Arrive at your hotel the Dolomitenhof

The “Smuggler Trail” runs along a ridgeline that separates Italy from Austria. It was used by smugglers to transport illegal cigarettes and alcohol across the border. The trail snakes it’s way along the ridge following WWI and WWII military placements. Mussolini used this ridge to build secret bunkers as he never quite trusted his ally, Hitler. We will follow this trail as part of our Dolomite hike and have lunch either on the ridge or at a lovely Rifugio lower down the mountain. This trek is intended to be a good introduction to the week ahead, as we will explain the history of the area and it will provide panoramic views of the main Sexten Dolomite massif.

Today we will cross the Val de Sesto onto the Dolomite side so that we get up close to the mountains that have provided a surreal backdrop so far. A short bus ride to Kreuzbergpasse, we will head up into the forest line before exiting at around 1900m above the trees. Bunkers from WWII can be seen throughout this area, and the typical Dolomite rock and formation creates a dramatic landscape for us to walk through. Our guide will describe how the area was formed over the millennia to give us an understanding in the coming days the significance of the area. We will then traverse along the base of a dolomite wall before reaching Burstall Castelliere at 2150 m. From here we are afforded amazing views down into Sexten and back towards Kreuzbergpass. After a quick 30 minute descent, we will have lunch at Rudu Hutta (maybe a Schnitzel or some Pasta). After lunch, we will head for home down through a dreamlike forest landscape filled with wildflowers, birds, larch trees and pencil pines.

Mountain Biking Tour: Today we take you on a wonderful Mountain Tour away from the roads and higher up the mountain with spectacular views of the valleys and ranges. This will not be too difficult. We will be using e-bikes which will make the journey of 60-65 kilometres quite a bit easier.

Our first stop will be the wonderful Rifugio Zsigmondi for a little apple strudel and a coffee at 2224 metres before we head towards Rifugio Pian di Cengia or Rifugio Locatelli. Our final destination is only about an hour from here across a beautiful green high field and then up over the Piso Fiscalino at 2519 metres. Your local Rifugio for the night has amazing views of the Dolomites. We will have the option of a short walk along World War One trenches towards Croda Fiscalina, a small summit with awesome views of the Fiscalina valley and the immense Dolomite massif. We finish the day with a delicious mountain meal of 3 courses before a well-deserved sleep. Tonight you will stay at a local mountain Rifugio. The rooms are dorm style. The imperial influenced food is excellent and the facilities are simple but accommodating. There are no showers. You will have to pack an overnight pack for these 2 days in the mountains.

Via Ferrata Option: Today we can offer those that wish to try their hand at Via Ferrata (or “Iron Roads” in Italian) the Monte Paterno. This is a beginner traverse of an important and beautiful mountain range that featured during the First World War. Via Ferrata was invented in these mountains and gave access to parts of the mountains that are not available to normal hikers. The activity involves wearing a helmet and a harness and clipping into fixed steel cables that are bolted into the rock walls. There are places that are exposed to high drop-offs. If you have a phobia of heights then this may not be an option for you. If you decide not to do this option we will have a guide to escort you through the mountains back to our hotel. For those who wish to pass the Via Ferrata Option, you will be lead on an easier mountain trail with stunning views of the surrounding peaks.

A free day to relax in the spa or sauna or head into town.

One of our favourites walks as it takes us through beautiful meadows carpeted with flowers. We learn about farming in this area and also above traditional medicine through the use of trees, shrubs, and flowers. From the meadow, we head up through idyllic pine forests and finally to a meadow with amazing views of the Dolomites. From there we head to Casella di Fuori at just over 2000 metres which divides Val Fiscalina from Val Campo di Dento. A steep down on the other side we will then take an easier trail eventually leading to the Rifugio Tre Scarperi, which serves some of the best food in Italy.

Town tour lead by our local Verona born historian.

Today we say goodbye, Ciao!