8 Day Classic Dolomites

Start at the Hotel Adler in Villabassa.The leader will give a short briefing to give an overview of the week ahead and give you any useful information.

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.

Rossalmhütte (level 5 weeks)
Some departures of this trip are at Level 5. On these weeks the walks completed are slightly different.

We start our walk today from the beautiful Lago di Braies and ascend to Rossalmhütte.

Approx. distance 15km, 750m ascent, 1000m descent.

Kreutzberg Pass to Nemes Alm (level 3)
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.

Kreuzberg Pass to Knieberg (level 5 week)
Following a different track to the level 3 weeks, we aim to summit Knieberg, descending later in the afternoon to Alpe Nemes hut.

Approx. distance 21 km, 1000m ascent, 1000m descent.

Climb up towards Strudelkopf (level 3 weeks)
We start the walk at 2000m altitude walking amongst 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, from the summit, we can enjoy views of the Tre Cime, Monte Piana and Monte Cristallo.

Approx. distance 15km. 500m ascent, 1000m descent.

Durrenstein Summit (level 5 weeks)
Starting at Platzwiese, we walk to the summit of Durrenstein (2839m), a majestic peak which boasts views all the way to the Austrian Tyrol.

Approx. distance 15km, 900m ascent, 900m descent.

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.

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.

Tre Cime di Lavaredo (level 5 weeks)
Today we complete a beautiful walk near the spectacular Tre Cime di Lavaredo; we then follow the path on the north side of Paternkofel heading to the Comici hut above Fischleintal.

Approx. distance 19km, 600m ascent, 1400m descent.

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.

Monte Piana (level 5 weeks)
We ascend the southern crag, with the aid of few bridges and a ladder; there is then time to explore the open-air museum, stretched between the northern summit of Monte Piano and the southern summit of Monte Piana.

Approx. distance 13km, 1000m ascent, 700m descent.

The trip ends in Villabassa.