Walking in the Dolomites - Campitello

Our tour begins today at Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE), where we'll transfer as a group to Campitello. Our tour leader will meet you by the red-fronted 'RELAY' shop in the airport's Arrivals Hall at 3.45pm. If you'd like to join the group transfer, the latest your flight can arrive is 3.15pm. Please note, that it can be extremely busy by the main exit from the luggage area, please do not leave the building. After we've gathered our group, you'll travel to our hotel in Campitello, around a three-hour drive away. Located in the far north of Italy, in an area known as Trentino, Campitello di Fassa sits in the Val di Fassa. Here in the heart of the Dolomites you will experience traditional Ladin food, featuring simple hearty mountain dishes and recipes handed down through generations. We'll be staying at the 4-star Hotel Medil, perfectly situated in the heart of Campitello di Fassa, a charming traditional Alpine village. This picturesque base in the Dolomites has a wonderful selection of shops, restaurants, and bars, all set against a backdrop of truly stunning mountain views. Upon arrival, our tour leader will provide a brief overview of the exciting week ahead.

Our first walk of the week starts from our hotel in Campitello. We begin with a gradual ascent on a well-defined track that soon transitions into a scenic, winding forest path. As we climb, we'll pass through fragrant pine and larch woods, offering welcome shade. Keep an eye out for charming traditional wooden chalets nestled amongst the trees. After approximately two-and-a-half hours and gaining around 500 metres/1,640 feet in elevation, we'll arrive at the picturesque Rifugio Micheluzzi (1,850 metres/6,069 feet). This charming mountain hut is beautifully situated with panoramic views, making it an ideal spot for a well-deserved break and where we plan to have our picnic lunch. From Rifugio Micheluzzi, the path continues towards Passo Duron. This section of the trail opens up, moving out of the dense forest into more open meadows. We'll traverse a relatively flat, well-trodden path, with increasingly expansive views of the surrounding peaks. The terrain here is generally even, with some rocky sections underfoot, characteristic of Alpine trails. You'll be treated to magnificent views of the Sassolungo mountain group towering above, their jagged spires a constant, breath-taking backdrop. Our descent begins following the path back down towards Campitello, offering a fresh a perspective on the valley below. The two-hour descent follows a similar route, allowing you to appreciate any details you might have missed on the way up. Today's 9.5-kilometre/5.9-mile walk is expected to take around four and a half hours with a total ascent and descent of 500 metres/1640 feet.

Today we'll start with a short, public bus ride from our hotel to the charming village of Alba di Canazei. From Alba, our walk begins, tracing a beautiful path that follows the gentle curves of the Avisio river through the valley floor. We'll stroll through lush green meadows, sometimes dotted with grazing cows, and pass by patches of fragrant Alpine wildflowers. As we progress deeper into the valley, the towering peaks of the Dolomites will gradually encircle us, offering increasingly dramatic views. The highlight of our journey will be the unfolding views of Marmolada, often referred to as the 'Queen of the Dolomites' and the highest peak in the range. we'll gain approximately 500 metres/1,640 feet in elevation over about two-and-a-half to three hours, but this ascent is gradual, following the natural incline of the valley. Our destination is the welcoming Rifugio Contrin (2,046 metres/6,712 feet). Perched in a spectacular location, the hut offers unparalleled close-up views of Marmolada and its glacier, a truly iconic sight. It's the perfect spot to enjoy a well-deserved break, perhaps a traditional Tyrolean strudel or a warm drink, soaking in the grandeur of your surroundings. The return journey is a pleasant and equally easy two-hour descent, then bus back to Campitello. Today's 11-kilometre/6.8-mile walk is expected to take around four hours with a total ascent and descent of 400 metres/1,310 feet.

Today is entirely yours to shape! After two invigorating days of hiking, you have the freedom to either delve deeper into the local delights of the Val di Fassa, or simply unwind and recharge at our fantastic hotel. For those eager to keep active, you could borrow a bike from our hotel (subject to availability) and pedal along the scenic valley cycle paths, exploring the charming villages at your own pace, with the Dolomites as your constant backdrop. If relaxation is what you are after, try the hotel's swimming pool, whirlpool, saunas, and Turkish bath - the perfect way to soothe tired muscles and feel completely refreshed. Another option for today is a visit to Bolzano, easily accessible by public transport. Here, you can come face-to-face with Otzi, the famous 'Iceman', a perfectly preserved prehistoric mummy, housed in the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology - a truly fascinating glimpse into the distant past. Alternatively, for ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation, take a short bus ride to the nearby village of Pozza di Fassa. Here, you'll find the Dolomia Thermal Baths, offering a soothing experience in their natural mineral waters, renowned for their therapeutic properties.

Today we start our adventure begins with a public bus ride that takes us directly to the base of the Sass Pordoi cable car. From there, the cable car whisks us effortlessly upwards to an altitude of 2,950 metres/9678 feet. As we ascend, the landscape transforms dramatically, revealing a vast, lunar-like plateau - the 'Terrace of the Dolomites.' Stepping out onto this incredible high-altitude plateau, we'll immediately be struck by the sheer scale of the mountains. Our hike today is a truly unique experience across this otherworldly terrain. The path is generally rocky and uneven underfoot, typical of high-alpine environments, but well-trodden and manageable. We'll hike towards the impressive base of Piz Boe, the highest peak of the Sella Group, its rugged summit dominating the skyline. Around us, a magnificent 360-degree panorama unfolds, showcasing iconic Dolomite giants in every direction - from the Marmolada to the Langkofel Group and far beyond. We'll continue our journey across this incredible landscape to reach a charming eco-refuge, a welcome oasis in this high mountain environment. Here, we'll pause for a well-deserved break, enjoying a hot coffee and our packed picnic lunch amidst one of the most unforgettable backdrops. After soaking in the tranquil beauty and immense views, we'll complete our route, tracing our steps back across the plateau to the Sass Pordoi cable car station. From there, we'll descend back to the valley floor, where the public bus will take us back to Campitello. Today's 6-kilometre/3.7-mile walk is expected to take around three hours and thirty minutes with a total ascent and descent of 200 metres/660 feet.

Today, we'll embark on a journey into the heart of the Rosengarten (Catinaccio) massif, known for its dramatic spires and legendary sunset glow. Our day begins with a short, scenic public bus ride to the charming village of Vigo de Fassa from where we'll take a cable car ride, ascending into the mountains. Upon reaching our starting point, the path is straightforward and enjoyable, tracing a gentle ascent of about 250 metres/656 feet over one-and-a-half to two hours. As we walk, we'll find ourselves nestled beneath the awe-inspiring walls of the Rosengarten massif. The terrain is generally easy, well-maintained, and guides us through picturesque alpine scenery. Rifugio Vajolet appears as though it's been perfectly carved into the very rock of the mountains. The views here are simply staggering, with the towering, jagged peaks creating a dramatic backdrop. This region is famous for a magical natural phenomenon known as 'Enrosadira' - a Ladin word meaning 'turning pink'. As the sun sets, the unique mineral composition of these Dolomite rocks causes them to glow with an incredible spectrum of red, orange, and pink hues. While we won't be staying until full sunset, you'll get a clear sense of why this area inspires such awe as the light plays across the Rosengarten's faces. After soaking in the incredible atmosphere and perhaps enjoying a refreshing drink at the rifugio, we'll begin our easy descent back down. Finally, we'll take the cable car back down to Vigo di Fassa, and a short bus ride will bring us back to Campitello. Today's 6-kilometre/3.7-mile walk is expected to take around three hours and thirty minutes with a total ascent and descent of 250 metres/820 feet.

Today, we delve into the beauty of Val San Nicolo and the Monzoni range, a true hidden gem. We'll start our journey with a short public bus ride to Pozza di Fassa. From there, a shuttle service will take us deeper into the picturesque Val San Nicolo. Our hike begins and ends at the same point within this stunning valley. The path winds through expansive, vibrant green meadows, carpeted with wildflowers in summer, all framed by the mighty peaks of the Monzoni range. This is a truly idyllic setting, with the sounds of cowbells often echoing across the landscape. We'll follow the valley path, gradually ascending around 500 meters/1,640 feet over approximately two-and-a-half hours. The terrain is generally well-defined, ranging from wide tracks through meadows to more undulating paths as we approach the higher sections. Our destination is Baita alle Cascate, a charming mountain hut nestled near the spectacular San Nicolo waterfalls. Here, you can enjoy the invigorating spray of the cascades and take a well-deserved break amidst this natural amphitheatre. After a rest here, we'll begin our two-hour descent, retracing our steps along the same scenic route back through the meadows. We then make our way back to the hotel, a short bus ride will bring us back to Campitello. Today's 14-kilometre/9 -mile walk is expected to take around four to four hours and thirty minutes with a total ascent and descent of 350 metres/1,150 feet.

Our trip ends today. Departing Campitello this morning, we'll drive to Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) where we'll arrive at around 1.30pm. The earliest your flight can depart today is 3.30pm.