Overview
Walking in the Dolomites for seven days, on a self-guided holiday where you stay in traditional mountain hotels and have your luggage transferred for you is, quite simply, iconic. You also don’t have to be heroic to go hiking here, especially as we have created a mix of itineraries that cater for different interests and abilities. All of them take you into the heart of the Dolomites nature parks: Drei Zinnen, Fanes-Sennes-Prags and Ampezzo Dolomites – with viewpoints that make you say La vita è bella over and over. And, as you can also bring your dog on this one, it’s a must for those who love to explore with their canine companions.
- Drei Zinnen (Three Peaks) Nature Park
- Ampezzo Dolomites Nature Park
- Fanes-Sennes-Prags Nature Park
- Pragser Wildsee
- Plätzwiese
- Cortina d’Ampezzo
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Hochpustertal
Arrive at the hotel in Alta Hochpustertal (Niederdorf/Villabassa or Toblach/Dobbiaco), depending on accommodation. A highlight of Toblach/Dobbiaco is the Baroque Parish Church, dedicated to John the Baptist, famous for its striking green front and tall, twin-domed tower, revealing a history rooted in Romanesque and Gothic architecture. If staying in Niederdorf/Villabassa take the time to explore cultural attractions like the Tourism Museum, showcasing the area’s rich history.
- Overnight in Hotel Rosengarten in Dobbiaco/Toblach or Hotel Emma Historic Hotel Villabassa/Niederdorf
Day 2: Villabassa/Dobbiaco – Pragser Tal/Valle di Braies – Plätzwiese | 11/14km
After a short bus ride (27mins, included with your holiday pass) the route starts at Pragser Wildsee, a lake with crystal clear turquoise waters. Here you get a first impression of Pragser Tal Valley, surrounded by coniferous forests and the white walls of the mountain rocks. The trail leads to the alpine pastures of Rossalm and Plätzwiese, the latter proffering panoramic views over Mount Cristallo, Tofana and Drei Zinnen (Three Peaks). Leisurely walkers can choose an alternative option for the first stage, which starts from Tuscherhof guesthouse after taking the bus (18mins, included) and heads to Plätzwiese. From Plätzwiese the route leads you to your accommodation in Prags, a village in South Tyrol.
- Walking for the day (option one): 11km approx.4-5h, ↑ 790m
- Walking for the day (option two): 14km approx. 6-7h, ↑ 1,100m ↓580m
- Overnight in Hotel Hohe Gaisl in Prags or similar
Day 3: Plätzwiese – Strudelkopf or Dürrenstein | 8/9km
Take the bus (10mins, included) to the starting point of today’s walk in the alpine pasture of Plätzwiese, in Fanes-Sennes-Prags Nature Park, the largest of its kind in the Dolomites, where you have two walking options to either Mount Strudelkopf or Mount Dürrenstein, both of which have great views over the Three Peaks. Return to the bus stop and take the bus (10 mins, included) back to your accommodation in Prags.
- Walking for the day (option one -Strudelkopf): 9km, approx. 3-4h, ↑ 360m ↓360m
- Walking for the day (option two -Dürrenstein): 8km, approx.4-5h, ↑ 850m ↓850m
- Overnight in Hotel Hohe Gaisl in Prags or similar
Day 4: Plätzwiese – Passo Tre Croci – Cortina d’Ampezzo | 5/17km
After taking the bus (10mins, included) to the starting point, hike through Plätzwiese and a descend through the Valle dei Canopi to Cimabanche Pass – the border between South Tyrol and Belluno. From here, there are two options, either the direct way using public transport (included) to Cortina d’Ampezzo or the longer option to Ospitale and Passo Tre Croci. It is possible to shorten the route by taking the cable car Son Forca (not included). The route ends in Cortina d’Ampezzo, a former Olympic town.
- Walking for the day (option one): 5km, approx. 1.5-2h, ↓460m
- Walking for the day (option two): 17km, approx. 5.5-6h, ↑650m ↓840m
- Overnight in Sport Hotel Barisetti in Cortina d’Ampezzo or similar
Day 5: Circular route to Mount Faloria or Dolomieu Panoramic Trail | 11/15km
Take the cable car (included) from the town centre to the top of Mount Faloria where you take a trail with panoramic views of Ampezzo Dolomites Natural Park, Mount Cristallo, Tofana and Fanes mountain. There are two options for the day: the longer one leads you towards Mount Faloria, and the shorter one follows the Dolomieu Panoramic Path. Both of them head towards Passo Tre Croci and continue on to Cortina. For those who want to avoid using the cable car, there is a third option for a circular walk around the Cinque Torri.
Important: The cable car to Mount Faloria does not open for the season (summer 2025). Instead the the itinerary includes the bus from Cortina d’Ampezzo to the starting point of the route and a return bus from Passo Tre Croci to Cortina d’Ampezzo.
- Walking for the day (option one – Mount Faloria): 11km, approx. 3-4h, ↑100m ↓990m
- Walking for the day (option two – Dolomieu Panoramic Path): 15km, approx. 5h, ↑270m ↓1,150m
- Overnight in Sport Hotel Barisetti in Cortina d’Ampezzo or similar
Day 6: Circular Three Peaks Trail / Cortina d’Ampezzo – Drei Zinnen viewpoint | 12/15km
Start the day by taking the bus (25mins, included) to Three Peaks viewpoint. From there, hike through the Rienztal valley up to Drei Zinnen (the Three Peaks), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue hiking to pass under the Paternkofel mountain (part of the Austro-Italian front during World War I), into the Fischleintal valley. From the Fischleintal valley, take the bus to the hotel in Dobbiaco/Villabassa (40mins, included). For a more leisurely walk, you can hike from the Three Peaks viewpoint up to the Three Peaks and Rigufio Auronzo and from there take the bus to Dobbiaco/Villabassa (39mins, included).
- Walking for the day (option one- circular walk Three Peaks): 15km, approx. 5.5-6h, ↑950m ↓960m
- Walking for the day (option two): 12km, approx. 4-5h, ↑1,020m ↓120m
- Overnight in Hotel Rosengarten in Dobbiaco/Toblach or Hotel Emma Villabassa/Niederdorf
Day 7: Departure
Departure after breakfast.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of mostly small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view default hotels
- Hotel Rosengarten (Dobbiaco/Toblach)
- Hotel Emma (Villabassa/Niederdorf)
- Hotel Hohe Gaisl (Prags)
- Sport Hotel Barisetti (Cortina d’Ampezzo)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included on all says. No picnic lunches are included in the tour price, but these can be prepared for you by the accommodation owners, or products for picnics can be purchased in the villages where you will be staying. On some occasions, you have the option of having your lunch in a restaurant along the way.
Difficulty and terrain
This tour is rated easy to moderate walking in the Dolomites, on well-marked trails. It is suitable for anyone in good basic physical condition and climbing experience is not necessary. The tour is suitable for children from the age of 12 (read more about difficulty grades). Most of the walks are on good well-marked paths. We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never try to shorten the way through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available between mid-June until the end of July and throughout most of September. Departures are possible on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Departures on other days are possible for minimum five people, on request.
Dolomites summers are mild, with average monthly maximum temperatures in July and August rarely much over 25C and averages of around 20C in June and September. The best time to walk in the Dolomites is between mid-June and mid-September as this is when it is most likely to be free of snow, the weather is at its best, the hotels, mountain refuges and restaurants are open, and the ski lifts and public transport services are running. For more information, see our blog Best time to go to Italy.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airports for this tour are Innsbruck Airport (INN), Treviso Airport (TSF) and Venezia Airport (VCE).
By train or bus
- By car: on the motorway Brenner/Brennero (A22) to Brixen/Bressanone – take the exit Vahrn/Varna, then along the valley Pustertal/Valle Pusteria (SS49) to Niederdorf/Villabassa or Toblach/Dobbiaco, depending on the location of your hotel. Alternatively, drive along the Felbertauernstraße to Lienz in Eastern Tyrol (Austria) and then further into Italy through the valley Pustertal/Valle Pusteria to Toblach/Dobbiaco or Niederdorf/Villabassa, depending on the location of your hotel. There are free unattended parking facilities for the duration of the hiking tour at a nearby public parking area.
- By bus: there is a direct bus twice every day from Innsbruck Airport to Toblach/Dobbiaco (2h 15mins) and Niederdorf/Villabassa (2h 9mins). For more details visit Alto Adige Bus. From Treviso, take the bus (4h) to Toblach/Dobbacio or Neiderdorf/Villabassa with a stop in Cortina d’Ampezzo. For more detials visit ATVO. From Marco Polo Airport take a direct bus (2h 44mins) to Toblach/Dobbacio or Neiderdorf/Villabassa. For more information visit FlixBus.
Inclusions
Included
- Accommodation in three and four-star hotels – private ensuite rooms
- Breakfast
- Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel (one piece of luggage per person, max 20kg)
- Holiday pass for public transport
- Ticket for Faloria cable car
- Detailed documents (route notes and maps – one per room)
- Videobriefing
- Access to navigation app
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- We regret that this tour is not open to solo travellers
- Half-board (four dinners, but not provided in Cortina)
- Private airport transfers bookable at an extra cost
- Extra nights in Villabassa/Dobbiaco
- If you bring your dog on this tour, please note that any accommodation dog fees must be paid directly on-site. Additionally, there may be fees if alternative, dog-friendly accommodations need to be booked. These will be paid in advance.
- The tour can be organised on other days of the week on request with a minimum of five people.
