Walking Holidays in the Dolomites, Italy

Discover the majesty of Alpine Italy & the South Tyrol

A unique and flexible formula for unforgettable walking holidays in Italy’s majestic Dolomites

You choose – the dates you arrive and depart – and how to travel to us.
You choose – between delightful chalet hotels, exquisite alpine hotels or a well appointed self catering apartment.
You choose – day to day, whether to self guide or join one of five free and stunning walks organised by us daily: a high level walk, a moderate walk, an ‘easy’ walk, a wildflower walk (June & July) or a painting stroll. Other options include Via Ferrata, Glacier Treks, World War Walks, Mountain Biking, Road Cycling and various alpine activities.

In a Nutshell

Where are we? – Set against magical mountain backdrops, we are in two neighbouring villages – Badia and Corvara – in the Val Badia, one of the most beautiful valleys in the entire Alps and a paradise for high level walkers, intermediate walkers, gentle strollers, flora and fauna lovers, Via Ferrata enthusiasts and anyone seeking pure relaxation in an idyllic alpine retreat. A Unesco World Heritage site, these might be the most beautiful mountains in the world. Nowhere is more breathtaking for walking holidays in Italy. Click here for more on the Val Badia or use the side menu.

What do we do? – In a nutshell, we provide accommodation and good hospitality in our own delightful chalet hotels, two excellent local hotels and various well appointed self catering apartments. On a daily basis, we offer our guests beautiful mountain walks of varying grades and interests. We also offer unrivaled local knowledge and helpful material for self guided walking of all grades, as well as Via Ferrata and mountain bike itineraries. We can also arrange a good variety of locally supplied alpine pursuits and recommend places of interest. Read on.

The Walking in the Dolomites – Nowhere in Europe offers such good access to such an extensive network of magnificent high level, intermediate and easy waymarked walks. Flanked by two majestic National Parks to the east and west, and the colossal Sella massif and Marmolada (the Dolomites’ highest mountain at 3343m) to the south, here you will walk amidst the most spectacular peaks in the world. Moreover, the valleys that unfold beneath them are as enchanting and picturesque as anything you will find in alpine Europe. The common denominator on a walking holiday in the Dolomites is the sheer splendour of these mountains and a wealth of alpine interests, including amazing flora, fauna, birds and butterflies; exhilarating high medium level paths through WWI sites; and a fascinating fossil-rich geology. Interspersed throughout, there are the welcoming and remote rifugios, where walkers drop in for refreshment before setting out again in their various directions. Click here for more about the walking in the Dolomites or use the side menu.

High level self guided walking above Corvara & Badia in the South Tyrol

A track brings walkers back to their accommodation in Corvara

Our Organised Walks – From 31 May to 29 September we offer free, optional and stunning organised walks every day except Wednesdays. You just choose the walk that takes your fancy. Each day we offer the following: a high level classic on dramatic rocky trails (6 to 8hrs); a moderate walk, rich in flora, fauna and breathtaking mountain scenery (5 to 7hrs); an easy valley walk in woodland, meadows and on riverside trails (3 to 5hrs), a flower walk with our flower specialist (4 to 6hrs – June & July only) and, finally, a painting stroll (5 to 6hrs), on which you wander to somewhere idyllic with watercolours. Click here for more on our organised walks or use the side menu.

Self Guided Walking (& Self Guided Via Ferrata) – If you prefer to walk independently – every day or just occasionally – we are always at hand to offer help and advice. Also, our ‘Ideas & Information’ files, which are dotted around our properties, feature numerous wonderful walks (and Via Ferrata) for self guided walking, from hard high level treks to easy enchanting walks. For each walk we give the duration, height gain, degree of difficulty and a section of map. On a daily basis, you can borrow a Route Laminate for each walk. Our files also feature scenic drives, places of interest, bike rides, ideas for rainy days (as if!) and other days out. Click here for more on self guided walking (and Via Ferrata) or use the side menu.

Other Walks & Activities – At a supplement we offer Guided Via Ferrata, First World War Walks and Glacier Treks. We can help you hire a mountain bike and propose one of many itineraries that make this a supreme mountain biking destination. Over the years we have worked closely with local suppliers of alpine activities, so we can easily help you partake in pursuits, such as canyoning, tandem paragliding, high ropes, whitewater rafting, horseriding and more.
Click here for more on alpine activities or use the side menu.

Planning Your Days at Office Hour – Over maps and a relaxing pre-dinner drink you can plan your days at Office Hour each early evening except Wednesdays. Our walkers will tell you about the organised walks they are offering the following day and you can either choose to join them or they can help you plan a self guided walking itinerary. At Office Hour, we can also book locally-supplied alpine activities for you or recommend places of interest and other days out. Office Hour is a popular Collett’s institution and often guests just drop in for a sociable drink.
Click here for more on Office Hour or see ‘Planning Your Days’ in the side menu.

On an easier organised walk
in the Val Badia

Self Guided Walking above Corvara
in the South Tyrol

On an organised walk close to the Sella Massif near Corvara

Arrive and Depart Any Day – On a Collett’s holiday in the Italian Dolomites you can arrive and depart on the dates of your choice, perhaps making your walking holiday with us part of a wider holiday itinerary. Travel to us as you wish either fly-driving, self-driving or using our daily airport transfer service to and from Venice and Treviso.
Click here for more on travel or use the side menu.

Our Accommodation – We have four superbly located and well appointed chalet hotels with attractive en suite bedrooms, excellent cuisine, superb hospitality and amazing views. We also offer two exquisite mountain hotels, run charmingly by the families that own them. Finally, there are excellent self catering options. Wherever you stay, a Collett’s Office Hour will take place nearby, so it is easy for you to plan your days. You will also be within easy walking distance of the picturesque and charming village centres, as well as the starting point of many memorable walks.
Click here for more on our accommodation or use the side menu.

Chalet Verana in Corvara is an excellent base for walking holidays

On an Organised Walk between Corvara & Badia in the South Tyrol

Lazy Days & Places of Interest – Lazy days are fine by us and some days you might choose to do nothing, simply relaxing on the sun terrace of your accommodation with a good book and a view to die for. Guests at our chalet hotels are welcome to stay in during the day and treat them like home; relax in the garden or on the sun terrace, helping yourself to complimentary tea or coffee – or something stronger from the bar. This is such an inspiring place to relax in and in five minutes you can wander to a secluded and tranquil spot with a sensational view. If you have a car, we can tell you about many places of cultural and historic interest you can visit. The journeys to such places are as scenic as the destinations themselves.

In short – Day to day you choose the walks (or activities and other days out) that take your fancy. Walking is the main attraction and you can do this either in the company of like-minded guests on organised walks or on a self guided basis – or a mix of both. Whilst people on holiday together with the same interests will inevitably enjoy wonderful days out with each other, those who travel together and have different interests or fitness levels can do different things yet still enjoy the same holiday. Either way, with Collett’s you will get the best out of an area, where there is so much to see and do.

I cannot praise Collett’s highly enough for providing a superb mountain holiday experience. The whole concept has clearly been well thought through with every aspect – information, accommodation, walks etc. provided to an excellent standard and thus making an exceptional mountain holiday so easily achievable. I would struggle to think of anything which could be improved. Thank you!

John Harrison, June 2012