Family Hiking in the Dolomites

Arrive in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy

Your family adventure starts at the Venice airport, where you meet the other families and transfer to the charming alpine resort town of Cortina d'Ampezzo — home for the next three nights. Surrounded by stunning peaks, this four-season adventure playground hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics. Take time to settle in and enjoy the scenery before meeting for a trip briefing in the lobby and then the first meal together in the hotel's restaurant.

Hike to the Sennes Plateau

After breakfast, explore the nearby hills and discover the rifugios, mountain huts scattered across this gorgeous region. Transfer to Ra Stua, then start a beginner's loop hike into the hills. Along the way, take in the Lago di Fosses lake, several rifugios, a panoramic ridge with dazzling views, and a steep gravel path to Val Salata (Salted Valley). End up back in Ra Stua to take a transfer to Cortina. In the afternoon, enjoy time to stroll the town and do some shopping. Have dinner together in the hotel's dining room.

Hike the Tre Cime di Lavaredo Loop

After breakfast, transfer to Rifugio Auronzo to start a moderate loop hike around the soaring, iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo, a Dolomites landmark known for its three unique jagged peaks. On the hike, see the shapes mutate from sharp points to soft corners, and find reminders of the WWI, including tunnels, bunkers, and barracks. Enjoy lunch at a rifugio, tasting local specialties such as canederli (tasty Tyrolean dumpling) and goulash (a beef stew). In the afternoon, take a transfer back to Cortina. This evening, enjoy a family dinner on your own.

Conquer the Averau Via Ferrata

After breakfast take a short transfer to Passo Falzarego, the location of today's exhilarating Averau Via Ferrata, an easy ascent perfect for families. As you climb safely attached to a system of anchored cables, enjoy the magnificence and sheer magnitude of the Dolomites. In this awesome mountain environment, protected on a rock wall high above the valley floor, take in amazing views as you learn valuable mountain safety skills, including the rope work. After the climb, enjoy a picnic lunch before moving on to the rifugio, to spend cozy night and have dinner.

Choose Between Gallerie del Lagazuoi or Col Dai Bos Via Ferrata

Today you have two options. The first is to hike the Galleria (tunnels) del Lagazuoi (2,198' ascent), a fascinating open-air WWI museum carved into the mountains, with numerous routes through sites of dramatic high-altitude battles. Have lunch at Rifugio Lagazuoi, then hike downhill past a turquoise lake. The second option is the Col Dai Bos Via Ferrata. Comprised of an impressive network of steel cables, protective cones and special bolt reinforcements, it has some challenging sections and a few vertical segments but plenty of available holds to assist and spectacular views from the 8,396' summit.

Hike to the Santa Croce Sanctuary

After breakfast take a short transfer to San Cassiano, to begin today's hike to Santa Croce sanctuary, with several steep climbs en route. Pass tiny hamlets of ancient shingle-roofed farmhouses and barns and, closer to the sanctuary, see stations of the cross lining the trail of this pilgrimage walk. Find a scenic spot for a picnic along the route. In the afternoon, walk through pine forests and pastures to reach two alpine farms, Malga Pasciantadu and Castalta. Transfer back to the hotel in the afternoon, to enjoy the spa or explore the town.

Choose Between the Gran Cir or Piz da Cir Via Ferrata

In the morning take a short transfer to Passo Gardena, to climb one of two via ferrata. Gran Cir is an easy exposed walk where parents often teach small children the basics of rope work and where the views are astounding. Piz da Cir is the other via ferrata, featuring a climb that starts with a scramble over large and uneven boulders and ultimately leads to a splendid little summit. Have lunch and a break after the climb, transfer back to the hotel, and enjoy a farewell dinner this evening.

Bid Farewell to the Dolomites

After breakfast, take a private transfer to the Venice airport for your homebound flight.