The Italian Dolomites

Day 1
A transfer is included from Venice Marco Polo Airport (subject to a minimum of 4 people booked on a departure in total). We meet you at Venice Airport and transfer you (2.5 hours) to your hotel in Dobbiaco.

Day 2
From the hotel, you ascend gently along peaceful country lanes, through picture-perfect Tyrolean villages and hamlets dotted across the hillside - each boasting a lovely chapel or church offering stunning views and decorated with frescoes. At Stadlern, take time over a picnic to soak up the mountain panorama before returning to Dobbiaco alongside the bubbling Rienza River. Walking time 4.5hr, distance 15km/9.5mi.

Day 3
A short bus ride before a spectacular gondola ride this morning to the high Rotwand pastures (1,914m), just below the mighty Croda Rossa limestone peaks. From here it's a gentle descent along pretty pinescented forest trails to the ancient Kreuzbergpass, South Tyrol's most easterly mountain pass. You then head up to the refuge of Malga Nemes, a fabulous panoramic spot for lunch, with marmots foraging in the open sunny pastures, before descending along a wide woodland track to the Tyrolean village of Moos where you pick up the bus back to Dobbiaco. 2 options: Walking time 5.5hrs, distance 15km/9mi or walking time 5.5hrs, distance 17km/11mi.

Day 4
With an ascent of 700m, it's a tough but entirely worthy pull up to the idyllic Bonner Hutte for a tremendous panoramic lunch overlooking the unmistakable Tre Cime. Those walkers continuing a further 300m climb in altitude (total 100m) up to the summit of the Pfannhorn at a lofty 2663m will be rewarded with a truly unforgettable 360o panorama of the Dolomites and the Austrian Alps - arguably the most exspansive view on the whole itinerary. Your descent takes you through glorious mountain pastures and the valley bowls of the Bergalm via the isolated little farmstead of Bergalmhutte. You end your walk with a relaxing drink on the terrace of the Seiterhof bar/restaurant before we take you back to your hotel. Walking time 4hrs 15min, distance 10.3km or walking time 5hrs 30min, distance 12.6km.

Day 5
Today you'll head into the heart of the Ampezzo National Park in the Italian - speaking Veneto region. Setting off from Cimabanche along a disused railway line, you'll head up through the Gotres Valley on an old military road to reach the high mountain pasture of Forcella L'Erosa. You descend to the idyllic meadows of Rifugio Ra Stua and follow narrow forest footpath towards Cortina. Walking time 6hrs, distance 16km/10mi.

Day 6
This fabulous walk takes you along the impressive crest of the Carniche Alps. You start the day with a bus then cable car ascent up to Mount Elmo (2041m). From there, an old military supply route takes you to the refuge Sillianerhutte (in Austria). This ridge forms a border between Italy and Austria and gives you the most spectacular views across the Austrian Alps. Your descent is on a less well-defined rocky path that crosses the pretty mountain pastures of the Klammbachalm to arrive at the postcard-pretty Klammbachhutte, before the forest track back down to the village of Moos. Walking times 5.5hrs, distance 14km/8.3mi.

Day 7
From the hotel an initial ascent takes you through lush forest loaded with crimson and violet cones, towards the immense towering peaks of Cima Nove and Cima Ganda. After passing tiny alpine huts and crossing sparkling mountain streams you arrive at the high alpine retreat of Rifugio Baranci (1,499m). From here either take the chairlift, or meander down to San Candido on a peaceful nature trail to the source of the River Drau. Time to explore this delightful village before joining an old military route from World War I, passing hidden gun towers and emplacements, back to Dobbiaco. Walking times 3hrs 45mins, distances 11km or walking time 5hr 30mins, distances 16.6km.

Day 8
A transfer back to Venice Marco Polo Airport is included (subject to a minimum of 4 people booked on a departure in total). We'll make the 2.5 hour drive back to the airport for your flight home, or if you're staying on after the tour to do your own thing, you can make your way to the city from here.