Classic Dolomites Hikes - Premium Adventure

• Accommodation: 7 Premium nights (Hotel Adler)
• Five days of walking; one free day.
• Group normally 4 to 15, plus leader. Minimum age: 16

All breakfasts, five lunches and five dinners, one of which will be an authentic Tyrolean gourmet dinner. Please note an evening meal is not included on the first night, as flight schedules can mean a later arrival in Villabassa. Sandwiches or snacks are available at the airport. For breakfast, the hotel offers a large selection of cereals, fruit, cheese and cold meats, (along with tea and coffee). Five packed lunches are provided by the hotel. Each morning there is a small buffet with items to make your own lunch (eg bread rolls, ham, salad…). In an effort to minimise the use of plastic and single-use items, the hotel provides paper bag and reusable cutlery. Head chef Hélène Markart is a devotee of old traditional recipes but is not afraid to give them a modern twist. At the heart of her philosophy is a reliance on local produce, from the local farmer to vegetables from the hotel garden. It’s no surprise to learn her prowess has been favourably reported in reputable guides such as Michelin. There is a set menu for standard evening meals (usually three or four courses), which may include some local specialties such as Speckknodel (a dumpling dish). Our gourmet dinner will undoubtedly be the culinary highlight, though as keeping things fresh and seasonal is part of the charm, there’s no way to know quite yet what delights may be served.

In the Dolomites (as always in the mountains) the weather is very changeable. In summer, expect rain on one day in two, which is likely to come in short but heavy, thundery bursts. In the valleys, daytime temperatures range from 12C to 22C (54F to 72F), although 25C (77F) is not unusual. In the mountains, it will be slightly colder. There are always patches of snow remaining on the higher peaks in late May and early November, and sometimes due to unpredictable winter weather, this can remain for a little longer. There is always the possibility of snowfall at any time of the season, therefore you need to be ready for anything, so pack shorts as well as warmer clothes; full waterproofs and sunscreen.

This trip is graded Activity Level 3 (Moderate) or Activity Level 5 (Challenging), date dependent. For more information on our trip gradings, visit our Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.

Activity Levels: We enjoy walks in the same areas on each trip, but the length and difficulty vary according to the Activity Level of the departure. Please make sure you choose a week that best suits your ability.

Most weeks offer Activity Level 3 (Moderate) walking, where we usually walk between five and seven hours per day. The area we visit is criss-crossed by a network of long-established trails and walking paths, most well-maintained and waymarked. Even so, paths are rocky and on occasion exposed. A reasonable level of fitness is required for these weeks. Maximum altitude for Activity Level 3: 8,330ft (2,539m)

On some weeks, we offer Activity Level 5 (Challenging) walking. On these departures, we usually walk between six and eight hours per day at a steady pace. We use established trails and mountain paths, which are often steep, rocky and more exposed than the Activity Level 3 walks. For these departures, you need to be surefooted and have a good level of fitness. Some fixed equipment (such as holding onto a steel wire or handrail for security) may be encountered. Maximum altitude for Activity Level 5: 9,314ft (2,839m)

Itinerary: The order of the treks and the routes themselves are very likely to change to accommodate both the climatic conditions and the group’s abilities. The mountains are prone to rapid changes in conditions and your expert guides make every effort to maximise your safety and enjoyment.

Required fitness and experience: The rugged, vertical nature of the Dolomites, which gives the area its unparalleled beauty and interest, requires good fitness levels, a comfort with heights (particularly for Activity Level 5 departures) and experience in walking on steep and loose terrain. Due to the terrain on this trip, neither Activity Levels are recommended for vertigo sufferers.