A walking journey in the heart of the Dolomites, where each stage reveals a new “pearl” and every landscape tells a story.
With the support of lifts, this 8-day trekking crosses some of the most iconic scenery: from Alta Badia to the Sella group, through Arabba and Porta Vescovo, with the Marmolada — the “Queen of the Dolomites” — dominating the horizon.
Towards Val di Fassa, Lake Carezza and the Rosengarten group offer evocative atmospheres, filled with colors, silence, and legends such as that of King Laurin and his rose garden.
The journey ends on the Alpe di Siusi, the largest high-altitude plateau in Europe: a final pearl with breathtaking views over the Dolomites and surrounding valleys.
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. 9,6 km (6 miles) / +304 m (997 feet) e.g.; -503 (1650 feet) e.l.
The starting point is Badia, from where we follow the river path to the Piz La Ila cable car station. The lift takes us up to the wide meadows of Piz La Ila and Col Alto. We continue towards the Sella group with stunning panoramic views over Val Badia and surrounding peaks, then descend through the rock formations of Bec de Roces to Passo Campolongo.
2nd stage: approx. 10,5 km (6,5 miles) / +414 m (1358 feet) e.g.; -665 m (2165 feet) e.l.
We leave Passo Campolongo behind and head towards the mountain village of Arabba, from where we take the cable car up to Porta Vescovo. In front of us rises the majestic Marmolada glacier, accompanying us along the panoramic Viel del Pan trail. Thanks to the lifts, we soon reach our cozy accommodation for the night.
3rd stage: approx. 7,8 km (3,8 miles) / +500 m (1640 feet) e.g.; -574 m (1883 feet) e.l.
From Ciampac, we cross the pass into Val Jumela, a wild valley where peace and silence still prevail. Here cattle graze on green alpine pastures. Descending the valley, we encounter ever-changing landscapes. The day ends in Val di Fassa.
For those interested, the stage can be extended (+ approx. 3 km) to visit the characteristic mountain villages of Pozza and Vigo di Fassa.
4th stage: approx. 12 km (7,5 miles) / +513 m (1683 feet) e.g.; -400 m (1312 feet) e.l.
This stage leads us into the world of Dolomite legends. We visit the famous Lake Carezza, where, according to legend, the nymph Odina lived and enchanted the wizard of Mount Latemar. We then continue towards the Rosengarten group, home of King Laurin and his rose garden, which—due to a curse—can only be admired at dusk.
5th stage: approx. 6,6 km (4,1 miles) / +1275 m (4183 feet) e.g.; -0 m (0 feet) e.l.
From the picturesque village of Tiers, we ascend through the famous bear trap (Bärenfalle) gorge, a scenic trail with bridges and steps leading to Sella Cavaccio. From there, we continue to Rifugio Bolzano (Schlernhaus), where we stay overnight. We recommend adding the short climb to Mount Petz, the highest point of the Schlern plateau and one of the most panoramic peaks in South Tyrol.
6th stage: approx. 12 km (7,5 miles) / +480 m (1575 feet) e.g.; -730 m (2395 feet) e.l.
We leave Rifugio Bolzano, also known as the “Castle of the Dolomites”, and cross the Alpe di Siusi, a true jewel with its flowering meadows. The tour ends in Ortisei, famous for its woodcarvers and artists.
Departure
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 follow well-marked trails with moderate distances and elevation gains, designed to offer a varied and rewarding experience. Thanks to lift facilities, it is possible to explore some of the Dolomites’ most iconic landscapes while optimizing effort and fully enjoying the journey.
Overnight stays are in authentic mountain huts and carefully selected hotels, ensuring the perfect balance between alpine experience and comfort.
Who is it suitable for
This trekking is ideal for hikers with moderate experience, used to walking on mountain trails for several consecutive days.
No technical or mountaineering skills are required, but a good level of fitness and endurance is necessary to comfortably handle elevation changes and daily stages.
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.
Where can we have lunch during the trekking?
For lunch, you can stop at one of the mountain huts and try some local specialities. Alternatively, you can request a packed lunch from the hut where you stayed the previous night.
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
