Grand Tour of the Alta Badia Hut-to-Hut Walking Holiday

Travel to the Dolomites.

Accommodation: B&B in Corvara or Badia

Route Statistics: 10.8km, 1435m ascent, 731m descent

Day One features the iconic Sassongher peak, which towers over Corvara and provides sweeping views over the Alta Badia. A narrow switchback path leads up the steep flanks of the peak, with the final summit accessed with some easy scrambling. The descent features the same easy scrambling, followed by a superb terraced path. The first hut – the tranquil Rifugio Gardenacia – offers breathtaking views across the valley to the Fanes Massif.

Accommodation: Rifugio Gardenacia (half board)

Route Statistics: 12.9km, 955m ascent, 950m descent

Crossing the valley from the Puez-Odle to the Fanes Massif, today’s route begins with an occasionally steep descent into the village of La Villa. Here you’ll find plenty of opportunities to stop for a mid-morning coffee, before setting off up the eastern side of the valley. From San Cassiano, following beautiful woodland paths to the Santa Croce Rifugio and Chapel, this walk showcases the valley’s most charming villages. The rifugio here is basic but beautifully positioned, affording stunning sunset views of the towering face of the Santa Croce peak.

If you prefer, there is also an option to make this day’s walk easier by using the lift from Badia to Santa Croce (lift ticket not included).

Accommodation: Rifugio Santa Croce (half board)

Route Statistics: 12km, 1188m ascent, 1150m descent

Leaving Rifugio Santa Croce, a meandering path leads through unspoilt meadows and tranquil forests before an ascent that opens out the whole of the Fanes Massif. From here, a steady descent leads down to the sheltered meadows of Munt de Pices Fanes and Rifugio Lavarella. The walk involves some quite steep and airy sections of path on loose, rocky terrain, but no scrambling is required.

Accommodation: Rifugio Lavarella (half board)

Route Statistics: 15km, 1314m ascent, 630m descent

Today’s walking is split into two parts. First you’ll follow the well-known Alta Via 1, which crosses the Dolomites from north to south. A short initial climb yields to a gentle path with high peaks all around, and ultimately slopes back into the valley in preparation for a long afternoon climb. Two well-positioned rifugios punctuate the afternoon route, and make ideal places for a late morning coffee and then a good hearty lunch. The day’s final destination is Rifugio Lagazuoi, which boasts the best panoramic views of the Dolomites – a truly superb spot for an evening’s rest.

Accommodation: Rifugio Lagazuoi (half board)

Route Statistics: Rest day, or other walking options

Options abound for day five of your itinerary. Spend the day relaxing on the beautiful sun terrace of Rifugio Lagazuoi with a good book and traditional lunch, or borrow a torch and explore the Lagazuoi Tunnels – an intricate and extensive network of tunnels used by the Italian and Austro-Hungarian troops during WW1. If you’d prefer more walking, try the circular route to Rifugio Nuvolau, the oldest hut in the Dolomites (walking time 4½ hours, 470m ascent and descent). Or, complete a circuit of one of the Dolomites’ most impressive peaks: Tofana de Rozes (walking time 6 hours, 1270m ascent and descent). Your holiday pack (included in the trip price) gives detailed information on all the ways to create your perfect day.

Accommodation: Rifugio Lagazuoi (half board)

Route Statistics: 14.8km, 769m ascent, 1390m descent

Today you’ll descend from Rifugio Lagazuoi (on foot or by cable car) to Passo Falzarego, which takes you along the southern flank of the Setsas range. This route moves through intermittent woodland, small meadows and boulder fields before opening out to the sweeping, comprehensive views of the Pralongia plateau – the perfect place to reflect on the week’s walking. Before completing the wide-track descent into Corvara, consider stopping for lunch at one of the exceptional rifugios along the way – a wonderful way to finish your Grand Tour of the Alta Badia.

Accommodation: B&B in Corvara or Badia

If you depart on a Saturday or Wednesday, join a Collett’s transfer back to Venice Marco Polo (included). Otherwise independent onward travel.