Dolomites – 8 Days

DISTANCE - AVERAGE

Distance training should be a consideration in your overall training program, so take every opportunity you can to walk. As you progress, incorporate longer walks into your training plan.

Schedule one or two long walks each week, gradually increasing the distance until you can comfortably cover 16km in a single day. Also include walks on consecutive days to help your body adapt to the demands of walking for multiple days in a row.

Ensure you can comfortably walk the average distance per day displayed in the graph, at least one month before you undertake your hike.

ELEVATION - HIGH

Elevation training is undoubtedly a consideration in your overall training program. Try to include some form of elevation in more than 40% of your walking and prioritise resistance training, whilst incorporating stairs anytime you can. Walking up and down stairs at work, at a local oval with a grandstand or up and down small hills, boring as that sounds, is incredibly useful. Elevation is often the chief walk killer, not distance, as it uses an entirely different set of muscles. Ensure you can comfortably walk the average elevation per day displayed in the graph, at least one month before you undertake your hike.

MOUNTAINOUS / UNDULATING TERRAIN

As terrain associated with mountain climbs is often somewhat uneven and rocky, balancing and core exercises are vital.

Try to also include some form of elevation in more than 50% of your walking and prioritise resistance training, whilst incorporating stairs anytime you can. Walking up mountains or hills, up and down stairs at work, or up and down at a local oval with a grandstand is incredibly useful. Elevation is often where walkers encounter problems not distance, as it uses an entirely different set of muscles to everyday flat walking. Concentrate on doing lots of squats and lunges to build your glute muscles.

AVAILABILITY

These tours take place in early and late summer which offers ideal hiking conditions but avoids the European summer holidays.

THE WALKING

Challenging – tracks and trails on this tour will have prolonged ascents and descents, through sections of rough surface and steps so you must prepare for this trip so that you can enjoy the incredible hiking opportunities.. Having an active lifestyle and being an experienced walker will make the journey enjoyable. We would suggest an exercise regime that incorporates uphill walks at least 3 to 4 times weekly.

Trails are well-defined, well waymarked and cover a variety of terrains which include; forest tracks, high alpine pastures, rocky mountain paths and mountain towns and villages.

HOW TO GET THERE AND AWAY

This tour starts in Venice where we will then transfer you to the Dolomites

Getting there

By Train

Venice has 2 different main train stations. The Venezia Santa Lucia train station is the closest to the city centre and the historic area most frequented by tourists. The Venezia Mestre train station serves the Venetian mainland and is in the Mestre area.
Find out about schedules and tickets: – Italian Railway: Trenitalia

A useful trip planner can be found on www.trenitalia.com.

By Air

Marco Polo Airport – VCE: is well connected within Europe and also handles some long haul flights. Travelling from Australia will involve a change at one of the larger European airports to connect with Venice.

Another useful planning tool for travel is Rome2Rio should you be travelling from or to other destinations.

LUGGAGE

Luggage transfers during this tour allow for 1 piece of luggage which weighs no more than 20kgs. If you are bringing extra luggage then there is a surcharge of €50 per piece which is payable to the local supplier on the day. During the day you will need a small backpack to carry any personal items and clothing needed for your days hiking.

INSURANCE

We require that you have adequate travel insurance against potential losses, damage or injury, including cancellation costs and loss of luggage.

For all trips that require international travel, you must have purchased travel insurance that also includes medical evacuation coverage.

We also charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your walking holiday after we have confirmed it to cover costs incurred from our suppliers and in the office.  See the FAQ section for more information.