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Guided Day Hikes in Cortina

Dolomites Cortina D'Ampezzo Self-Guided Hiking Loop

Dolomites Val Gardena to Alta Badia Self-Guided Hiking Trip

Guided Departures Also Available June to September

Trip Overview

This self-guided itinerary takes place in some of the most beautiful areas of the Dolomites.  It focuses on the section of the Dolomites known as Alto Adige or South Tirol (Suedtirol in German). The entire Dolomites range reaches south into Trentino and east into Veneto. While the Trentino/Alto Adige range forms an autonomous Alpine region, the two provinces are distinct from each other culturally, linguistically and historically. South Tirol was part of Austria until it became a part of Italy after World War I. The people are largely Germanic and a majority speaks German. Ladin, an ancient Latin-based language, is also spoken in some areas. Trentino was a more grudging part of the Austrian and Austro-Hungarian empires for a century before it was returned to Italy in 1919. The Italian identity predominates here, but many people also speak German.  We have provided 2012 pricing for the self-guided option with luggage shuttle described below.

Highlights

• Uniquely beautiful mountain scenery
• Ancient and strong agricultural and crafts heritage and traditions
• A blend of Ladin and German culture combined with the more recent Italian influence

2012 Prices

$2460 per person double occupancy for 2 - 3 people

$2310 per person double occupancy for 4 - 5 people

$2160 per person double occupancy for 6 - 8 people

Single supplement: $413 (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 Val Gardena

Arrival in Italy and transfer to Val Gardena on your own. Meeting with the guide (guided option) or Bredeson Outdoor Adventures representative (self-guided option) and briefing on the itinerary.  

Day Two:  Puez-Odle: Rasciesa and Geological Phenomena

The neighboring village of Ortisei is the starting point for this hike. Ortisei is dominated is dominated by the Rasciesa, a vast, gently sloping incline culminating in a jagged 2300m crest and covered with rich pasture and wood carvers. The area provides lovely wide-ranging views that contrast with the stunning neighboring Olde group with pointed rock needles. The walk entails a panoramic traverse to a picturesque farm/rifugio, followed by a descent of great interest for geology enthusiasts as the multi-layered beds underlying the original coral deposits have been exposed on the westernmost edge of the Odle. Approx. 5 hours of hiking. Elevation gain: 150m; Elevation loss: 1000m. 

Day Three:  Sassolungo – Sassopiatto Circumnavigation

The explorers Gilbert and Churchill were already writing with amazement about this area in 1864: “Then come the gigantic masses of the Platt Kofel and Lang Kofel; the first, sliced off, as by the malice of a Titan, at a single blow; the second, an array of splintered spires, ashy-tinted or pale yellow.” Today you'll take the public bus to Passo Sella and hike under the Sassolungo and Sassopiatto to the Rifugio. Approximately 5 hours of hiking. Elevation gain: 120m.  

Day Four:  Descend to Val di Fassa

From the Rifugio you'll hike to Rifugio d’Antermoia and descend to Val di Fassa where your hotel is situated. Approximately 6 hours of hiking. Elevation gain: 300m; elevation loss: 1100m.

Day Five:  Sella Massif

Within the enormous fortress-shaped Sella massif is an excellent network of paths. Its sheer flanks are reserved for mountaineers and “via ferrata” experts. The mountain group boasts a 10,030-foot pyramidal peak, Piz Boè, which can be seen from any of the four passes that bound the Sella massif. Today’s hike will be a traverse along the south face of this incredible massif. Approximately 6 hours of hiking.  Elevation gain: 300m; Elevation loss: 1000m.

Day Six:  Pralongia Highplateau and Setsass

Dwarfed into relative insignificance by the outstanding Dolomite massifs of Lagazuoi and Conturines, the Settsass stands isolated, a jagged ridge rising out of gently rolling pasture. However it rates as one of the most amazingly panoramic formations with an easily reachable summit, Setsas – the variant spelling distinguishes the western peak from the Settsass group as a whole. The name refers to seven stones, though there are many more in fact.  From the Rifugio you'll descend to Passo Campolongo and hike up to the Pralongia Plateau. You then ascend the Piccolo Settsass (2429m) and descend to the Valparola Pass. From here you'll take a public transfer to your hotel. Approximately 6 – 7 hours of hiking. Elevation gain: 554m; Elevation loss: 625m. 

Day Seven:  Passo Cir, Forcella Ciampai & Rifugio Puez

After a public transfer to Passo Gardena you'll hike up to the Passo Cir and follow a wider trail on undulating terrain that leads to the Forcella Ciampai Pass and up to the Rifugio Puez where you can stop for lunch. Approximately 6 – 7 hours of hiking. Elevation gain: 391m; elevation loss: 954m.

Day Eight:  Departure

Breakfast and departure on your own.

Cost Includes

• 2 nights half board (breakfast and dinner) double room accommodation at a 3* hotel in Val Gardena

• 2 nights half board accommodation at the mountain inn as mentioned in the itinerary (best accommodation available)
• 1 night B&B double room accommodation at hotel 3/4* at Val di Fassa
• 2 nights half board double room accommodation at a 3* hotel in Corvara
• Luggage transfers Val Gardena/Val di Fassa/Corvara
• Italian mobile phone with 20 Euros for emergency calls
• Topographical maps
• Briefing and review of maps at the beginning of the trip with our expert local guide
• Trip Planner with cultural information, connecting and other practical information, packing list

Cost does not include

• Airfare
• Airport in/out transfers
• Public and private transfers during the trip
• Insurance
• Meals not mentioned in the "cost includes" section above and drinks and variations on the menu for included meals
• Extra activities not mentioned in the itinerary
• Showers in the rifugi where there is a charge for this
• Items of personal nature (coffee, sodas, tips etc)
• Anything not mentioned in “Cost Includes”

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