Self-Guided Walking
Italy: The Dolomites
Walking the Dolomites of Alta Badia
Trip code: W07DS
Average customer rating 4.8 / 5(33 verified reviews)
- Self-Guided Walking
- 7 nights single centre
- Demanding
- CO₂ rating 1/5
- Headwater Navigation app
Trip highlights
Trip details
In the heart of the Italian Dolomites, the Alta Badia region boasts some of the most spectacular alpine scenery as well as a reputation for excellent cuisine. The village of San Cassiano is no stranger to either and sits just 15km, as the crow flies, due West of Cortina d’Ampezzo (or 30km by road and the Falzarego Pass). Around 500m in altitude above the village lies a large area of beautiful alpine meadow, dotted with traditional wooden mountain huts and the most amazing panoramic views. At some points you have a 360-degree vista that spans from the Austrian Alps to the North to the Marmolada range to the South (the highest peaks in the Dolomites), with the Fanes Natural Park to the East and the Sella mountain range and Gardena Pass to the West – all stunning views in their own rights but when combined it’s almost mind-blowing!
What's included
Included
- 7 nights in 4-star accommodation
- All breakfasts and 4 evening meals
- Management by local hotelier
- Headwater navigation app
- 1 Grappa tasting
- 1 Glass of wine
- Bottle of Prosecco and apples in the room
Not included
- Flights
- Local taxes/fees
- Travel insurance
Travel options
Our travel specialists can arrange flights, rail and transfers to this holiday from wherever you are. Call us to plan your journey. +44 1606 720099
Itinerary
Day 1 · —Arrive at Armentarola, San Cassiano
Arrive at your hotel in Armentarola, San Cassiano. As you’re at the same hotel all week the below itinerary is only a suggestion and you can, of course do any walk on any day.
You stay at Ciasa Salares
Ciasa Salares
Armentarola, San Cassiano
- Hairdryers
- Mastercard
- Minibar
- Safe
- Swimming pool
- Television
- Visa cards
- Wifi access
Ciasa Salares, your home for the week, is located just a short walk (or even shorter shuttle/bus ride) from the centre of San Cassiano. Run by the Wieser family, Stefan, Wilma and their son Jan Clemens, who is passionate about the hotel’s fantastic wine cellar, the hotel combines alpine chic in the décor with good old-fashioned hospitality.
The hotel’s three restaurants include an informal wine bar, a main restaurant and tables in the wine cellar. There are also two other very special rooms – the Cheese Room and the Chocolate Room, used for tastings, individual courses during meals and special occasions. Complimentary grappa tasting is available once a week, as well as one glass of wine and cheese tasting in the wine cellar. You will also get 4 half board meals included at the half board restaurant. Customers wishing to eat at one of the other two restaurants at the hotel can use their ‘credit’ from the half board menu and pay any difference locally. Drinks are always excluded.
Other facilities include a library and lounge, a luxurious spa with indoor swimming pool, relaxation area, treatment rooms (3), sauna, steam room and an outdoor hot tub with fabulous alpine views to soak away those aching limbs after a day of skiing and walking. Headwater customers get free spa access (spa treatments available for a supplement).
The hotel offers a free shuttle service to San Cassiano (village and the main Piz Surega lift) as well as to the Capanna Alpina restaurant for the Fanes Natural Park walk.
E-mountain bikes are available to hire for additional charge (payable locally.)
Day 2 · 15km/9.3mi or 17km/10.6miPralongia Walk
From the hotel, you ascend steadily along peaceful country lanes, through pine forest and up onto high alpine meadows with spectacular views of the surrounding Dolomites mountain ranges. Either enjoy a picnic en route or when you reach the mountain hut at Pralongia, take time over lunch and soaking up the mountain panorama. Return to San Cassiano for the hotel shuttle or walk back to the hotel.
Elevation
Day 3 · 14km/8.7mi or 13km/8.1miSanta Croce and Badia Walk
Walk directly from the hotel or take the shuttle to San Cassiano. This pilgrimage route first skirts above the village then heads through some delightful pine woods. Along the route you pass depictions of the last hours of Jesus Christ’s life on earth before you reach the church at Santa Croce with its amazing backdrop and views across the valley and the village of Badia. Descend to Badia and take the bus back to the hotel.
Elevation
Day 4 · 11km/6.8mi or 16km/9.9miSan Cassiano to Corvara Walk
Enjoy truly spectacular scenery on this favourite Alta Badia trail. You can start the day with a gondola lift or you can climb the first 5km through pine forest and alpine meadows. Once up at the top there are fabulous views ahead to the Marmolada mountains, the highest in the Dolomites, and behind as far as the Austrian Alps in the distance. At some points you have the most incredible 360-degree panoramic views. Continue on with a variety of mountain hut options for lunch then descend to Corvara for a well-deserved drink before catching the bus back to the hotel.
Elevation
Day 5 · 10km/6.2miTwo Lakes of Badia Walk
A short bus trip to Badia before this lovely walk takes you to two small lakes close to Badia with the fabulous backdrop of the Somamunt, Col Plo Alt and Pre Janin mountains. There are some wonderful views over the village and across the valley to the Santa Croce mountain as you head to Lech dla Lunch (pronounced lek-dela-loonk). Bring a picnic and you could even stop here for loonk! A steep climb sets you on your way to Lech da Sompunt and its delightful swans. Descend back to Badia passing through tiny hamlets and take the bus back.
Elevation
Day 6 · 7km/4.3miValparola Pass Walk + extensions
Today you head up to one of the key strategic passes from WW1 the Passo Valparola for fabulous views over the San Cassiano valley. Heading through the delightful Pre de Costa meadows, and past the Malghe Valparola, you head up towards the pass. When you get there, you may want to stop for refreshments at the rifugio at the top. You can make this a history trip and continue on to the nearby WW1 museum or even to Passo Falzarego and a cable car up to the top of Lagazuoi one of the most fiercely fought over mountains in the Dolomites. Another alternative is a tough 12km walk across towards the Setsas mountain with more fabulous views and back to the hotel.
Elevation
Day 7 · 15km/9.3mi or 10km/6.2miFanes Natural Park Walk
Definitely worth the wait – the Fanes Natural Park is a huge expanse of outstanding natural beauty. You can either walk directly from the hotel or get the shuttle to the Capanna Alpina hut before starting the steep climb up to the panoramic Col de Locia. The verdant plateau beyond (Plan de Ciaulunch) and the climb up to the Forcela dl Lech provide awe-inspiring views of the surrounding mountains and a sparkling, aquamarine mountain lake. You need a head for heights on this one as you descend via two steep gorges, with well trodden paths, to the Scotoni mountain hut and down a spectacular ski slope to the start point.
Elevation
Day 8 · —Leave San Cassiano
Extending your holiday
Giulietta e Romeo
Verona
- Air conditioning
- American Express
- ATM
- Bank
- Hairdryers
- Market
- Mastercard
- Minibar
- Other email access
- Safe
The Giulietta e Romeo hotel, named after the town’s most famous lovers, lies in a quiet side street just yards from the Arena. The hotel is fairly modern in style and very comfortable. There is a large lobby area, which leads onto the breakfast room, which is decorated in white with subtle lighting and art deco friezes on the windows.
The rooms are all carpeted and traditionally decorated in blue and red decor with cherry wood furniture. They are all en-suite and have double-glazing so there is little noise from the street. A couple of rooms even have the famous Juliet style balcony if you fancy a re-inaction!
Parents of under 10 year olds should be aware that some rooms at the Hotel Giulietta e Romeo have a balcony with a step up.
Hotel Kette
Venice
- Air conditioning
- American Express
- ATM
- Bank
- Hairdryers
- Mastercard
- Minibar
- Other email access
- Safe
- Shops
The Hotel Kette is set in the heart of Venice, a short distance from Teatro La Fenice, from via XXII marzo, the elegant shopping street, 2 minutes from piazza San Marco and only 10 minutes from Ponte di Rialto. So this is an excellent base for exploring the many delights Venice has in store.
The 63 en suite rooms are immaculately furnished and are fully worthy of the four-star rating.
It is possible to reserve a non-smoking room (please contact us and we will request this for you).
What our travellers say
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Positive impact
Carbon score for this trip
17.0
Kg CO₂e
per person, per night
Relative to other Headwater trips
We measure emissions from the parts of the holiday we organise — including accommodation, in-trip transport, meals and activities — and express them as CO₂e per person, per night. Our label doesn’t include your travel to and from the start of the trip. As a Certified B Corp, Headwater is committed to reducing this figure and to positively impacting local communities, the local environment and our staff. Learn more
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