Visit the classic Dolomites on foot, Italy

The week is based at Hotel Adler, a lovely 4 star hotel with wellbeing centre and heated indoor swimming pool in the quaint village of Villabassa, just north of Cortina d'Ampezzo. Nestled close to the Austrian border and sandwiched between the breathtaking, rugged limestone peaks of the Dolomites, our base offers an excellent choice of wonderful routes with the opportunity to relax in comfort at the end of a day's walking.

We'll head into the Fanes-Sennes and Dolomiti di Sesto National Parks, which provide wonderful views of the famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo. With such breathtaking scenery and a vast number of difficult walks available as well, we offer a more challenging grade on certain departures.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1
Start Hotel Adler in Villabassa

Day 2
The ideal start to visiting this vast area is a walk straight from the hotel through the very pretty, flower filled Braies Valley. We walk through small villages and farmland until we reach the magnificent Lago di Braies (Pragster Wildsee), one of the 297 glacial lakes of the area. It is certainly one of the most beautiful thanks to being surrounded by jagged peaks that are reflected in the extraordinary mirror-like surface of the lake. We follow the route of 'SS hostages', the leaders of 19 countries who were freed after the First World War by the inhabitants of Villabassa. Challenging grade weeks will also include Croda Rossa (Hohe Gaisle), famous for the way it gleams red in the sun, before descending to Ponticello (Bruckele).

Day 3
We walk amongst beautiful wild flowers on our climb up to the summit of Mt Cristallo or Strudlekopf (2307m), a majestic peak which boasts views all the way to the Austrian Tyrol. We stop at the Durrenstein hut in the early afternoon for a rewarding homemade apfel strudel. On our descent down the valley, we explore fortifications and tunnels from the First World War on our return. Challenging grade weeks ventures first to the summit of Durrenstein (2950m), which offers exceptional views across this range of colourful jagged spires. After a short stop at the famous hut, we traverse some scree before traversing across to towering Strudlekopf.

Day 4
Today we visit the Kreutzberg Pass with its Napoleonic trenches and we also enjoy a quick stop in a wonderfully hospitable mountain hut for some local Kaiserschmarren, a filling pancake dessert that is usually accompanied by homemade apple or plum sauce - just don't have one all to yourself! Challenging grade weeks enjoy an extended ridge walk, including a climb up Col Quaterna or Knieberg (2503m) before we reach the Austrian border.

Day 5
A free day to relax in the hotel's wellness centre or take a self-guided cycle ride around this wonderful area. Alternatively, you can visit a museum dedicated to the Oetzi, the 5000 year-old 'iceman' in Bolzano whose remarkably well-preserved body was found in 1991 high on a glacier on the Austro-Italian frontier. Or you could journey to the attractive provincial capital of Lienz in Austria, where it is possible to sample some Austrian hospitality.

Day 6
We enjoy a memorable circuit around the famous 'Three Chimneys', or Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Set amid one of the classic mountain groups of this area, our circuit around these impressive peaks is certainly a highlight of the week. Challenging grade weeks take a more challenging and exposed route, which includes a spectacular traverse across the scree beneath Mt Paterno or Paternkofel (2722m)

Day 7
To complete the week, we take the amazing attacking route of the Austrians up to the summit of Monte Piano (2324m). Using an impressive network of safe paths, bridges and ladders, we find ourselves upon the flat-topped mountain surrounded by some of the most impressive scenery in the Dolomites. It is the site of an open-air museum dedicated to the First World War where trenches, dugouts and shell craters can be seen amongst the many alpine flowers. On our return, we have time to spot the brilliant blue gentians, alpine white edelweiss and bright saffron that create a beautiful scene around Lake Misurina, thanks to the beautiful pink off the limestone rock. Challenging grade weeks enjoy a dramatic traverse of Mt Piano's summits, including an exploration of the exposed gun galleries.

Day 8
End in Villabassa

Is this trip for you?
This trip is not recommended for vertigo sufferers, simply due to the nature of the terrain. Most weeks offer Moderate (B) grade walking where you'll usually walk between 5 and 7 hours per day. The area you are visiting is criss-crossed by a network of long established trails and walking paths, most of them well maintained and waymarked. Even so, paths are rocky and on occasion exposed. On the following weeks, Exodus offer Challenging (C) grade walking: 18th June, 2nd July, 3rd September and 17th September. On these departures, you'll usually walk between 6 and 8 hours per day at a steady pace.

Exodus use established trails and mountain paths, which are often steep, rocky and more exposed than the grade B walks; and therefore unsuitable for anyone with a fear of heights. Some fixed equipment and easy via ferrata may be encountered. You enjoy the same walks and visit the same areas on each trip, however the length and difficult varies according to grade. Please make sure you choose the walking level that matches your ability.

This trip is based at: Hotel Adler
Located on the village square, this quality hotel is one of the most comfortable featured with Exodus. The cosy bar is often busy with locals, while the quiet lounge is warmed by a log fire. The hotel's other facilities include an indoor pool, sauna, solarium and small fitness centre.

The well-known restaurant, run by head chef Helene Markart, appears in the Michelin Guide among others; the menu features a mixture of local and international cuisine. All bedrooms are spacious and have en suite facilities, minibar and TV. Various suite upgrades are available upon request.