Arrive in Cortina d'Ampezzo, known as the 'Queen of the Dolomites', accompanied by breathtaking views that give you a taste of the week ahead. Settle into your hotel for the week or, depending on your arrival time, take a stroll through the bustling town and soak up its energy as a mecca for walkers, mountaineers, mountain bikers, and white water kayakers alike. Grab a coffee in one of the many trendy cafes in the picturesque piazzas and stroll through the picture-postcard streets that lead you to the church spire that stands proud, iconic, surrounded by the jagged mountaintops. In the evening, you can sample delicious local cuisine whilst watching the colours of the dolomite rock formations change as the sun sets. What a majestic start to your week!

Waking up amongst the magnificent dolomites, today you get to put on your hiking boots and explore them more closely. Today's walk is a shorter hike that leaves you plenty of time to stop and relax during your walk as well as in Cortina at each end of the day - however you wish, as this is your holiday after all. Walking through the town as it springs to life you can take the opportunity to enjoy a coffee before following the trail out of town and ascending through the alpine forest accompanied by the distinctive aromas of mountain dew burning off the pine trees under the morning sunlight. Following the path up to the Druse Pass, you will soon encounter the Tofane's towering rock walls as you walk beneath them on your way to inviting little Lake Ghedina with its crystal clear jade-green waters and welcoming mountain restaurant. Legend has it that this enchanting lake was the scene of a nocturnal ritual for warrior Prince Ey de Net who came here to consult the lake's nymphs for their omens about the kingdom's future. Take time to relax and enjoy the lake's beauty perhaps with a pause for cake at the restaurant, before returning to Cortina to sample more of the local culinary delights this evening.

Today's day out begins by taking the bus to the Falzarego Pass, one of the most popular trailheads in the Dolomites, and for good reason as it sits at the base of the famed rock towers of Piccolo Lagazuoi. Your route takes you up the Lagazuoi Pass (2,573m) and on to the summit where your efforts are rewarded with splendid views of the valley below. You are also greeted by the ruins of several old military installations, a reminder of the Dolomites' role in World War One. You might decide to spend some time visiting the Lagazuoi Open-Air Museum up here - free entry although donations are welcome - where you can visit restored tunnels, trenches, machine gun posts and emplacements. It is hard to believe that such dramatic warfare took place in this lofty spot whilst standing here in surrounded by the peace and tranquillity of the mountains today. When you have finished taking in the views, you begin your descent through a lovely wide rocky valley, beneath steep cliffs where you will spot climbers on the via ferrata. Arriving at Lake Lagazuoi (2,180m) at the foot of Cima del Lago, you find a lovely spot to relax for a moment before continuing to the Scotoni Hut, where you can enjoy a welcomed refreshment and perhaps one of the tasty mountain treats on offer. The final stage of your walk takes you down to the Valparola Pass, where you can catch the bus back to your hotel and decide which of the great restaurants to choose for dinner this evening.

Today you will explore one of the most distinctive mountain ranges in the Dolomites - the Croda da Lago. After taking a short bus ride from Cortina to the Giau Pass (2,236m), you will begin your hike up through the forest, towards the Formin Valley. Little by little, glimpses of the rocky landscape increase and the forest finally thins out to reveal the Croda da Lago in its full glory. Making your way through the boulder field and along the base of this formidable rock wall, you will cross the Formin Pass (2,462m), revealing the southern Dolomites in all their majesty. Take a moment to breathe in the view, including Monte Civetta's legendary north face, before descending towards the Ambrizolla Pass (2,277m). A little further on you reach the Rifugio Palmieri, the perfect place to stop for a refreshment, before the final push to complete the Croda da Lago Circuit encompassing the beautiful lake and the Giau Pass beyond. Feeling accomplished, take the bus back to Cortina where you can enjoy dinner and raise a glass to another great day on the trails.

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your hotel before taking a private transfer to the Auronzo Hut (2,333m), a well-known stopping-off spot on the Alta Via 4 long-distance hiking route and a great place to enjoy a morning coffee before setting out on your own hike today. From this hut at the feet of the Tre Cime, you can admire the spiky pinnacles of the Cadini di Misurina mountain range located to the south. Your route takes you north, to the foot of Tre Cime's southern face, then east along its base on gentle terrain, to the breathtaking little Lake Lavaredo on whose surface the great limestone teeth of the Tre Cime themselves are reflected. Take a moment to take in this beauty and relax by the water, before setting off again to make a circumnavigation of Monte Paterno via the Pian di Cengia flats and the pass of the same name, accompanied by fantastic views throughout. The trail then brings you out to the northern side of the Tre Cime, towards the Locatelli Hut where you can reward your day's efforts so far with a cool refreshment whilst views of Tre Cime's northern face may simply leave you in awe. After this, the final section of your route takes you along the feet of several legendary north faces, likely dotted with climbers scaling their towering rock walls, as you make your way over the Medo Pass to return to the Auronzo Hut and your private transfer back to Cortina.

Today's route will give you the opportunity to explore the outstanding Tofana di Rozes, one of the three peaks that make up the Tofane mountains. Your day starts with a private transfer to the Dibona Hut, situated at the foot of this mighty range that forms yet another of the Dolomites' highlights. Setting off, your hike begins with a steady ascent towards Tofana di Rozes' towering south face before contouring west along the base of its steep cliffs, offering one breathtaking view after another. After making your way over the Bos Pass, a trail in the Travenanzes Valley takes you around the western flanks of Tofana di Rozes before descending zigzags to a small notch that leads to the narrow Majarie gully, boxed-in between two of the Tofane's peaks. From here, the trail ascends once more to reach the Giussani Hut (2,580m) where you might well decide to reward your efforts with a slice of well-earned strudel! The hut is the base camp for those ascending the main peak and you may spot climbers on the via ferrata above. When you have finished taking in the view and perhaps watching the climbers, you continue your hike by descending to the Dibona Hut, where your driver will be waiting to return you to your hotel.

Your final hike of the week begins in the same way as your first, with a bus journey to Falzarego Pass. However today you head away from Lagazuoi and the Tofane, to explore the opposite side of the valley amongst a group of smaller peaks that hold plenty of surprises. This is a walk of contrasts as you begin your hike through alpine meadows, alive with flowers in the spring, first to a small ski area and then up to the higher lunar-like landscape to which you have become accustomed this week. You will soon arrive at the base of imposing Monte Averau where many climbers head off towards the via ferrata. Your route continues around the base of this giant wedge of rock to reach the Nuvolau Pass from where you have the option to make the ascent to the summit of Nuvolau Peak. An optional addition that we recommend only for surefooted hikers, it is certainly worth the effort to arrive at the summit for the amazing far-reaching views, as well as the opportunity to experience the hospitality and atmosphere of a typical high-mountain hut in the Dolomites. Returning to the Nuvolau Pass, you continue towards the legendary Cinque Torri, renowned for their excellent climbing routes, and where many climbing greats got their starts. This area also boasts a rich history, particularly from World War One, and has another free open air museum dedicated to the battles that took place in the area. It is worth brushing up on your military history before visiting to help you experience the region from another point of view. Your week of walking ends at the Bai des Dones Lake, said to have been inhabited by cloven-footed water nymphs once upon a time - quite the contrast compared with the military installations and rock climbers! From here, you will take a transfer back to Cortina, where you can toast a great week in the mountains.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and perhaps a final stroll around the stylish streets of central Cortina before making your onward journey. If you would like to explore the region a little longer, you might like to add an additional night or two to your trip - just ask our Sales Team for details.