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Italy

Choose Your Pace: Hiking in the Italian Dolomites

Program No. 23844RJ
Journey through the Italian Dolomites at your choice of two hiking paces — moderate or challenging — amid dramatic peaks, alpine paths, historic villages, and rich natural history.
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Start
Walking/HikingOutdoor AdventuresSmall Group
Length
10 days
Rating (4.8)
Activity Level
Starts at
4,299
Flights start at
1,050
Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
10 days
9 nights
What's Included
17 meals ( 8B, 2L, 7D )
3 expert-led lectures
13 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
8 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Note: Transfer to Selva di Val Gardena is 125 miles, approximately 3.5 hours riding time. This program covers hiking in the Dolomite mountains and a good level of fitness at altitude and head for heights is required.
Afternoon:
After checking in at the hotel, we’ll have some time to freshen up and relax until our Orientation session before dinner. Orientation: 6:30 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. There will be two levels of hikes each day – based on local conditions – with variable terrain and increasing levels of physical challenge so you can select the hike of your choice. Each evening, we will hear about the next day’s hike features, highlights, terrain, ascent, and length with questions and answers, then sign up for your preferred option. Hikes will go rain or shine. Transportation to trailheads will be via private motorcoach or local bus, and by cable car. (Please note that Italian law currently forbids access to motorcoach toilets, which cannot be unlocked; we will plan rest stops accordingly.) A good head for heights is essential. Sites visited may vary based on the hiking level selected for that day. Hike durations are approximate and will be largely dependent on pace and ability level of participants in each group. Hike itineraries are subject to change due to weather and other conditions. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. Lunches are not included on hiking days, and there will be opportunities to purchase local snacks or meals en route at the refuges. In all cases, the Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Indicated times are approximate. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a cable car. Getting on/off a public bus. Moderate Hike: 100m (329 feet) downhill, 100m (329 feet) uphill; hiking under 6km (3.73 miles), approximately 3 hours. Challenging Hike: 350m (1149 feet) downhill, 350m (1149 feet) uphill; hiking under 7km (4.35 miles) approximately 4 hours. NOTE: Hiking itineraries are subject to change due to weather and other conditions.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
As a group, we will depart by coach to the Col Raiser cable car, situated above the village of Santa Cristina. After taking the cable car to the top (2,100 meters / 6,890 feet), we will enjoy a 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains of the Odle Group, including Stevia, Sella, Sassolungo, Sasso Piatto, and the Sciliar. Moderate Hike: From the Col Raiser cable car, we descend gently to Rifugio Firenze (2,040 meters / 6,693 feet), nestled in a lush alpine basin. We then continue on a moderate trail to Rifugio Fermeda (2,109 meters / 6,919 feet), and onward to “Lech Sant,” a small lake known for its turquoise waters and panoramic views of the Dolomite peaks. Here, we’ll have the opportunity to taste locally made cheese, a product of South Tyrol’s alpine dairy traditions. We complete the hike with a return to Rifugio Fermeda. Challenging Hike: From the top station of the Col Raiser cable car, we begin our descent to Rifugio Firenze (2,040 meters / 6,693 feet), situated in a scenic alpine meadow. From here, we set off on a more demanding trail along the picturesque Pian Ciautier route, ascending through dramatic Dolomite terrain until we reach Malga Pieralongia (2,290 meters / 7,513 feet). At this rustic mountain hut, we’ll enjoy a traditional Tyrolean cake. Our journey continues to Baita Troier (2,250 meters / 7,382 feet), a family-run mountain refuge that offers a window onto the high-altitude pastures of South Tyrol.
Lunch:
On your own en route.
Afternoon:
Moderate hike: We walk back from Rifugio Fermeda to Col Raiser cable car, and we will take a public bus back to Selva. Challenging hike: We will hike back from Baita Troier to Col Raiser cable car, and we will take a public bus back to Selva. Later this afternoon, we will enjoy an introductory lecture on the local Ladin culture and language at the Ladin Cultural Institute’s library.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Moderate Hike: 250m (820 feet) downhill, 250m (820 feet) uphill. Hiking about 10 km (6.22 miles), approximately 4 hours. Challenging Hike: Getting on/off a cable car. Getting on/off a motorcoach. 650m (2133 feet) downhill, 100m (328 feet) uphill. Hiking about 7km (4.35 miles), approximately 5 hours. NOTE: Hiking itineraries are subject to change due to weather and other conditions.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Moderate Hike: We begin our walk directly from the hotel, following a trail into Vallunga (1,830 meters / 6,004 feet), a picturesque alpine valley shaped by glacial forces and framed by the dramatic limestone cliffs of the Stevia massif and the Sella Group. The path leads us through conifer forests and open pastures. Our route takes us to “Pre da Ri,” a quiet viewpoint at the valley’s end. We return along the same trail, stopping at Baita Ciampac (approximately 2,160 meters / 7,087 feet), a traditional mountain hut surrounded by panoramic peaks. Challenging hike: We begin with a short walk to the Dantercepies cable car, located near our hotel. The cable car carries us to 2,298 meters (7,539 feet), where we begin hiking toward Piz Bustac, following trails once used by shepherds and traders crossing between valleys. As we descend toward Passo Gardena, we will hike through a landscape shaped not only by geological forces but also by centuries of alpine life—where Ladin communities have preserved their language, customs, and connection to the land for generations. Our hike concludes at Chalet Gérard (2,000 meters / 6,561 feet), with panoramic views of the Sassolungo, the Sella Group, and Val Gardena.
Lunch:
On your own en route.
Afternoon:
Moderate hike: After lunch we will walk back to the hotel. Challenging hike: After lunch we will walk to Plan de Gralba, where a private motorcoach will be waiting for us to transfer back to our hotel. After some time to rest and freshen up at the hotel, we will enjoy a lecture on the Trentino Alto Adige (South Tyrol) region by a local expert.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving around 60 miles, approximately 2 hours riding time. Walking up to 3 miles, standing at museum. Cobblestones, uneven terrain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will depart by private motorcoach to Bolzano, the main town in South Tyrol and a perfect blend of Alpine beauty and Northern Italian culture. We will enjoy an expert-led visit of the historical town center. We will then head to the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology where – with our local expert – we will see Ötzi, the well-preserved iceman who lived around 3,300 BCE during the Copper Age. He was discovered in 1991 by hikers in the Ötztal Alps that lend him his name.
Lunch:
At a traditional local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we experience an enriching visit to the atelier of a renowned local sculptor, whose work continues the centuries-old woodcarving tradition of Val Gardena. During our session, the artist will share insights into the creative process, from initial concept to finished piece, offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at his craft. Participants will have the opportunity to observe materials and techniques firsthand, gaining a deeper appreciation for the artistry and skill involved in traditional and contemporary wood sculpture.
Dinner:
Explore local fare on your own in Selva. The Group Leader will assist with recommendations.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving around 50 miles, approximately 2 hours total riding time. Moderate Hike: Getting on/off a cable car and a chairlift. 150m (492 feet) uphill and downhill, . Hiking 3km (1.85 miles), approximately 2 hours Challenging Hike: 400m (1312 feet) downhill, 550m (1804 feet) uphill. Hiking 6km (3.73 miles), approximately 5 hours. NOTE: Hiking itineraries are subject to change due to weather and other conditions.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
The group will transfer by private motorcoach to Passo Falzarego (2,105 meters / 6,906 feet). Today’s activity involves hiking sections of the World War I Route, close to the Italy-Austria border. As we walk through this dramatic alpine landscape, we will explore how geography shaped the course of the conflict and gain insight into the extreme conditions faced by Italian troops stationed at high altitude. Moderate hike: After taking a chairlift, we will hike around the Cinque Torri Open-Air Museum (2,361 meters / 7,746 feet), an extraordinary site where World War I trenches, shelters, and observation posts have been carefully preserved and recreated along historic mountain trails. This outdoor museum offers a vivid glimpse into the wartime experiences of soldiers who fought in these rugged Dolomite peaks. From here, we continue our hike to Rifugio Scoiattoli (2,255 meters / 7,399 feet) before descending toward Rifugio Cinque Torri (2,138 meters / 7,015 feet) Challenging hike: We begin our hike from Passo Falzarego toward Forcella Averau (2,435 meters / 7,989 feet), an area that formed part of the fierce frontline during World War I between Italian and Austro-Hungarian forces. This high-altitude battleground was characterized by harsh conditions, with soldiers digging extensive fortifications into the rock and ice. Remnants of these military structures are still visible today, offering a poignant glimpse into the challenges of mountain warfare in one of Europe’s most dramatic landscapes. After exploring this historic terrain, we will rest at Rifugio Nuvolau (2,575 meters / 8,450 feet), the oldest refuge in the Dolomites, inaugurated in 1883 by the Austrian-German Alpine Club, reflecting a long tradition of alpine exploration and mountain hospitality.
Lunch:
On your own en route.
Afternoon:
Both groups will take the Cinque Torri chairlift down and we will be transferred to the hotel by private motorcoach.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 86 miles, under 2.5 hours riding time. Walking about 2 miles, additional standing.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will depart by motorcoach to the Abbazia di Novacella, built in 1142 and considered to be a unique example of the region’s architectural influences. At the abbey, we will encounter Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, and Rococo styles, which offer a glimpse into the cultural heritage of the Tyrol. Our expert-led visit will include the Museum, the Pinacoteca (art gallery), and the library. The resident Augustinian Monks are also excellent winemakers, and we will enjoy a tasting of some of their wines. Later we will have some time to independently roam the Abbey’s grounds which feature an aromatic herb greenhouse and a French-style garden.
Lunch:
We will have a light lunch at the Abbey.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will head by motorcoach to the Ladin Museum where, with a local expert, we will have an exclusive on-site lecture on the area’s distinctive geology. Traveling through the Etsch/Isarco Valley in 1789, the French naturalist Déodat de Dolomieu discovered a limestone rock with – until then – unknown chemical characteristics. This mineral was named Dolomite after its discoverer, and shortly thereafter the mountain range was named.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a a public bus. Moderate Hike: Getting on/off a cable car. 320m (1050 feet) downhill, 250m (820 feet) uphill. Hiking under 7km (4.35miles), approximately 4 hours. Challenging Hike: Getting on/off a chairlift. 500m (1640 feet) downhill, 300m (984 feet) uphill. Hiking 8km (4.97 miles), approximately 4/5 hours. NOTE: Hiking itineraries are subject to change due to weather and other conditions.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Moderate hike: We begin our hike from the hotel, taking a short walk to the Funivia Ciampinoi cable car, which brings us to the summit of Ciampinoi (2,254 meters / 7,395 feet). From here, we descend toward Rifugio Comici for a brief rest before continuing on toward Monte Seura and the fascinating “Città dei Sassi” or Stone City (2,200 meters / 7,218 feet)—a geological formation made up of massive limestone boulders that have broken away from the cliffs over millennia, shaped by erosion and gravity into a remarkable natural landscape. As we walk, we enjoy sweeping views of the Sella Group, Col Rodella, and Sassolungo before ascending again to reach Passo Sella (2,218 meters / 7,277 feet). Challenging hike: We will take a private motorcoach to Monte Pana (1,650 meters/5,413 feet), a scenic mountain plateau known for its breathtaking panoramic views and peaceful alpine meadows. From here, we will take the Monte Seura, chairlift which ascends close to Sassalungo (2,685 meters / 8,809 feet), a majestic mountain massif located in the heart of the Dolomites. Its distinctive elongated shape and towering limestone cliffs make it one of the most iconic peaks in the region. The name “Sassolungo” translates to “long stone” in English, aptly describing its imposing presence against the backdrop of the alpine sky.
Lunch:
On your own en route.
Afternoon:
Moderate hike: After a break for lunch, we will return from Passo Sella to our hotel by public bus. Challenging hike: We will continue our hike towards the village of Plan de Gralba (1,800 meters / 5,906 feet), which transforms during the winter months into a paradise for winter sports enthusiasts. Notably, this area hosted the Alpine Ski World Cup in 1970. From here we will take a short ride to the hotel by public bus.
Dinner:
At the hotel. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our dinner to reminisce on this week’s hiking.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving around 150 miles, approximately 4 hours total riding time. Getting on/off a boat to Venice. Getting on/off a Gondola. Cobblestones, uneven ground, many steps.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After breakfast, we will check out and depart by motorcoach for Venice. We will arrive late morning at Tronchetto and transfer by boat to Piazza San Marco where we will enjoy some free time.
Lunch:
On your own in Venice. The Group Leader will offer suggestions and information.
Afternoon:
We will be joined by a local expert for a guided walking exploration of Venice, discovering the city's unique history, architecture, and culture. Our visit will also include a traditional gondola ride through the city’s canals. Later in the afternoon, we will transfer by boat to Tronchetto, where our private motorcoach will be waiting to take us to our hotel in the Veneto region.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 10:00 a.m. Transfers start from approximately 4:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel, if flight times permit. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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