Hiking in the Dolomites: Cortina & Tre Cime

Welcome to the Dolomites and the small village of Pocol, perched high above Cortina d'Ampezzo. You check in at the hotel and then have the rest of the day to settle in, enjoy the mountain air, and get acquainted with your surroundings. This is where you'll stay for the next three nights, strategically located for hikes around Cinque Torri and Tofane. In the evening, the trip's first dinner awaits at the hotel – a pleasant start before the hiking boots get to work in earnest the next morning.

Take the local bus up to Passo Falzarego at 2,105 metres altitude and begin the hike towards Forcella Averau. The trail passes beautifully beneath Averau's steep rock walls before continuing towards Forcella Nuvolau and the Averau mountain hut. From there, the path descends towards Rifugio Scoiattoli, situated on a fantastic natural balcony facing Tofane and Cinque Torri's characteristic rock towers. Here you find yourself in the midst of one of the Dolomites' classic climbing landscapes. A long but pleasant descent leads to Cian Zopé, from where you can take the bus back or continue on foot to Pocol (+4 km, 50 m up, 250 m down). If you want more hiking, you can also take a detour to the summit of Nuvolau (+1.5 km, 120 m up/down).

Today's hike takes you right into the dramatic world of the Tofane massif. After a short bus ride, the tour begins at just under 2,000 metres altitude. You follow parts of the classic Alta Via 1 beneath Passo dei Bois and the impressive south side of Tofana di Rozes. It's a magnificent stretch where the Dolomites' pale rock walls rise above the trail. At Rifugio Dibona, a terrace awaits with views towards Cinque Torri – an excellent spot for lunch or a coffee break. From here, the path goes mostly downhill along a beautiful forest trail that takes you all the way back to the hotel in Pocol. Several longer variants are possible for those who want more hiking.

Your luggage is sent ahead to Misurina while a private transfer drives you to Passo Tre Croci. Here begins one of Cortina's classic hikes, with Lago di Sorapis as today's highly photogenic destination. First you walk on a wide path through the forest before the landscape opens up towards the mountains. Further on, the trail becomes rockier, and a few shorter sections are secured with cables, railings, and steps. You pass Rifugio Vandelli and soon reach Lago di Sorapis, whose intensely turquoise water lies in a basin beneath the 3,205-metre-high Sorapis. After the break, you follow the same exciting trail back. A local bus then takes you onward to Lago di Misurina, where you'll stay near the water for the final three nights.

Now it's time for one of the Dolomites' truly iconic postcard motifs: Tre Cime di Lavaredo, or Dreizinnen in German. The local bus takes you to Rifugio Auronzo at 2,320 metres altitude. From there you hike towards Forcella di Mezzo and continue down towards Tre Cime's famous north faces via Forcellina and the small mountain lakes at 2,245 metres altitude. During the afternoon, the trail passes through the Rinbon valley and further down towards Rinbianco. The day's finale offers the idyllic Lago d'Antorno before you continue on foot back towards Misurina. This is the trip's longest stage, but most of the elevation change is downhill. Shorter alternatives are available.

A new bus ride to Rifugio Auronzo takes you back to Tre Cime, but today's route shows the area from new angles. A wide path leads towards Rifugio Lavaredo and further over the Lavaredo pass, where the three massive rock towers display perhaps their most famous profile. You continue towards Rifugio Locatelli, perfectly positioned for a break with mountain views. From here you make an extra loop around Monte Paterno and Croda Passaporto via Büllelejoch and Laghi dei Piani. You then return towards Lavaredo and follow the wider trail back to Auronzo. A bus takes you down to Misurina for the trip's final dinner. For those craving more hiking, a longer variant is available.

After breakfast, the hiking week comes to an end. A private transfer can be booked, at an extra cost, to the bus station in Cortina d'Ampezzo, where you can continue by bus towards Venice or other destinations. It's also possible to book a private transfer to Venice. If you'd rather stay among the mountains a little longer, there's the option to book extra nights in Misurina – a tempting alternative after five days among some of the Dolomites' most classic mountains.