Walking in the Dolomites in Comfort

Welcome to Cortina d'Ampezzo, a vibrant mountain town nestled in Italy’s Dolomites and known for its alpine charm. Surrounded by dramatic peaks, this fashionable resort has long drawn outdoor enthusiasts in both winter and summer months. Make your own way to Cortina. There are up to 4 direct buses a day from Venice Marco Polo Airport, arriving conveniently into town. Cortina is easy to explore on foot. Stroll along Corso Italia, the main pedestrian street lined with boutiques, pizzerias, cafés and the popular, old-fashioned Cortina department store. If you're eager to stretch your legs after travelling, you’ll find scenic paths close to the town centre. Accommodation: Stay in a welcoming and comfortable hotel located just 200m from the Faloria Cableway and 150m from Corso Italia, ideally positioned for tomorrow's start.

Today offers you a choice between two rewarding routes: a scenic high-level walk through dramatic Dolomite landscapes or a gentler hike with the help of public transport and a cable car. Either way, you’ll be immersed in spectacular alpine scenery and the historic WWI remnants that define this region. >> High Route via Forcella Lagazuoi Option: After a short bus ride from Cortina, begin your climb from Rifugio Dibona along a trail beneath the towering Tofana di Rozes (3219m) and Tofana di Mezzo (3240m). The path leads across a high traverse with occasional gullies that require care, offering sweeping views across the Dolomites. Continue to the Forcella Lagazuoi pass, a key location during the First World War. You’ll pass crumbling trench lines, fortresses, and wartime rubble, not shaped by glaciers but by the devastating mine blasts of 1915–16. From the pass, descend to a picturesque alpine lake before a steeper section brings you to Rifugio Scotoni; an ideal rest stop for coffee and homemade strudel. The final descent follows the stream into the peaceful hamlet of Armentarola, near San Cassiano. >> Easier Route with Cable Car Support: Prefer to skip the climb? Take the bus directly to Passo Falzarego and ride the Lagazuoi cable car up to the mountain refuge. From the top, enjoy views and WWI landmarks before walking down to join the main route. This alternative saves almost all the ascent while still offering rich scenery and historical highlights. >> If conditions are poor or you’d prefer not to walk today, it may be possible to travel with your luggage to Armentarola. Please arrange this well in advance. Accommodation: Stay in a well-appointed hotel in the rural location of San Cassian. The hotel has an indoor swimming pool and a sauna. Approx. ascent: 75-1024m / descent 1104m

Today’s walk is a complete contrast to the rocky terrain of previous days, with soft alpine pastures, forested trails and wide-open ridgelines. You’ll enjoy more gentle walking through classic Dolomites scenery, with sweeping views, charming mountain huts, and the flexibility to tailor the distance and effort to suit your pace. From your hotel in Armentarola, begin the day by crossing meadows and gently climbing through larch and pine forests. Reach the panoramic ridge of Pralongià, where a welcoming mountain restaurant awaits, the freshly baked apfelstrudel here is a local favourite. Continue to Col Alt (1983m), another scenic stop with a gondola station and a café offering superb views of the Tofana and Sella massifs, tomorrow’s destination. From Col Alt, you have two main choices. You can walk down to Corvara and then for about 3km with a gradual uphill walk on to Colfosco, or you can take the gondola(s) down to Corvara and then either walk or take another gondola to reach Colfosco. This is a relaxed way to enjoy the scenery while conserving energy. You spend two nights in Colfosco, which is set beneath soaring peaks. It is a picturesque village with a historic church, several small shops, a supermarket and a few cafés and restaurants, ideal for a gentle wander or an evening meal. >> In wet conditions, the trails can become muddy and slippery. If this were to be the case you could opt for an amended hike or travel by road to Colfosco. Accommodation: For two nights, stay in a welcoming hotel, offering beautiful landscapes right at your doorstep. Approx. ascent: 715m / descent: 708m

Enjoy a free day in the picturesque village of Colfosco for a well deserved break or choose from some rewarding walks. If the weather is good, we recommend taking a morning bus up the short distance to Passo Gardena and then walking up to Sas Ciampac (2672m). This is a fantastic walking peak high above Colfosco and you will find an impressive picnic spot on the summit. The descent takes you down into a glaciated valley where you might see Edelweiss flowers. You should get back to your accommodation by mid afternoon. 10 km, Approx. ascent: 570m / descent: 1060m, 4.5 h. >> You can also walk up and round Passo Gardena through forests and pastures, doing a loop back to Colfosco. 11.3km Approx. ascent: 660m / descent 660m, 4 h. >> You may also just feel like enjoying the ambiance of Colfosco, perhaps walk up past the church to the Refuge Edelweiss for lunch?

Today you can choose between a dramatic high-level alpine walk or a gentler route along lanes and forest paths. Both offer a rewarding day in the Dolomites, with flexibility depending on weather and energy. >> The high-level route climbs steeply through forest into rocky glacial terrain, leading to the Franz Kostner Refuge at 2500m. From here, enjoy sweeping views of Piz Boè and the Marmolada. It’s an ideal rest stop for a hearty lunch or warming Jaeger tea. The descent into Arabba is steep in places, with a short section of cable handrail, and passes the inviting Rifugio Boè before dropping into the valley. If preferred, you can shorten the climb by taking the Boè gondola from Corvara, and potentially even the Lech Boè chairlift, this cuts out most of the ascent while still delivering the views. >> The lower route follows quiet backroads from Corvara to the Campolongo Pass. From here, a steep path leads directly down into Arabba. This is a more relaxed option and one you may consider in poor weather. In which case it may be reassuring to know there is a direct bus service between Corvara and Arabba. Accommodation: Stay at a cozy, family-run hotel known for its warm hospitality and traditional Alpine charm, offering comfortable rooms with rustic wooden furnishings and modern amenities. The hotel features a relaxing wellness area and a restaurant serving hearty regional cuisine. Approx. ascent: 453-1028m / descent: 461-997m

After breakfast, a transfer takes you back to Cortina (1hr), where you’ll arrive with time to enjoy the afternoon at your own pace. You can explore the town’s shops and cafés or choose from two scenic walks. >> The first option is a circular walk from Cortina, climbing through forest to the viewpoint at Col Druscié. From the top, there are expansive views across Cortina and towards Monte Cristallo. If you'd prefer a gentler version of this walk, take the gondola up and walk back down. This route is 12.3km and takes around 3¾ hours. Approx. ascent: 619m / descent: 619m. >> The second option begins with a short bus ride to Fiames. From there, follow forest paths to the Cascate di Fanes, one of the Dolomites' most beautiful waterfalls. It’s an easier walk overall, with a short steep section that is rooty in places. The Fanes Waterfalls are a stunning series of waterfalls located in the heart of the Dolomites. Known for their dramatic drops and crystal-clear waters, they are accessible via a scenic hike through the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park. The route continues back into Cortina, covering 16.4km in about 4¾ hours. Approx. ascent: 333m / descent: 420m. Accommodation: Return to your Cortina hotel for a your 2 final nights in the mountains.

This final walk is one of the most iconic hikes in the Dolomites. After a 30-minute bus ride, begin your steady climb into the spectacular and dramatic Tre Cime mountain group: three striking, vertical towers that dominate the skyline. The trail unfolds quietly, with the peaks revealing themselves gradually as you gain height. The route leads to Rifugio Locatelli, perfectly placed for a scenic lunch stop with views over the northern face of the towers. From here, descend around the base of Tre Cime to reach Rifugio Auronzo, where a transfer (incl) returns you to Cortina. This is a fitting finale to your Dolomites journey, offering big mountain views, rich alpine scenery and a real sense of reward. Approx. ascent: 1160m/descent: 267m

After breakfast, depart for your onward journey.