Sample Trip Itinerary Summer 2024
Day 1
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
Our trip will start in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy in the afternoon with a meet-and-greet and orientation meeting to meet the guides and go over the logistics and itinerary of the upcoming week! Enjoy an optional shakeout run, unpack, and explore the many cafes, restaurants, shops, and Olympic center in town.
Double accommodation in 4-star hotel with breakfast included
DAY 2
First Full Day on the Alta Via 1
For our first day on the AV1, we'll head out from Lago di Braies and up towards the Parco Naturale delle Dolomiti d'Ampezzo with panoramic views of the Sass de Putia to the Tofane pyramids. We'll cover 11 miles on the trail at with options to stop for photo breaks, lunch, and cappuccinos at rifugios along the way. Our home base for the evening will be a modernized rifugio level offering typical South Tyrolean dishes and beverages. Located at 2,060 meters above sea level, it's a place to sleep "a few steps from the sky."
Shared dormitory in mountain rifugio with half board (breakfast and dinner) included
Roughly 11 miles/+3,300 feet ascent/-2,500 feet descent**
**Please note, exact mileage and ascent/descent info each day subject to change, but this is a good guideline**
DAY 3
Entering the Cortina Dolomites
Today we enter the Cortina Dolomites, starting our day with Passo di Limo. Along the way we'll have the chance to stop at a malga, or dairy farm, with beverages and simple meals. We'll be rewarded for the day's climbing with truly spectacular vistas from our rifugio at 2500m, which also boasts the home of the highest sauna in the Dolomites. At a total of 8 hilly miles, today will be a relatively shorter day on the trail, offering those a chance to rest for the days to come, or take advantage of the many side hikes and activities from our scenic rifugio.
Shared dormitory in mountain rifugio with half board (breakfast and dinner) included
Roughly 14 miles/+6,000 feet ascent/-3,000 feet descent
DAY 4
Dolomiti History
Today we pass through an important area in Dolomite history dating back to World War One. We will start off the run dropping down the trail before climbing up to the impressive Cinque Torri area. An optional side route includes exploring an extensive tunnel system through the mountain. Covering ten miles up and down the trails today, we will arrive at our rifugio in the afternoon. Our rifugio for the evening is one of the more remote rifugios, so the views of the dawn skies and starry evenings can't be beat.
Shared dormitory in mountain rifugio with half board (breakfast and dinner) included
Roughly 8 miles/+1,800feet ascent/-3,500 feet descent
DAY 5
Peaks, Passes, and Apple Strudel
After getting an early start, today will feature some of the most beautiful singletrack on both smooth and technical forest trails. Highlights include Passo Giau, the site of the ancient Mondeval Man, and a stop for coffee with the cows at Rifugio Citta di Fiume. After climbing up towards the stunning Passo Giau forcella, you'll enjoy a long and gradual descent towards a higher end rifugio. You'll be greeted with a warm welcome at your comfortable rifugio that serves excellent meals, apple strudels, has a spa, and sunset views of that special Dolomiti light on the nearby Pelmo.
Shared dormitory in mountain rifugio with half board (breakfast and dinner) included
Roughly 10.5 miles/+2,000 feet ascent/-4,000 feet descent
DAY 6
Grand Finale
Just around the corner from breakfast is one of the most impressive faces in the Dolomites, or Monte Civetta (some call it the El Capitan of the Dolomites). For your final biggest day on the trails, you’ll enjoy your last high alpine vistas at the start of the trail before descending in altitude as vegetation turns to forest and you get a view of the impressive mountain walls from below. Most of the high elevation gains and losses are completed midway through the route and there's moderate running to enjoy to your final rifugio.
Shared dormitory in mountain rifugio with half board (breakfast and dinner) included
Roughly 15.5 miles/+4,800 feet ascent/-4,400 feet descent
DAY 7
Dolomites to Venice
For our final morning, we'll enjoy an early breakfast and coffee at our rifugio before descending a couple of easy miles down to the town of Agordo. We'll then head back to Venice, reaching it by evening where we say our goodbyes with new friends and tons of memories.
5.5 miles/-4,500 feet descent
Private transfer to Venice included
