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THE DOLOMITES TREK

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The Dolomites Trek begins at the trailhead just above Lago di Braies in the Puster Valley in the Northern Dolomites, the starting point of the famed 86-mile Alta Via 1. The trek continues through the Belluneser Dolomites into the Ampezzaner Dolomites to our last hike to the iconic Tre Cime / Drei Zinnen. The Tre Cime area was a location of fierce fighting during WWI and still holds many artifacts. From Tre Cime we return to San Candido where we enjoy our final stay. 
On day 1 we meet in Venice for transport to the Dolomites. We'll settle into the beautiful Il Tyrol Hotel in San Candido for a two-night stay.

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Day 1
 
Day 2

Today we day tour around the San Candido/Sexton area from our starting point at Il Tyrol Hotel. We have our choice of trails as many trailheads originate in this area with various alternate paths available depending on the preference of the group. We'll discuss our options at breakfast and set out on the beginning of our Dolomites adventure as soon as we have had our fill of the buffet. We return to the Il Tyrol Hotel in midafternoon in time for a walk around the village center or for some relaxation at the spa. Don't forget to reserve your favorite treatment!

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After breakfast we start with an easy hike along the lake before beginning the ascent to Sora al Forn-Scharte, where we reach the Sennes plateau. After a short descent to the Seekofel Hut, we continue to the cozy Sennes Hut for lunch. After lunch, the path leads steeply down to Pederü. From there we take the 4x4 taxi to the beautiful and relaxing Fanes Hut. 

 
Day 3
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Day 4

Today's trek is a day tour to the Heiligkreuzkofel (2,907 m, 9537 ft). The Heiligkreuzkofel offers a scenic, very rewarding, varied, and moderately strenuous mountain hike over the Fanes Plateau.  The path is narrow in spots but well-marked with no drop-offs. The view from the summit, which slopes steeply to the west, is magnificent, especially the iconic Marmolada, which appears to rise from the plateau as if presented on a platter of breathtaking landscape. The last pitch to the summit is steep and has loose rocks (scree slope). The descent follows the ascent route. Another overnight stay at the Fanes hut.  

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After a short climb we soon reach the Limojoch and arrive via the Fanes plateau to the Passo di Lago. From here we can already see Lago Lagazuoi below us, where we spend our lunch break after a short but steep descent. In the afternoon we hike over the forc. Lagazuoi, past historical sites from WWI to the summit of Little Lagazuoi. Mount Lagazuoi is the highest point on the Alta Via 1. Along the way we pass the remains of encampments: buildings, bunkers, barbwire fences, trenches, 100-year-old tin cans, cooking utensils, and rock fortifications. Directly on the summit is Rifugio Lagazuoi with a sensational view and our stop for the night. 

Day 5
Day 6

From Rifugio Lagazuoi we descend through the tunnels which were dug by the Italian army. Mount Lagazuoi was a key fortification for the Austrian army and the site of some of the fiercist fighting in the winter alpine war. The Italians tried to take it from the inside building a tunnel system to transport troops and supplies, and blow up enemy positions.  The Lagazuoi tunnel is steep and dark with many steps. We will use helmets (provided) and headlamps for the descent.  There is an opt-out to bypass the tunnels and take the cable car to Passo Falzerego where you will meet the rest of the group.  

From Passo Falzerego we have the option to walk or take the chairlift to Rif ugio Scoiattoli to the Cinque Torri and continue to Passo Giau. A shuttle will take us to our lodging for the night located in San Candido, the 4-star, family operated, Il Tyrol Hotel. Relax at the spa, enjoy seasonal and regional Tyrolean cuisine as well as classic Italian dishes, or explore San Candido.

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We begin our day in San Candido/Innichen where after a short walk we board a cable car to Haunold Hut; from there we will hike up to Haunold Kopf and descend to Dreischusterhütte in the Innerfeld Tal.  With nice weather we should be able to see the Tre Cime for the first time. The hike to the Dreischusterhütte is probably one of the nicest hikes in the San Candido/Innichen region. Its main attraction is the wonderful peaks of the Sexten Dolomites that tower over the whole of the Innerfeldtal Valley. The area is also part of the Drei Zinnen Nature Park and is therefore, incredibly beautiful and peaceful. The destination for this hike is the Dreischusterhütte mountain hut. The hike is relatively easy with no particularly difficult sections.

Day 7

Day  8 

The last ascent leads us through the picturesque Innerfeldtal valley to the Drei Zinnen Hütte.  From here we have a breathtaking view of the north walls of the famous Drei Zinnen (aka: Tre Cime).  The views before we reach the Hütte really cannot be described except to say they are spectacular.  About one hour after a well-deserved lunch break, we reach the Auronzo hut. The walk from the Auronzo hut to the point where we meet the shuttle transfer back to our hotel in San Candido is one of the most beautiful stretches of trail I have seen. the now familiar Il Tyrol Hotel is our stop for the night. We have time to stroll the old part of the village and enjoy a drink in the piazza before dinner.  It is the last night of our hiking adventure through the beautiful UNESCO Heritage Dolomites.  

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Wake up at your leisure and enjoy breakfast then explore San Candido on your own or depart to continue travel at your own pace. TerraTreks will arrange shuttle transportation back to Venice or to your preferred destination at an additional cost upon request.

 

No one can believe the trip has come to an end.  It seems like 9 days should last longer.   

 

Day 9

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