Dolomites of Cortina Hike – 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 - AVERAGE

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

This walk is available from the 14th of June to the 21st of September.

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THE WALKING

Moderate – 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 20km a day with up to 1500m 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

This walk starts in Pocol and ends in Misurina.

The closest airport to Pocol is Venice Airport.

Getting to Pocol

From Venice, you can catch either a train or bus.

We recommend travelling by Bus from Venice to Cortina.

Cortina d’Ampezzo to Venice it takes about 2.5 hours. See the bus schedule information below:

Cortina Express or Emotions in motion  or ATVO-Azienda Trasporti Veneto Orientale –AutoBus,Servizio Noleggio,Trenini Panoramici,Orari Autolinee

The final leg of the trip between Cortina d’Ampezzo and Pocol can be made by bus

Bus DolomitiBus number 31/33 – For the bus schedules see the dolomitibus.it. You can also catch a 5-minute taxi ride to Pocol.

By Train
Venice has 2 different main departure 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

This leaves a slightly longer taxi ride to Pocol as the final leg.

Onward Travel From Misurina

From Misurina, getting a taxi or private transfer back to Cortina is best. Then, catching the bus.

We recommend flying out of Venice, Italy, at the end of this trip.

Marco Polo Airport – VCE: Venezia Airport – Airport in Venice Marco Polo (VCE)

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

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.