Hiking in the Dolomites 2027 – Val Gardena

Day 1Welcome to the Dolomites!

We fly from Oslo to Verona with Norwegian (flight tickets are not included in the tour price).

At the airport, the transfer bus awaits to take us north towards the Dolomites. As we approach Val Gardena, the mountains rise around us, giving us a small taste of the landscape we will experience in the coming days.

Along the way, we stop to buy a light bite to eat (not included).

We arrive in Selva di Val Gardena late in the evening and check in at Hotel Piccolo, which will be our base during the stay.

Now we have arrived in the Dolomites – ready for a week of mountain hikes, Italian hospitality, and wonderful experiences together!

Day 2Around Sassolungo – one of the Dolomites' finest circuit hikes

After breakfast, we take the local bus up to Passo Sella, 2,180 m a.s.l. Already here, we get a fantastic view of the Sella Group and Marmolada, the highest mountain in the Dolomites!

Before we start the hike itself, a slightly different lift experience awaits. We take the famous "telephone booth lifts" up to Rifugio Toni Demetz, at an impressive 2,690 m a.s.l. Up here, between the mighty rock faces, we take time to enjoy the view before taking the lift back down (lift ticket not included).

Then we lace up our hiking boots and set off on the circuit around Sassolungo (Langkofel). The trails take us through an impressive mountain landscape, with steep rock faces, green pastures, and small mountain huts along the way.

We plan to have lunch at Rifugio Sasso Piatto (Plattkofelhütte), where we can enjoy good mountain food and a well-deserved break (lunch not included).

Gradually, the landscape opens up, and we get views over Seiser Alm – Europe's largest alpine high plateau and a well-known area for cross-country skiing in winter. Get your camera ready!

We continue towards Mont de Seura, 2,025 m a.s.l., where we take the chairlift down towards Santa Cristina (not included). For those who want an extra dose of excitement, there is also the opportunity to try the zipline down from the mountain (not included).

Back at the hotel, we gather around the dinner table and share the day's experiences (included). After a day like this, dinner tastes extra good!

Day 3Seiser Alm - flower meadows and magical views

After breakfast, we take the bus to Ortisei, a journey of about 15 minutes. From here, we take the gondola lift up to Seiser Alm, around 2,000 m a.s.l. (lift ticket not included).

At the top, the landscape opens up before us! Green meadows, flowers in all colours, and the mighty mountains Sassolungo and Sasso Piatto towering in the background. It is almost like walking straight into a scene from The Sound of Music!

We follow good hiking paths across the high alpine plateau, with comfortable ground for most of the walk. Here there is ample opportunity to enjoy the view, take photos, and just appreciate how wonderful it is to be in the mountains.

At Saltria, we take the Florian chairlift up to Williams Hut (Williamshütte). Here we find a spot with a view and enjoy a good lunch in the mountains (lift and lunch not included).

After the break, we continue on foot back towards Santa Cristina. We follow gravel roads through green meadows, with Sassolungo as an impressive backdrop.

Back at the hotel, a well-deserved communal dinner awaits (included). Perhaps there will be some reminiscing around the table about the day's views and experiences?

Day 4Dantercepies - Jimmy Hut - Forcella Crespeina - Forcella Cir

Today, one of the week's longest and most spectacular mountain hikes awaits!

We take the lift up to Dantercepies (not included) and start the hike down towards the Jimmy Hut. Right from the start, we have a fantastic view towards Passo Gardena and the mighty mountains of the Sella Group.

We continue through green meadows and between jagged limestone formations, with views down towards Corvara in Alta Badia. Gradually, the day's real challenge awaits – an ascent of approx. 500 metres of elevation over 3 kilometres. Here we will certainly feel both our heart rate and our thigh muscles working!

At the top, we are rewarded with a view that makes every single metre of altitude worth the effort. Here we find a nice spot to enjoy our packed lunch (not included), with views of, among others, Tre Cime and the mountains around Cortina.

After lunch, we continue past Lago Crespeina and over Forcella Crespeina (2,528 m a.s.l.), before setting our course for Forcella Cir. Now the landscape changes character. We hike between jagged rock formations and dramatic limestone peaks, almost like being in a landscape straight out of a Western film!

Gradually, the path leads downwards towards the Jimmy Hut (2,222 m a.s.l.). Here we hope to have time for a little "after-walk" drink before taking the Dantercepies lift down to Selva (not included).

Back at the hotel, a pleasant communal dinner awaits (included). After a day with plenty of elevation gain and great nature experiences, sitting down to eat will be extra delightful!

Day 5Rest day with options for independent activities

After three eventful days in the mountains, it is time for a well-deserved rest day. Or perhaps you fancy even more adventures? Today, we decide entirely for ourselves how to spend the day!

Perhaps a few quiet hours in the hotel's spa area would be ideal? Here we can let tired legs rest in the pool, enjoy the warmth of the steam room, or treat ourselves to a treatment booked at reception.

For those who still crave mountain air, there are plenty of options. How about a trip up to Seceda? The characteristic mountain ridge with its jagged peaks has become one of the Dolomites' most photographed motifs. If we move a little away from the most visited viewpoint, we can find quieter trails and new angles on the impressive mountains. Tour leader Anne Grethe will be happy to share her best tips for an extra mountain hike.

If we are in the mood for a bit more speed and excitement, we can rent a mountain bike and try the dedicated MTB trails, join a paragliding flight, or challenge ourselves on a via ferrata with a local guide. There are options both for beginners and for those who have tried via ferrata before. Anne Grethe will provide information about the possibilities upon arrival.

And sometimes the absolute best thing to do is find a pleasant café, order a good Italian coffee, and simply watch the paragliders soaring between the mountain peaks.

All activities on this day are optional and are booked and paid for individually.

In the evening, we gather again for a communal dinner in the hotel restaurant (included). Perhaps we will have completely different stories to share around the dinner table tonight!

Day 6Ortisei - Raschötz - Brogles - Valle d´Anna - Ortisei

After breakfast, we take a short bus ride to Ortisei, where we board the Raschötz funicular, which takes us up to 2,281 m a.s.l. Up here, open mountain plateaus, fresh mountain air, and views stretching far into the Dolomites await.

We start the day with a gentle hike towards the Heilig Kreuz chapel, before tackling a slightly steeper ascent up towards the viewpoint at Heilig Kreuz. From here, we can see all the way towards Austria on clear days!

Further on, we follow the paths along the mountain ridge, at a safe distance from the edge and with fantastic views along the way. After a few kilometres, we arrive at the Brogles Hut, beautifully situated beneath the mighty peaks of the Geisler Group. Here we take a well-deserved lunch break (not included), with views straight towards the characteristic Seceda ridge – one of the Dolomites' most photographed mountain scenes.

And today it pays to keep your eyes open! We are hiking through areas where marmots thrive, so perhaps we will spot some of these small mountain dwellers darting between the rocks. We might also be lucky enough to encounter grazing horses and donkeys along the way.

After lunch, we continue down through the Anna Valley towards Ortisei. For those who wish, there is the option to take the Seceda lift down to the town (not included).

Once down in Ortisei, there might be time for a pleasant "after-walk" drink at a café or a quick stroll through the shops before returning to the hotel.

In the evening, we gather around the dinner table for a delicious local dinner (included), with yet another day packed with mountain experiences to talk about!

Day 7Col Raiser - Stevia Hut

Today, one of the week's most challenging, yet also most spectacular mountain hikes awaits!

We take the lift up to Col Raiser, 2,107 m a.s.l. (not included). From here, we set out on a steep and exciting hike towards the Stevia Hut, surrounded by the mighty peaks of the Dolomites.

We take our time winding up the switchbacks on the gravel path. It climbs steadily, and we will certainly feel the ascent in our legs! On the final section of the hike, we pass remnants from the First World War, small reminders of the history that has also left its mark on these mountains.

Eventually, we reach Forcella dla Piza, 2,489 m a.s.l. Here we take a well-deserved break, catch our breath, and enjoy the view. This spot is often called the "Window to the Valley", and standing up here, we understand why!

From here, we continue for about 20 minutes on gently descending terrain to the Stevia Hut. The small mountain hut is wonderfully situated, with views down towards Langental and the surrounding mountains. No lifts or roads lead here – only paths through the mountain landscape.

We take a proper lunch break (not included) and enjoy a bit of extra time at the hut before beginning our descent. It goes down steeply in some sections, so we take our time and watch our footing carefully.

We recommend bringing walking poles on this day, particularly for the descent. The hike will not be carried out in rainy weather; in that case, we will find a good alternative suited to the conditions.

Back at the hotel, we gather for the week's farewell dinner (included). After many wonderful days in the Dolomites, we have plenty of experiences to reminisce about around the table!

Day 8Arrivederci, Dolomites

After a week filled with mountain hikes, impressive views, and wonderful shared experiences, it is time to pack our bags and head for home.

We have time for a relaxed and late breakfast at the hotel before the transfer bus takes us from Val Gardena to the airport in Verona.

Lunch and dinner on your own (not included).

We bid farewell to the Dolomites for this time – with many fond memories, new acquaintances, and perhaps already a little longing to return to the mountains!

The itinerary is preliminary; changes may occur. Expa Travel AS reserves the right to make adjustments for any currency fluctuations or typographical errors.