Reserving a self-guided climbing journey within the Dolomites is the most suitable choice for lively vacationers who worth hassle-free journey planning, route customization, effectivity, and additional assist.
Some climbing routes just like the Alta Through 1 are more and more troublesome to ebook independently, and thus reserving a self-guided climbing journey is the one viable and headache-free approach to safe consecutive in a single day stays in mountain huts.
Different climbing journeys are proprietary routes designed by self-guided climbing firms, which can’t be replicated with out their knowledgeable steerage and GPX tracks.
Listed here are the perfect self-guided Dolomites journeys for hikers in the hunt for (1) a strolling vacation with baggage switch and largely lodge stays (personal rooms), (2) trekkers who wish to embark on a basic hut-to-hut hike within the Dolomites, and/or (3) skilled alpinists who wish to deal with legendary by way of ferrata routes.
Hut-to-hut climbing season: Mid/late June – mid/late September
When to ebook: October-December (Alta Through 1 and Alta Through 2), December-February (different excursions)
Packing Necessities: Passport, sleeping bag liner (for hut stays), waterproof hut slippers, climbing poles. Learn our hut-to-hut packing record.
Insurance coverage: Some self-guided climbing operators require satisfactory insurance coverage protection as a situation of your settlement.
Better of the Dolomites Trek
The Better of the Dolomites Trek is an expertly-designed hut-to-hut climbing route which crosses the Dolomites from west to east, beginning at Seceda above Val Gardena and ending in Valle di Landro, close to Higher Puster Valley.
Initially, the route leads by way of Puez-Odle Nature Park to Alta Badia. From Passo Falzergo, it crosses the Ampezzo Dolomites to Cortina d’Ampezzo. It continues throughout the Sorapiss Group after which traverses the Sexten Dolomites, wrapping round Tre Cime di Lavaredo alongside the best way.
As a result of it is a customized route designed by Alpenventures UNGUIDED, hikers can efficiently ebook this trek up within the winter (and typically in spring).
Alpenventures UNGUIDED is run by a passionate staff of hikers and alpinists, based mostly in Germany and Austria, who’re adept at customizing routes because of their knowledgeable on-the-ground data.
Hikers who’ve accomplished each Alta Through 1 and the Better of the Dolomites Trek are inclined to want the latter. So in case your coronary heart was set on trekking the AV1, however you missed the reserving window, don’t be dismayed. It is a implausible different.
Journey Period | 4 – 12 Days. You may ebook the fast-paced 7-Day Better of the Dolomites Trek, moderately-paced 9-Day Better of the Dolomites Trek, or the relaxed-paced 12-Day Better of the Dolomites Trek. When you’ve got much less time, you can too deal with the 5-day west route or the 4-day east route.
Lodging | Principally mountain huts. Because the route passes by way of two mountain cities, hikers can request lodge stays for these specific levels.
Dolomites: From South Tyrol to Cortina
The subsequent self-guided Dolomites climbing journey I wish to introduce you to is that this Dolomites South Tyrol to Cortina d’Ampezzo journey designed by On Foot Holidays (see coupon code beneath), one of the moral and reliable climbing operators in Europe.
Their journey is finest for hikers searching for personal lodging and luxury. Except for one night time in a Rifugio, hikers in a single day in guesthouses and lodges.
Their extremely satisfying Dolomites journey commences within the village of San Candido in Higher Puster Valley and ends in Cortina d’Ampezzo. After exploring the instant surrounding of San Candido, the route leads south by way of Val Campo di Dentro into the center of the Sexten Dolomites (which additionally occurs to be our favourite ascent path to Tre Cime di Lavaredo). The self-guided route continues by way of Cadini di Misurina and across the Cristallo Group to Cortina d’Ampezzo.
I extremely advocate reserving with On Foot Holidays for those who relish distinctive off-the-beaten-path journeys, worth deep regional experience, want baggage transfers (besides on the rifugio night time), and wish an impressive offline navigation app to information you.
Journey Period | 5 – 7 Nights
Lodging | Principally guesthouses and lodges. 1 night time in a mountain hut.
Coupon Code | On Foot Holidays is providing our readers a £20 voucher for his or her first journey. To redeem, enter the coupon code M&H20 within the “Promotional or voucher code” discipline on any inquiry or reserving kind. This supply is accessible to new On Foot Holidays prospects solely.
Journey Safety | As an AITO member, On Foot Holidays gives monetary safety, champions moral and sustainable tourism, and meets the excessive requirements set out in AITO’s High quality Constitution.
Associated | I’ve written extensively about why On Foot Holidays is an impressive climbing operator in my information to reserving a self-guided Lighthouse Manner trek.
Alta Through 1
The celebrated Alta Through 1 lengthy distance climbing path runs north to south throughout a number of mountain ranges of the Dolomites. The 120-km-long path begins at Lake Braies in South Tyrol and ends close to Belluno.
Alongside the best way, hikers in a single day in a number of the most iconic mountain huts within the Dolomites together with Rifugio Fanes, Rifugio Lagazuoi, Rifugio Nuvolau, Rifugio Averau, Rifugio Coldai, and lots of extra.
In 2019, we independently booked the northern and central levels of the Alta Through 1. In 2026, we’re lastly returning to finish the southern levels, because of Journey Base’s Alta Through 1 self-guided reserving service (don’t miss out in your reader perk).
Journey Base, a climbing and mountaineering operator based mostly in Chamonix, stands out on account of their dedication to buyer satisfaction (see their Trustpilot critiques), their offline navigation app, and 24/7 assist.
Journey Period | I like to recommend reserving their moderately-paced 11-day Alta Through 1 tour. Additionally they have a 9-day route, 7-day route, and 4-day northern route.
Lodging | Mountain Huts
Coupon Code | Journey Base is providing an unique perk to our readers who ebook any of their self-guided or guided treks. Declare your perk by filling out this inquiry kind or utilizing the coupon code MOONANDHONEY at check-out.
Journey Safety | You may ebook with confidence realizing that Journey Base is an AITO member, providing monetary safety, moral and sustainable journey practices, and adherence to a rigorous High quality Constitution. They’re additionally members of the Journey Journey Commerce Affiliation.
Associated | The right way to Ebook the Alta Through 1 Rifugios
Alta Through 2
The 167-km-long Alta Through 2 is one other well-known hut-to-hut climbing path within the Dolomites which leads from Brixen (Plose) to Feltre. Highlights of this route are crossing the Puez Mountains, Sella Group, and Pale di San Martino Dolomites. In comparison with the Alta Through 1, it’s way more technical and requires consolation with publicity, slim ledges, scree slopes, and scrambling.
Alongside the path, hikers might select to deal with a number of by way of ferrata routes, although all of them may be bypassed. Even so, hikers ought to be snug utilizing secured cable-assisted paths. Word that not all cabled routes are categorised as by way of ferrata.
When the Alpenventures UNGUIDED staff scouted the route, they encountered many hikers struggling and discouraged on the Alta Through 2. Most had been merely unprepared for the route’s technical calls for and difficult terrain. This expertise motivated Alpenventures UNGUIDED to design an Alta Through 2 itinerary that avoids essentially the most demanding sections whereas preserving the path’s highlights.
Although nonetheless a problem, the self-guided Alta Through 2 Hiker’s Route is extra accessible than the basic route and sure a greater possibility for many hikers.
Journey Period | You may ebook the 8-Day Alta Through 2, a 5-Day Alta Through 2 North Route, or a 4-Day Alta Through 2 South Route
Lodging | Mountain Huts
Brenta Dolomites: The Bocchette Traverse
This self-guided Brenta Dolomites Through Ferrata Route guides skilled mountaineers throughout the legendary Through delle Bocchette, essentially the most iconic by way of ferrata route within the Brenta Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Website.
Over 5 days, you progress by way of the center of the rugged Western Dolomites on lengthy ledge techniques, throughout glaciers (crampons essential) and scree fields.
It is a demanding route for hikers who’re snug with publicity, high-alpine terrain, and by way of ferrata climbing (Grades B, B/C and C/D).
Journey Period | 5 Days
Lodging | Mountain Huts
Dolomites Mountaineering Guides
Hut to Hut Mountaineering within the Dolomites:
Dolomites Journey:
