WALKING IN THE DOLOMITES	price from 598 €
Dolomites - Independent walking - 8 days

If you are a lover of nature and a lover of mountains, then this is definitely a holiday for you. The mountains in the summer are a super place to escape to and on this holiday you will be spoiled with a combination of idyllic mountain lakes, lush mountain pastures, green forests and the legendary Dolomites, plus your walk will take you through three natural parks. The Dolomites, as everyone knows, has been declared a Natural World Heritage site and for good reason. You will begin your holiday with Sexton, the valley of the mountain climbers and mountain guides. An excursion to the “Drei Zinnen” or world famous three peaks, is a must. All those who believe that nothing more can top this experience, be well advised that high above Cortina, the pearl of the Dolomites, you can take in some of the most striking summits. Finally, you are greeted by Lake Prags “Pragser Wildsee”, in whose crystal clear waters you can admire the reflections of the Seekofels Mountain. This is an easy and accessible walking holiday with well-marked routes. It is suitable for anyone in good basic physical condition.

Program

Day 1 Arrival in the Alta Pusteria/Pusteria Valley Arrive and settle in to your hotel in the Pusteria Valley (Toblach, Niederdorf). There is a private car park close to the hotel included in the cost.

Day 2 Alta Pusteria to Sexten via Helm After a transfer to Sexten, a cable car will take you up the “Helm” mountain. On your walk along the “Karnischer Kamm” you can enjoy an exclusive view of the Dolomites from the opposite side including the famous Sexten “Sonnenuhr”, a group of peaks forming an almost perfect sun-dial. Once over the “Klammbachalm” (or mountain pasture), you will comfortably hike down through the valley to your hotel in Sexten. Walkers can choose an easier variation of today’s walking route: Take the transfer to Innichen from where you can walk along forest trails and turn inwards along the Sexten valley renowned for producing numerous mountain climbing dynasties such as the Innerkofler family. Distance: 13km or 8km Timing: Approximately 5 hours or 3 hours for the shorter route Altitude: Approximately 450m or 200m for the shorter route

Day 3 Sexten circular walk Today’s walk begins at the Rotwandwiesen, an alpine pasture surrounded by the Dolomite mountain peaks. Below the Sexten Rotwand, the walking route leads the way to the Kreuzbergpass, where the provincial border between the provinces of Bozen-South Tyrol and Belluno is located. You will continue with the walk to Nemesalm before returning to Sexten. This is a wonderfully varied walk allowing you to experience the forests, marshes and glades of this beautiful region, all with the Dolomites serving as your backdrop. Timing: Approximately 5 hours Distance: 15km Altitude: Approximately 400m

Day 4 Sexten to Misurina, taking in Drei Zinnen The day begins with an easy walk through one of the finest Valleys, the “Fischleintal” within the Sexten Natural Park. At the elevated “Talschlusshütte” (“End-of-the-valley-hut”) at the foot of the “Einserkofels” summit, the hike continues along “Altensteintal” in the direction of the “Paternkofel” summit, the region where severe fighting took place during the First World War. Appearing from nowhere, you are suddenly faced with the “Drei Zinnen”, the most well-known rock formation in the Dolomites, also known as the ‘three peaks’. After enjoying the views of the Drei Zinnen, you will take the bus from Auronzo to Misurina where at the picturesque lake you can finish off the day with an ice cream or an Italian Cappuccino. Distance: 16km Timing: Approximately 6 hours Altitude: 1400m

Day 5 Misurina to Cortina d'Ampezzo Today begins with a transfer to “Passo Tre Croci”. The walk then leads you through the Sorapis Mountain Range, located above the major resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo. The panorama has an understated elegance and is simply incredible. The gigantic rocks of the Ampezzaner Dolomites push high into the sky. The Monte Cristallo, the Tofane mountain and the Fanes Range are the principal performers in this spectacular play. By train or by foot, you will be captivated upon reaching Cortina with its unique position surrounded by the well-known summits. It is worth ending the day with a stroll along the “Corso Italia” amidst rows of exclusive shops and grand hotels. Distance: 6km Timing: Approximately 3 hours Altitude: 500m

Day 6 Cortina - Platzweise/Prags This is a superb day with the opportunity to walk through the largest Natural Park in the Dolomites “Fanes Sennes Prags” . The alpine pasture “Plätzwiese”, together with the Hohe Gaisl and the Kreuzkofelgruppe, count as the most treasured and revered hiking areas in the country. The unusual flora and natural lakes have an incredible charm that makes this a day to really enjoy. Distance: 12km Timing: Approximately 5 hours Altitude: 850m

Day 7 Platzweise/Prags to Neiderdorf/Toblach Today’s walk in the Prags Valley takes place alongside the imposing mountain walls of the smaller Gaisl mountain down to the idyllic “Pragser Wildsee”. The valley has much to offer with its coniferous forests, the white walls of the mountainsides and the crystal clear turquoise waters of the lake. You will be transferred in the late afternoon to the hotel from your first day of arrival in Niederdorf/ Toblach. Distance: 13km Timing: Approximately 5.5 hours Altitude: 550m

Day 8 End of your holiday After breakfast your holiday will end. Unless you decide to extend!