This circumnavigation of the colossal, cathedral-like Sella massif (3152m) takes in the 4 valleys that terminate at this huge natural plinth: Alta Badia, Livinallongo, Val di Fassa and Val Gardena. Relax in the late afternoon in characterful Tyrolean mountain resorts, all with majestic backdrops. Our perfected hiking routes wend their way through this UNESCO World Heritage site, showcasing alpine villages, wildflower-strewn upland pastures, and all 7 of the great Dolomite peaks that exceed 3000m, which glow a fiery red at sunset, known locally as the Enrosadira.
With comprehensive maps and route notes, self-navigation between comfortable overnight accommodations is effortless, making it perfect for anyone craving the adventure of point-to-point walking in the Dolomites, without compromising their creature comforts along the way.
Browse this page for all you need to know about our village-to-village Sella Grand Tour walking holiday and when you’re ready, click Enquire or Book Now, submit some details and let our skilled enquiry team help you make this holiday a reality.
At a glance
21 June to 20 September 2025
(You can start any day)
£1350 (£1450 in August)
Moderate
Expect to walk for 3 – 4½ hours per day, with between 125m – 665m ascent and 600m – 1200m descent each day
B&B Accommodation in Corvara on your first and last night
All Other Accommodation Bookings (breakfast and dinner included)
Return Airport Transfers from Venice Marco Polo on Saturdays and Wednesday only
(Private transfers are also available for a supplement – contact us for more details)
Holiday Pack with comprehensive route notes, maps & more
Excess baggage storage in Corvara
Please note that packed lunches and refugio showers (which cost €3-6) are not included.
This holiday begins and ends in Corvara high in the Alta Badia. The best route is to fly in and out of Venice Marco Polo and join a Collett’s transfer (included, Saturdays and Wednesdays only) which operates as follows :
Departs Venice Marco Polo – 1400 prompt
Departs Corvara – between 0630 and 0700 – for flights taking off after 1200
Journey Time – 3 hrs.
Some waiting time at the airport is inevitable unless you book a private transfer. Please note that our scheduled transfers cannot wait for delayed flights. Please see our ‘need to knows’ below for more information.
Example Flights:
Bristol
London Heathrow
London Gatwick
London Stanstead
Manchester
Alternatively, private transfers are available any day of the week from Venice Marco Polo, Treviso and Innsbruck – contact us for details.
Dates & Itineraries
Day 1
ArriveTravel to the Dolomites. If you arrive on a Saturday or Wednesday, join a free airport transfer from Venice Marco Polo (3pm) to Corvara. Private transfers are also available on any day for a supplement – please contact us for more details.
Overnight: Guesthouse or chalet in Corvara (B&B basis).
Day 2
Corvara to Arabba, via the Pralongia PlateauRoute Statistics: 13.3km, 292m ascent, 644m descent
With a lift from the village of Corvara to the Pralongia Plateau, you’ll start the route with sweeping panoramic views of the area’s towering peaks. Along a comfortable, well-established track you’ll find many welcoming rifugios for lunch and coffee breaks, and your descent will bring you through the picturesque forests overlooking the Livinallongo Valley. One of the day’s highlights is the huge peak of Monte Civetta, seen here at its very best – beautifully framed by the landscape. You’ll end the day in Arabba, a small resort village that’s preserved all the charm of its historic mountain roots.
Overnight: Hotel in Arabba (half board)
Day 3
Viel dal Pan, the Marmolada, and the Val di FassaRoute Statistics: 6.3km, 125m ascent, 241m descent
The lift out of Arabba offers breathtaking views of the Marmolada, the highest mountain of the Dolomites. From here, the route skirts beneath the Portavescovo ridge before joining onto the gentle contours of Alta Via 2. At the end of the day, two cable car lifts will take you down to the centre of Canazei, a popular village that’s known for preserving traditional alpine customs and festivals.
Overnight: Hotel in Canazei (half board)
Day 4
Sassolungo and the RosengartenRoute Statistics: 11.7km, 665m ascent, 621m descent
Today’s route is all about the iconic shape and majesty of the Sassolungo group, a true must-see in the region. A wide track winds past Sasso Piatto, and then along the edge of the Alpe di Siusi, one of the largest areas of alpine meadow in Europe. You’ll also enjoy the stunning pink-hued vistas of the famed Rosengarten group before spending the night nestled high in the mountains, in an authentic rifugio.
Overnight: Rifugio Tierser Alpl (half board)
Day 5
The Alpe di SiusiRoute Statistics: 13.3km, 424m ascent, 596m descent
Crossing the Alpe di Siusi gives an unforgettable day of walking, with bursting meadows and an extensive network of paths and tracks. This is a true walkers’ paradise, punctuated by many charming rifugios offering traditional hospitality. At the end of a route that showcases the Sassolungo and Puez-Odle Massifs you’ll arrive in Ortisei – a village well known for artisanal wood-carvings, and a truly delightful place to explore.
Overnight: Hotel in Ortisei (half board)
Day 6
Seceda and the Puez-Odle Natural ParkRoute Statistics: 11km, 283m ascent, 1182m descent
Today’s walk begins with a long lift ride out of the village, which accesses some truly breathtaking terrain on the northern edge of the Dolomites. Moving along a huge natural bowl formed by the Puez-Odle Massif, the route follows picturesque paths through open meadows. A few stops along the way will allow walkers to revel in the superb views back toward the Alpe di Siusi plateau. The day ends in Selva, the highest village in Val Gardena, and an area renowned for wooden sculpture.
Overnight: Hotel in Selva (half board)
Day 7
Selva to the Alta BadiaRoute Statistics: 9.3km, 166m ascent, 888m descent
Today, a final lift takes you to Passo Gardena and the panoramic windows of Rifugio Dantercepies – a wonderful place to stop for an early coffee. From here, the route stretches along the side of the valley towards Corvara. Today’s highlights include the village of Colfosco and its picturesque church, and, in Corvara, an opportunity to sample the very best strudel in the Dolomites!
Overnight: Guesthouse or chalet in Corvara or Badia (B&B basis)
Day 8
DepartIf you depart on a Saturday or Wednesday, join a free airport transfer back to Venice Marco Polo or private transfers are available any day. See Travel for more information.
Accommodation
On this trip, your first and last night will be spent in Corvara in a nearby village guest house. The rest of the itinerary is based on half-board, en-suite accommodation in village guest houses or small hotels, and one night of half-board dormitory-style accommodation in the Rifugio Tierser Alpl. Private rooms are available in the Rifugio Tierser Alpl, at a supplement of £20 per person (subject to availability – please request at the time of booking).
Need to Knows
Terrain – Walks on this route only use waymarked and signposted routes on established trails. This trip avoids the loose, rocky terrain that often features on higher altitude paths.
Breakfast & Dinner – Breakfasts are generous and usually buffet-style; dinner is ordered from a set menu, usually with at least 2 choices for each course. The cuisine is hearty and favours local dishes – providing ideal fuel for days out on the mountain.
Lunch – packed lunches can be purchased at all accommodations along the trek, except in Corvara, where supplies are easy to source locally.
ETIAS – The European Travel Information and Authorisation System is not due to be introduced until mid-2025. Currently there is not an exact date as to when it will come into force. This means you do not need to have a ETIAS for travel to Europe at the moment. For more information read our blog article here
Booking Conditions – be sure to read our full terms and conditions here before booking.
At Your Own Risk – please read the important notes here.
Travel Advice – check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice here.
Passport & Visa – any questions should be directed to the relevant embassy of your destination country; find out more here. It is your responsibility to be in possession of a full passport, valid for your chosen destination.
Travel Insurance – having adequate and valid travel insurance is a condition of booking with us. Details of our insurance partner, Campbell Irvine, are here.
Health Information – You should carry either an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) Neither is an alternative to adequate travel insurance. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice and https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/
ABTA – Independent travel advice and help is always available from ABTA by calling 020 3117 0599 or visiting www.abta.com.