Day 1: Arrive in Cortina d'Ampezzo

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Cortina is the jewel of the Dolomites. Nestled in the beautiful Ampezzo valley, it's a year-round favourite with outdoor fans. Meet your experienced guide at the hotel in readiness for an evening meal and briefing about the week ahead. Our hand-picked hotel will be centrally placed for easy access to the town centre's shops and cultural highlights such as the extensive Palaeontological Museum.

 

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

 

Day 2: Snowshoe to view Tre Cime di Lavaredo

Our week’s first snowshoe day trip starts a short drive away in the lakeside village of Misurina. It’s one of the region’s original settlements. In such an idyllic spot, we can see why. Once everyone’s happy and comfortable with their snowshoes and kit, we’ll head out to catch wonderful panoramas of the Tre Cime de Lavaredo (called the Drei Zinnen in German). This trio of peaks make up one of the most iconic and recognizable views in the Dolomites. Various routes suggest themselves today so we’ll pick one according to snow conditions. Jagged spires and rock towers are guaranteed.

 

Accommodation: hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Altitude gain / loss: +800m  / -800m  

Distance: approx 9km (5.6 miles) depending on route

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Day 3: Cinque Torri and The Great War

 

Prepare for a unique mountain day today. The Cinque Torres (Fiver Towers) are a short drive from Cortina. They are intelligent as well as incredibly beautiful, for these cliffs are home to a strategic maze of Italian trenches and tunnel systems used in the Great War. A short chairlift takes us up to the Cinque Torres at 2137m. From this vantage point, we can snowshoe to visit an open-air museum and military emplacements. Views over to Mount Lagazoui (2732m), site of the Austrian troops and trenches, are possible. The day’s next goal is a 2413m col to reach Rifugio Averau, another formerly strategic site. Our strategy? Lunch! Sated, we’ll snowshoe to the summit of Nuvolao 2575m for its phenomenal 360 views and glimpses of the Dolomites’ highest peak, the Marmolada (3343m). Our descent can be off-piste or on trails and again using the chairlift.

 

Accommodation: hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Altitude gain / loss: +500m / -500m

Distance: 7km (4.5 miles) or 10km (6.2 miles) descent depending 

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Day 4: Snowshoe to Monte Mondeval 

Today's snowshoe adventure takes us south of Cortina, over the Passo Giau. Brooding rock towers and spires watch over us as usual! Monte Mondeval is our challenge today at 2455m. Weather permitting this peak offers tremendous views over the Dolomiti Bellunesi. We start at the Malga Giau, passing through pine forests and open bowls. Our diverse ascent ends with an often zigzagging climb to the peak with views of Monte Pelmo, Lastoni di Formin, Civetta and many more. There are some wide open regions and views today, it really is very picturesque.

 

Accommodation: hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Altitude gain / loss: +600m / -600m

Distance: 9km (5.6 miles)

 

Day 5: Snowshoe to Valbones de Inze and Rifugio Ra Stua

Today's snowshoe circuit begins in Podestagno, meeting points of the Cortina d'Ampezzo and Sennes Regional Natural Parks. Once again the wondrous Dolomites serve us a generous portion of scenery. Appreciate the views from easy trails through pine forests to reach Rifugio Ra Stua, located in a snowy high alpine pasture. Steaming strudel and strong coffee await to fuel us for the summit panorama at Valbones de Inze. With such expansive views, it's a great place to learn about the area's unique geology. With luck we'll hit the hotel a little early to allow for some pre-dinner relaxation. 

 

Accommodation: hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Altitude gain / loss: +850m / -600m

Distance: 10km (6.2 miles)

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Day 6: The Battle for Monte Piana

 

The border with South Tyrol is just north of Cortina, neighbouring Monte Piana and Austria. Three official languages are spoken: German, Italian and Ladin, a Romance language. Our snowshoeing day begins in the village of Misurina. It follows good hiking trails up to a rifugio, a plateau, a second open-air war museum and the summit of Monte Piana (2324m). During the war, the north side was occupied by Austria, and the southern summit by Italy. Vestiges of the fighting and the trenches remain as does the 'Piramide Carducci' monument, dedicated to the influential Italian writer and nationalist Giosuè Carducci. Enjoy views of the rugged Tre Cime di Laveredo. 

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Accommodation: hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Altitude gain / loss: +600m / -600m

Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)

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Day 7: Rifugio Palmieri and Cortina panorama 

Our week in Italy's spectacular Dolomites draws to a close with today's final snowshoe hike. It begins on a gentle trail near central Cortina, crossing the snowy meadows of Malga Federa to reach the perfectly sited Croda da Lago Rifugio (2046m). It's a traditional mountain hut from 1901, lovingly run by mountain guide Modesto Alverà and Monica, his wife. Full of delicious local cuisine, we'll forge on up to the Forcella Ambrizzola at 2277m for inimitable views over the Tofana di Rozes, Monte Cristallo, the Tre Cime, Sorapis, Sud Pelmo, Civetta and Mondeval to name a few highlights! We'll hike back to the rifugio at Malga Federa and make our final descent via skidoo or, not for the faint-hearted, by sledge. 

 

Accommodation: hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Altitude gain / loss: +865m / -230m

Distance: 11.2km (7 miles) route dependent 

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Day 8 Departure Day

Your Cloud 9 snowshoe adventure through Italy's Dolomites ends after breakfast today.

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