Cortina to Tre Cime Hut-to-Hut Walking Holiday

Travel to the Dolomites. Make your own way to Cortina d’Ampezzo by public transport, hire car, or optional private transfer direct to your first hotel. At 1200m, and nestled close to the great Dolomite peaks, this vibrant alpine gem has sensational backdrops. Private transfers are also available from Venice Treviso or Innsbruck – please contact us for details.
Accommodation: 3* Hotel in Cortina (B&B)

15km, Walking Time 6-7hrs, Ascent 980m, Descent 550m
After a short transfer (included), today’s hike features two memorable landmarks: Lake Federa and the Cinque Torri group. The lake hosts a mesmerising panorama of the Sorapis and Cristallo ranges, looming large over Cortina, whilst the Cinque Torri (Five Towers) lies in a dramatic theatre of rock formations at a crossroads of glorious hiking trails.
Accommodation: Rifugio Cinque Torri (half-board)

 18km, Walking Time 7-8hrs, Ascent 700m, Descent 1370m
Today’s trek is the longest of the week. You begin by descending through the Nuvolau range to the Falzarego Pass, gateway to Monte Lagazuoi,  celebrated for its 360 panoramas and its deep connection with the remarkable military conflict that unfolded here between the Italians and the Austrians during WWI. Amidst sensational scenery, you find yourself in an open-air museum of trenches, look-out posts and tunnels. This is the birthplace of Via Ferrata, a positive remnant of the cables, ladders and gorge-spanning bridges that allowed alpine soldiers on each side to observe the actions of the nearby enemy. After Lagazuoi, you follow the famed Alta Via 1 trail, heading deeper into the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park.
Accommodation: Rifugio Fanes/Lavarella/Muntagnoles (half-board)

12km, Walking Time 5-6hrs, Ascent 740m, Descent 580m
After yesterday’s lengthy trek, you might welcome today’s easier hike between the Fanes and Sennes massifs. The trail winds through narrow gorges on the northern rim of the Fanes group and the upland pastures of the Val Salata, before you negotiate the steep ascent to the southern slopes of the Sennes massif. Experienced hikers may choose to ascend the Croda del Becco peak on a challenging trail over one of the peak’s ridges, the reward being a vast panoramic view to the north with beautiful Lake Braies at the foot of the mountain 1300m below.
Accommodation: Rifugio Sennes (half-board)

17km, Walking Time 7-8hrs., Ascent 830m, Descent 1080m
The route today is easterly and more remote, as you venture onto trails perhaps more frequented by wildlife than people. You skirt the main ridge of the Croda Rossa massif on the north with a fabulous view of the red peak itself. You are now close to the most northerly range of the Dolomites, the alps of the Val Pusteria, which boast a completely different shape and origin compared to other Dolomite massifs. Your overnight stop is in the Alpe di Vallandro range, a truly idyllic place of peaceful, lush-green, upland pastures at 2000m, from where you will be absorbed by the spellbinding view of Monte Cristallo in the rays of the setting sun.
Accommodation: Rifugio Prato Piazza (half-board)

14km, Walking Time 7-8hrs, Ascent 1170m, Descent 850m
Today is a real thriller(!) starring the most photographed peaks in the entire Dolomites, the Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Three Peaks of Lavaredo). Or, in German, the Three Teeth (Drei Zinnern). The iconic view of the Dolomites’ signature peaks opens up before you, as you gradually ascend through enchanting woodland. To make things better, you approach them from the north-west, as they bask in the rays of a setting sun, thereby taking on a rich and bewitching orange-yellow hue. Photographers will barely contain themselves in this most glorious of landscapes. To cap off your pleasure, your overnight hut faces the peaks, so you can admire them from various angles at both sunset and sunrise.
Accommodation: Rifugio Tre Cime Locatelli (half-board)

11km, Walking Time 5-6 hrs, Ascent 530m, Descent 640m
Your final hike is an adventure into the Sexten (or Sesto) Dolomites, where you ascend one of its peaks before returning to Cortina. Your day begins by contouring an impressive natural amphitheatre with a series of lakes at its bottom. Ice and snow linger long in these lakes, which catch the winter avalanches that tumble down the flanks above. Next, you hike up to the Pian di Cengia saddle, where a cosy rifugio with excellent cuisine awaits you. We recommend ascending the nearby peak, the eastern Cima Uno, before being tempted by the hut’s offerings. Your trek finishes on a scenic trail above two gorges, which eventually brings you down to the road, where a 1-hour transfer by public bus (not included) returns you to Cortina.
Accommodation: 3* Hotel in Cortina (B&B)

Make your own way back to Venice Marco Polo by public transport, hire car or optional private transfer. If you book a transfer be prepared for an early start – it’s a 2hr 30min transfer so if your flight is at 11am, we’ll aim to have you collected at 6.30am prompt.