Walking the Dolomites of Alta Badia
8 Days Starting and ending in Italy
Visiting: Italy
Tour operator:
Tour code:
W07DS
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Trip Styles:
Activities:
Tour Overview
This single centre, self-guided walking week gives easy access to some of the most stunning alpine scenery. Picture postcard villages surrounded by alpine meadows and the jagged limestone mountains of the UNESCO Dolomites.
Itinerary
Arrive at your hotel in Armentarola, San Cassiano. As you're at the same hotel all week the below itinerary is only a suggestion and you can, of course do any walk on any day.
Day 2: Pralongia Walk 15km/9.5mi/5hr or 17km/10.5mi/5.5hr
From the hotel, you ascend steadily along peaceful country lanes, through pine forest and up onto high alpine meadows with spectacular views of the surrounding Dolomites mountain ranges. Either enjoy a picnic en route or when you reach the mountain hut at Pralongia, take time over lunch and soaking up the mountain panorama. Return to San Cassiano for the hotel shuttle or walk back to the hotel.
Day 3: Santa Croce and Badia Walk 14km/9mi/5hr or 13km/8mi/4.5hr
Walk directly from the hotel or take the shuttle to San Cassiano. This pilgrimage route first skirts above the village then heads through some delightful pine woods. Along the route you pass depictions of the last hours of Jesus Christ's life on earth before you reach the church at Santa Croce with its amazing backdrop and views across the valley and the village of Badia. Descend to Badia and take the bus back to the hotel.
Day 4: San Cassiano to Corvara Walk 11km/7mi/3.5hr or 16km/10mi/5.5hr
Enjoy truly spectacular scenery on this favourite Alta Badia trail. You can start the day with a gondola lift or you can climb the first 5km through pine forest and alpine meadows. Once up at the top there are fabulous views ahead to the Marmolada mountains, the highest in the Dolomites, and behind as far as the Austrian Alps in the distance. At some points you have the most incredible 360-degree panoramic views. Continue on with a variety of mountain hut options for lunch then descend to Corvara for a well-deserved drink before catching the bus back to the hotel.
Day 5: Two Lakes of Badia Walk 10km/6mi/3.5hr
A short bus trip to Badia before this lovely walk takes you to two small lakes close to Badia with the fabulous backdrop of the Somamunt, Col Plo Alt and Pre Janin mountains. There are some wonderful views over the village and across the valley to the Santa Croce mountain as you head to Lech dla Lunch (pronounced lek-dela-loonk). Bring a picnic and you could even stop here for loonk! A steep climb sets you on your way to Lech da Sompunt and its delightful swans. Descend back to Badia passing through tiny hamlets and take the bus back.
Day 6: Valparola Pass Walk 7km/4mi/2.5hr + extensions
Today you head up to one of the key strategic passes from WW1 the Passo Valparola for fabulous views over the San Cassiano valley. Heading through the delightful Pre de Costa meadows, and past the Malghe Valparola, you head up towards the pass. When you get there, you may want to stop for refreshments at the rifugio at the top. You can make this a history trip and continue on to the nearby WW1 museum or even to Passo Falzarego and a cable car up to the top of Lagazuoi one of the most fiercely fought over mountains in the Dolomites. Another alternative is a tough 12km walk across towards the Setsas mountain with more fabulous views and back to the hotel.
Day 7: Fanes Natural Park Walk 15km/9.5mi/6hr or 10km/6mi/4.5hr
Definitely worth the wait - the Fanes Natural Park is a huge expanse of outstanding natural beauty. You can either walk directly from the hotel or get the shuttle to the Capanna Alpina hut before starting the steep climb up to the panoramic Col de Locia. The verdant plateau beyond (Plan de Ciaulunch) and the climb up to the Forcela dl Lech provide awe-inspiring views of the surrounding mountains and a sparkling, aquamarine mountain lake. You need a head for heights on this one as you descend via two steep gorges, with well trodden paths, to the Scotoni mountain hut and down a spectacular ski slope to the start point.
Day 8: Leave San Cassiano
Meals
4 nights on Half Board and 3 nights on B+B
Accommodation
Ciasa Salares (4 star)
Ciasa Salares, your home for the week, is located just a short walk (or even shorter shuttle/bus ride) from the centre of San Cassiano. Run by the Wieser family, Stefan, Wilma and their son Jan Clemens, who is passionate about the hotels fantastic wine cellar, the hotel combines alpine chic in the dcor with good old-fashioned hospitality. The hotel's three restaurants include an informal wine bar, a main restaurant and tables in the wine cellar. There are also two other very special rooms the Cheese Room and the Chocolate Room, used for tastings, individual courses during meals and special occasions. Complimentary grappa tasting is available once a week, as well as one glass of wine and cheese tasting in the wine cellar. You will also get 4 half board meals included at the half board restuarant. Customers wishing to eat at one of the other two restaurants at the hotel can use their 'credit' from the half board menu and pay any difference locally. Drinks are always excluded. Other facilities include a library and lounge, a luxurious spa with indoor swimming pool, relaxation area, treatment rooms (3), sauna, steam room and an outdoor hot tub with fabulous alpine views to soak away those aching limbs after a day of skiing and walking. Headwater customers get free spa access (spa treatments available for a supplement). The hotel offers a free shuttle service to San Cassiano (village and the main Piz Surega lift) as well as to the Capanna Alpina restaurant for the Fanes Natural Park walk. E-mountain bikes are available to hire for additional charge (payable locally.)
Travel
British Airways Heathrow to Venice Marco Polo 08:55/12:05 (22nd June - EasyJet Gatwick to Venice Marco Polo 08:35/11:55) then transfer to hotel 2hrs 30 min. Transfer to Airport 2 hrs 50 mins then British Airways Venice Marco Polo to Heathrow 13:10/14:30 (29th June - EasyJet Venice Marco Polo to Gatwick 15:45/17:00).
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