) and any meals not noted in the itinerary
• Insurance
• Items of a personal nature (sodas, alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.)
• Anything that is not specified above

A Note Regarding the Price and the Exchange Rate

This trip is paid in Euros by Bredeson Outdoor Adventures.  Due to the volatility of currency markets, we may be forced to raise (or lower) our trip price.  If so, your final invoice will reflect the difference in the dollar portion. Please note:  we have never done this in the past and expect not to have to do this in the future.  However, we do reserve the right.

Cancellation Policy

If it becomes necessary to cancel your trip, the following schedule applies and is determined by the day that we receive written notification:

• >90 days prior to the trip: you will be charged $100/person plus any applicable credit card charges
• 90-61 days prior to the trip:  you will be charged 25% of the trip price
• 60-46 days prior to the trip start: you will be charged 50% of the trip price
• 45-0 days prior to the trip start: you will be charged 100% of the trip price

We strongly recommend that you purchase Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance. Please go to our web site at http://www.bredeson.com/outdoor_adventures/forms.html if you would like links to two insurance companies, which offer trip cancellation, interruption and health care insurance.

Questions and How to Sign Up

Contact Deborah Lewis at (866-533-4361 (toll free in the U.S.), 203-840-0295 or dlewis@bredeson.com for a sign-up form or if you have questions.  You can also follow the steps identified on our sign-up page.

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

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

info@bredeson.com