Overview
Superb walking in Italy’s most spectacular mountain range
The small village of Villabassa, just north of Cortina d’Ampezzo, is the
perfect base for this Dolomites walking holiday nestled close to the Austrian
border and sandwiched between the spectacular, jagged limestone peaks. From
here we enjoy an excellent choice of routes with the opportunity to relax in
comfort at the end of a day’s walking. During the week, we venture into the
Fanes-Sennes and Dolomiti di Sesto National Parks for great views of the Tre
Cime di Lavaredo. Historically the front line between Italy and
Austria-Hungary during the First World War, the trails take us through
incredible open-air museums.
Highlights
* 4-star hotel with delicious food, warm family hospitality and wellness
centre
* Tre Cime di Lavaredo, UNESCO World Heritage site
* Some weeks Challenging (level 5)
* SPECIAL OFFER on room upgrades
Itinerary
Day 1 Fly to Venice; transfer to Villabassa.
Fly to Venice; transfer to Villabassa.
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Day 2
Walk to the beautiful Lago di Braies (level 3 weeks)
The ideal start to visiting this vast area is a walk straight from the hotel
through the very pretty, flower-filled Braies Valley. We walk through small
villages and farmland until we reach the magnificent Lago di Braies, one of
the 297 glacial lakes in the area. It is certainly one of the most beautiful
thanks to being surrounded by jagged peaks that are reflected in the
extraordinary mirror-like surface of the lake. We follow the route of ‘SS
hostages’, the leaders of 19 countries who were freed after the First World
War by the inhabitants of Villabassa.
Approx. distance 14km, 650m ascent, 255m descent.
Day 3
Walk from the Kreutzberg Pass to the Nemes Alm (level 3 weeks)
Today we explore high pastures and ridges along the Austrian border. We walk
steadily exploring the meadows under the ridge of Knieberg. We have great
views towards the Rotwand and Monte Popera. Later afternoon we visit Alpe
Nemes hut where we could enjoy a drink and a home made apple strudel.
Approx distance 14-16km. 6-700m ascent, 6-700m descent.
Day 4
Walk amongst beautiful wildflowers during the climb up towards Strudelkopf
(level 3 weeks)
We start the walk at 2000m altitude walkingamongst beautiful wildflowers
and ascends to the summit of Strudlekopf (2307m). We stop at the Durrenstein
hut in the early afternoon to check the local Kaiserschmarren speciality. On
a clear day, fromthe summit, we can enjoyviews of the Tre Cime, Monte
Piana and Monte Cristallo.
Approx. distance 15km. 500m ascent, 1000m descent.
Day 5
A free day to relax or enjoy optional activities such as self-guided cycling
or visit one of the local museums.
A free day to relax in the hotel’s wellness centre or take a self-guided
cycle ride around this wonderful area. Alternatively, you can make your way
to Bolzano to visit a museum dedicated to Oetzi, the 5000 year-old ‘iceman’
whose remarkably well-preserved body was found in 1991 high on a glacier on
the Austro-Italian frontier. Or you could journey to the attractive
provincial capital of Lienz in Austria; or closer to the cosy town of
Brunico.
Day 6
A memorable circuit around the famous ‘three chimneys’, Tre Cime di Lavaredo
(level 3 weeks)
We enjoy a memorable walk under the famous ‘Three Chimneys’, or Tre Cime di
Lavaredo (or Drei Zinnen in German). Set amid one of the classic mountain
groups of this area, our walk around these impressive peaks is certainly a
highlight of the week.
Approx distance 18km, 550m ascent, 1100 descent.
Day 7
Monte Piano (level 3 weeks)
To complete the week,we take the amazing estern approach route up Monte
Piana. After 600m ascent we find ourselves upon the flat-topped mountain
surrounded by some of the most impressive scenery in the Dolomites. It is the
site of an open-air museum dedicated to the First World War where trenches,
dugouts and shell craters can be seen amongst the many alpine flowers. On our
return, we have time to spot the brilliant blue gentians, alpine white
edelweiss and bright saffron that create a beautiful scene around Lake
Misurina, thanks to the beautiful pink of the limestone rock.
Approx distance 15km, 700m ascent, 800m descent.
Day 8 Transfer to Venice; fly to London.
To Venice; fly to London.
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