Mountain Adventure Holidays
A unique two part snowshoeing holiday to the magnificent Dolomites in northern Italy. Snowshoe four days hut-to-hut along part of the famous Alta Via 'High Level' trail and then a further two day tours to explore and learn about the regions rich First World War history.
Our meeting point for this week is Cortina d'Ampezzo, a town with a beautiful landscape and within easy reach of the regions most iconic mountains. Enjoy Italian hospitality whilst exploring the regions jaw dropping scenery. Explore trails that negotiate this dramatic mountain environment offering a unique perspective on this magical place. Be prepared to be impressed!
The Dolomites are a UNESCO World Heritage site and have eighteen peaks rising to over 3000 metres (9840ft), many with spectacular rock spires and towers, such as the world famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo. It is the exceptional natural beauty of the rock formations and geology that have given the Dolomites, World Heritage status.
Today you arrive in the town of Cortina d' Ampezzo in Italy, known as the jewel of the Dolomites. The beauty of the Ampezzo Valley along with it's 1000 year history attracts visitors all year round. Surrounded by majestic peaks Cortina, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, can't fail to impress any mountain lover. Our hotel for this trip is within easy walking distance to the bustling pedestrian town centre and numerous musems and galleries. Proud of it's heritage, learn about the local traditions, history and environment at the Ethnograhic Museum or visit the "Rinaldo Zardini" Palaeontological Museum which houses one of the most significant collections of fossils that exists anywhere today.
Your local guide will meet you at the hotel before the evening meal to answer any questions and discuss the days ahead.
Our four day hut-to-hut Dolomites tour starts at Podestagno where the Cortina d'Ampezzo and Sennes Regional Natural Parks meet. During this week we are literally spoilt for choice when it comes to break taking mountain scenery and today is no exception. We begin on easy trails through the a valley of pine forests. Situated in an idyllic snowcovered high alpine pasture we reach the lovely family run Rifugio Ra Stua. We plan on testing the local strudel and coffee before the main climb today to reach the wild open plateau of Valbones de Inze for a fantastic panoramic view. An amazing location to absorb the full breadth of the Dolomites and learn about the regions unusual geology. We return back to Rifugio Ra Stua for our first night in the mountains.
Ascent: 850m (2788ft) Descent: 400m (1312ft) Distance: 7.5km (4.7miles) Walking time: 5 hours
We say farewell to our hosts and head along the Val Salata to reach the wild Plateau of 'Sennes'. Our route then takes us in the direction of the stunning Seekofel mountain at 2810m (9219ft) which is easily the most photographed mountain of the Prags / Braies Dolomites. Located at the language border of three people (German to the north, Italian to the south-east and Ladinian to the south-west) it carries three utterly different names. Seekofel / Croda del Becco / Sas dla Porta. Our route continues to reach the Rifugio Biella (closed in the winter). We are now following the popular Alta Via 1 summer hiking trail. A long distance 'high level' walking route north to south across the Italian Dolomites. This beautiful area in the summer months is used for grazing cattle, horses and goats and where the marmots make the most of the lush pastures but in the winter it has a very different remote and wild feel. A final descent brings us to the Rifugio Sennes 2126m (6975ft) our next over night stop. Our hut is really more like a hotel offering a wide panorama over some of the most beautiful peaks of the Dolomites: Croda Rossa 3146m (10321ft), Cristallo 3221m (10567ft), Sorapis 3205m (10515ft) and Tofana 3243m (10639ft) - plus wonderful hospitaliy.
Ascent: 700m (2296ft) Descent: 300m (985ft) Distance: 7km (4.3miles) Walking time: 4.5-5 hours
The Sennes Rifugio or 'Hütte' in German is located in the Fanes-Sennes-Braies National Park. Established in 1980 it is a true paradise for snowshoers and ski tourers alike. You can find everything from simple to difficult objectives. Our route today first leads us to the Col de Lasta, 2297m (1427ft) where we gain aonther typical Dolomitic vista of the impressive spires and neighbouring valleys around us. We then commence a descent first through snow covered meadows and then on a wide but steeper track to Rifugio Pederu. We plan on having lunch here before completing todays journey which has a 'sting in the tail' with an uphill finish! It's a steady climb however through the Vallone di Rudo to Lago Piciodil bringing us to a wonderful amphitheatre of snowcapped mountains around Rifugio Fanes. The hut was built in 1928 by brothers Fritz, Rudi and Alfred Mutschlechnerto accommodate alpinists, skiers and walkers who were visting the area. Fantastic food and accommodation await in this stunning mountain setting. You will not be dissapointed!
Due to Fanes Rifugio being closed until February for our January departure we stay at the Rifugio Lavarella tonight. Situated just a little further on but in same amphitheatre of mountains it's by no means a second best! The Laverella has gorgeous rooms and even has a microbrewery!
Ascent: 650m (2132ft) Descent: 700m (2296ft) Distance: 10km (6.2miles) Walking time: 6 hours
Today is our biggest day of the trip and completes our 4 day traverse of the Fanes-Sennes-Braies National Park. From Rifugio Fanes we make a short climb and soon reach the Passo Limo at 2174m (7132ft) where there is a small hut and in the summer months Lake Limo is visable where high altitude 'boating' is popular! Leaving the main Alta Via 'high level' route we descend down a good trail before taking a turn to ascend steadily up the 'Vallon Bianco' towards the 'Bivacco della Pace' or Bivouac of Peace at 2760m (9055ft).
Like the Fanes refuge this unmanned hut, was also built by Alfred Mutschlechner designed to help safe guard alpinists. Alfred along with other locals transformed the remains of a small World War I hut "Capanna Monte Castello" which was destroyed by arson in 1962 and replaced it with the "Bivacco della Pace" (Bivouac of Freedom) in 1974.
The hut is below the summit of Monte Castello and sits like an eagles nest on the crest of the 'Furcia Rossa' giving excellent panoramic views of the; mighty Tofana di Rozes, the Sella range and Val Travenanzes. The 'Furcia Rossa' is a man made path built in 1917 by Austrian soldiers and is one of many 'via ferrata' routes which cross the Dolomites created during the war. Via Ferrata 'iron ways' are steep climbing paths often made using metal cables, stakes and ladders to enable World War 1 troops to access strategic look outs and firing points.
When we are ready to leave we follow the main way through the valley and descend on a good track to arrive full circle back at the road head at Podestagno. We'll use the local bus to make the 10 minute journey back to Cortina. We check into our again for the next 3 nights.
Ascent: 750m (2460ft) Descent: 1450m (4757ft) Distance: 13.5km (8.3miles) Walking time: 8 hours
Today is the first of two snowshoe 'day walks' and has the ingredients of an unfortgettable mountain day. Just a short drive south-west of Cortina are the Cinque Torri or Five Towers. Loved by rock climbers 'The Cinque Torri' are a beauty in their own right as well as the site of strategic Italian trenches and tunnels systems used during the First World War. We begin our snowshoe day with a short chair lift to reach the 5 Torris at 2137m (7011ft). It's then possible on snowshoes to visit the military emplacements in a fabulous open-air museum which helps bring to life how important this site was during the Great War. Across the valley we have incredible views of the Castelletto, Col dei Bos and expansive south face of Tofane di Rozes 3225m (10580ft) and Mount Lagazoui 2732m (8963m), which was during the war the site of the Austrian troops and trenches. We then snowshoe up to a col at 2413m (7916ft) to reach another strategic military site between the mountains of Averau and Nuvolao now home to the Rifugio Averau. After lunch we plan to climb a further 170m (557ft) to reach the summit of Nuvolao 2575m (8448ft) which arguably has the best 360 panoramic views of the Dolomites boasting views south towards the regions highest peak of the Dolomites the Marmolada 3343m (10967ft) and north to the glaciated peaks of Austria. It's possible to return to the valley all on snowshoes mainly 'off piste' and away from the main trail or part the way down on foot then with the help of the chair lift.
Ascent: 500m (1640ft) Descent: 500m (1640ft) or 1100m (3609ft) Distance: 7km (4.5 miles) or 10km (6.2 miles) depending on the descent path
A short drive takes us to the village of Misurina a lakeside beauty spot and the perfect location for our last snowshoe hike. In winter as in summer it's easy to see why the original settlers chose to live at this idyllic mountain setting. Our aim is to catch views of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, also known as the Drei Zinnen, a world reknowned mountain of the Dolomites. Made up of three immense rock towers rising above the valley the view is truly breathtaking and captures the attention of any hiker or climber visiting the region. Our route first takes us to the Auronzo Hut and the summits just above on the Ciadin de Longeres where we are treated to another new vista of rock towers and jagged spires in this truly spectacular mountain setting. A superb way to end our week of snowshoeing in the Dolomites.
Ascent: 800m (2624ft) Descent: 800m (2624ft) Distance: 9km (5.6 miles) approximate as it depends on our chosen route
It is always our aim to complete the proposed itinerary outlined above, however, it may be necessary for our guides/instructors to adjust the daily itinerary based on the weather conditions, group safety and enjoyment.
Our hotel in Cortina d'Ampezzo is the family run, 3***Hotel Pontecheisa. The hotel, which is situated beside the river, is in a peaceful location and there is a garden to enjoy. It is just a 5-minute walk from Cortina’s Corso Italia pedestrian area and from the Tofana cable car and is also near the Freccia nel Cielo cable car. The hotel also has a small spa which should be booked ahead of time. The cost of the spa is not included in your accommodation package. The hotel is run by Emaneula and her family who are the 4th generation to manage the hotel.
Enjoy a night in the delightful Rifugio Malga Ra Stua, close to Cortina. The rooms are decorated in an alpine style with wooden interiors with everything that you need for a comfortable night in the mountains. All the rooms are either twin-bed with bunk-beds or double beds, and every 3 rooms has a bathroom. Bed-linen and bath-towels are included.
Located a plateau on the Alta Via 1 trail, Rifugio Sennes sits at 2126 m (6975ft), in the Fanes-Senes-Braies National Park. From the balcony enjoy a wide panoramic view over some of the most beautiful peaks of the Dolomites: Croda Rossa (3146 m) (Hohe Gaisel), Cristallo (3221 m), Sorapis (3205 m) und Tofana (3243 m). Relax in the comfort of this family-run lodge with its traditional home cooking with dishes typical of the region. Rooms are twin or doubles many of which have en suite facilities.
The Lavarella mountain lodge or 'rifugio' lies at the heart of the Fanes Sennes Braies natural park. It's in an outstanding location at 2050m (6725ft) above sea level close to the enchanting Lé Vërt (green lake) made famous by Fanes Ladin legends. The rifugio has hotel style comforts in the heart of the moutains. Enjoy wonderful home cooked Ladin cuisine of South Tyrol, private rooms of 2-3 people, an outside Finnish sauna and they even have their own micro brewery offering a tangy wheat beer and an unfiltered lager.
Cortina has excellent train and bus links. Rome2Rio is a useful site which gives a map and overall picture of how the local public transport network links up and who to book with. Local trains and buses to reach Cortina can be found at www.sad.it and trains from the UK to Dobbiaco can be sourced here.
The closest airports are Venice in Italy and Innsbruck in Austria.
Venice: Venice has two airports. The main airport is Venice Marco Polo but some airlines such as Ryanair fly to Venice ‘Treviso'. There is a 15 minute drive between these two airports. To transfer from Venice to Cortina choose either the Cortina Express or Flixbus the journey time is between 2h-2h30. We recommend buying tickets in advance which can be done easily and in English. Check the timetables carefully as they vary with stops and times. If arriving into Treviso airport you will need to take an airport bus into Treviso town to pick up the Cortina bus. The bus tickets vary in price depending on how far in advance you buy them from 5€ - 20€ one way.
Innsbruck: From Innsbruck the journey time about 4 hours. From the airport you can take a free shuttle bus, it takes 15 mins and leaves every 10 mins, to reach Innsbruck central railway station. From the central rail way travel by train to Brennero (also known as Brenner) then to Fortezza (also known as Franzensfeste) then to Dobbiaco (also called Toblach) and then the local Sud Tirol no. 445 bus to Cortina.
If you would like to arrange a private transfer from Innsbruck or Venice or any other destination then we can recommend the services of www.taxicortinasci.it
When booking a trip we ask you to acquire insurance to cover you for the following:
Activity, Injury and Mountain Rescue
It is a condition of booking that you are insured against medical expenses, injury, illness, death, cost of repatriation and personal accident risks. In all trips, with the exception of holidays in the UK and Norway, your insurance must also cover mountain rescue. Please ensure that your insurance covers you to the maximum altitude given on your trip itinerary. The maximum altitude for any trip can be checked on the 'At A Glance' box on each trip page. Most of our trips have a maximum altitude of 3,000 metres. If you are unsure or are joining a bespoke trip, then please ask us for specific details.
Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Insurance
You should also have insurance to cover trip cancellation and curtailment. Please note that your deposit and balance payments are non-refundable, unless it is Tracks and Trails who cancel the trip due to a failure to reach the required minimum numbers. In this case we will offer you a refund or the option of transferring to another trip if one is available. We also advise that you should have insurance which covers baggage loss/equipment damage as Tracks and Trails will not be held responsible for loss/damage to baggage/equipment.
All of the above insurances are detailed in our Terms and Conditions.
If you are joining a trip in the UK helicopter/mountain rescue insurance is not required as this is a free service.
For further details, please read the Insurance section on our website.
Winter mountain weather in the European Alps can vary considerably, and in this respect it is no different to any mountain environment where the terrain influences the weather and it can change from valley to valley.
In winter the weather can deliver everything from clear blue skies, and glorious sunshine, to heavy snowfall and strong winds. Essentially, as with all mountain journeys, you should be prepared for any eventuality.
Temperatures vary depending on the month, generally December, January, and February are colder, but by March and April the temperatures are warming up and spring is on the way.
In December and January they can range from -10°Celsius (14°F) to 3°Celsius (37.4F), in February from -5°Celsius (23°F) to 7°Celsius (44.6°F), and in March from 0°Celsius (32°F) to 13°Celsius (55.4°F).
The above figures are a general indication only as the weather can vary considerably year on year for any given month.
When packing for a trip in the mountains it is important to have the appropriate equipment and clothing. This kit list features items we believe are necessary for the weather you might encounter and the accommodation you will be staying in.
Generally clothing for snowshoeing should be equivalent to that used for walking in the mountains in winter. For this trip all the necessary snowshoe equipment is provided free of charge. This includes snowshoes, walking poles, snow probe, snow shovel, and avalanche transceiver. The carrying of this safety equipment is compulsory and demonstrates ‘best practice’.
Your guide will arrive at the ‘Welcome Meeting’ with only enough snowshoe equipment for those who have booked it via their Booking Form.
Equipment
Clothing
Comfort
Personal First Aid
Documentation
Items for your overnight in the mountain hut/refuge
Additional Items
**Supplementary snacks if you follow a gluten free or coeliac diet**
Leaders are all first aid trained and carry their own first aid kit
The image below gives examples of how snowshoes can be attached to your rucksack
On many of our trips there will be an element of 'group kit' which will be shared amongst our guests. As mountain people you will be used to team work and working together to the mutual benefit and safety of the group.
The 'group kit' will be minimal and usually just a case of sharing a few lightweight 'survival shelters'. For example on a week-long trip you may carry a small shelter for just one day before passing it on to the next person.
If you are booking a trip in winter there will be a few additional safety items. These will be distributed in such a way that no one is over burdened.
Other group items necessary for safety and comfort will be carried by your guide/instructor.
For each of our trips a minimum number of guests is required before we can confirm that your trip will go-ahead. The minimum and maximum number of guests on your trip is displayed in the 'At a Glance' box on the righthand side of the trip page.
We strongly advise you do not book travel until we have confirmed your trip is 'guaranteed' to run. If you book travel before we have confirmed it is 'guaranteed' we cannot be held responsible for any financial loss if the trip does not go ahead.
When booking a holiday as a solo traveller a twin bedded room comprising of two single beds, is booked as standard. This will be with someone of the same gender unless you request to pay extra for your own room. Single rooms are often limited in supply so if you would like to pay a supplement for a single room we urge you to get in touch as soon as possible. This trip has a single supplement of £135 for winter 2021 which applies to the nights in Cortina. Single rooms maybe available in the huts aswell. Please contact us if you would like this option.
We go to great lengths to work with first class guides and instructors who are passionate about their work. They are all fully qualified, and insured, and hold the correct documentation.
Please note your guide/instructor has complete discretion to make a daily decision on whether or not to take the advertised route based on the weather and the ability of the members of the group. They have our authority to make any route changes they believe are necessary in the interests of safety and enjoyment.
For our Italian Dolomite snowshoeing trips your guide will be a fully qualified and experienced IFMGA International Mountain Guide.
For this trip where you are both centre-based and on a point-to-point journey. When we leave on the morning of the first day for the three day hut-to-hut tour, you will carry what you need in your rucksack. For these three nights you will not have access to your main luggage. In reality this is not much more than you would carry each day, just a few additional items. We are happy to discuss this with you if you wish to be reassured with regard to which items you need to carry. Your trip begins and ends at the same hotel in Cortina and it is possible to leave your main luggage at the hotel for your return.
We do not include lunches in your trip fee for various reasons, the most important of which is food waste. In general our guests have particular tastes and requirements for 'trail' or 'hill' food and it is better you purchase your own snacks rather than throw away items from the picnic lunch which we would supply.
Lunches on our trips are 'picnic' style lunches, in other words you take a packed lunch with sufficient snacks, food and fluid to sustain you throughout the day. Buying snacks and trying local specialities is a great way to inter-act with local people and to practise your language skills.
If there is the possibility of lunch being taken at a restaurant/farm/cafe beside the trail, your guide/instructor will advise you of this. Each evening you can order a picnic or a sandwich from the hotel, or your guide/instructor will advise you of other options such as a local shop or market. In all cases we would ask you to settle any 'bill' for lunch or drinks the evening before you depart, and not in the morning when there may be a queue.
On your itinerary you will find an indication of the amount of ascent and descent you can expect each day. This offers a guideline to how much effort might be expended each day and allows you to decide, based on previous experience, if your fitness and stamina are correct for the trip.
We make every attempt to ensure these statistics are as accurate as possible, but ask you to note that the most modern of technology used to record these details can show considerable variations in terms of ascent, descent, and in particular distance. In other words no two people using GPS devices on the same route will have exactly the same details recorded at the end of the day.
The statistics given should be used as a 'general' indication of the effort required.
It is useful to arrive at your destination with some cash in the local currency, however, on most occasions it is relatively easy to visit a 'cash machine' after arrival and withdraw money on a credit or debit card. Some of our locations are an exception to this in particular Norway, where the accommodation will often have no facilities for withdrawing cash, but they will take a credit card.
On many of our trips we will visit remote cafes/farms where it is wonderful to enjoy a drink and a cake, at places such as these they will often only accept payment in the local currency in cash.
Food
On all of our trips we encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes.
If you are vegetarian catering for your diet is not generally a problem. If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy/intolerance we would ask that you make your needs clear on your booking form so we can discuss your requirements with the accommodation as soon as possible. A diet that is not related to an allergy/intolerance or beliefs cannot be catered for. It is simply not possible for mountain accommodation to deal with many variations in diet while providing meals for groups.
In addition, if you have an allergy/intolerance we would suggest you bring/purchase suitable snacks as a supplement to the picnic lunches. At times finding gluten free bread, for example, can be an issue. If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet, gluten or lactose intolerance please contact us.
We request that you do not CHANGE your dietary requirements during the trip as we will have pre-ordered your meals.
Water
The countries we visit all have tap water which is drinkable. If for any reason a particular hotel or mountain hut is having a problem with a water supply they will normally post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water.
A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for the country you are visiting, paying attention to your citizenship. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice.
We ask that you carry a paper copy of your passport with you on your trip. We suggest keeping your passport in your rucksack, and a paper copy of your passport in any luggage you might have. If your trip is without luggage transfers then keep a paper copy somewhere in your rucksack, separate from your original document.
We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:
Plug, Socket & Voltage by Country
Note that if your trip involves staying in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut that electric sockets may be in short supply and for that night you may not be able to charge any items. Although the accommodation will have electricity this will often be supplied by solar panels or a generator and limited to use by the staff. For this reason we advise that carrying a small slimline and lightweight 'battery pack' can be very useful for recharging phones which many of you will also use as your camera.
Tracks and Trails pays guides/instructors a fair and appropriate fee for their professional service. However, if you feel your guide/instructor has provided an excellent service that went 'above and beyond' then it is at the discretion of each guest whether to tip or not. Guests will often give a tip of between 2 - 5 per cent of the total value of their trip. It is entirely up to you and any gesture will no doubt be appreciated no matter the size.
Before booking consider whether you expect to be in the appropriate physical condition on the date of your departure to allow you to fully participate in and enjoy your holiday. If you have any doubts because of an illness or injury it would be advisable to check with your doctor.
For UK residents travelling to an EU country you should obtain and bring with you a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment in certain European countries, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance.
If you have a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it will be valid until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you’ll need to apply for a GHIC to replace it. The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Please check this before departing. We advise that you always carry your insurance documents with details of the Emergency Medical telephone number for your insurance provider, and your policy number.
We feel strongly about protecting the environment and do not encourage the use of single-use plastic items. We would ask that you arrive with a ‘water bottle’ or ‘hydration system’ that can be used repeatedly. We would point out that we operate a ‘zero tolerance’ for rubbish, and would ask you to remove all your rubbish items from the mountain even those you consider to be bio-degradable. In particular we ask that you remove any toilet tissue.
You can read our full policy here.
Working across international boundaries, and with various currencies means that the price of our trips can change overnight. We have, however, undertaken to guarantee that once you have paid your deposit the price of your trip is fixed. In this respect we urge you to book early to ensure that you receive the price advertised on our website. The website price may increase due to currency fluctuations, but we guarantee that the price advertised on the date of your booking will be maintained in your individual case.
We believe in team work, and enjoy working with other small high quality companies. In this respect due to the specialised nature of our holidays, we co-sell a number of trips with 'partner' companies. All the trips being sold by Tracks and Trails are organised by Tracks and Trails, but you may find guests from other companies on your trip. Partners are carefully selected to ensure they reflect our ethos and standards. By encouraging other companies to sell our trips it means your chosen holiday may reach its 'minimum' number earlier, allowing us to guarantee the trip and to give you the go-ahead to book your travel arrangements. We guarantee that companies with whom we work will offer the same price package. If you have any questions about this policy contact us and we will be happy to discuss it with you.
Prices may vary depending on date.
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sat 01 Mar - Sat 08 Mar Code: AVS2 |
Price: £2045 | 2 more to guarantee | Book |
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sat 17 Jan - Sat 24 Jan Code: AVS1 |
Price: £2135 | Spaces available | Book |
|
Sat 28 Feb - Sat 07 Mar Code: AVS2 |
Price: £2135 | Spaces available | Book |
| From Price | £2045 |
| Holiday Type | Snowshoeing |
| Duration | 8 Days |
| Group Size | 8 |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Maximum Altitude | 2575m (8448ft) |
| Countries Visited | Italy |
| Meet In | Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy |
