Dolomites In Comfort – 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 13th of June to the 20th 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. It is not possible to walk from 27th July until 30th August inclusive.

You can start this tour on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays 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 14km a day with up to 712m 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 a comprehensive summary of daily walks, maps and a navigation app. 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

Arriving in the Dolomites is convenient, whether you travel by car or public transport. For those driving, the journey begins on the Brenner motorway (A22) to Brixen, followed by the picturesque Pustertal Valley (SS49) to Niederdorf/Villabassa or Toblach/Dobbiaco, depending on your accommodation. Alternatively, take a train from Innsbruck, changing at Franzensfeste, to reach either Niederdorf/Villabassa or Toblach/Dobbiaco depending on the location of your hotel. . Each station is within easy reach of our starting hotels. Timetable available on: www.deutschebahn.de, www.oebb.at, www.trenitalia.com. For those flying, budget airlines serve final destinations like Innsbruck and Venice, and we can assist with transfer arrangements to your hotel.

DEPARTURE

The tour concludes in the scenic town of Dobbiaco or Villabassa, where you can depart at your leisure or extend your stay to explore more of the Dolomites. Ideal for onward travel, both towns offer public transport connections to nearby cities, such as Bolzano or Venice. If you’ve booked additional nights, enjoy the surrounding beauty before heading home, leaving with cherished memories of your adventure in one of Europe’s most stunning landscapes.

LUGGAGE

It will be up to you to place your luggage at the designated luggage pick-up point within the hotel by 8.00am 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.