Dolomites Alta Via Walk – 7 Days

DISTANCE - BELOW AVERAGE

Distance is not a major consideration in your training program, as it would be for walks with over 18 km a day on average (our average walk distance). However, you should still incorporate some long walks, as 14km a day is still a reasonable distance. Walking will also increase your cardiovascular fitness.

ELEVATION - ABOVE AVERAGE

Elevation training is a major consideration in your overall training program. You must include walks with serious hill climbs.

If you do not have access to hills, it is essential to replicate the elevation level you will be undertaking in any way possible such as on a treadmill or stair climber. Walking up and down stairs at work, at a local oval with a grandstand, or up and down small hills is incredibly useful. Also, prioritising resistance weight training will help you develop overall muscle strength.  Elevation is often where walkers encounter problems, opposed to distance, as it uses an entirely different set of muscles to everyday flat walking.

If high altitude is a factor, incorporate sessions at a higher altitude to acclimatise your body to reduced oxygen levels if you are able to. 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

This walk is available from the 16th of June to the 14th of September. Although it is possible to extend the dates of walking to later in September, we do not recommend this as there have been seasons where snow has fallen. Also, outside of the high season public transport in the area is limited. Private transfers are possible for additional costs. Please contact the office directly by phone or email to enquire.

You can start this tour on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Sundays (subject to availability). For bookings of 5 or more people, we offer increased flexibility on start dates.

THE WALKING

Moderate to challenging – tracks and trails on this tour will have prolonged ascents and descents, through sections of rough surface and steps. Having an active lifestyle and being an experienced walker makes the journey enjoyable. We would suggest an exercise regime of 3 to 4 times a week in addition to your usual weekly walks.

You will be walking around 13km a day with up to 854m of ascent and descent. 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. It is also possible you may have to cross some snowy patches on the ascent or descent of higher mountain passes, so good mountain footwear is required!

Although the route is well waymarked for each of your walks, you will be provided with comprehensive Auswalk authored walk notes, a summary of daily walks, maps (and GPX tracks if you require to use for your own device). Mountain weather can change quickly so it is essential that at least one of your trekking party is confident in using a map (should visibility drop). You should always be able to locate your whereabouts on a map.

HOW TO GET THERE AND AWAY

ARRIVAL

Reaching the starting point in Hochpustertal is straightforward. Travellers can drive via the Brenner/Brennero motorway (A22) to Brixen/Bressanone, then follow the scenic Pustertal Valley (SS49) to Niederdorf/Villabassa or Toblach/Dobbiaco, depending on your accommodation. Alternatively, for rail enthusiasts, trains run from Innsbruck over the Brenner pass to Franzensfeste, with convenient connections into the Pustertal area. Flights to nearby airports in Innsbruck, Treviso, or Venice offer further options, with transfers available.

DEPARTURE

The tour concludes in the charming town of Ospitale, where your hiking adventure gracefully comes to an end. From here, you can conveniently catch a public bus to return to the Alta Pusteria region. For those looking to extend their travels, feel free to plan additional nights in the area, allowing for more exploration of this mesmerizing region.

LUGGAGE

It will be up to you to place your luggage at the designated luggage pick-up point within the hotel by 8.00 am when required. This generally will be at reception or where you pick up your luggage the night before. Please consult your hosts if any details. Bags must be less than 20kg. 

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.

IMPORTANT - SOLO WALKERS

For your safety and well-being, we are unable to accept bookings for solo walkers on this self-guided Dolomites trip. The remote nature of some tracks and limited mobile reception mean that walking alone presents a higher risk in case of emergencies.