Dolomites

The Dolomites has a multi-faceted culture and history that is reflected in each village we visit, and we make sure to provide you with the most authentic experience of the region possible through the hotels and B&Bs we offer. Hotels and chalets are available in the larger villages, while agriturismos (working farms with accommodations similar to B&Bs) are more common in rural areas. And we always make sure you have access to inspired regional cuisine, and the best panoramas you can get in the Dolomites!

Rifugi – or mountain huts in English – are the classic accommodation for hikers, climbers, mountaineers, and ski mountaineers in the Alps. Set in spectacular locations high in the Dolomites, rifugi are accessible only on foot (with a few exceptions that are reachable by car). These marvelous establishments are open primarily in the summer, with a select few in winter, and offer meals and sleeping facilities.

The Dolomite rifugi are considered the best in the Alps. While some are dormitory style with bunk beds, many meet the standard of a simple guest house with private rooms and en-suite bathrooms, and each has its own unique character and charm. Bedding and linens are provided, hot showers are available, and meals are served in common dining areas – like a small mountain inn set high in the mountains with the most incredible vistas in the Dolomites. Whether you’re hiking in summer or skiing in winter, an overnight rifugio stay is not to miss on a Dolomite holiday.

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• Day Pack: approximately 30L recommended. RadGlobalAdventures, LLC will provide a duffel bag for you. The duffel is carried by the porters, you carry your day pack with snacks, water and layers.
• Camera
• Reading & Writing Material
• Small binoculars
• First-Aid Kit: Should contain chapstick, sunblock, insect repellent, Ibuprofen, Band Aids, Acetazolamide, Zofran, anti-histamine, and Imodium, as well as any personal medication.
• Wet Wipes: Can be purchased in Kathmandu or in villages during your trek.
• Travel Documents: Passport (wise to carry copies as well), visa (purchased upon arrival at the airport), travel insurance (we recommend Travel Guard), paper copies of airline itinerary.
• Pocket Knife
• Spare Boot Laces
• Down Sleeping Bag: Provided by us, but feel free to bring your own if you like.
• Light-Weight Towel
• Alarm Clock
• Headlamp
• Two Wide-Mouth Water Bottles: Nalgene or similar.
• Warm Hat
• Sunhat or Bandana
• Sunglasses
• Liner Gloves
• Medium-Weight Gloves
• Light Mittens
• Heavy Duty Trash Bags: To waterproof your duffel bag (one duffel bag is provided to each trekker for trekking).
• Sewing Kit
• Shell Jacket: With generous pit zips.
• Shell Pants: With full-length leg zips preferred.
• Comfortable and Sturdy Walking Shoes
• Comfortable and Warm Trekking Boots: Mountaineering boots are not needed.
• Liner Socks
• Medium-Weight Wool Socks
• Thick Expedition-Weight Wool Socks: ensure these fit with your boot combination.
• Running Shoes or Sandals: For the evening.
• Midlayer: Light down or fleece.
• T Shirts: 2 or 3 (no cotton).
• Long-Sleeved Shirt
• Trekking Pants
• Long Underwear: Top and bottom

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Day 1

Arrive in Cortina d’Ampezzo (1,224m / 4,016') on your own and check into your hotel (private transfer available on request). Cortina d’Ampezzo is a charming alpine resort town surrounded by stunning peaks. Host to the 1956 Winter Olympics, Cortina enjoys a reputation for great skiing in winter, and in the summer attracts hikers and climbers who challenge the rocky faces of the nearby mountains. This chic Venetian town also caters to the high society crowd, offering many year-round social activities, shopping, and fine dining. Depending on when you arrive, you may have time for a hike or to explore Cortina d’Ampezzo’s pedestrian walkway, the Corso Italia, lined with restaurants and cafes, antique shops, art galleries, and boutiques.

Day 2

In the morning meet your UIAGM/IFMGA Professional Mountain Guide for a trip briefing and orientation, and to check-out the ferrata equipment you will use for your exciting days in the Dolomites. Your guide will be with you all the way to teach you the basics of traveling over the near vertical walls. Take a private transfer to Rifugio Dibona and enjoy your first via ferrata adventure day.

Ra Pegna (~2,500m / 8,200') is a cylindrical tower, one of two rocky towers that rise up at the foot of Punta Anna and the Pomedes tower in the spectacular Tofana Group. This is a great relaxed and easy alternative to the more demanding via ferrate in the area. The route ascends the side of the boulder with no major obstacles or difficulties, and enables first time climbers – including children! – to reach the top in just over one hour. What’s more? The summit offers great views and photo opportunities of the nearby peaks. When you descend, after the initial downhill section there is a short, sturdy ladder to connect with a well marked trail to Rifugio Pomedes (2,203m / 7,228’).

(1 hour ascending an easy 200m / 656' via ferrata. Total 100m / 328' ascent and descent.)

Ra Bujela (2,257m / 7,405') is an easy via ferrata is located in the vicinity of Rifugio Pomedes and Rifugio Duca D’Aosta. The first section of this ferrata is the most demanding of the entire route; steep with some exposed passages on solid rock. Once you have reached the first bridge (7m / 23' long) the climb becomes easier, and by the time you reach the second bridge (3m / 10' long), you will be presented with an amazing view over the nearby Dolomites peaks that will certainly make the climb feel worth it! The ferrata continues with a steel cable (370m / 1,214') to the right that will lead you to the summit. Note the peak is small, and only 3-4 people can stand on it at the same time! Descend beginning using the summit cable, and continue to descend to the meadows below the tower.

(1.5 hours ascending an easy 150m / 495' via ferrata. Total 100m / 328' ascent and 150m / 495' descent)

Because of their great location and short distance covered, these via ferratas can be combined with the nearby “fixed rope” Sentiero Astaldi trail.

Day 3

Hike to the beginning of Via Ferrata Col dei Bos. This Via Ferrata is not marked on older maps or guide books (it’s quite new, it was made by Italian Alpine Troops in 2009), and it is used by the Alpine Military for training purposes to this day. The first part is the most challenging section, but it gradually gets easier at about 80m / 262', where you reach a wide ledge, a short wall and several manageable slopes. The pleasant climb continues on to another demanding wall and then a nice, easy grassy section. The final 100m / 328' section of the ferrata contains a few vertical segments, however there are plenty of available holds to assist, making it quite a safe and enjoyable journey. More spectacular views await you at the 2,559m / 8,396' summit and cross, where you can rest in the scenic meadows and admire the summit of the Ampezzo Basin, before returning to your rifugio by hiking on a spectacular and panoramic trail at the foot of Tofana di Rozes. (Hiking: 4-5 hours hiking 8km / 5 miles. Via Ferrata: ascending a moderate 400m / 1,312' via ferrata. Total 500m / 1,640' ascent and descent.)

Day 4

Today you have the choice of two different via ferrata. The selection will depend on your ability and comfort level, weather conditions, and the recommendations of your guide.

Option: Via Ferrata Punta Anna
Ascend the Via Ferrata Punta Anna (2,731m / 8,960'). The hike towards the via ferrata is on the panoramic Sentiero Attrezzato Astaldi. This area is of great geologic interest: it traverses along at the very bottom edge of the steep cliffs of Punta Anna, at the juncture where the steep cliffs give way to colourful slopes of softer rock. From the summit of Punta Anna, descend on a short via ferrata (2,580m / 8,465'), followed by an amazing hike down the soft and steep scree of Bus de Tofana to Rifugio Dibona. Transfer to Cortina d’Ampezzo. (5 hours hiking 9km / 6 miles and ascending a challenging 440m / 1,444' via ferrata. Total 528m / 1,732' ascent, 1,197m / 3,927' descent.)

Option: Via Ferrata Giovanni Lipella
Ths is a challenging, full-day climb of one of the most beautiful peaks of the Dolomites. From the rifugio, you head towards the south face of the Tofana di Rozes (3,225m / 10,581'). The trail runs along the base of the mountain westwards past the entrance of the Castelletto Tunnel, which was used by the Italian army in 1917 to blow up the peak of the Castelletto di Tofana where an Austrian Kaiserjäger position was based. You’ll go through the tunnel by “torch” (headlamp), and then start to climb the west face of the giant Tofana di Rozes on the Via Ferrata Giovanni Lipella. Continuing on the via ferrata you reach the top by following a sharp edge, where early summer travellers might find snow. Descend to Rifugio Giussani along the normal route, and take a private transfer to Cortina. (Full day hiking 9km / 6 miles and ascending a challenging 600m / 1,969' via ferrata. Total 894m / 2,993' ascent, 1,563m / 5,128' descent. Note: a shorter 5-hour option is available.)

Day 5

Breakfast and departure on your own (private transfer available on request).

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Included Meals

All breakfasts

Dinners in refugio

Hotels & Tea Houses

2 nights accommodation in 4-star B&B in Cortina d'Ampezzo

2 nights accommodation in rifugio (shared dormitories)

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Included

• Trip briefing
• Logistics and map of the area
• 2 nights accommodation in 4-star B&B in Cortina d'Ampezzo
• 2 nights accommodation in rifugio (shared dormitories)
• All breakfasts
• Dinners in rifugio
• Local English speaking Professional UIAGM/IFMGA Mountain Guide
• Via ferrata equipment
• Private transfer during the itinerary
• Duffel bag transfer to rifugio
• A €15 donation to Wow Nature’s reforestation projects makes your trip carbon-neutral
• Local tourist tax
• Italian VAT tax

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