Set your sights high (literally)! This Dolomites hiking adventure combines the most breathtaking stretches of Alta Via 1 and 2 (or the high routes) into one epic hut-to-hut journey through jagged peaks, rolling meadows, and sunlit valleys. From Cortina d’Ampezzo to Val di Fassa, we’ll hike and soak up the perfect blend of Italian charm and Austrian alpine spirit—all while limiting impact on the region and avoiding overcrowded trails. The result is a rugged, soul-stirring trek that’s pure Dolomites magic.

This best of the Dolomites trek combines the most spectacular sections of the Alta Via 1 and 2, also known as the high routes. It will take us from Cortina d’Ampezzo to Val di Fassa through jagged limestone peaks, rolling green meadows, and wide-open valleys that show off the full glory of these UNESCO World Heritage mountains. Expect full hiking days with big views (complete with a rewarding via ferrata climb), balanced by cozy evenings in charming traditional rifugios where you’ll enjoy warm meals, local wine, and that signature blend of Italian and Austrian mountain culture. Your luggage will be transferred along the route most days, so you can hike light with just your daypack and focus on soaking it all in.

This is a soulful, challenging, and wildly scenic adventure that encapsulates the beloved culture and landscapes of the Dolomites, while helping limit impact on the region and avoiding the overcrowded, more popular trails. Be sure to thoroughly read the Daily Breakdown and make sure you’re fully prepared for the distances and large elevation gains on this circuit.

We rated our Dolomites Hut-to-Hut hike a 4 out of 5 on the WHOA Adventure difficulty scale because, even though you’ll be sleeping in the comfort of a bed at night, it’s 6 back-to-back hiking days with serious elevation gains and losses.

The Dolomites are a mix of steep alpine trails, rugged rocky switchbacks, and high mountain passes that test both your legs and your focus. We’ll hike through rolling meadows one moment, and scramble up exposed limestone ridges the next. On via ferrata routes, expect metal rungs, cables, and ladders that lead you up dramatic cliffs with epic views in every direction. The highest elevation we’ll reach on our trek is at the peak of Averau (8,691 ft), so while it’s unlikely you’ll feel the effects of altitude, it’s very likely you’ll feel the effects of the many rocky ups and downs in your legs! 

The hiking season in the Dolomites typically runs from mid June through early October, when the trails are (most likely) clear of snow, the rifugios are open, and the mountains burst to life with wildflowers, crisp air, and long, golden days made for adventure. Mountain conditions can change fast—sun, wind, or sudden afternoon storms—so layers and good gear are key! Be ready to embrace what Mother Nature throws our way, and put on a layer and dance if it gets chilly and wet. Remember, the difference between an adventure and an ordeal is your attitude!

As with all WHOA Adventures, the better trained you are, the more enjoyable your experience will be. While training, make sure you’re breaking in your boots and wearing a full daypack to get used to the extra weight. With a cumulative elevation gain of over 18,270 ft in 44 mi over 6 back-to-back days, hiking the high routes of the Dolomites requires leg strength, stamina, and grit! Bottom line, stay active, break in your gear, and start conditioning your legs now for steep and steady uphills AND downhills. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s feeling strong, steady, and ready to hike and climb the mountains with confidence and respect! If you’re looking for more tips check out our expert 6 step training guide.

We’ll meet in Venice and head west to Alta Badia Südtirol into the heart of the Dolomites together. (FUN FACT: This region was part of Austria until the end of World War I, and you’ll see it in the culture!) We’ll pass through storybook mountain villages, soak up jaw-dropping views, and get a taste of the Ladin people’s soulful, traditional way of life, before unwinding at our cozy hotel over a delicious local meal while getting briefed on the epic adventure ahead!
 
Drive Time: ~3 hours
Included Meals: Welcome Dinner
Stay: Hotel La Majun
Room Type: Double room + bathroom
Arrival Logistics: Plan to meet at the Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) no later than noon on the start day. This is where you’ll meet the team and transfer to Alta Badia together.

Up we go! We’ll take a cable car up to Mount Lagazuoi to a fascinating open-air WWI museum carved into the mountains. Here the Italian and Austro-Hungarian armies dug shelters out of the mountains, transforming them into an impenetrable 20th century fortress of tunnels, trenches, and machine gun posts. Numerous routes trace the remnants of high-altitude battles—powerful reminders of the resilience and tragedy woven into these mountains. After our history filled hike, we’ll head through the grassy green pastures and stand in awe of the many vistas, including the Marmolada with its stunning glacier. We’ll hike beneath the impressive rocks of Mount Averau as we descend to Rifugio Scoiattoli to start “hut life” for the week! 

Hike Time: 5+ hours 
Hike Distance: 4.2 mi / 7 km
Elevation:
↗️ 3,388 ft / 1,031 m
↘️ 2,825 ft / 860 m 
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Stay: Rifugio Scoiattoli 
Room Type: Dormitory + shared bathroom

Today we gear up, and clip in for a via ferrata adventure! It’ll be part hike, part climb, and all adrenaline as we scale the Dolomites in a classic way along a legendary route. A via ferrata (which literally means “iron path” in Italian) is a protected climbing route equipped with fixed cables, ladders, and metal rungs anchored into the rock. It lets hikers safely scale steep cliffs and alpine walls that would normally require full rock-climbing gear and experience. Our route is called Averau Via Ferrata, which is perfect for beginner climbers. It will take us to the peak of Averau where we’ll have breathtaking panoramic 360° views of the Cinque Torri, Tofane, Pelmo, and Civetta. After lunch, we’ll have the chance to hike to the oldest rifugio in the Dolomites, Nuvolau, which dates back to the late1800s when the region was part of Austria. If the mountain shakes off its name (nuvola means cloud in Italian), we’ll get views of the vast surrounding valleys. We’ll continue on the trail as it snakes its way around boulders and narrow rocks, under the view of Croda da Lago peaks, to our mountain inn for the evening.

Hike Time: 8+ hours
Via Ferrata Time: 30 mins
Hike Distance: 8.4 mi / 13.5 km
Elevation:
↗️ 4,578 ft / 1,395 m
↘️ 4,888 ft / 1,490 m
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Stay: Passo Giau
Room Type: Double room + bathroom

After breakfast, we’ll lace up our hiking boots and hit the trail straight from our rifugio. Our path winds through alpine meadows and rolling hills before climbing toward a panoramic pass with jaw-dropping views in every direction, like the unmistakable pyramid of Antelao. We’ll hike through classic Dolomites scenery—rugged peaks, sweeping valleys, and endless sky—before arriving beneath the towering north face of Pelmo, known as the “Throne of the Gods” which is 3,300 ft straight up to the top! In the evening, we’ll settle into our cozy mountain rifugio for dinner and rest.

Hike Time: 6+ hours 
Hike Distance: 7.8 mi / 12.5 km
Elevation: 
↗️ 1,597 ft / 487 m
↘️ 3,105 ft / 946 m
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Stay: Rifugio Passo Staulanza or similar
Room Type: Double room + bathroom

We’ll kick off our hike meandering past quiet mountain farms and rolling green pastures. Up ahead, the mighty Monte Civetta will come into view, its dramatic, jagged peaks rising like organ pipes between the valley and sky. We’ll hike along this “wall of walls” before climbing to Rifugio Tissi, a remote and unforgettable overnight that is always a favorite! Perched on a mountaintop, this inn offers sweeping views of Val Civetta, the Alleghe Valley below, and the distant Marmolada Glacier to the west.

Hike Time: 6+ hours 
Hike Distance: 6.4 mi / 10.4 km
Elevation:
↗️ 2,978 ft / 908 m
↘️ 1,368 ft / 417 m
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Stay: Rifugio Tissi or similar
Room Type: Dormitory + shared bathroom

From our charming rifugio, the path leads us through sweeping alpine pastures and onward into the hidden folds of Val Corpassa, a narrow valley bursting with wild beauty and mountain magic. We’ll hike right below the sheer rock faces of the Torre Venezia and Torre Trieste, both rising some 2,000 ft meters vertically from the valley floor (and we may even get to see some climbers ascending these impressive towers)! 
We’ll descend through a dense forest before transferring to our rifugio for a well-earned treat: mountain-style. Tucked beneath the mighty Marmolada Glacier, known as the “Queen of the Dolomites,” we’ll have the chance to unwind in steamy saunas and bubbling whirlpools, giving our sore muscles the royal treatment they deserve!

Hike Time: 8+ hours 
Hike Distance: 10.5 mi / 16.9 km
Elevation:
↗️ 2,280 ft / 695 m
↘️ 4,428 ft / 1,350 m
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Stay: Baita Dovich Mountain Inn or similar
Room Type: Double room + bathroom

After breakfast, we’ll make our way toward Malga Ciapela, where the trail begins to follow the gentle flow of the Torrente Pettorina River. The path winds through dense forest before opening into wide alpine pastures, a perfect spot to catch your breath and take it all in! As the climb gets steeper, twisting through switchbacks and wildflower-studded slopes, we’ll pass the ghostly remains of Franzedàz, an old summer village once home to herders and their flocks. Higher up, the trail turns to gravel and the landscape blushes red, a nod to the iron-rich stones that gave Forca Rossa its name. From the pass, it’s a beautiful descent toward Passo San Pellegrino, ending at our cozy mountain refuge, Rifugio Fuciade. Here, we’ll gather for our celebratory meal, and raise our glasses and say cin cin to an unforgettable adventure in the heart of the Dolomites!

Hike Time: 8+ hours 
Hike Distance: 7.2 mi / 11.6 km
Elevation:
↗️ 3,450 ft / 1,050 m
↘️ 1,800 ft / 550 m
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Stay: Rifugio Fuciade or similar
Room Type: Double room + bathroom

After breakfast, we’ll head back to Venice and connect with homeward-bound flights, ending our unforgettable, action packed adventure around one of the most famous and beloved mountain ranges in the world! (Feel free to book your departure from Venice anytime after 1 PM.)

Included Meals: Breakfast


NOTE: All distances and times are approximate! This is a special highlights itinerary, so the exact route, itinerary and accommodation is subject to change based on trail conditions, weather, availability and unforeseen conditions, and that's part of the adventure! Even when things change, trust you'll be well taken care of with WHOA quality, professionalism, and TLC!