Self Guided Walk in the Dolomites

Experiencing nature - idyllic mountain lakes, lush mountain pastures, green forests and the legendary Dolomites will guide you through three Nature Parks during your hike. Not without a reason, were the Dolomites declared a Natural World Heritage Site. As a preamble to the hike, you are greeted by Lake Prags “Pragser Wildsee”, in whose crystal clear waters the whitewashed walls of the Seekofels Mountain, are mirrored. All those who believe that nothing more can top this experience, be well advised that high above Cortina, the pearl of the Dolomites you can view and glance over some of the most striking summits. The Cristallo Group of Mountain peaks; the Pinnacle on Mount Tofane and the summits around the Fanes Mountains, all wrestle for the attention of the observer. Naturally, an excursion to the “Drei Zinnen” cannot be left out, the encompassing hike around the celebrated trident promises fascinating impressions of the Sesto ranges of the Dolomites. Finally, we will introduce you to the splendours of Sesto, the valley of the mountain climbers and mountain guides. 

Highlights:
♦ The Dolomites - UNESCO Natural World Heritage SIte
♦ Fanes-Sennes-Prags, Dolomite Ampezzaner and  Sesto Dolomites Nature Parks
♦ Drei Zinnen (Three peaks) - the massif rock formation

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Itinerary: 

Day 1. Arrival in Hochpustertal (Niederdorf/Villabassa or Toblach/Dobbiaco
Individual arrival at the hotel in Hochpustertal. Free, unguarded public car park near the hotel.

Day 2. Villabassa/Dobbiaco - Pragser Tal/Valle di Braies - Plätzwiese
Your hiking holiday starts by the idyllic lake Pragser Wildsee, which fascinates the sightseer with the crystal clear turquoise waters of the lake. Here you get a first impression of the Pragser Tal; with its dark-needled coniferous forests and the whitewashed walls of the mountain rocks, it counts to the pearls of the Dolomites. The way leads you to the alpine pasture Rossalm and then to Plätzwiese. Beside calm and nature you encounter here also a panoramic view: In the vastness you can see the mountains Cristallo, Tofana and the world-famous Drei Zinnen (Three Peaks).

Leisurely walkers have the possibility to choose another option for the first stage, at which they are taken to the guesthouse Tuscherhof and start their walk from there. Following the river Stolla they pass the guesthouse Brückele, the homonymous hut Stolla and rock paintings (cases of erosion, which are produced by the constant influence of water and the different composition of the rock) to get to the Plätzwiese.
Option 1: Ascent: approx. 1100 m in altitude / descent: approx. 580 m in altitude / approx. 6-7 hours
Option 2: Ascent: approx. 800 m in altitude / descent: approx. 0 m in altitude / approx. 4-5 hours

Day 3. Plätzwiese - Strudelkopf or Dürrenstein 
Starting point of today’s stage is the alpine pasture “Plätzwiese”, which together with the mountains “Hohe Gaisl” and “Kreuzkofelgruppe” counts as the most treasured and revered hiking areas in the country; the charismatic magnetism of the unusual flora and natural lakes, have an enthralling charm on the discerning visitor. The bizarre and fascinating fables according to legends of the ancient tribes of Fanes Empire are relevant here. In the Nature Park “Fanes Sennes Prags”, the largest nature park in the Dolomites, you can make your choice between two options. Starting at the “Plätzwiese” depending on the variant you reach either the “Strudelkopf” (short variant) or the “Dürrenstein” (longer variant). Both options offer you a spectacular view on the “Hohe Gaisl”, the “Three Peaks”, the “Tofana” and the “Monte Cristallo” peak .
Option 1 walking: 3 h-4 h, ascent / descent: +360 m / - 360 m
Option 2 walking: 4 h-5 h, ascent / descent: +850 m / - 850 m

Day 4. Plätzwiese - Knappenfuss Valley - Gemärk/Cimabanche - Cortina d‘Ampezzo 
You hike through the high plateau of the Plätzwiese and descend through the Knappenfußtal to Cimabanche – the frontier between South Tyrol and Belluno. Here are two possibilities to continue: either the direct way using the public transport to Cortina d’Ampezzo or the longer variant to the hut Ra Stua and under the Col Rosa to Cortina d’Ampezzo. Your today’s destination, the former Olympic city, impresses with its unique location in the middle of famous Dolomite peaks.
Option 1 walking: 2 h, ascent / descent: + 0 m / - 460 m
Option 2 walking: 8 h, ascent / descent: + 610 m / - 1300 m

Day 5. Circular Track or cablecar Faloria(Ticket incl.)
The panorama of the starting point of this stage is quite simple and stunning. The giant rocks of the Ampezzo Dolomites reach into heaven; the Monte Cristallo and the Cristallogruppe, the Tofana and the Fanesgruppe are the leading actors of this spectacle. There are two options for the day: the longer one leads you towards Forcella Faloria and the shorter one is following the Dolomieu Panoramic Trail. Both of them are heading towards Passo Tre Croci. The descent to Cortina is equal for both routes. Let yourself be enchanted by the natural beauty of the fascinating environment of the impressive Dolomite peaks. If you don‘t want to take the cable car, you can take a nice circular walk around Cortina.
Option 1 walking: 5 h, ascent / descent: + 270 m / - 1150 m
Option 2 walking: 3 h-4 h, ascent / descent: + 100 m / -990 m
Option 3 walking: 4 h-5 h, ascent / descent: + 650 m / -640 m
Option 4 walking: 3.5 h-4 h, ascent / descent: + 570 m / -350 m

Day 6. Cortina D’Ampezzo - Rifugio Auronzo Hut - Drei Zinnen (Three Peaks) - Drei Zinnen (Three Peaks) viewpoint 
By bus you get to Auronzo Hut, situated directly below the world-famous rock massif of the „Three Peaks“. The imposing peaks, which were fiercely fought over as part of the front between Italy and Austria-Hungary during the mountain war in the First World War, are probably the best-known rock formation in the Dolomites. From here you hike leisurely down the Rienz Valley to the Dreizinnenblick and return by bus to the starting hotel of your hiking tour in Dobbiaco/Villabassa. For the more leisurely, there is the option of walking around the famous Three Peaks and returning by bus from the Rifugio Auronzo to Dobbiaco/Villabassa. (Ticket not included in the price).
Option 1 walking: 3.5 h-  4.5 h, ascent / descent: + 120 m / - 1000 m
Option 2 walking: 3 h-4 h, ascent / descent: + 350 m / - 350 m

Day 7. Departure
Individual departure or possibility to extend your stay.

Practical information: ►Arrival days for this tous are Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. ►This is an easy and accessible hiking tour through well-marked trails. It is suitable for anyone in good basic physical condition and climbing experiences are not necessary. ►For the arrivals after 8/9 there will be a change in the program on day 5 as the cable car is closed ►there is a city tax in most of the Italian cities, approx. 2-4 Euro per person per day, which has to be paid directly in the hotel

Recommended travel period of the year: June - September

Necessary equipment: sturdy walking boots and walking socks, a small rucksack, a water bottle with at least 1 litre capacity, sunglasses, sunhat, sun cream, rainwear, insect repellent.

Good to know: This is an easy and accessible hiking tour through well-marked trails. It is suitable for anyone in good basic physical condition and climbing experiences are not necessary. The tour is suitable for children from the age of 12.

 

 

 

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Price Includes:
6 overnights in a double room at standard hotels with breakfast
luggage transfer
map and road book in English - delivered to the first hotel
Navigation app
24-hour telephone service
Transfers according to the program
Ticket for the cable cars Faloria
Well planned routes
Ticket for the cable cars Faloria

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Not Included:
Arrival to the starting point of the tour
Departure at the end of the tour
Flight tickets
insurance
transfer from/to airport and other public transport
Bus tickets to Cortina d‘ Ampezzo and from Auronzo/Three Peaks Viewpoint to Toblach/Niederdorf
meals not mentioned in the program
personal expenses
entrance fees
Drinks,tourist tax and all extras

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Additional Services:
Half board supplement (4 dinners): on request
extra nights: on request

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Gallery

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