Hotel Poste or Hotel Savoia

This pleasant hike offers our first views of the Tofane, the Croda Rossa and the Croda del Becco. Passing the high alpine meadows of Ra Stua, our trail switchbacks up through the larch forest before leading us to our Rifugio for the night, Rifugio Sennes at 6975ft. We have the option of undertaking an extension hike in the afternoon affording amazing panoramas of the surrounding peaks.

Elevation : Gain: 1034m Loss : 393 m

Distance: 8.81 km

Leaving our beautiful Rifugio we first descend steeply (1,380') to the valley, and a mid morning coffee stop at Restaurant Ucia Pedaru at 5079ft. We then hike up to the Valun de Fanes Valley in the shadow of Piz de San Antone. We have a number of great options for lunch in one of the charming mountain restaurants, before hiking to our accommodation at Ucia Lavarela. Similar to yesterday we can choose to rest in the RIfugio or undertake an extension hike to the mountain pass below Piz de San Antone.

Elevation Gain: 813 m Loss: 889 m

Distance: 10.27 km

An easy climb starts us off in the morning, passing the beautiful Lago de Limo to our pass at Utia de Gran Fanes and the junction between two valleys. With sweeping views we hike along the Valley Gran Plan having lunch in one of the beautiful meadow spots before descending steeply to Capanna Alpina below Piz dles Conturines. A steady climb surrounded by the towering mountains of the Cime di Fanes sees us arrive at Rifugio Lagazoui (9030ft). This Rifugio is in a stunning location and known for its exceptionally beautiful sunsets.

Elevation Gain: 1311 m Loss: 660 m

Distance: 12.3 km

Refugio, shared rooms - Dormitory. Breakfast and dinner. Optional Sauna.

From Rifugio Lagazuoi (gaining 2,530′). Surrounding us are the Punta di Fanes, the cliffs of the Lagazuoi, and the massive Tofana di Rozes (10,650'). The scenery is incredible. It is big and impressive in all directions. Near the pass, there are several WWI underground passages called galleries, which serve as memorials to the terrible fighting that took place here in 1916. This section of the Alta Via trail really connects the historic events of World War 1. Hiking directly from the refuge we descend around the peaks of the Tofane massif: Tofane di Roses, Tofane di Mezzo and Tofane di Dentro, all over 10, 500ft in height on the famous Alt Via1 trail, a long distance trail across the Dolomites. We arrive at Refugio Dibona where we take our lunch. A 2nd option is to take advantage of the cable car, which will bring us to the valley. We rejoin the hiking route and begin our final ascent (950') to the very friendly Rifugio Scoiattoli, which has been run by the same family since 1936. Once again, the setting for this Rifugio is remarkable. There is also the option of utilising a chairlift to arrive.

Elevation Gain: 794 m Loss: 1476 m

Distance: 14.3 km

Today the trail takes us near two striking rock mountains, Averau and Nuvolao, as we descend to Passo Giau. The trail then leads over the Forcella Giau, where the views of the Tofana and Monte Cavallo are inspiring, not to mention the mountains on display to the south: Monte Fromin, Cernera, Pelmo and the upswept flank of Monte Mondeval. The trail leads over lush alpine meadows, and perhaps we'll spot some wild edelweiss. The last part of the day leads below Pelmo’s north face (which is 3,300′ straight up to the top at 10,454′) to our comfortable mountain Rifugio at Passo Staulanza. This is a long day.

Elevation Gain: 686 m Loss: 1330 m

Distance: 15.5 km

From Passo Staulanza, we join a popular trail and climb to the shoulder of Monte Coldai, which lies at the edge of the famous Monte Civetta (10,620'). After stopping for a picnic lunch at Lago Coldai, we continue to the col Negro di Coldai, which looks over at the towering west face of Monte Civetta. This 'wall of walls' extends for over four miles! About mid-way past this wall, we climb to our rifugio at 7,500'. Rifugio Tissi, perched on the mountain flank looking out at the Val Civetta, has views down the Alleghe Valley and west to the Marmolada Glacier. Descending to Val Civetta over the Col Rean, through beautiful open green meadows to the narrow valley of Val Corpassa. The route journeys below the sheer rock faces of the Torre (tower) Venezia and the Torre Trieste, both rising some 2000ft. A further hike to our Rifugio in a woodland setting.

Elevation Gain:  1152 m Loss: 655 m

Distance: 11. 75 km

From Rifugio Vazzoler (5656ft) we descend passing the southern end of the Civetta, arriving at Passo Duran.

Elevation Gain: 1042 m Loss : 1707 m

Distance: 16.6 km