Italy's northern Alps, also known as the Dolomites, are unique among mountain ranges. Composed largely of highly erodable dolomitic limestone, the area is known for its many sheer rock walls, fantastic spires, and rugged massifs, as well as picturesque villages, excellent hiking trails, and rolling green meadows. It is also quite multicultural: much of it was part of Austria's South Tirol prior to World War I and this history is reflected in the culture and cuisine. On this hiking trip we will hike from one valley to another, allowing us to explore both the area surrounding Cortina d'Ampezzo and Alta Badia with their distinct cultures, as our luggage is transported by van. Maximum group size: 12
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This trip is an excellent choice for women in very good physical condition with some prior hiking experience. We have rated this trip a 5 as we will hike 5 to 8 hours a day with significant elevation gain and loss on several days, including 2 days where we will be carrying what we need for the night. You should be free of significant knee problems and fear of heights or exposure. Prior to beginning the trip, participants should be engaged in aerobic conditioning for at least 40-50 minutes 4-5 times a week. Additional endurance exercise (e.g. going for a 2 hour hike once a week) and/or strength training is usually required.Rating: 1 2 3 4 [5].
On this hiking trip, we hike some of the premiere hiking trails in Italy's Northern Alps. Most days will be day hikes, carrying only a daypack and returning to the same hotel at night. We also have a 2-day traverse in the Fanes-Sennes-Braie National Park, where we carry what we need for our stay at a mountain hotel one night. We will also learn about World War I history, sample the unique cuisine with its Austrian/Tyrolean influences, explore the towns we stay in, and sip cappuccino.
We will stay 3 nights each in Cortina and Corvara in comfortable B&Bs in twin rooms with ensuite bathrooms. We will spend one night in a mountain hut. Like all mountain huts, we will be sleeping in twin-bedded rooms with bathrooms in the hallway.
Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests.
other participants, local guide, unbelievable scenery
Staying in the Refugio was one of the highlights - it was wonderful to be up high in the mountains with relatively few people around. Also the hikes were all exceptional.
Accommodations were great. Our guides were exceptional. Everyone in our group got along very well. The hiking was fabulous! I thought that AGC did a great job of staging our hikes for the best group experience. And our guides did a wonderful job of adjusting the hikes, depending on weather and circumstances. I loved hearing all of the information and insights that Karin had to offer about the history and culture of the Ladin area and the geology of the Dolomite region.
We were lucky to have a really good group of women who got along well. It's hard to pick a highlight to the trip since every day had spectacular scenery. Our accommodations were very good, particularly in Corvara. The family run hotel was extremely friendly and attentive with beautiful rooms. The restaurants all provided us with delicious and large meals. Our local guide, Karin, was absolutely delightful. She taught us so much of the local culture and history. She was very attentive, easy to get along with and had a great sense of humor. With her as our local guide, the food, the scenery and the lodgings there is nothing but good things to say about the trip.
This was a wonderful trip! Italy and the dolomites are gorgeous as I had been told before I went and it absolutely lived up to my expectations. The group was a nice mix of women seem to get along quite well. The guides were excellent and all in all it was a spectacular trip. It is definitely on my list of top trips
The variety of views were amazing and the hut experience was really cool.
Anne, as usual, was a superb guide, as were the local guides! They all exhibited unending patience, good humor, and professionalism at all times.
Loved it all!! The mountains were spectacular and the trails were comfortably challenging. The food and accommodations were also awesome!
Highlights were the women...plain and simple! I enjoyed the diverse backgrounds and expertise levels each woman brought to the mix.
The beauty of the Dolomites, the quaint villages and the great guides all lived up to or surpassed my expectations.
the selections of hikes, guide Karin
Guides were excellent, accommodations great - and how do you beat the Dolomites
I missed 2 days of hiking with the group because I was told I would not be allowed to hike with them on those days. And I was completely on my own for those 2 days. Very uncomfortable for me emotionally and it certainly had an impact on the group as a number of them talked to me about it later on.
From the beginning, the guides did not establish that the group was a team. They allowed some "alpha" members to set the tone, pace, and broke apart to group.
The hikes were spectacular.
The beauty of the alps, food and company. I would have to say that the hotel in Cortina while was convenient in town, the noise nightly was not pleasant and the beds were not that comfortable.
This trip was a challenge for me. While i was sufficiently fit, the combination of terrain and length of hikes/days was beyond what i had experienced in my mountain hiking in the past. It was EXACTLY what i was looking for - a perfect challenge. They say you should regularly do things that scare you and i had a few of those moments - but they were exhilarating.
the highlight was walking around the massif. that was really exciting. and walking down the crevice on the day after the overnight in the hut. it felt like meditation to me. the views are amazing. i love those mountains. We had great weather. Luck us.
Scenery, hikes, and fantastic local guide.
Highlights: Hikes (awesome). Loved the diversity of the hikes. Loved the views of the villages and mountains. It was all so very breathtaking. This is one of the best trips I have ever experienced.