Discover the Dolomites Walking Holiday
A self-guided village-to-village adventure exploring the Sella Ronda
June
and
September 2026
Enquire
Book Now
Country
Italy
Grade
Easy / Moderate
Duration
7 Nights
Style
Self-Guided
Type
Village-to-Village
Price
TBC
-
Unforgettable walks -
With you every step
-
Handpicked hotels with warm hospitality
-
Mountain holiday specialists since 1997
This self-guided hiking holiday for intermediate walkers features the breathtaking scenery of the Central Dolomites at a relaxed pace.
This circumnavigation of the colossal, cathedral-like Sella massif (3152m), takes in the 4 valleys that terminate at this huge natural plinth: Alta Badia, Livinallongo, Val di Fassa and Val Gardena. Relax in the late afternoon in characterful Tyrolean mountain resorts, all with majestic backdrops. Our meticulously planned hiking routes wend their way through this UNESCO World Heritage site, showcasing alpine villages, wildflower-strewn upland pastures, and all 7 of the great Dolomite peaks that exceed 3000m, which glow a fiery red at sunset, known locally as the Enrosadira. Clever use of cable cars and chair lifts either at the start or end of each day makes this a superb high level route without the need for challenging ascents and descents.
With clear and comprehensive maps and route notes – plus smartphone navigation – self-guiding between comfortable overnight accommodations is effortless, making it perfect for anyone craving the adventure of village-to-village walking in the Dolomites, without compromising their creature comforts along the way. Add to this baggage transfers from hotel to hotel – and what’s not to like?
Browse this page for all you need to know and when you’re ready, click Enquire or Book Now, submit some details and let our skilled enquiry team help you make this holiday a reality.
At a Glance
Dates
Coming Soon!
Price
Coming Soon!
Grade
Easy/Moderate
Expect to walk for 3 – 4½ hours per day, with between 125m – 665m ascent and 600m – 1200m descent each day
What’s included
5 nights half board in hand picked 2* and 3* hotels
1 night half board at Rifugio Tierser Alpl (private room with shared bathroom)
1 night Bed & Breakfast in Selva
Return Airport Transfers from Venice Marco Polo
Baggage Transfers from hotel to hotel
Holiday Pack with comprehensive route notes, maps & more
Excess baggage storage in Corvara
Please note that packed lunches and chair lifts are not included and luggage is not transferred to Rifugio Tierser Alpl on Day 4 when you will need to carry an overnight bag.
Flights
We recommend flying to Venice Marco Polo Airport.
Example Flights – London Heathrow London Gatwick London Stansted Manchester Bristol
Airport Transfers
This holiday includes a scheduled airport transfer. These depart Venice Marco Polo at 14:00 and take 3 hours. On your way home, we depart Corvara at 06:45 for flights taking off after 12:00.
Alternatively, you can fly-drive (click here for a competitive car hire quote) or book a private transfer at approx. £395 each way for up to 7 people.
Itinerary
Day 1
ArriveMake you own way to Venice Marco Polo and join our scheduled airport transfer which departs at 1400. Private transfers are also available from other local airports at a supplement – please contact us for more details.
Overnight: Pension Angelo (half board).
Day 2
Corvara to Arabba, via the Pralongia Plateau13.3km, 292m ascent, 644m descent
With a lift from the village of Corvara to the Pralongia Plateau, you’ll start the route with sweeping panoramic views of the area’s towering peaks. Along a comfortable, well-established track you’ll find many welcoming rifugios for lunch and coffee breaks, and your descent will bring you through the picturesque forests overlooking the Livinallongo Valley. One of the day’s highlights is the huge peak of Monte Civetta, seen here at its very best – beautifully framed by the landscape. You’ll end the day in Arabba, a small resort village that’s preserved all the charm of its historic mountain roots.
Overnight: 3* Hotel in Arabba (half board)
Day 3
Viel dal Pan, the Marmolada, and the Val di Fassa6.3km, 125m ascent, 241m descent
The lift out of Arabba offers breathtaking views of the Marmolada, the highest mountain of the Dolomites. From here, the route skirts beneath the Portavescovo ridge before joining onto the gentle contours of Alta Via 2. At the end of the day, two cable car lifts will take you down to the centre of Canazei, a popular village that’s known for preserving traditional alpine customs and festivals.
Overnight: 3* Hotel Jan Maria or similar (half board)
Day 4
Sassolungo and the Rosengarten11.7km, 665m ascent, 621m descent
Today’s route is all about the iconic shape and majesty of the Sassolungo group, a true must-see in the region. A wide track winds past Sasso Piatto, and then along the edge of the Alpe di Siusi, one of the largest areas of alpine meadow in Europe. You’ll also enjoy the stunning pink-hued vistas of the famed Rosengarten group before spending the night nestled high in the mountains, in an authentic rifugio.
Overnight: Rifugio Tierser Alpl (half board)
Day 5
The Alpe di Siusi13.3km, 424m ascent, 596m descent
Crossing the Alpe di Siusi gives an unforgettable day of walking, with bursting meadows and an extensive network of paths and tracks. This is a true walkers’ paradise, punctuated by many charming rifugios offering traditional hospitality. At the end of a route that showcases the Sassolungo and Puez-Odle Massifs you’ll arrive in Ortisei – a village well known for artisanal wood-carvings, and a truly delightful place to explore.
Overnight: 3* Hotel Villa Emilia (half board)
Day 6
Seceda and the Puez-Odle Natural Park11km, 283m ascent, 1182m descent
Today’s walk begins with a long lift ride out of the village, which accesses some truly breathtaking terrain on the northern edge of the Dolomites. Moving along a huge natural bowl formed by the Puez-Odle Massif, the route follows picturesque paths through open meadows. A few stops along the way will allow walkers to revel in the superb views back toward the Alpe di Siusi plateau. The day ends in Selva, the highest village in Val Gardena, and an area renowned for wooden sculpture.
Overnight: 3* Garni Morene (B&B)
Day 7
Selva to the Alta Badia9.3km, 166m ascent, 888m descent
Today, a final lift takes you to Passo Gardena and the panoramic windows of Rifugio Dantercepies – a wonderful place to stop for an early coffee. From here, the route stretches along the side of the valley towards Corvara. Today’s highlights include the village of Colfosco and its picturesque church, and, in Corvara, an opportunity to sample the very best strudel in the Dolomites!
Overnight: Pension Angelo (half board)
Day 8
DepartExpect an early start, our scheduled airport transfer departs at 0700 for Venice Marco Polo flights taking off after 1200.
Accommodation
On this holiday you will stay in en-suite double rooms in hand-picked 2* and 3* hotels on a half board basis (except in Selva which is B&B only). You will also spend one night in a private room (with shared bathroom) at Rifugio Tierser Alpl on a half-board basis.
Testimonials
Frequently Asked Questions
The Sella massif (also known as the Sella group) is a prominent mountain group in the Dolomites of northern Italy, located in the regions of Trentino-Alto Adige and Veneto. It forms a roughly circular plateau of rugged peaks, steep cliffs, and deep valleys, with elevations reaching over 3,000 meters. The massif is famous for its dramatic scenery, including sheer rock faces, alpine meadows, and high mountain passes, making it a popular destination for hiking, climbing, skiing, and via ferrata routes. Trails around the Sella Massif offer walkers a mix of challenging ascents, panoramic viewpoints, and access to traditional mountain huts (rifugio), showcasing the Dolomites’ unique limestone formations and breathtaking alpine landscapes.
The Sella massif in the Dolomites is surrounded by four major valleys: Val Gardena to the north, Alta Badia to the east, Val di Fassa to the south, and Val di Livinallongo (Arabba) to the west. Each valley provides access to different faces of the massif, with scenic villages, hiking trails, and mountain passes. Together, they form a natural quadrangle around the Sella, making it a hub for circular walks, via ferrata routes, and panoramic alpine treks.
Walkers exploring the four valleys around the Sella Massif can expect a spectacular mix of alpine scenery. The Val Gardena offers lush meadows, forested slopes, and charming villages framed by towering Dolomite peaks. The Alta Badia presents rolling pastures, traditional Ladin settlements, and dramatic cliffs rising from the valley floor. In Val di Fassa, hikers encounter high mountain passes, glacial lakes, and rugged limestone formations, while Val di Livinallongo (Arabba) combines steep, rocky slopes with panoramic views of the Sella’s western face. Throughout all four valleys, the landscape alternates between verdant valleys, jagged peaks, and serene alpine trails, offering walkers constant variety and breathtaking vistas.
Walking in the Dolomites, around the Sella Massif in particular, differs noticeably between early and late summer. In early summer (June–early July), the higher passes may still hold patches of snow, streams and waterfalls are at their fullest from the melting snow, and alpine meadows are lush and filled with wildflowers. Temperatures are generally mild, making for comfortable walking, though some trails may still be partially icy or muddy.
By late summer (August–September), most snow has melted and the weather is warmer, providing excellent conditions for high-level treks. Alpine meadows begin to turn golden, and while crowds may be higher in August, September offers quieter paths and crisp, clear mountain views.
Why book with Collett’s?
-
Unforgettable walks
-
With you every step
-
Handpicked hotels with warm hospitality
-
Mountain holiday specialists since 1997
Need to Knows
Terrain – Walks on this route only use waymarked and signposted routes on established trails. This trip avoids the loose, rocky terrain that often features on higher altitude paths.
Breakfast & Dinner – Breakfasts are generous and usually buffet-style; dinner is ordered from a set menu, usually with at least 2 choices for each course. The cuisine is hearty and favours local dishes – providing ideal fuel for days out on the mountain.
Lunch – packed lunches can be purchased at all accommodations along the trek, except in Corvara, where supplies are easy to source locally.
ETIAS – The European Travel Information and Authorisation System is not due to be introduced until late-2026. Currently there is not an exact date as to when it will come into force. This means you do not need to have a ETIAS for travel to Europe at the moment. For more information read our blog article here
Booking Conditions – be sure to read our full terms and conditions here before booking.
At Your Own Risk – please read the important notes here.
Travel Advice – check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice here.
Passport & Visa – any questions should be directed to the relevant embassy of your destination country; find out more here. It is your responsibility to be in possession of a full passport, valid for your chosen destination.
Travel Insurance – having adequate and valid travel insurance is a condition of booking with us. Details of our insurance partner, Campbell Irvine, are here.
Health Information – You should carry either an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) Neither is an alternative to adequate travel insurance. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice and https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/
ABTA – Independent travel advice and help is always available from ABTA by calling 020 3117 0599 or visiting www.abta.com.
