Dolomites Walking Tour

Generally fabulous. The Dolomites boast excellent hiking weather, typically ranging from 60-70F. We schedule tours from mid-June through late September, avoiding unfavorable conditions. We plan our tours to coincide with the various valleys opening their cable cars and chair lifts for the summer hiking season. Over the past 15 years, we’ve averaged only one day a season with unfavorable hiking weather- quite remarkable for being in the mountains where anything can happen.

It rarely does. We know the weather patterns in the area and choose our daily hikes according to the weather. Still, over the past 15 years, we’ve averaged only one day a season with unfavorable weather for hiking. We try to time our hikes so we are back before any afternoon showers. Alternatively, we may seek shelter at a nearby mountain lodge (Italian – refugio) and enjoy some strudel until the weather clears. If it persistently rains heavily, we offer alternative activities like visiting nearby villages or museums or taking easier and safer walks in the valleys. We do not risk the safety of our guests in bad weather or on wet and slippery trails.

No. The Dolomites are less known and, therefore, less crowded than the rest of the Alps, and they take a little more effort to get to. While some trails can be busier than others, we stay clear of the touristy and more crowded areas, leveraging our expertise gained from 15 years of exploration and leading over 200 group tours in the various valleys we hike in. For example, we also base ourselves in the Alta Badia Valley, which is less crowded than the Val Gardena Valley, and from there, we can head in any direction to reach the best hikes. We have also found that if we leave the hotel after breakfast at 8:30 AM, we can get ahead of most hikers. August is the high season, and we don’t offer tours then.

No. With our base hotel at 4,500 feet above sea level and most hikes between 6,000 – 8,000 feet, very few people have issues with the altitude. After taking 200+ groups to the area, we rarely had any problems beyond shortness of breath. Gary Scott has guided over 50 treks and expeditions in the Himalayas (including guiding Mount Everest). He is an expert on the issue of altitude and how to deal with it. Since we use cable cars to avoid big hills and hike at a slow to moderate pace, altitude is not an issue here.

The basic answer is that it is up to you how much you walk. The Dolomites has 10,000 miles of hiking trails of all levels, and after 200+ tours, we know precisely the proper hikes to take most people on, and there is always the option to hike more or less. Our average day hike is 8 miles with an average 1,000 feet of ascent and descent. We utilize the extensive cable car and chair lift system to avoid big hills and get the best views more quickly. We sometimes split up the groups if necessary. We encourage people to enjoy the scenery at their own pace. With hundreds of trail options, we know how to match people’s hiking ability with the right trail. Gary Scott has been guiding people in the mountains for 40 years and knows how to find the “right path” for everyone.

Absolutely. Over the last 15 years, we have organized many private tours that accommodate various groups of friends and families, often at the same price as our regular tours, with no group size or age restrictions.  We charge half of what our competition charges, and they usually have large groups of 16 – 20 people.

While our regular scheduled tours cater to adults, we welcome families with children of any age on a private tour, tailoring the experience for all ages. We love showing kids around the Dolomites, and Katarina adores children. They love hiking and talking with her on the trail. Kids love the Dolomites.

We offer a full refund if you cancel for any reason within the first ten days of booking. Our cancellation policy aims to accommodate unforeseen circumstances. We advise guests to review our travel industry standard Terms & Conditions here. We also highly recommend travel insurance to cover any unexpected situations. You can read more about travel insurance here.

It’s not an issue. Hotels and restaurants in our area are accustomed to accommodating various dietary needs, offering a range of options to suit all preferences. The food is very healthy, and the culinary level is very high. Most supermarkets also provide snacks for people with special dietary requirements.

No need to be. We attract fun people with us for a fun and stress-free experience. Our small group tours – limited to 8 guests – foster a friendly, casual atmosphere akin to hiking with friends. Guests can choose their level of group engagement and pace, ensuring a comfortable experience for all. You can be as “groupy” as you want or not.  Many of our guests remain lifelong friends with others in the group, as well as with Katarina and me. The high number of our guests who come back on another trip testify to how much fun our trips are.

It rarely happens. Our guides ensure no one is left behind, and we always have a guide bringing up the rear. We also have support vehicles if needed, which also rarely happens. There are usually going to be faster and slower hikers in a group. We are very used to handling that, and with two guides, we can even split up the group if necessary to accommodate everyone. Our walking tours are about enjoying the trails and the views, not rushing through them as fast as possible. After 200+ tours, we have taken every fitness level, ages 8 to 89, every shape and size, and had many guests with different injuries come on trips. We know how to juggle them all. We also stop for a mid-morning coffee break and a lunch stop, giving guests time to rest. Our guests are encouraged to walk at their own pace, and those with concerns should contact us before booking a trip.

Only fabulous ones that our guests love. We want our guests to be super happy, so we use hotels where we have long-term relationships and know our guests will be satisfied. We prioritize guests’ satisfaction by hand-selecting hotels based on quality, cleanliness, amenities, location, staff, and guest feedback. We want our guests to LOVE the hotels we use. We have developed deep relationships with many hotel owners and staff, and our guests are welcomed like family at many hotels.

You don’t need anything special. We’ll send you a recommended packing list before the trip. Still, since we are doing day hikes, all you need is everyday hiking attire (often synthetic shorts and a T-shirt) and low-cut hiking shoes with a Vibram-type sole. And a small day pack with a water bottle, extra upper layer, waterproof jacket, and your phone to take photos – that’s about it. We have sunscreen and hiking poles for everyone. Comfortable clothing for walking around the villages, dressier for dinner at the hotel, and a puffy evening jacket are all you need.

The answer is relative to your hiking ability, fitness, and experience. Having taken 200+ groups over 15 years, we know what hikes most people can handle and enjoy. An average day hike is 8 miles with 1,000 feet of ascent and descent. We provide hiking poles for those who want to use them, significantly improving our guest’s posture, balance, and efficiency on the trail. Gary Scott has been guiding for 40 years and is proficient at choosing suitable trails for his guests. He often helps people with walking tips to improve their walking ability. We recommend being reasonably fit and ready to be on the trail for 6 hours daily. Guests can always opt for less or more walking and take breaks as needed. We use the extensive cable car and chair lift system to avoid big hills and get the best views more quickly. With two guides, the group can be split up on some sections of the trails if necessary. We know where to take people for an enjoyable day that may push you but not leave you sore and exhausted, and there is always more walking one can do at the end of the day in the valley if desired.

We will know when we see you and the group hike. The Dolomites have over 10,000 miles of interconnected trails like a vast spider’s web. Most of the trails have numbers, not names, and we have infinite options during each day hike to modify the hikes as necessary to accommodate the group. Rest assured, we want our guests to see and experience the best of the Dolomites while they are with us, and our base in the Alta Badia Valley allows us to do that with minimal driving.

Yes. There are restrooms at the start and end of the trails, and every hour or so on the trail, there are mountain lodges (Italian refugio) where we will stop for a bathroom break when needed. The restrooms are usually immaculate and well-maintained. We also stop for a mid-morning coffee break and a lunch stop.

Yes. All the hotels have WiFi and cell coverage on the trails 95% of the time. Your cell phone is the best way for people to contact you, and we recommend that our guests use WhatsApp to stay in touch with us. We encourage our guests to be “at the moment” as much as possible and to avoid using devices at meals with other guests (unless it’s to look at the fabulous photos you have been taking on the trip, of course).

No, and you don’t need to. You don’t need anything special. We’ll send you a recommended packing list before the trip. Still, since we are doing day hikes, all you need is everyday hiking attire (often synthetic shorts and a T-shirt) and low-cut hiking shoes with a Vibram-type sole. And a small day pack with a water bottle, extra upper layer, waterproof jacket, and your phone to take photos—that’s about it. We have sunscreen and hiking poles for everyone.

Absolutely. The region is rich in culture and historical landmarks, including World War 1 trenches, mountain huts, ancient ruins, castles, and traditional villages. During the hikes, our guides will share fascinating stories and insights into the area’s heritage and discuss its geology, geography, history, traditions, and culture. In the summer of 2009, the same season Gary Scott first explored the Dolomites, UNESCO honored nine nature parks with World Heritage Nature Site status – describing them as the world’s most beautiful mountains.

Easy. Most of our guests take the train from Milan, Venice, or Verona to Bolzano, and it is a short walk from the central train station to the hotels we use there. You can also reach Bolzano by train from Innsbruck and Munich. Guests will want to stay the night in Bolzano before we pick you up the following day. It is a fun and lively town where you can spend the afternoon exploring the old town area and visiting the Otzi museum. We suggest using Google and Google Maps to help with your travel planning, and we are always available to help in any way we can.