Top Day Hikes in Italy’s Dolomite Alps

full days of hiking through spectacular landscapes plus a night close to the stars in a high mountain lodge

AMC Adventure Travel Trip #2147

July 25, 2021- August 1, 2021

Italy’s Val Gardena is perfectly situated in the heart of the Dolomites, a World UNESCO heritage region and a paradise for those who love nature, outdoor activities, and hiking. With more than 8,000 miles of trails, there is a hiking route for everyone and the area has become a favorite destination for AMC Adventure Travelers. Join us as we explore this special region of Italy known as the “Süd Tyrol”. This area, located in the northeast region of Italy was formerly part of Austria until World War I. It retains elements of its German heritage in its food, its three local languages [Italian, German, and Ladino], its culture as well as its very own political status and institutions while still being part of Italy. From our “base camp” at a family-owned 4* hotel in Ortisei, we will enjoy six days of hiking and a 2-day hut tour on a variety of moderate to vigorous trails with distances of 10-11 miles, mostly even footing with occasional rocky stretches, and moderate to vigorous elevation gains as detailed below. Some of our hikes begin right from the hotel and others are a short distance away via regional transport. In addition to hiking, there are some sightseeing opportunities, including a visit to Ortisei’s Gherdeina Museum for insight into the region’s geography, history, and culture. The trip ends on

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the day of a cultural highlight, the folklore festival, a yearly event featuring traditional dances and costumes. Guiding you are two experienced adventure travel leaders both with strong European roots and both fluent in German, the predominant language of this region. This prospectus should answer most of your questions about our trip. Please read the information carefully and contact us with any questions or to request application materials. Our contact information is at the end of the prospectus. We look forward to adventure traveling with you!

Trip Description

Our trip will be based in Ortisei (elevation 4,035 feet), the main village of Val Gardena in the middle of the Dolomites. We will stay at a 4* hotel located in the center of the village and adjacent to the pedestrian-only zone. Except for one night in a cozy mountain lodge, we will stay in one location for the week to maximize our time for exploration while minimizing packing / repacking. We will use the regional transport system – including buses, gondolas, cable cars, and taxis – to gain access to, or to return from, our daily destinations. Videos to inspire you:

● Click here for a drone video Val Gardena and the types of trails we will be hiking. ● Click here to get a sense of what it feels like to be immersed in the Dolomites.

Breakfasts and dinners will be at our hotel / mountain hut and we will enjoy hearty Tyrolean-Italian cuisine. We will pack food or stop in small hamlets or mountain huts for lunch, depending on each day’s activities. The trip consists of six days of hiking in the Val Gardena area. In the event of inclement weather, participants can relax in the hotel’s spa, visit a museum, or explore the local culture.

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Throughout our time together we will endeavor to enjoy and understand this wonderful region through the “lens” of AMC’s mission of education, conservation, and appreciation of the natural world.

Expectations of Participants This trip is rated MODERATE/VIGOROUS for experienced hikers who enjoy an active vacation. You should be fit enough to walk 10 to 11 miles per day. This entails a total of 6-8 hours per day outdoors consisting of 4 to 6 hours of hiking plus ~ 2 hours for lunch, breaks, photo-ops, etc. Time shown in the itinerary is the total time outside. You should be fit to hike for several days in a row carrying a day pack with your personal gear (i.e., rain gear, pack lunch, extra layers, etc.) in all different weather conditions. The trip includes a two-day tour with one overnight in a mountain hut in a mixed-gender dormitory. Daily elevation gain/loss will range between 1,200’ and 3,600’. One day is planned to have a 3,900’ descent. While the majority of our walking will be on comfortable mountain footpaths, participants should expect to be on rougher trails as well. Participants who have a fear of heights should be aware that some of the trails we plan to walk are accessed via gondolas and cable cars and we will be subject to the attendant exposure involved in the use of such means of transport. Prior to your acceptance as a participant in this trip, you will be asked to discuss with us your capabilities and experiences. We may also request references to confirm your fitness level and suitability for participating in trip activities. While the leaders will make a reasonable attempt to ensure a good “fit” between the trip and participants, you are ultimately responsible for being aware of the risks involved in the activities and for conducting yourself accordingly. You are ultimately responsible for your own safety. It may happen on any trip that a participant is or becomes unable to participate in one or more of the planned activities. Leaders in their sole judgment have the right and obligation to refuse

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participation in any activity to any group member for reasons of safety, whether it be of the group or of the individual. Illness, injury, lack of proper gear, or fitness are examples of some conditions that might result in an individual being unable to participate in one or more activities. Leaders may try to find a substitute activity for the trip member, but this may not always be possible. This is a group activity and we will be spending many, but not all, hours together. We expect that everyone will pitch in and contribute to helping each other have a great time. Planned Itinerary: Note: The best local guidebook is “Dolomiten 1 Groedental” by Kompass. Although it is written in German it has excellent maps and illustrations that are easy to follow. The ”K#” nomenclature in the fourth column below references the guidebook’s trail numbers.

Depart to Europe. Some of the closest airports are Venice, Innsbrück, Münich, Milan, Treviso.

Sunday, July 25

Official start day of the trip. Arrive in Ortisei and check into our hotel. Wander around town or relax at the hotel before meeting the group for dinner.

Meals included: Group Dinner

Monday, July 26

For our first hike we will take the cable car from Santa Cristina to Col Raiser for a pleasant hike through the Mastle pasture with stops at Regensburger hut and Pieralongia for refreshments and local delicacies, before heading to a more challenging section, Pic Mountain (Picberg), for a 360-degree view of Val Gardena and the Dolomites.

Meals included: Breakfast Group Dinner Miles/Elev/Time: 8 miles +2300’/-3000’ ~6.5 hours K#8+4+6+8

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Tuesday, July 27

Hike #2 will hit one of the most spectacular scenery in the Dolomites : the Rasciesa Ridge. We’ll use the funicular from Ortisei to access the high alpine plateau above Val Gardena for a traverse across the Rasciesa Ridge. Optional stroll of the local artisan market in the evening.

Meals included: Breakfast Group Dinner Mileage/Hours: 10.5 miles +1300’/-3900’ ~7 hours K#3

Wednesday, July 28

Start of our 2-day hut tour. Day one : Alpe di Siusi to Plattkofelhütte. We will ride the funicular up from Ortisei to hike on the largest plateau in Europe, with vast rolling meadows and surrounded by the Sciliar Massif. We will overnight at Plattkofelhütte (rifugio Sasso Piatto).

Meals included: Breakfast Group Dinner Mileage/Hours: 11 miles +2800/-2250’ ~7 hours K#55

Thursday, July 29

Sassolungo Circuit. We will depart from the hut to start this bucket list hike around the Langkofelgruppe to the Passo Sella and its view over the Alpe di Siusi. A true classic for a memorable day in the Dolomites.

Meals included: Breakfast Group Dinner Mileage/Hours: 9 miles +2200’/-3900’ ~7 hours K#55

Friday, July 30

Puez-Odle Altopiano. We will use the cable car from Selva to get to one of the most beautiful routes in the Dolomites, one that is also known for its abundance of fossils along the trail.

Meals included: Breakfast Group Dinner Mileage/Hours: 9.5 miles +1800’/-3800 ~7.5 hours K#17

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Saturday, July 31

Our last hike will bring us to discover the neighboring Villnöss/Funes Valley. We will hike up to Brogleshütte and then across to Rasciesa Ridge, which we will hike in reverse before going back down with the lift to Ortisei.

Meals included: Breakfast Group Dinner Mileage/Hours: 10 miles +2000’/-650’ 7h hours K#43+3

Sunday, August 1

After a last breakfast together, we’ll say goodbye and begin the rest of our journeys, home, or staying longer in Val Gardena or to further travels in Italy or elsewhere in Europe. Don’t miss the Folklore Festival held on that day in Ortisei if you are curious about local culture!

Meals included: Breakfast Mileage/Hours: None

While the itinerary in this prospectus is what the leaders have planned at the time of writing, various factors may require changes for reasons of group ability, safety, transportation, and unforeseeable circumstances such as weather considerations, natural disasters in the areas to be visited, or recommendations of governmental agencies. The leaders reserve the right to make such changes as necessary, both before and during the trip, especially in case of inclement weather, which might bring them to cancel a hike and call it a rest day.

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What to Expect This trip is rated a difficulty of 4/5: moderate/vigorous. Our pace will be moderate so that we may enjoy the scenery and take time to meet the local residents, both two and four footed, and socialize with each other.

Our accommodations will be at a comfortable 4* hotel, and at a cosy mountain hut for one night, in a mixed gendered dormitory or rooms. Solo travelers will be paired with a same gender roommate. Single rooms at the hotel might be available with a “single supplement”. We will have breakfasts and dinners at our hotel and at the mountain hut. Lunch plans will be determined based on our days’ activities; we may pack food with us or stop to eat at local mountain huts along our route. Participants with specific dietary requirements should contact the leaders for additional information.

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Weather We can expect an even mix of sun and clouds during our trip. The average high/low temperatures in Val Gardena during July are 72/50 degrees. Due to the higher elevation, the temperatures during our hikes will likely be 5 - 10 degrees cooler than in the village. However, temperatures have been much higher in the Alps the last two summers, a heat wave is always possible at this season. As always, mountain weather can be unpredictable and cold wind and rain are possible in July.

Price of the Trip

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The trip will cost $1,850 for AMC members, $1,950 for non-members. Non-members can join for $50 [2020 rate]. Included is: seven (7) nights of lodging, seven (7) breakfasts, seven (7) group dinners, six (6) hikes, all hiking transfers, and emergency medical and evacuation insurance. A limited number of single rooms (single supplement) may be available at an additional cost. The cost of lunches, drinks, and incidentals - essentially anything not specifically detailed above, is not included in the price. We recommend budgeting 15 - 20 euros per day for these expenses. The trip fee includes an AMC overhead charge to cover the administrative expenses of offering AMC Adventure Travel excursions and, in accordance with AMC you are subsidizing some of the leaders’ cost. The trip fee also includes emergency medical and evacuation insurance coverage which is required by AMC. The price for this excursion is based on quotes or estimates obtained at the time the trip was submitted to the Adventure Travel Committee for approval. The final price will be adjusted in accordance with the best final arrangements we can make. As with all Adventure Travel excursions, this trip is run on a non-profit basis; any savings we achieve, as well as any cost increases we incur, will be shared by trip participants. Our cost estimates are conservative, and so a refund is considerably more likely than a price increase. Your round-trip airfare and land travel to / from Ortisei, which we currently estimate at $975 - $1,275, is not included. Leaders will be glad to provide information on suggested flights and train schedules.

Safety

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As participant safety is a high priority for all AMC sponsored events, procedures and policies have been developed to attempt to limit participant risk. Participants are expected to work with volunteer leaders to reduce risks and make the experience successful for all. Participants should be aware that there are risks associated with outdoor adventure activities, including but not limited to adverse weather and environmental conditions, remote locations of our trips and camps, and transportation in vehicles, on foot, by boat, or on a bike. When you apply for acceptance onto a trip, please carefully read and sign the Adventure Travel Acknowledgement and Assumption of Risks and Release and Indemnity Agreement and call if you have any questions. Important Notes:

While the trip cost does include insurance for medical emergencies and evacuations, it does not include insurance for travel delay, interruption or cancellation of the trip, or baggage loss. Purchasing such insurance is strongly suggested. The leaders will send you information to help you purchase this insurance through a preferred AMC vendor or you can purchase through your own preferred vendor. Please note that most of these types of travel insurance require you to purchase the insurance within a certain number of days after booking your trip – once you have received a formal acceptance letter, please do not delay in purchasing your insurance if you choose to do so.

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How to Proceed

To apply to the trip, fill out the application forms :

1. online application form 2. required medical questionnaire (e-fillable) 3. waiver of liability (e-fillable) 4. the supplemental medical questionnaire (e-fillable) if indicated.

Sign and mail (or email) them together with a deposit check of $1,000, to Marianne Bonnard at the address provided at the bottom of the next page. Your official acceptance onto the trip will not happen until the leaders have determined by a telephone conversation with you that you and the trip are a good match.

Once you have been officially accepted, your check will be deposited. The trip’s cancellation policy will take effect (see below) only after it has been communicated that the trip will run on schedule. The rest of the trip fee will be due by March 1, 2021. Cancellation Policy The AMC Adventure Travel cancellation policy is based on the fact that your cancellation may not raise the cost to the other participants or to the leaders. Once you are notified the trip is declared to run as scheduled, the minimum cancellation fee is $200. If actual costs (expenses already incurred on your behalf and any unavoidable future expenses that will be incurred as a result of your registration and cancellation) are higher, they will be assessed instead, unless they can be applied toward another acceptable participant. Should the leaders be able to replace you, you may be charged a reduced penalty. This will generally not be determined until after the trip. Failure to make trip payment(s) in a timely manner will be considered a cancellation. On rare occasions AMC Adventure Travel may need to cancel all or a portion of a trip due to force majeure [e.g. terrorism, local health conditions, natural disaster, changes in local regulatory environment, etc.]. In the event of such a cancellation, your trip fee will be refunded less any trip expenses already incurred plus any non-cancellable future trip expenditures. AMC Adventure Travel is not responsible for additional expenses incurred by you in preparing for the trip (including non-refundable air tickets, visa fees, gear or medical expenses, etc).

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The Leaders

Marianne Bonnard, leader Marianne is an active AMC leader with the Boston chapter (Hiking/Backpacking Committee and Young members). Now based in Québec after 4+ years in the Boston area, she leads hikes in New England and Québec. Born, raised and educated in Europe, she’s a native French speaker, has lived in five countries and traveled in 30+, including most of Europe. A community organizer since her teenage years, she has substantial experience in leading various groups and enjoying sharing her curiosity for local culture, history and politics. Marianne is fluent in French and German - the latter will be quite useful in Süd Tyrol!

Stephen Cohen, co-leader: Steve has been an active AMC adventure travel leader since 2012. He has planned/led 27 hiking/ trekking-oriented Adventure Travel trips to such destinations the Haute Route (from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland), the Alta Via II through the Italian Dolomites, the tour of the Jungfrau region (Switzerland), Patagonia [Torres del Payne], the high mountains huts of Austria, etc. He lived in Europe for four years and is fluent in both French and German. Steve is chair of Adventure Travel.

Contact for More Information

Marianne Bonnard 213 rue Lavigueur Québec, QC G1R 1B1 Canada 418-446-6159 bonnard.marianne@gmail.com

Stephen Cohen 2802 Arbor Drive #2 Madison, WI 53711 617 997-6861 scohen1234@gmail.com

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Required Gear

❏ Passport ❏ Medical Insurance Card ❏ Backpack (25-30 liters) with waterproof pack cover ❏ 2 one-liter water bottles or hydration system ❏ Personal first aid kit ❏ Head lamp ❏ Waterproof packable jacket, pants, and overmitts ❏ Wool or Polartec hat, gloves/mittens, and top ❏ Light-weight down or polyester “puffy” jacket with hood ❏ Waterproof hiking boots ❏ Hiking socks, shorts, pants, tees, and long sleeve tops ❏ Wool or synthetic long underwear ❏ Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, lotion, and lip balm ❏ Leisure clothes for travel and hotel ❏ Personal toiletries

Optional Recommendations

❏ Hiking poles (must be in checked bag) ❏ Gaiters (for pebbles and dust, not for snow) ❏ Camera ❏ Binoculars ❏ Ear plugs ❏ Small knife (must be in checked bag) ❏ Compass ❏ Zipper closure plastic bags for packing lunches and snacks ❏ Reading material for breaks in the action ❏ Camera ❏ Phone

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