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Hiking the Dolomites

With Miriam Gersdorf

Step into the Dolomites with women who love to move and explore. Hike through alpine meadows, share stories over mountain dinners, and find the kind of calm that only comes from fresh air and good company.

The hiking trip of a lifetime.

A journey for women who feel most alive outdoors — where the air is thin, the views endless, and the rhythm of walking becomes its own kind of peace. Over nine days, you’ll cross both the western and eastern Dolomites, exploring alpine trails, charming villages, and deep mountain valleys.

You’ll share the path with other adventurous women — rafting wild meltwaters, hiking between refugios, and savoring mountain meals that taste better after a day’s climb. But this isn’t a race. There’s time to pause, to taste local wines, to make cheese with alpine farmers, and to find meaning and purpose in the night sky as seen from a mountain refuge.

This trip is about discovery — of new landscapes, new friendships, and new parts of yourself. Pack your boots, bring your curiosity, and let the Dolomites remind you what it means to feel free.

DAY 1
Up the Mountain

• Airport bus transfer from Marco Polo to Moena

• Hotel check-in

• Group orientation and meeting

• Dinner at a tradicional mountain tavern

After arriving to Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) we'll take a bus from the low plains around Venice and ascend the mountains to the the charming town of Moena in the Fassa Valley. We'll check into our family-run hotel in the center of the town and have time to freshen up before the tour orientation led by our expert alpine guide. In the evening we'll hop back on the bus and shuttle up the mountain to a tavern overlooking the valley. This will be the first of many shared meals together and an opportunity to get to know our traveling companions. After dinner we'll shuttle back to the town and settle in for the night.

Walking: light, 1 miles

Bus transfer: 2.5 hours

DAY 2
San Pellegrino Pass and Rafting the Avisio River

• Light hike through San Pellegrino Pass

• Lunch and cheesemaking workshop

• Rafting the Avisio River

• Group dinner

Today we'll shake off sleepiness and jet lag as we walk around the San Pellegrino Pass. This light hike will be a good chance to gauge your physical fitness and prepare for longer walks in subsequent days. We'll make our way up to the typical mountain farm of Malga ai Lach, where we will make cheese and have lunch at. In early afternoon we'll take our bus to Cavalese where we'll don wet suits and safety equipment to paddle down the Avisio River. In the evening we'll return to Moena where we'll dine together.

Hiking: 4 hours

Elevation: +/- 1,300 ft

Bus time: 2.5 hours

DAY 3
Geisler Alm and Grapes of the Alto Adige

• Geisler Alm hike

• Bolzano visit

• Free evening

After breakfast, we’ll take our bus to Val di Funes for a longer hike into the Puez-Odle Nature Reserve. The round-trip hike will take about five hours, with a stop at a refuge at 2,000 meters where you’ll have free time to rest and enjoy lunch.

After the descent, we’ll continue on to Bolzano for a visit of the city, exploring its unique blend of Alpine and Italian character.

This evening, we’ll be free to explore Moena on our own.

Hiking: 5 hours

Elevation: +/- 1,960 ft

Bus time: 3.5 hours

DAY 4
Alpi di Siusi and Rifugio Tires

• Alpi di Siusi

• Group dinner

• Overnight in Rifugio Tires

We leave the village of Moena early, stopping at Lago di Carezza to admire its shifting emerald water and the reflection of the Latemar peaks. From there, we continue to Compatsch, gateway to the Alpi di Siusi, Europe’s highest alpine meadow.

Our hike begins across wide, open pastures framed by Sassolungo and Sassopiatto. As we climb, the meadows turn to limestone trails and sweeping views toward the Catinaccio Group, one of the Dolomites’ most storied massifs.

By late afternoon, we arrive at Rifugio Tires, perched high above the valley. We share a warm meal and, if the night is clear, step outside to watch the stars gather over the peaks.

Hiking: 5 hours

Elevation: + 2,000 ft

Bus time: 2 hours

DAY 5
A Taste of the Alta Via

• Alta via variation

• Group dinner

• Overnight in Rifugio Sasso Piatto

We wake to the morning silence at Rifugio Tires, the peaks washed in early light. After breakfast, we set out on a gentler high-mountain trail that skirts the rugged faces of the Catinaccio and leads us toward the open slopes of the Sassolungo group. The path rolls across alpine meadows and soft ridgelines, offering wide views of the Alpi di Siusi and the distant peaks beyond.

By early afternoon, we reach Rifugio Sasso Piatto, perfectly situated beneath the graceful curve of the mountain it’s named for. Here, we have a choice: join an optional  hike to the summit of Sasso Piatto for those wanting one more challenge, or simply stay behind to rest, read, or share stories with fellow travelers on the terrace.

As the sun drops behind the peaks, the light turns gold across the high pastures. We settle in for a quiet evening — tired, content, and very much alive.

Hiking: 5 hours

Elevation: + 2,000 ft

Bus time: 2 hours

DAY 6
Seceda Ridgeline and Cortina d'Ampezzo

• Seceda Ridgeline

• Free time for lunch at Col Raiser

• Arrival to Cortina d'Ampezzo

We rise early at Rifugio Sasso Piatto, watching the first light spill across the peaks. After breakfast, we begin our final stretch around the Sassopiatto and Sassolungo group — a loop that offers some of the most iconic views in the Dolomites. The trail winds through high meadows and beneath towering cliffs before leading us down toward Sella Pass, where we pause to rest and take in the landscape we’ve crossed over the past days.

From the pass, we board our bus and continue to Ortisei, where two scenic cable lifts carry us high to the Seceda Ridgeline. Here, jagged spires rise from rolling alpine fields — a place that feels almost otherworldly. We have free time for lunch at Col Raiser, with the wide world of the Dolomites spread before us.

In the afternoon, we descend again by cable car and travel to Cortina d’Ampezzo, the jewel of the Dolomites. After days among the peaks, arriving in this elegant alpine town feels like stepping into another rhythm — one of cafés, mountain charm, and the quiet satisfaction of a journey well earned.

Hiking: 7 hours

Elevation: +/- 2,000 ft

Bus time: 3 hours

DAY 7
Tre Cime di Lavaredo

• Tre Cime

• Group lunch at Rifugio Auronzo

• Optional Cadini di Misurina hike

• Free evening

After breakfast, we set out by bus toward Rifugio Auronzo, the gateway to one of the most iconic landscapes in all the Dolomites — the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, or “Three Peaks of Lavaredo.” From the moment we arrive, these captivating and enchanting peaks will offer us ever-changing views with every step we take.

We begin our hike around the massif, following a panoramic trail that circles the peaks and reveals them from every angle. We'll make it back to Rifugio Auronzo for a well-deserved lunch. Those that wish to continue on another challenge will join our alpine guide on the undulating paths of the Cadini di Misurina.

After more than seven hours of hiking through this alpine world, we return by bus to Cortina d’Ampezzo — tired, exhilarated, and with memories carved as sharply as the peaks themselves. The evening is free to relax, dine in town, or simply stroll through the heart of the Dolomites under the cool mountain air.

Hiking: 7.5 hours (including Cadini di Misurina)

Elevation: +/- 1,900

Bus time: 1.5 hours

DAY 8
Lago di Sorapis

• Lago di Sorapis hike

• Final group dinner

Before dawn, we rise for our last full day in the Dolomites. The bus winds through the quiet mountain roads toward Passo Tre Croci, where our hike begins. As the first light spills over the peaks, we start our ascent to Lago di Sorapis — a turquoise gem hidden among pale limestone cliffs, its still waters reflecting the morning sky.

The trail is long and steady, winding through forests and narrow ledges before opening onto the lake’s otherworldly bowl of rock and water. Here, we rest and enjoy a packed lunch surrounded by silence and vastness — one last moment to feel the stillness that only the mountains can offer.

By late afternoon, we retrace our steps back to Tre Croci and return to Cortina d’Ampezzo. That evening, we gather for our final dinner together, sharing laughter, memories, and the quiet joy of a journey well lived. We raise our glasses to new friendships, to miles walked, and to the enduring beauty of the Dolomites.

Hiking: 6.5 hours

Elevation: +/- 1,640

Bus time: 45 mins.

DAY 9
The Final Descent

• Early breakfast and hotel check-out

• Bus transfer to Marco Polo airport

This morning we'll have an early breakfast at our hotel before checking out and take the bus back to Marco Polo Airport. Your guide will be available in the morning to answer questions and help with subsequent travel arrangements. At the airport we'll each continue on our own journeys until the next adventure begins.

Bus transfer: 2 hours

What people say

This was a fantastic trip to the Dolomites. It was thoughtfully planned out and was an incredible experience. I would love to do another trip with Alithea and Sunshine.

Written by
Alithea Traveler

Trip at a Glance

June 1 - 9, 2026
18
Travelers Max.

What’s Included

All transportation to tour related activities--including airport transfers for arrival and departure.
6 nights in elegant, boutique hotels and 2 nights in family-run mountain refuges
All breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners.
The cost of all entrances, local guides, and tips for tour activities.
Your friendly Alithea guide throughout the trip
Round-trip international flights for your group, with all travel logistics arranged and coordinated by Alithea.

What’s not Included

Extra drinks during free time
Travel insurance for peace of mind
International flights are not included. Travelers will arrive independently and join the group at the destination.
All breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners.

What people say

Written by
Alithea Traveler

This was a fantastic trip to the Dolomites. It was thoughtfully planned out and was an incredible experience. I would love to do another trip with Alithea and Sunshine.

Trip FRAMEWORK

TRAVEL DATES
June 1 - 9, 2026
overview
$4,950
per person
18
travelers max.
INCLUSIONS
MEALS
All breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners.
ACCOMMODATION
6 nights in elegant, boutique hotels and 2 nights in family-run mountain refuges
ACTIVITIES
The cost of all entrances, local guides, and tips for tour activities.
TRANSPORTATION
All transportation to tour related activities--including airport transfers for arrival and departure.
GUIDE
Your friendly Alithea guide throughout the trip
EXCLUSIONS
INSURANCE
Travel insurance for peace of mind
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS
International flights are not included. Travelers will arrive independently and join the group at the destination.
No items found.
No items found.
A Christian Classical Approach to Travel
Travel encourages a living experience of art, history, and ideas that transforms the classroom into an immersive experience of truth, beauty, and goodness. Museums, meals, archeological sites, and foreign languages are not merely artifacts that help students consider the world, they cultivate a love of wonder, moral imagination, and a rich understanding of the truth. More than a student trip, travel is an invitation to become a lifelong practitioner of the loves that shape the soul.
The Prayerful Traditions of Europe
Rather than treating churches and monasteries as defunct historical monuments, Alithea and Oakdale Academy invite students to approach them as places of prayer and worship

FAQ

For further questions don't hesitate to reach out to us directly.

explore@alitheatravel.com
Are flights included in the tour price?

Roundtrip flights (USA - Venice) are not included in the tour price. We recommend using Skyscanner or Google Flights to search for international flights.

When should I buy my tickets and for which dates?

The trip will be confirmed once we reach 12 bookings. We’ll notify you right away when that happens, and at that point you can go ahead and book your flights using the following recommended travel dates.

We recommend leaving the U.S. on Sunday, May 31 to arrive in Venice (VCE) on June 1. You may wish to arrive earlier to adjust to the time change or spend extra time exploring Venice.

Since the tour concludes on Sunday, June 9, please book your return flight for that date. Avoid early departures (before 12:00 pm) as we’ll first make the two-hour bus trip from Cortina d’Ampezzo to the airport before your flight.

Will there be an airport transfer on arrival and departure?

On June 1st we will provide one airport transfer between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm to Moena--where we'll stay for the first 4 nights. The exact timing will depend on traveler arrival times and will be announced one month prior to departure.

On the morning of June 9th we will also provide a transfer from Cortina to Venice Airport.

What time should we plan to arrive at Venice Airport (VCE)?

We recommend planning your arrival at Venice Airport by 2:00 PM. On that day, one shared airport transfer to Moena will operate between 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM. The final transfer time will depend on the last arrival to VCE.

Is a visa required to enter Europe?

Yes. Starting in late 2026, U.S. citizens will be required to obtain an ETIAS travel authorization before entering Europe.
ETIAS is a simple online application, with responses typically issued within 96 hours. Once approved, it is electronically linked to your passport.
ETIAS is not yet in operation, but it is expected to be introduced soon. We kindly ask travelers to check whether ETIAS is required for their travel dates and to complete the application if necessary.


To apply, please visit: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias

How much is the deposit and is it refundable?

The deposit is $500 and is fully refundable within 30 days of payment.

Are payment plans available?

Yes, payment plans are available. Once you have paid the deposit, write to explore@alitheatravel.com or respond to the tour confirmation email to request a custom payment plan.

Will there be a lot of free time for independent exploration?

This is a full itinerary that visits many of the highlights of the Dolomites in just eight days. Whenever possible your guide will provide time to relax and enjoy a glass of wine or have a conversation with new friends.

What additional expenses should I budget for this trip?

All breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners are included, but you will want to bring spending money for souvenirs and for meals and snacks not included in the itinerary.

How physically demanding will the hiking be? How can I know if I am physically prepared for all of the walking?

Except for a few trail sections, the walking and hiking itself will not be that challenging. In terms of sheer time spent on the trail, however—up to 7 hours some days—you should have the endurance and stamina not only to complete, but to enjoy, the long hikes.

If you are comfortable walking a maximum of 10-12 miles on flat terrain in one day then you should be physically prepared for the hiking on this tour.

What is the average mileage covered per day?

The average mileage per day will be approximately 7 miles, which is not excessive, but keep in mind that trail hiking is more difficult than flat terrain.