Dolomites High Traverse: Hut-to-Hut Hiking in Italy - 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive in San Candido, Warm-Up Hike

Welcome to Italy! The Colosseum and Pantheon will have to wait—this trip is all about the great outdoors. Specifically, you'll be conquering the country's famous Dolomites Mountains. Part of the larger Alps range, the peaks of these imposing carbonite rocks (similar to limestone) rise sharply out of the verdant northern hills like jagged teeth. The Dolomites are an adventurer's dream, as mountaineers can navigate them through their extensive network of via ferrata routes—climbing paths with cables, ladders, and bridges. 

Upon arrival in the scenic alpine village of San Candido, you'll meet your group and acclimate. The first excursion is a bit of a warm-up as you hike 1 mile (2 km) up into the Dolomites. After about 30 minutes, you'll arrive at the rifugio (mountain hut), where you'll overnight. These cozy and rustic mountain lodges exist throughout the Dolomites and will serve as your accommodations each evening.

Day 2: Hike to Rifugio Locatelli & Tre Cime di Laveredo

Rise and shine! Today's hike is a bit more strenuous than yesterday's leisurely stroll. After breakfast, you'll leave the lodge on a 4-mile (6 km) hike through the upper valley to the Torre di Toblin, the entrance to the three peaks of the famed Tre Cime di Laveredo (Three Peaks of Laveredo). This is one of the most iconic mountain groups in the entire Dolomites, featuring the best rock climbing and most scenic trails on its circuit hikes.

Here, you'll find the aforementioned via ferrata climbing paths, which were originally constructed during World War I. After about three hours of hiking in total, you'll arrive at Rifugio Locatelli. Dating to 1883, this is one of the oldest in the Dolomites. After settling into your room, you can choose to explore the area and do some landscape photography on an additional hike around the rifugio. 

Day 3: Hike to Prato Piazza

It's time to bid farewell to the peaks of Tre Cime as you leave Locatelli headed west. Today's trek covers 10 miles (16 km) and takes about six hours, but it's a relatively easy, mostly downhill trail. Upon reaching the bottom of the Ribon Valley, you'll continue up the Strudelkopfsattel Pass under the peak of Monte Specie, eventually arriving in the green plains of the Prato Piazza. This dazzling high-mountain plateau in the heart of the Dolomites is where you'll spend the night.

Day 4: Hike to Lago di Braies

After breakfast at the lodge, continue west through the forests of the Ponticello region to the Malga Rossalm hut. It's another relatively long 7-mile (12 km) but it is both easy and scenic. The approximately six-hour journey will take you along alpine meadows to the Cavallo Pass, just below the broad summit of Monte Casale. Then, continue down to the glassy, turquoise waters of Braies Lake, nestled amid Dolomites peaks. Your rifugio just south of the lake offers prime viewpoints of the surrounding wilderness.

Day 5: Hike to Fanes-Senes-Braies Natural Park

This morning, you'll embark on the longest leg of the hike. The 11-mile (9 km) route begins along the lakeshore before ascending up the Seitenbach Valley to Forcella di Riciogogn, a natural mountain amphitheater at 7,647 feet (2,331 m). This is the heart of Fanes-Senes-Braies Natural Park, an unspoiled protected area itself located in the central Dolomites. Surrounded by alpine peaks, the park features emerald lakes, pinnacle rock formations, and green alpine meadows dotted with wildflowers.

After a snack break, continue through a wild limestone desert to the verdant Pederu Valley. Finally, hike up to the expansive Valun de Fanes, where your rifugio sits in a wide-open meadow. The total hiking time to reach the mountain hut will be around seven hours.

Day 6: Hike to Alta Biada & Rifugio Gardenaccia

Today's 9-mile (15 km) hike will take you across the Fanes altiplano (high plain), a region rich in fossils dating to when the area was a lakebed. When you reach the pale mountain peaks of the Medesc Pass, you'll hike down a steep woodland path to La Villa Stern. This village is located amid the Alta Biada, a region famous for its ski slopes.

During a break, you'll enjoy a leisurely stroll through the village, grab a bite to eat, and shopping time. Then, it's time to hike the final leg up to the Gardenaccia Rifugio. Easily the swankiest mountain hut (more of a lodge) on the trip, it offers views of Marmolada, the highest summit of the Dolomites (10,968 ft/3,343 m).

Day 7: Hike to San Silvestro, Transfer to Trento, Depart

It's time for the last leg of the trip, which covers 9 miles (15 km). Leave early from the rifugio on a short hike to Gardenaccia Pass (8,343 ft/2,543 m). The trail continues to Rifugio Puez, offering excellent views of Marmolada and other nearby peaks, before descending sharply to San Silvestro Valley. Here, you'll cross a meadow to San Silvestro Church and the village of Selva-Wolkenstein, where your epic trek comes to an end. From there, you'll transfer by vehicle to the city of Trento, where you'll organize your trip home. Until next time!

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