The Sellaronda is famous in winter for skiing and in summer for cycling, but experiencing it on foot is a truly surprising and accessible adventure. This 8-day trekking tour allows you to explore the heart of the Dolomites with relative ease, thanks to the support of summer cable cars and lifts.
From Alta Badia, the route crosses some of the most iconic valleys of the Dolomites — Val Gardena, Alpe di Siusi, and Val di Fassa — passing spectacular landscapes, legendary peaks such as the Sella, Sassolungo, and Marmolada, and traditional Ladin villages.
Arrival in Alta Badia
Welcome to Alta Badia! After your journey, check in at the hotel and enjoy some time to relax, breathe in the fresh mountain air and start soaking up the unique atmosphere of the Dolomites.
Acclimatization day
The first day is all about taking it easy: a gentle walk to stretch your legs, get used to the altitude and enjoy the scents of the alpine forests.
In the late afternoon or evening, you will meet a Holimites expert for a detailed briefing covering the itinerary, daily stages and useful tips to make the most of your trekking experience.
1st stage: approx. 11,6 km (7,2 miles) / +173 m (567 feet) e.g.; -650 (2133 feet) e.l.
The tour starts in the village of Badia. Cable cars take us to the Santa Croce Sanctuary, a spectacular viewpoint over the Dolomites. We descend through forests to Rudiferia, where the scenic “larch trail” begins, leading to the picturesque village of San Cassiano.
We then take the cable car to the plateau, known as the “amphitheatre of the Dolomites”, with time to stop in mountain huts and taste traditional Ladin products. The stage ends with a descent to Planac.
2nd stage: approx. 6,7 km (4,2 miles) / +653 m (2142 feet) e.g.; -25 m (82 feet) e.l.
After breakfast, we head towards Gardena Pass. The Sella massif rises to the left, while the Puez-Odle Nature Park stretches to the right.
After a short ascent, we take the Dantercepies cable car to Selva di Val Gardena, famous for its woodcarving tradition.
3rd stage: approx. 11 km (6,8 miles) / +135 m (443 feet) e.g.; -435 m (1427 feet) e.l.
A visit to Seceda, one of the most iconic viewpoints in the Alps, is a must. From Col Raiser, a scenic walk across flower-filled meadows leads to the Seceda ridge.
The view of the Odle peaks is breathtaking. We descend to Ortisei by cable car, then continue towards Alpe di Siusi, reaching 2,000 m on Europe’s largest high plateau, where we enjoy sunset views over Sassopiatto and Sassolungo.
4th stage: approx. 16 km (9,9 miles) / +627 m (2057 feet) e.g.; -305 m (1000 feet) e.l.
We leave Alpe di Siusi and head towards Sella Pass. Sassopiatto and Sassolungo dominate the scenery as we hike along panoramic trails at their base before descending into Val di Fassa, known for its traditional villages and Ladin legends.
5th stage: approx. 5,6 km (3,5 miles) / +132 m (433 feet) e.g.; -247 m (810 feet) e.l.
A pleasant walk along the river brings us to Canazei. From here, a cable car takes us to Col di Rosc, facing the Marmolada glacier, the “Queen of the Dolomites” (3,343 m).
We continue to Passo Pordoi. Optionally, strong hikers may take the cable car to Sass Pordoi and continue on foot to Piz Boè (3,152 m), the highest peak of the Sella Group.
6th stage: approx. 17 km (10,6 miles) / +435 m (1427 feet) e.g.; -924 m (3032 feet) e.l.
The final stage brings us back to the village of Badia. From Passo Pordoi we descend towards Arabba and, passing Passo Campolongo, we continue the trek to the village of Corvara.
Here, in the 1930s, the first chairlift to Col Alt was built; today it has been replaced by a modern cable car that helps us gain elevation. We cross the Alta Badia plateau and finally descend to Badia, the starting point of our tour.
Departure
Upon request, Holimites can fully customize the itinerary: modify individual stages, shorten or extend the tour, add extra nights, or choose easier or more scenic variants.
Each participant is responsible for carefully evaluating the chosen package and ensuring that it matches their own physical fitness, technical ability, experience, and level of endurance.
By booking, participants confirm that they are in suitable physical and mental condition to safely undertake the activity and that they have understood the characteristics, duration, and difficulty level described in the programme.
Participants are also required to follow all instructions provided by Holimites staff at all times. For safety reasons, Holimites experts may modify, suspend, or interrupt activities.
Holimites cannot be held responsible for accidents, injuries, or damages resulting from failure to follow instructions, inaccurate personal declarations, or participation in activities beyond one’s own capabilities.
Price includes
Price does not include
*Included during the escorted tour
Note:
Supplements
Route characteristics
The stages of this itinerary follow well-marked trails with moderate distances and elevation gains, designed to offer a varied and rewarding hiking experience. Thanks to the use of cable cars and lifts, it is possible to cross some of the most iconic landscapes of the Dolomites while reducing effort and fully enjoying the journey.
Overnight stays are in authentic mountain huts and selected hotels, ensuring the right balance between alpine experience and comfort.
Who is it suitable for
This trek is suitable for hikers with some experience in mountain walking, accustomed to multi-day itineraries.
No technical or mountaineering skills are required, but a good level of physical fitness and stamina is necessary to comfortably and safely complete the daily stages and elevation gains.
Arrival
Holimites supports you in planning your arrival and departure, helping you choose the simplest and most convenient travel solution to reach the Dolomites.
We can assist you with:
This way you can start your mountain holiday without worries, right from the very beginning.
Is some training necessary before participating in this trekking tour?
Yes, even though the use of cable cars will facilitate some descents/climbs, it is still recommended to be trained. Sore legs, blisters, or other ailments related to walking after the first stage can possibly ruin the entire week for someone. The hiking programs are suited for people that are already strong walkers that can manage treks with fully packed backpacks.
Participating in a trekking group requires having to keep up a certain pace in order to finish the scheduled stages. If your legs are shutting down or your physical preparedness is constraining the rest of the group to slow down and making group compatibility problematic, your tour escort may decide you need to tone down, leaving the pack. Your alternatives in this case are:
a) to shuttle throughout the day on the service van, each day, to the next hut or
b) to take a shuttle 'bump up' to the last hotel, where you can finish your vacation doing some great day hikes.
Are there minimum skills requested?
It is absolutely necessary to have some trekking experience on mountain trails and exposed sections. A good ability to read maps is a must for self-guided tours.
What happens in the case of bad weather?
Sir Alan Flemming once stated: “There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing”. But, it’s surely possible that bad weather conditions may prohibit our planned tour in some cases. If this happens to
be the case, a phone call to our office from the hut you are staying at is all that’s needed. We will gladly reorganize all of the upcoming stages of your trekking tour so that you can arrive as planned at the end of the
Alta Via; even if you have to take a 1 day break to allow weather conditions to clear up.
What specific clothing do you recommend?
We suggest you always carry a light hydration pack with a few layers such as a light insulation jacket, gloves and a hat. Also, keep in mind that the weather in the mountains can quickly change. If your offer includes baggage transfer, we suggest you to pack some warmer and comfortable clothing, which can be left in your bag that we will transfer for you from hut to hut.
I have some Issues with elevation, is that a problem?
The runs each day are between 1.500 and 2.300 meters altitude (between 4,900 and 7,500 feet). In addition, the huts for the overnight stays are above 2000 meters (6,600 feet) If you have trouble with high elevations,
please consult a doctor or medical professional for their expert opinion before booking this trip.
I want do to a self-guided trekking. Are the trails well marked?
Yes, the trails are well marked, but it‘s important to pay attention and be sure to stay on the correct path. During the briefing a local trail expert will explain you every stage exactly.
The programs on the catalog don‘t match my expectations. Are there alternative offers?
On request, Holimites can customize a program for you. Is the tour too long or the stages to challenging? Do you prefer a different itinerary? Would you like to book some extra days to relax in the hotel or on a mountain hut? Just send us a request and we will do our best to meet your needs.
Should I expect to climb a Via Ferrata?
Our standard programs don't include a Via Ferrata. But gladly we can organize one for you with a certified IFMGA-UIAGM Alpine Guide. There is the opportunity to do the Via Ferrata during a stage or you can add an extra day at the beginning or at the end of your tour.
Overnight stay on the mountain huts...
You will be surprised of how lovely our mountain huts are. However, they have to be considered a rifugio in the mountains and not a hotel. So you won’t find all the luxury features you find in the towns.
In the huts there are blankets and pillows. We suggest to bring sleeping bags inlay with you.
All hotels and huts are well informed about dietary restrictions, like gluten or lactose intolerance. Everywhere you will find a vegetarian or vegan alternative.
Not all huts accept credit cards. So we suggest to bring some cash with you, to pay drinks, snacks or extras which are not included in the offer.
What about having lunch during the trekking?
For lunch you can stop in one of the huts to taste some traditional food or you have the possibility to buy a lunch package in the hut where you overnight.
What about dinner?
All the mountain huts where you'll be staying offer dinner service, which you can decide to join on the same day.
When you'll stay in a hotel you have the option to dine at the hotel's restaurant or, if you prefer, explore the town to find a restaurant that suits your taste.
Dates
