- Breathtaking natural landscapes
- Excellent bird-spotting; stunning flowers; unrivalled Alpine views
- Beautiful 4-star family-run hotel with spa, pool, sauna and steam room.
- Visit the world-famous Tre Cime (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Walks in the Italian Dolomites
8 Days
Excluding Flights
8 Days
from
Walking & Trekking
Activity Level
Moderate
See our Activity Level Guidelines to check if this holiday is right for you
Itinerary
Dobbiaco Dobbiaco
Arrive at Dobbiaco
Arrive at your hotel in Dobbiaco.
You stay at the Park Hotel Bellevue for 7 nights (breakfast and evening meal)
Chapels and Churches Walk
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.
Nemes Alp Walk
There’s 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 where you pick up the bus back to Dobbiaco.
A longer walking option is also available.
Lago di Braies, Grunwald Valley and 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
A shorter walking option is also available.
High Mountain Pastures and Rifugio Ra Stua Walk
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 Lerosa. You descend to the idyllic meadows of Rifugio Ra Stua and follow a narrow forest footpath towards Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Mount Elmo and the Klammbachutte Walk
This fabulous walk takes you along the impressive crest of the Carniche Alps. You start the day with a bus then cable car ascent (payable locally) up towards Mount Elmo (2,041m). From there, 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 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 picturesque Klammbachhutte, before the forest track back down to the village of Moos.
Tre Cime (Three Peaks)
A tremendous finale to your week awaits as you head by bus (payable locally) to the high-altitude Rifugio Auronzo at the foot of the world-famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo (2,999m at the top). These enormous freestanding 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 provides the finest perspective of these three immense columns.
A longer walking option is also available.
Leave Dobbiaco
Essential Info
Joining Instructions
The tour itself normally begins at our start hotel in Dobbiaco in the evening of Day 1 of the itinerary. Arrival and departure transfers are included (for flight inclusive travellers) between Venice Marco Polo Airport and the hotel in Dobbiaco (approx. 2hrs 30mins) at set times which coordinate with the standard flights. Please ask your Sales Consultant for times.
We can also arrange non-standard/private arrival and departure transfers at alternative times from either Venice Marco Polo Airport or from Innsbruck Airport for you (at additional cost – please enquire at the time of booking for prices).
Flights:
We can also book flights for you if you wish. The standard flights we usually use are with British Airways from London Heathrow to Venice Marco Polo, but occasionally we may use flights from Gatwick instead. Please enquire for up-to-date flight details as availability and schedules may change throughout the season.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Dobbiaco
Location end: Dobbiaco
Transfer Details
For flight inclusive bookings transfers are included from Venice Marco Polo airport at 12:05, and back to Venice Marco Polo airport at 08:15.
Passport
Passports: check if you need to renew
You may need to renew your British passport earlier if you’re travelling from 1 January 2021.
On the day you travel, you’ll need your passport to both:
- have at least 3 months left after the day you plan to leave the country (check the ‘expiry date’)
- be less than 10 years old (even if it has 6 months or more left – check the ‘date of issue’)
Certain European nationalities may be able to travel within Europe on their national identity card. Check carefully with the relevant authorities if you intend to do this.
Weather
The Dolomite Mountains offer some of the best weather in all of the Alps – perfect for year-round active adventures. As a mountain range, the Dolomites receive less precipitation on an annual basis than do the majority of the Alps. During the summer temperatures vary between 20°C – 22°C, while temperature starts dropping a bit in September. Equally, at all times you need to be ready for the occasional stormy day.
Weather Charts
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.
Reviews
Add your own reviewHiking in the area around Dobbiaco
This is a beautiful area for hiking, and the variety of self-guided hikes we were given was great. There was everything from short easy rambles to long challenging climbs. The Bellevue Hotel was wonderful, with awesome service and delicious food. Definitely an experience I would be happy to repeat. The only negative factor was that, although we never got lost, some of the route notes could do with updating. It seemed that total hike distances were often understated. Also, we did the last tour of the season, and found that some of the refugios mentioned as lunch stops were closed. I would recommend that anyone going late in the season check before setting out, or be sure to carry your own food.
Most Inspirational Moment
Finally making it to the top of Mt. Elmo in a snowstorm!
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.
Most Inspirational Moment
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.
Thoughts on Group Leader
This was a self-guided hike so there wasn't one
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you travel solo, ask for an upgraded room. The standard singles are a tad small.
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.
Most Inspirational Moment
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.
Thoughts on Group Leader
N/A
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.
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.
Most Inspirational Moment
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.
Thoughts on 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.
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.
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.
Most Inspirational Moment
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.
Thoughts on Group Leader
No group leader as such, but the hotel team and staff were just excellent.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Start on the lesser distance walks and build up to the biggies
THE ITALIAN DOLOMITES
Fantastic walking mixed with fabulous views and a hotel of the highest quality we would recommend to anyone.
Most Inspirational Moment
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.
Thoughts on Group Leader
No group leader it is self guided
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.
THE ITALIAN DOLOMITES
A fantastic week’s walking in wonderful scenery, staying in an excellent hotel.
Most Inspirational Moment
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!
Thoughts on Group Leader
This was a unguided trip, but the maps and walk notes which were provided were excellent.
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.
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!
Most Inspirational Moment
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!
Thoughts on Group Leader
No group leader, as this is self-guided. However, the hotel staff were extremely helpful with any questions we had.
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.
Start
Finish
Availability
Land Only Trip Price
Optional Single Supplement
Saturday Saturday
07 Jun 2025 07 Jun 2025
Saturday Saturday
14 Jun 2025 14 Jun 2025
Availability Guaranteed (On Request)
Land Only Trip Price 1 515 €
Optional Single Supplement
+67 €
Available upon Request
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and can be booked, although some components will need to be requested. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
14 Jun 2025 14 Jun 2025
Saturday Saturday
21 Jun 2025 21 Jun 2025
Availability Guaranteed (On Request)
Land Only Trip Price 1 515 €
Optional Single Supplement
+67 €
Available upon Request
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and can be booked, although some components will need to be requested. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesTuesday Tuesday
17 Jun 2025 17 Jun 2025
Tuesday Tuesday
24 Jun 2025 24 Jun 2025
Availability Guaranteed (On Request) Only 2 spaces left!
Land Only Trip Price 1 515 €
Optional Single Supplement
+67 €
Available upon Request
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead but there are only 2 spaces left. Do not delay your booking!
View Trip NotesWednesday Wednesday
18 Jun 2025 18 Jun 2025
Wednesday Wednesday
25 Jun 2025 25 Jun 2025
Availability Limited Only 4 spaces left!
Land Only Trip Price
Optional Single Supplement N/A
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesFriday Friday
20 Jun 2025 20 Jun 2025
Friday Friday
27 Jun 2025 27 Jun 2025
Availability On Request Only 2 spaces left!
Land Only Trip Price 1 545 €
Optional Single Supplement
+67 €
Available upon Request
Availability
This trip is available on request. Please proceed with your booking online or contact our Sales Team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
21 Jun 2025 21 Jun 2025
Saturday Saturday
28 Jun 2025 28 Jun 2025
Availability Guaranteed (On Request)
Land Only Trip Price 1 515 €
Optional Single Supplement
+67 €
Available upon Request
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and can be booked, although some components will need to be requested. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesFriday Friday
27 Jun 2025 27 Jun 2025
Friday Friday
04 Jul 2025 04 Jul 2025
Availability On Request Only 2 spaces left!
Land Only Trip Price 1 545 €
Optional Single Supplement
+67 €
Available upon Request
Availability
This trip is available on request. Please proceed with your booking online or contact our Sales Team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
28 Jun 2025 28 Jun 2025
Saturday Saturday
05 Jul 2025 05 Jul 2025
Availability Guaranteed (On Request)
Land Only Trip Price 1 515 €
Optional Single Supplement
+67 €
Available upon Request
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and can be booked, although some components will need to be requested. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
05 Jul 2025 05 Jul 2025
Saturday Saturday
12 Jul 2025 12 Jul 2025
Availability Guaranteed (On Request)
Land Only Trip Price 2 125 €
Optional Single Supplement
+67 €
Available upon Request
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and can be booked, although some components will need to be requested. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
12 Jul 2025 12 Jul 2025
Saturday Saturday
19 Jul 2025 19 Jul 2025
Availability On Request
Land Only Trip Price 2 125 €
Optional Single Supplement
+67 €
Available upon Request
Availability
This trip is available on request. Please proceed with your booking online or contact our Sales Team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
19 Jul 2025 19 Jul 2025
Saturday Saturday
26 Jul 2025 26 Jul 2025
Availability On Request
Land Only Trip Price 2 125 €
Optional Single Supplement
+67 €
Available upon Request
Availability
This trip is available on request. Please proceed with your booking online or contact our Sales Team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
26 Jul 2025 26 Jul 2025
Saturday Saturday
02 Aug 2025 02 Aug 2025
Availability On Request
Land Only Trip Price 2 125 €
Optional Single Supplement
+67 €
Available upon Request
Availability
This trip is available on request. Please proceed with your booking online or contact our Sales Team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
02 Aug 2025 02 Aug 2025
Saturday Saturday
09 Aug 2025 09 Aug 2025
Availability On Request
Land Only Trip Price 2 340 €
Optional Single Supplement
+67 €
Available upon Request
Availability
This trip is available on request. Please proceed with your booking online or contact our Sales Team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
09 Aug 2025 09 Aug 2025
Saturday Saturday
16 Aug 2025 16 Aug 2025
Availability On Request
Land Only Trip Price 2 340 €
Optional Single Supplement
+67 €
Available upon Request
Availability
This trip is available on request. Please proceed with your booking online or contact our Sales Team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
16 Aug 2025 16 Aug 2025
Saturday Saturday
23 Aug 2025 23 Aug 2025
Availability On Request
Land Only Trip Price 2 340 €
Optional Single Supplement
+67 €
Available upon Request
Availability
This trip is available on request. Please proceed with your booking online or contact our Sales Team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
23 Aug 2025 23 Aug 2025
Saturday Saturday
30 Aug 2025 30 Aug 2025
Availability On Request
Land Only Trip Price 2 185 €
Optional Single Supplement
+67 €
Available upon Request
Availability
This trip is available on request. Please proceed with your booking online or contact our Sales Team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
30 Aug 2025 30 Aug 2025
Saturday Saturday
06 Sep 2025 06 Sep 2025
Availability On Request
Land Only Trip Price 2 185 €
Optional Single Supplement
+67 €
Available upon Request
Availability
This trip is available on request. Please proceed with your booking online or contact our Sales Team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
06 Sep 2025 06 Sep 2025
Saturday Saturday
13 Sep 2025 13 Sep 2025
Availability On Request
Land Only Trip Price 1 515 €
Optional Single Supplement
+67 €
Available upon Request
Availability
This trip is available on request. Please proceed with your booking online or contact our Sales Team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
13 Sep 2025 13 Sep 2025
Saturday Saturday
20 Sep 2025 20 Sep 2025
Availability Guaranteed (On Request)
Land Only Trip Price 1 515 €
Optional Single Supplement
+67 €
Available upon Request
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and can be booked, although some components will need to be requested. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
20 Sep 2025 20 Sep 2025
Saturday Saturday
27 Sep 2025 27 Sep 2025
Availability On Request
Land Only Trip Price 1 515 €
Optional Single Supplement
+67 €
Available upon Request
Availability
This trip is available on request. Please proceed with your booking online or contact our Sales Team for assistance.
View Trip NotesWould you like to include flights with your booking?
- ATOL protected
- Competitive flight prices
- Full refunds in the event of FCDO cancellations or major disruption at your UK departure airport
- Specialist support to rearrange flights and transfers
- Regional flights available from many UK airports
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Walks in the Italian Dolomites
8 Days
Excluding Flights
8 Days
from