Dolomites Culinary Hike

We’ll meet you at 13:30 at the Porta Altinia Suites Hotel in Treviso, ready for your Dolomites adventure! A three-hour transfer takes us to the picturesque mountain village of San Cassiano in Alta Badia. Nestled at the foot of the Dolomite peaks of Lavarella and Conturines, San Cassiano is one of the highest villages in the Dolomites at 1,537 meters above sea level. Its small historic center remains the vibrant hub of the village, with cafés, gelaterias, and small shops. We check into our four-star hotel and then set out for an easy 90-minute hike to stretch your legs before an aperitivo and then dinner at Mumant, an elegant restaurant featuring delicious dishes that are revisited versions of traditional Ladin recipes. The walk: 4 km/2.5 mi. Duration: about 1h 30mins. Surface. Paved walkways and hard-packed dirt trails. Very Easy. Overnight San Cassiano. Hotel, aperitivo, and dinner included. Transfer time from Treviso is 3 hours.

Today's walk is a gentle and rewarding hike, combining rolling alpine meadows, magnificent mountain scenery, and two of the region's most celebrated rifugi. The trails are wide and well maintained, making this an ideal introduction to the Dolomites. From the village of San Cassiano, we take the Piz Sorega gondola to the broad, grassy plateau above the valley. From here, we follow the trail across meadows dotted with wildflowers, enjoying magnificent views of the Marmolada, the Sella Group, the Sassongher, the Fanes massif, and the rugged peaks of the Conturines. After approximately one hour, we arrive at Rifugio Pralongià, where we pause for coffee and a slice of warm apple strudel while admiring the remarkable panorama that surrounds us. From Pralongià, we continue our hike towards Rifugio Bioch. The trail climbs gently through open pastureland to reach the refuge, which enjoys one of the finest settings in the valley. Here we stop for lunch before making our way back to Piz Sorega and descending by gondola to San Cassiano.

This afternoon, you may choose to attend the show-cooking demonstration with one-star Michelin Chef Simone of La Stua de Michil. (Pick up from the Gondola by van at 14:30, and the event starts at 15:00 and lasts two hours) This is ostensibly about cooking, but it is also a unique opportunity to spend time with the affable, generous, and brilliant chef Simone and to get an insight into what it takes to become a Michelin-starred chef. Otherwise, you can explore the village, which has both an excellent pastry shop and gelateria in the piazza. Tonight's dinner is in the local pizzeria. We recommend the speck and finferli mushroom pizza. Delicious! The Hike:7.2 km/4.5 mi. Duration 2.5 hours, Elevation gain/loss 276 m/885ft. Hard-packed dirt and rocky trails. Overnight: San Cassiano. Hotel, breakfast, dinner, lifts and transfers included. 

* The Show Cooking Demonstration is optional and has a supplement of €100 Euro per person.

LONGER HIKE OPTION - July 5, 2027 departure: This option is only for people who have opted not to do the Show Cooking Demonstration, simply because there is not enough time to do both. The extension hike adds an additional 90 minutes of hiking. Although everyone will have lunch at the same Rifugio, the long walkers will be 90 minutes later than the other group, which is not a logistical problem.  The Longer Option Hike: 12 km/7.5mi. Duration 4 hours, Elevation gain/loss 276 m/885ft. Hard-packed dirt and rocky trails. 

Today, you'll explore the charming Ladin farmsteads that dot the scenic Alta Badia countryside. You will hike past remote hamlets, farmhouses, and wooden barns, all seemingly locked in time several centuries ago. Our trail leads to the picturesque Church of Santa Barbara. The church was built by local miners to honor their patron saint, and its steeple has served as a beacon to the faithful since 1491. We settle into the Agriturismo Ciablun for a delicious lunch of homemade Ladin culinary specialties. This is km zero eating as the cheese and charcuterie are produced on the farm. After lunch, we’ll complete the loop and return to our pickup point for a transfer back to San Cassiano. Dinner this evening is a very special culinary event as we dine at the 1-star Michelin restaurant La Stua de Michil in the neighboring village of Corvara. Chef Simone Cantafio previously was the head chef and manager at the Bras family’s two Michelin-starred Toya restaurant on the island of Hokkaido. He has had one Michelin star in Corvara for six years, and we predict another one will soon arrive. The hike: 8.1 kms/5 miles or 3h, elev. gain/loss 432 m/ 1500 ft. Meadows, gravel roads and tarmac. Overnight: San Cassiano. Hotel, breakfast, dinner, lifts and transfers included. Transfer time each way: 20 mins

LONGER OPTION - July 5, 2027 departure: Everyone starts out together, and then the long hikers would peel off to add extra distance and elevation before rejoining the regular trail later. Everyone would meet up at the same lunch spot. The extension climbs to a ridgeline, through a larch forest, to reach a lookout point before descending to the regular trail. The hike: 10.4 kms/6.4 miles or 3.5 h, elev. gain/loss 618 m/1975 ft. Meadows, gravel roads and tarmac.

(08:30) We transfer you to Col Gallina, near the historic Falzarego pass to start a gradual uphill hike towards Averau mountain. Keen hikers will want to climb up to Rifugio Nuvolau – “rifugio in the clouds” before continuing to the “Cinque Torri” (five towers), whose jagged spires are a mecca for intrepid rock climbers. The trail takes you through an open-air museum of WWI trenches, bunkers, and huts that made up the Italian positions that faced the Austrians who were perched above them at Lagazuoi. Our lunch destination is Rifugio Scoiatolli. After lunch, save your knees, relax, digest, and take the chairlift into the valley. We transfer you to Cortina, and check into the historic 5-star Grand Hotel Savoia. We treat you to an aperitivo on the hotel terrace followed by dinner at “Dolomeats” in the village. The Hike: 6.4 km/4.2 mi. Duration: 3 hours. Elevation gain 572m/1830ft. Elevation loss 378m/1200ft. Hard-packed gravel and rock trails. The Cinque Torre Open Air Museum hike is 2.3km/1.4mi. Duration: 1 hour. Elevation gain/loss 105m/335ft. Overnight Cortina. Breakfast, dinner, lifts, and transfers are included. Transfer time: 30 minutes. 

LONGER OPTION - July 5, 2027 departure: Those who want a more challenging hike would be dropped off before Col Gallina at Passo di Falzarego, and from there take a different trail to Rifugio Averau. This is more challenging not because of extra distance or elevation change, but because the trail is rougher and trickier than the “regular” trail. The reward is some epic views. Everyone will have lunch at Rifugio Scoiatoli. The Longer Hike: 6..2 km/4..1 mi. Duration: 3 hours. Elevation gain 490m/1568ft. Elevation loss 350m/1120 ft. The Cinque Torre Open Air Museum hike is 2.3km/1.4mi. Duration: 1 hour. Elevation gain/loss 105m/335ft 

Today's hike offers a dramatic change of scenery as we leave behind the high peaks and open alpine meadows and descend into a world of narrow canyons, rushing waterfalls, and crystal-clear streams. The trail follows the Fanes River upstream through forests and thickets of wild rhododendron, never straying far from the brilliantly blue waters below. Along the way, we stop to admire a series of spectacular waterfalls, including one that allows us to walk behind the curtain of water for an unforgettable perspective on this remarkable landscape. Return to Cortina around 15:45 in time to explore the village and its galleries and shops. Tonight, we take you to dine at Al Camin, a cozy wood-paneled restaurant featuring excellent regional cuisine with flair. The Hike: Medium Option: 12 km/ 6.8 mi Elevation. gain/loss 473 m/1500 ft. (picnic lunch) Duration: 4.5 hours. Short option. 7.2 km/4.5 mi Elevatioin gain/loss 250 m/ 800 ft. Duration 2.5 hrs. Overnight: Cortina. Hotel, breakfast, and dinner included. 

LONGER OPTION - July 5, 2027 departure: Everyone would start out together and remain on the same trail for the first two hours. Then those who want to do a little extra can simply add an extension that includes another beautiful gorge, a short but steep climb, and lunch by a crystal-clear stream. Distance 13.1 kms/ 8.2 mi Elevation. gain/loss 594 m/1900 ft. (picnic lunch) Duration: 4.5 hours.

A breathtaking gondola ride whisks you up to 2100m to Mount Faloria. Take in the stunning panorama before the hike, which descends into the valley through a beautiful larch forest. You eventually reach verdant fields where brown-eyed cows happily graze their pastures. We stop for lunch at Rifugio Mietres, a classic all-wood chalet with a stunning view over the valley. Afterward, you continue the hike descending by foot into Cortina, where you will have time to enjoy a cool glass of something at a sunny cafe or indulge in the hotel spa.  This evening is our second Michelin-star dining experience, this time at “San Brite”, an elegant restaurant of restrained sophistication. Chef-owner Riccardo Gaspari uses produce from his own farm/Malga, which we hiked past today. The emphasis here is on healthy, delicious, local cuisine. A truly impressive cantina of Italian and French wines ensures an exquisite dining experience and a fitting end to our week of indulgence. The Hike: 10.8 km/6.8 miles or 3.5h, mostly downhill with a total descent of 973 m/3,100 ft. Hard-packed dirt, rocky trails, and some asphalt in town. Overnight Cortina. Breakfast, dinner, and lifts are included.

LONGER OPTION - July 5, 2027 departure: Everyone would start out together and have lunch together at Rifugio Mietres. After lunch, you have the challenging option, which is to climb from Rifugio Mietres up a steep trail that brings you to the top of an escarpment with magnificent views. The trail flattens out a bit before a final climb to Rifugio Son Forcia where you can relax and enjoy a cold drink before saving your knees with a chairlift ride down to the road at Rio Geres where you will be picked up and returned to Cortina. The Longer Hike: 11.5 km/7.2 mi. Elevation gain 770m/2464ft Elevation loss 660/2110ft. Hard-packed dirt, rocky trails, and one very steep section. 

The tour ends this morning with a two-hour van transfer from Cortina to Treviso station. We will arrive around 11 a.m. You can continue your journey within Italy from Treviso train station, or take a taxi, train, or bus to get to nearby Venice International Airport. Travel time by taxi is 30 minutes. Or you can travel to Venice, which is also connected by taxi, train, and bus. Indeed, Treviso is a good base from which to visit Venice. It is easy to explore Venice by day and retire to Treviso’s low key, untouristy vibe for the evening. Breakfast and ONE group transfer included.

Please note: Some details of the itinerary may change according to the departure date of your tour. Whenever we run a tour, we make discoveries. Sometimes they are good discoveries, like a wonderful new trattoria, and sometimes bad, like a trail has been washed away. Therefore, we sometimes change our itinerary to improve it by adding wonderful new elements or removing something that no longer works. Rest assured; we always aim to provide you with the best possible experience. We will advise you of any changes to the original itinerary before departure.

Getting There: We pick you up from Treviso Porta Altinia Hotel at 12 pm on Day 1. A 3 hour private transfer takes you and your luggage to San Cassiano. 

Air: The most convenient airport to the trip is Venice. Other airports in Northern Italy include Verona or Milan (Linate or Malpensa). For a complete list of Itlian airports and a selection of low-cost airlines, see our "Transport Info" page.

Rail: Venice is well connected by highspeed rail lines to all principal cities in Italy. See the Trenitalia website (in English) at this link. For alternative high-speed rail travel, see the Italo website. For complete information on using the Italian train system, see our blog post. See the Austrian rail system website here if you are coming in from Innsbruck.

Getting Away at the End of the Trip: the trip ends with a private van transfer to the Treviso train station, arriving around 11:00 a.m. From there you can get a bus or train into Venice or to the train station. See our "Transport Info" page for more information on transportation alternatives to the Venice airport.

If you book a trip with us you will receive detailed information about how to get to the start of your trip.