3
moderate
Activities
  • self guided walk
Accommodation
  • 7 nights in mountain huts & guesthouse B&Bs
Meals
  • 4 Dinners
  • 6 Lunches
  • 7 Breakfasts

8 Days£1240GBP

View Inclusions

Overview

Trip Code: AVD

Trip highlights

  • Magnificent views, wild open spaces, mountain lakes, jagged peaks
  • Regional culinary delights including delicious cheeses, carne salada, polenta, mushrooms, speck and outstanding wines
  • Enjoying beautiful hikes around 2000m elevation
  • Staying in comfortable family-run accommodation
  • Friendly locals with a unique cultural heritage

Enjoy exhilarating hikes through a magnificent nature reserve with stunning landscapes of the Dolomites dramatic limestone mountains and snow-capped peaks, picture-perfect alpine pastures and idyllic meadows. This unique German-speaking part of Italy boasts an exceptional cuisine, a rich variety of wildlife including marmots and chamois, and an extraordinary variety of flowers which bloom in their thousands in spring and summer. Beginning in Plätzwiese, you walk across the Fanes-Sennes Nature Reserve to St Vigilio di Marebbe, staying overnight in beautifully located mountain huts where hearty meals provide you with energy for the breathtaking walks.

Countries:

Italy

Starting Point:

Plätzwiese / Prato Piazza

Finishing Point:

San Vigilio di Marebbe

Itinerary

Expand all | Collapse all

Make your own way to Plätzwiese / Prato Piazza, and check-in at the accommodation. For the rest of the day and evening enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the Dolomites. Overnight Rifugio Platzwiese, where the views stretch from the Cristallo Massif to the Hohe Gaisl peak. We can assist with a private transfer from Dobbiaco to Pratopiazza on request, please ask our consultants.

Meals:  D

Today you can choose among several hiking itineraries. You can ascend the Strudelkopf (2307m) for excellent views on the Drei Zinnen or go for a tour through the rolling Stollaplatz and Stolla-Alm. Or both walks as they are relatively short. Overnight Rifugio Platzwiese. Distance: 5.9-8.3km/3.7-5.2mi, ascent/descent: +/-250m/820ft or +/-350m/1148ft

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast you start the days walk with a descent via the spectacular Val dei Canope to Cimabanche. After a short walk along the road you climb through Val de Gotres towards Forcella Lerosa, a meadow plateau surrounded by beautiful mountain peaks. After a steep descent through a forest, you begin the final climb through the lovely Val Salata and reach Sennes. Overnight Rifugio Sennes (at 2126m). 17.5km/10.9mi, ascent/descent: +985m/3231ft -834m/2736ft

Meals:  B,L

The walk today takes you through plateaus and valleys above the tree line surrounded by mountain vistas. This short hike can be extended with a climb to the Muntejela de Senes peak (2887m). The view from the peak is stunning. Overnight Rifugio Sennes. 7.2km/4.5mi, ascent/descent: +345m/1131ft -330m/1082ft

Meals:  B,L

Today's varied route initially follows the Dolomite Höhenweg/Alta via Dolomiti, maintaining a roughly constant elevation. After this, you descend to the beautifully located Lago de Foses and then to the lovely Valon Scuro. On the other side of the valley, you climb back up towards the Lago Le Casun and further to Fodara Vedla, a picturesque village and a nice place for a break. After a long, steep descent to the Pederü hut, you start the final ascent to the Fanes Plateau. If the weather is bad, the route can be shortened (by 11km) by taking the dirt road that goes to Rifugio Fodara Vedla, then on to Rifugio Pederù avoiding lakes. Overnight Rifugio Fanes Hutte. 19.7km/12.3mi, ascent/descent: +1000m/3280ft -900m/2952

Meals:  B,L,D

Today you can choose between two alternative all-day hikes. *L’Ciaval loop via de Ju de la Crusc (6.5hrs): This all day route takes you up a steep, wooded hillside to the bare, rocky expanse of the Fanes plateau. At Ju d’la Crusc you reach the edge of the plateau, where you can enjoy dramatic vistas over the valley below. You can optionally extend the hike with a climb up to the L’Ciaval peak. *Fanes loop via Bivacco alla Pace (6hrs): This hike starts with a short steep section that takes you to Limo Lake, from where it becomes a comfortable walk along an unpaved road winding its way through pleasant alpine scenery, then climbing above the tree line on a rocky and lose gravel trail to the foot of the dramatic Monte Castello outcrop where the small bivacco (bivouac) is located. The views of the underlying rocky valleys are breathtaking. The track was originally a WWI military road bring supplies to the Front. Close to Monte Castello there can be sections of snow, walking poles are very useful. Overnight Rifugio Fanes Hutte. 17.3 or 16.6km/10.8 or 10.4mi, ascent/descent: +1069m/2507ft or 1235m/4051ft -1076m/3530ft or 1235m/4051ft

Meals:  B,L,D

Descend from the Fanes Plateau to the lovely Val di Marebbe. You first climb steeply to Anthoius Joch, with a difficult descent over a debris slope. After that, you continue over a wide path through the village of Wengen/ La Valle to Crusc de Rit, with beautiful views on the way. You then descend through forests and meadows to San Vigilio di Marebbe and your B&B accommodation. 20.8 or 18.8km/13 or 11.75mi, ascent/descent: +600m/1968ft -1450m/4757ft

Meals:  B,L

The trip concludes after breakfast in San Vigilio di Marebbe. We can assist with a private transfer from San Vigilio to Brunico train station, or from San Vigilio back to Platzwiese/Prato Piazza - please ask our consultants for details.

Meals:  B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.

Inclusions

What's included

  • 7 breakfasts, 6 packed lunches and 4 dinners
  • 7 nights in mountain huts & B&B guesthouse on a twin share basis, at times with private facilities (Rifugi Sennes & Fanes Hutte have shared facilities)
  • Digital information pack including smartphone app with maps and route book.
  • Luggage transfers when moving between accommodations (days 3, 5, 7) - max 1 piece, max weight 15kg.
  • Emergency hotline

  • Travel to Plätzwiese / Prato Piazza and from San Vigilio di Marebba
  • Meals not listed as included, drinks
  • Travel insurance - mandatory
  • Guide - this is a self guided trip
  • Transfers not listed as included
  • Sleep sheet & towel for rifugios (can hire locally)
  • Optional arrival transfer from Dobbiaco to Plätzwiese / Prato Piazza, optional departure transfer San Vigilio to Brunico or Plätzwiese / Prato Piazza
  • Excess luggage
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Tourist tax - allow EUR20 per person, payable directly to the accommodation hosts

Suitability

moderate

3

MODERATE – GRADE 3 The trip is graded moderate with daily walks of 2.5 to 7 hours, with options to shorten on some days. You follow either gravel roads or well-marked hiking trails. The routes described here sometimes involve steeper ascents, but can be walked without problems by a reasonably fit adult. On some occasions there are optional opportunities for climbing local peaks; these are obviously more difficult trails, suitable only for experienced mountain hikers. Bear in mind the altitude is always around 2000m and the terrain is sometimes rocky and slippery. Conditions can change rapidly in this mountain environment - you should always check with your host before setting out each day.

Departure dates

Daily from 23 Jun to 15 Sep

Notes

Note:
This trip is not suitable for solo travellers. Please contact our team for alternative tour suggestions.

Priceper person from

£1240GBP

Options & Supplements*
    *Prices listed are per person

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