Itinerary Include flights Expand all Dobbiaco to Dobbiaco Day 1 Start Dobbiaco A transfer is included from Venice Marco Polo Airport. We meet you at Venice Airport and transfer you (2.5 hours) to your hotel in Dobbiaco. Please note that a supplement will apply for non-standard transfers.Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Dinner Day 2 Gentle walk through quaint Tyrolean hamlets 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 Rienza River. Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Dinner Day 3 Cable car to high Rotwand pastures. Hike to refuge of Malga Nemes; descend to Moos 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 pine scented 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. From here pick up the bus back to Dobbiaco. 2 options: Walking time 5hrs, distance 15km/9.5mi or walking time 5.5hrs, distance 17km/11mi.Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Dinner Day 4 Lakeside walk and ascent of the Hochalm Enjoy truly spectacular scenery on one of our favourite trails in the Dolomites. It’s a fantastic full-day hike with ascents and descents of around 800m for unrivalled views. First an easy stroll along the shores of the turquoise Lago di Braies and then ascend via the Alte Kaser pastures to the idyllic mountain bowl of Hochalm for lunch. Your descent is through a deeply carved valley below colossal peaks and impressively striated cliffs. Walking time 4hrs, distance 10km/6.5mi or walking time 5.5hrs, distance 13km/8mi.Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Dinner Day 5 Walk high mountain pastures and meadows of Ampezzo N.P.; descend to Cortina 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 a narrow forest footpath towards Cortina. Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Dinner Day 6 Follow ridge along the border. Descend to Klammbachhutte; continue to Moos 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 here, an old military supply route takes you to the refuge Sillianer hutte (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 picture postcard village of Klammbachalm, before taking the forest track back down to the village of Moos. Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Dinner Day 7 Walk around the Tre Cime di Lavaredo limestone towers A fantastic finale to your week awaits as you head by bus to the high-altitude Rifugio Auronzo at the foot of the world-famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo (2999m). These enormous free standing limestone towers have been so popular with walkers that they've naturally become the symbol of the Dolomites. You follow a wide mountain trail constructed by soldiers during the First World War which provide the finest views of these three immense columns. Walking time 4hrs, distance 11km/7mi or walking time 5.5hrs, distance 17km/11mi.Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Dinner Day 8 End Dobbiaco A transfer back to Venice Marco Polo Airport is included. We'll make the 2.5 hour drive back to the airport for your flight home. A supplement will apply for non-standard transfers. If you're staying on after the tour to do your own thing, you can make your way to the city from here. Meals included: Breakfast
Italy No visa required for British passport holders. Please note in Italy it is compulsory to carry ID with you at all times. For further Brexit travel advice please visit https://www.abta.com/tips-and-advice/brexit-advice-for-travellers
Hotel Bellevue You will spend 7 nights in the beautiful 4-star Park Hotel Bellevue. It combines old-world charm with good old-fashioned hospitality. Facilities include a luxurious spa with sauna, steam room, swimming pool, massage/beauty treatments; there’s also a cosy lounge to curl up in with a book, or take an aperitivo in the relaxing bar. Room Upgrades:Room upgrades may be available on request for a supplement; prices start from an additional £8 per person per night (based on 2 people sharing) – please enquire at the time of booking for further details and prices. All prices are based on 2 persons sharing, so if there is an odd number of people travelling in your party or you are travelling alone, there will be a compulsory single room supplement payable in advance.
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Reviewed October 2019 Adventure Coordinators Trip: Headwater - Self-Guided Walking in the Italian Dolomites Fantastic holiday Loved this trip - it was my first self-guided trip and my first trip with Headwater. They have a great selection of hikes to choose from, right from easy rambles to tough hikes. I did pretty much all moderate and more difficult hikes and the directions and provided maps are excellent. I stayed at Park Hotel Bellevue in Toblach (Dobbiaco) which is one of the best hotels I have ever stayed at. Included transportation passes and time tables easily let you get around to all the trail heads and even to other towns in South Tyrol if you do not feel like hiking or if the weather is inclement. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? There were so many - I would say what will always stay with me are the momentous views. I have hiked in many different mountain ranges but the Dolomites are simply spectacular. What did you think of your group leader? This was a self-guided hike so there wasn't one Do you have any advice for potential travellers? If you travel solo, ask for an upgraded room. The standard singles are a tad small.
Reviewed September 2017 David Bruce Trip: Headwater - Self-Guided Walking in the Italian Dolomites The Italian Dolomites: Self Guided Walking Dobbiaco was a tremendous centre and the Park Hotel Bellevue was everything that we would have wanted. The guidance notes for the walks were excellent and each of the itineraries gave us a different view of the Dolomites from rolling pastures to jagged peaks. I would unreservedly recommend the holiday. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Walking in the Tre Cime was beautiful and quiet with glimpses of marmots and alpine, wild flowers hanging on to the rugged terrain. Other walks were almost as spectacular and each had a different character and high point. What did you think of your group leader? N/A Do you have any advice for potential travellers? If you are up to it, always choose the longer walks. They are quieter and allow you to work off some calories in preparation for the excellent food at the Park Hotel Bellevue. Is there anything else you would like to add? Thankyou for a great holiday.
Reviewed July 2015 Benjamin Stadelmann Trip: Headwater - Self-Guided Walking in the Italian Dolomites Lovely Hiking Around Dobbiaco Overall, a wonderful experience. We were somewhat uneasy about a centre-based trip, because if you find that the food isn’t to your liking the first couple of days it could make for a disagreeable week. We needn’t have worried, the chef at the Bellevue is top notch, making terrific use of fresh local vegetables, fruit and cheese and kept us guessing on what the menu would have to offer next. Service was consistently professional and friendly. What I liked best about the walks was the sheer variety – really no two alike, pastures, meadows, forests, boulder strewn scree fields, babbling brooks, fields brimming with wild flowers, cute hamlets, the suggested hikes had it all. The “moderate” rating is fair, though there are a few parts where a walking stick comes in handy. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? After a rigorous climb up to the alpine hut at the Three Peaks I was ready for lunch and was treated to an absolutely superb goulash with a variety of fresh baked breads. To get that quality of food out in the middle of nowhere was remarkable, all the more so as the price was reasonable! It puts all the overpriced lousy food in tourist traps to shame. What did you think of your group leader? The self guided notes were thorough and trails well marked, barely used the maps which seemed like a bit of a waste. The walks are very straight forward, did not miss having a guide. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Don’t pay too much attention to the suggested itinerary. Weather is a more important factor and how ambitious you feel on a given day. Make good use of the spa, it really helps to rejuvenate those tired legs! Not sure if it is s misprint, but the stated summer temperature of 20-22 is misleading. Yes, it is chilly at night and at peak altitude, but during the day in July it is HOT!! More like 32 in Dobbiaco during the afternoons, but it does cool off very pleasantly in the evening. Is there anything else you would like to add? The 7-day Mobile card for public transit is an asset. Works on all buses and trains, makes it dead simple to go to and fro at ease.
Reviewed September 2013 Anonymous Trip: Headwater - Self-Guided Walking in the Italian Dolomites THE ITALIAN DOLOMITES A great holiday. The hotel and staff were excellent. The trip notes and walks were well documented and sign posted. Awe inspiring scenery. Overall, a well organised, quality hotel, holiday. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? On a couple of the higher, longer walks, looking back to where you had started/ just come from and seeing the scenery, distance, views and distance travelled. What did you think of your group leader? No group leader as such, but the hotel team and staff were just excellent. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Start on the lesser distance walks and build up to the biggies Is there anything else you would like to add? No, just another great Exodus trip
Reviewed September 2013 Anonymous Trip: Headwater - Self-Guided Walking in the Italian Dolomites THE ITALIAN DOLOMITES Fantastic walking mixed with fabulous views and a hotel of the highest quality we would recommend to anyone. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Climbing to the summit of Mt Elmo crystal clear skys and views to die for. Eating lunch looking over to the other side of the valley reviewing yesterday's walk and picking out the bunker we sat on and didnt even know until we continued the walk. What did you think of your group leader? No group leader it is self guided Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Dont be put off by the fact its self guided the walking instructions are easy to follow and with the maps provided very difficult to get lost. The Dolomite paths are the best sign posted we have ever come across our own national parks could learn a lot from the Italian and Austrians. Is there anything else you would like to add? The hotel is an absolute dream for serious walkers they have a sauna, pool, solarium, jaccuzi which after a full day's walking is heaven. Not to mention the hotel food and service second to none. You get Michelin* cuisine every night and a wine cellar for all tastes and pockets. We have been on walking holiday's all over Europe and USA and this is a must do for all serious walkers or serious food and wine buff's!
Reviewed August 2013 Anonymous Trip: Headwater - Self-Guided Walking in the Italian Dolomites THE ITALIAN DOLOMITES A fantastic week's walking in wonderful scenery, staying in an excellent hotel. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The walking was varied, ranging from easy to moderately challenging. We added in some extra sections on some walks to make them a bit more challenging; this was easy to do given the maps provided and the well signposted paths. The best day was the Tre Cima walk but make sure you do the full version to avoid some of the crowds! What did you think of your group leader? This was a unguided trip, but the maps and walk notes which were provided were excellent. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Be prepared to vary your route if you are confident at map reading and want a bit more of a challenge. Make use of the hotel's three (!) saunas - no one else seems to. Don't expect to lose any weight on this holiday - the quantity and quality of the food in the hotel will not be outweighed by your exertions. Is there anything else you would like to add? A great experience. We will definitely try other unguided walking holidays.
Reviewed August 2013 Anonymous Trip: Headwater - Self-Guided Walking in the Italian Dolomites THE ITALIAN DOLOMITES This is the perfect self-guided walking holiday. The location is ideal, the hotel is fabulous, and everything is exceptionally well organized. If you want to go on a non-group walking holiday in beautiful mountain scenery but you like not having to plan routes - and a wonderful place to eat and stay - this is the holiday for you! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The Dolomites offer a superb area for walking, with stunning mountain scenery, beautiful alpine pastures, pine forests, and wildflowers. This is some of the best-organized walking I have ever done. Exodus provides very well-written and detailed walking route guides and maps, with all the information you need to plan your day; the routes themselves are very clearly signposted and waymarked with numeric codes that correspond to the maps and instructions. So there is zero anxiety about getting lost or ending up somewhere you would feel out of your depth. That said, if you like to devise your own routes, you can - there is a huge variety of walks here beyond the 12 or so that Exodus provides, all waymarked on clear paths. The other wonderful thing about this holiday is the hotel Bellevue. This is an old-fashioned family run hotel of the very best kind: not posh or pretentious, just clean, comfortable and impeccably managed. You are very well looked after here. The food is outstanding: a 5 course meal is offered most nights, while the breakfast buffet is the nicest I've ever encountered anywhere. The swimming pool and spa are beautiful and very welcome after a day's walking. This is easily one of the nicest hotels I've ever stayed in - would gladly come back! What did you think of your group leader? No group leader, as this is self-guided. However, the hotel staff were extremely helpful with any questions we had. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Exodus rates this as a Leisurely/Moderate holiday. We found nearly all the walks to be at the upper end of Moderate: as it's an alpine area, there is lots of up and down, with very little flat. With the addition of the hot July sun, we found the walking a little harder-going than anticipated. It won't be a problem for regular hillwalkers, but be aware that the Dolomites is not an area for Leisurely walking.We flew to and from Venice, which is nearly 3 hours' taxi ride from Dobbiaco. We later learned that Innsbruck is closer to Dobbiaco, and can be reached fairly easily by train (the Dobbiaco train station is 5 mins walk from the hotel). So, depending on where you are flying from, Innsbruck airport might be more convenient.
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