• Hike with Ease: As the easiest of our Dolomites hiking tours, this adventure is perfect for all skill levels, offering stunning rewards with shorter hikes and only 3 days of hiking.
• Escape the Crowds with an Extended Season: Enjoy the Dolomites at their best from early June to October, taking advantage of quieter trails in the less crowded months.
• Wander Through Europe’s Largest Alpine Plateau: Take in the idyllic views of Alpe di Siusi, where vast meadows create a breathtaking backdrop.
• Marvel at the Odle Spires: Experience awe-inspiring views of the iconic Odle spires, a dramatic display of nature’s grandeur that will leave you speechless.

• Admire the Legendary Sciliar: Take in stunning views of South Tyrol’s iconic Sciliar from the best vantage points and experience its towering presence.
• Relax in Charming Val Gardena Villages: Unwind in the tranquil atmosphere of picturesque Val Gardena villages, where Alpine tradition meets modern comfort.
• Mix Adventure with Comfort: Blend Comfort and Adventure: Enjoy two nights in cozy basecamp hotels and two nights in mountain huts, balancing the thrill of a hut-to-hut Dolomites hike with the comfort of a restful stay.

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VAL GARDENA AND ALPE DI SIUSI DOLOMITES TOUR DESCRIPTION

Experience the Best of the Dolomites: Val Gardena is your gateway to this Dolomites hiking tour on well-maintained trails, surrounded by stunning mountain views. From the scenic Alpe di Siusi plateau, you’ll take in breathtaking views of the iconic Sella, Sassolungo, and Odle peaks, as well as the striking Sciliar massif with its distinctive towers.

Our self-guided Dolomites hiking tour offers easy, 5-hour hikes from hut to hut through diverse landscapes. Start in lush forests, cross the picturesque meadows of Alpe di Siusi, and enjoy panoramic views from the high-altitude regions. 

Our Val Gardena and Alpe Di Siusi Dolomites hiking tour is perfect for hikers new to multiday hikes or those who prefer shorter, lighter treks. With a longer season from early June to October, you’ll have the flexibility to avoid the crowds and enjoy the Dolomites at your own pace.

Available as a custom, self-guided Dolomites tour on the dates of your choice. Ready to experience an easier, crowd-free Dolomites adventure? This is your chance!

VAL GARDENA AND ALPE DI SIUSI DOLOMITES TOUR: 5-DAY ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive in Val Gardena

Arrive in Val Gardena, check into your hotel, and unwind. Your basecamp will be in Ortisei, Santa Cristina, or Selva, each offering easy access to your hike. Ortisei is a lively small town, while Santa Cristina and Selva are charming alpine villages where you’ll soak in the mountain atmosphere before starting your Dolomites self-guided hiking adventure the next day. 

Day 2: Hike Alpe di Siusi (Seiseralm) Plateau

On your first day, you’ll hike across the Alpe di Siusi plateau, the largest highland plateau in the Alps, spanning over 50 square kilometers and reaching heights of 2,000 meters. Once covered in forest, this area has been used as summer pasture for over a thousand years and is now dominated by vast meadows.

As you hike, you’ll be treated to breathtaking panoramic views, including the iconic Sciliar massif and the distinctive Santer tower, a symbol of Southern Tyrol. You’ll spend the night in a mountain hut with incredible views of the Rosengarten massif—don’t miss the spectacular sunset! Your Dolomites Self-Guided Hiking Tour is off to an unforgettable start.

• Hiking Details: Ascent 820 m. Descent 370 m. Distance 13 km. Hiking time 5 hours.

Day 3: Hike Atop of the Sciliar (Schlern) Group

Your day starts with  a rewarding 100-meter climb from your hut to the top of Monte Pez on the Sciliar massif. Here, you’re treated to a stunning 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains and the entire Alpe di Siusi plateau—best seen in the cool morning air.

Later, your hiking trail leads you through the rugged Sciliar massif to the southern tip of Alpe di Siusi. You’ll walk along the border of the Antermoia group, a secluded and rugged cluster of peaks, often shrouded in mystery, offering a rare glimpse into a remote and untouched “Lost World,” with dramatic cliffs and hidden valleys that feel like a step back in time.

Your day of hiking ends at a mountain hut at the foot of the Sassolungo group, where you’ll enjoy sweeping views of the Dolomite massifs surrounding Val di Fassa, including the imposing Marmolada with its towering north face. Your Dolomites hiking tour continues to deliver unforgettable moments.

• Hiking Details: Ascent 500 m. Descent 630 m. Distance 13 km. Hiking time 5 hours.

Day 4: Hike in the Sassolungo (Langkofel) Group

Today, your Dolomites hiking tour takes you around the majestic Sassolungo group, known for its towering peaks and dramatic rock formations, ending at the stunning Passo Sella. The trail is straightforward, with minimal altitude changes, and offers incredible panoramas, starting with views of the Alpe di Siusi plateau and later the Puez-Odle and Sella mountain groups.

If you’re up for a challenge, opt for a slightly more difficult path through the highlands of Sassolungo, where you’ll reach heights of 2,700 meters and be rewarded with sweeping views of the Sella group.

Your day of hiking  ends at Passo Sella. In ancient times, this pass was a formidable challenge for travelers and traders, but today it’s easily accessible to all with breathtaking vistas.

• Hiking Details: Ascent 360 m. Descent 490 m. Distance 10 km. Hiking time 5 hours.

Day 5: Departure from Val Gardena

After an unforgettable journey, and a restful night in your comfortable base hotel in the charming alpine village of Val Gardena, you’ll soak in the last moments of your Dolomites self-guided hiking tour.

DATES & PRICES FOR THE 5-DAY VAL GARDENA AND ALPE DI SIUSI DOLOMITES HIKING TOUR

• 30% is due once we’ve confirmed your accommodations. The remainder is due 21 days in advance.
• Private 2-, 3- and 4-bed rooms can be reserved in advance in some of the mountain huts if available and with a € 15 supplement per person per night
• €120 single supplement (basecamp rooms)

GETTING TO ITALY

Your Alpe di Siusi Dolomites hiking tour base camp location is Val Gardena where you will start and finish your hike.

Verona is the closest airport to Val Gardena (2:19 hours driving time, ~ 4 hours by train and bus), but it’s relatively small.  

The nearest large international airport is Venice (3:30 hours driving time). More distant but still convenient airports are Bologna (3:32 hours driving time), Munich (3:55 hours driving time) and Milan (4:21 hours driving time. Note it’s also possible to come by train or bus, but it will take longer. 

We recommend the same airports for traveling from Karerpass, Carezza and Val di Fassa after your hike.

Once you’ve booked your tour, we can help you plan your route from the airport and provide you with train and bus schedules: please contact us before you book the flights.

Accommodations on Your Dolomites Hiking Tour

The first and last nights of your Dolomites hiking trip are in one of our basecamp hotels in Val Gardena. While hiking, you’ll stay overnight in the mountain huts.

You can count on the following services in the mountain huts: a bed in a shared room or in a private room (must be booked in advance), a shower with hot water, toilets, meals, and a possibility to buy take away water and snacks such as sandwiches and chocolate.

Shared rooms are equipped with bunk beds with mattresses, pillows and blankets. Bed linen is not provided in shared bedrooms: you must have a sleeping bag liner with you. Typically, it is a light cotton bag. A warm sleeping bag is unnecessary since there are blankets in the bedrooms.

In private rooms you are often offered bed linen, thus a sleeping bag liner is not required. If you book private rooms, we’ll inform you whether you need to bring a sleeping bag liner.

Most huts have a heating system, but it is normally not required in the summer months. You will need clean footwear for the huts: light slides are an ideal solution.

Clothing and Gear

Proper hiking boots are a must for the mountains. We recommend high boots because they support the ankle better than low boots or hiking shoes and provide better stability on rocky terrain.

Even in the middle of the summer in the Dolomites, you must bring some warm clothes with you: a waterproof and windproof jacket, a fleece jacket, long trekking pants and a cap. A raincoat, poncho or another type of rainwear is necessary. You can see our Dolomites Packing List on Amazon. 

Other necessary items are toiletries, light clean footwear to use in the huts, sunglasses and at least two one-litre bottles for water. You’ll receive a detailed packing list specifically for your trip at the booking, but you can also check out our trekking packing list in the meantime. We ask all participants to read it carefully and be well-prepared for the hiking trip.

Meals in the Mountain Huts in the Dolomites

On our Dolomites hut-to-hut hiking tours, you are served breakfast and dinner in the huts and mountain hotels on the route.

Breakfast is normally served from 7 am to 9 am. It usually includes an unlimited quantity of coffee and tea, bread, butter, jam, honey and chocolate spread.

In addition, some huts offer ham, cheese and muesli for breakfast. After breakfast, we recommend filling your thermos with hot water or tea: ask the staff, and it will be for free in most huts.

Dinner  in the mountain huts is typically served from 7 pm or 7:30 pm for all guests. A typical dinner in a hut is very rich and includes a starter, the first course (such as pasta, risotto, and dumplings), the second course (meat with a side dish) and a dessert.

Drinks at dinner (water, wine, beer, tea, coffee) are not included and ned to be paid for separately.

Lunch. It is possible to stop for lunch in the mountain huts on the route. The lunch menu in the huts is similar to the dinner menu. Typically, there is a choice of pasta for 7 – 10 euros.  Other dishes cost 9 – 16 euros.

Self-Guided Dolomites Hiking Tour Safety Considerations

For our self-guided Dolomites hiking tours, it’s necessary to be properly dressed, follow the safety rules and make realistic time calculations for day crossings – preferably according to the hiking schedule that we provide.

Our self-guided hiking trips in the Dolomites are planned so that they do not require specific skills or gear unless it is clearly specified in the tour description. However, you do need to have a reasonable level of fitness and endurance. 

You can expect well-maintained trails equipped with direction signs. Exposed sections of the trail are secured on the self-guided routes: it makes them safe provided that you follow the basic safety rules for hiking in the mountains.

Mountains are a natural environment with a high level of risk, so we insistently ask all participants to read the safety rules and emergency procedures.

Travel Insurance and Visa for Your Dolomites Trip

Travel Insurance: It is important to have appropriate insurance that covers hiking. You don’t need to include the climbing activity in your insurance unless you are planning to climb during the hike. We recommend HeyMondo insurance because it covers hiking and emergency evacuation. Plus, you’ll get a 5% discount for being a Monkeys and Mountains reader.

Visa: We’ll  provide you with a booking confirmation for all days of your trip. If you need an Italian visa, you can enclose this document with your visa application.

Weather in the Dolomites

The most stable weather conditions in the Dolomites are statistically from the second week of July till the middle of September.

This period in the Dolomites is characterized by warm sunny weather and modest rainfall. Earlier in June, the weather is normally favorable, but it is less reliable, and the mountain passes may be blocked by snow remaining from the winter.

In June we may have to change the route depending on the snow situation on the passes.

The second half of September in the Dolomites is a beautiful period, but the weather is again less predictable: the probability of incessant rain increases, and it may snow at an altitude above 2,000 meters.

It is not usually hot in the Dolomites at an elevation of 2,000 m (6,560 ft) and above where most of the hiking routes pass. On a sunny day in August, the temperature at 2,000 m can reach 20° C (68° F) during the warmest hours of the day. It’s comfortable for hiking.

On a cold cloudy day, the temperature can stay at around 10° C (34° F) during the entire day. It is always chilly at night and early in the morning.

Thunderstorms, often with hail, are typical for the warmest months (July and August).

In the Dolomites valleys at the altitudes of 1,000 – 1,500 m (3,280 – 4,920 ft) the day temperature can reach 27° C (80° F). It’s fresh in the valleys in the morning and evening, and it is not stuffy at night even in the hottest weeks of the summer.

BOOK YOUR SELF-GUIDED HIKING TOUR IN THE DOLOMITES: VAL GARDENA AND ALPE DI SIUSI NOW 

Please contact us to book this tour. 

Book Your Val Gardena and Alpe Di Siusi Hiking Tour & You’ll Get… 

✅ Great value for money

✅ Freedom to hike on your own schedule with the people you choose

✅ To avoid the hassles of booking accommodations that have to be booked by phone or email (there’s no central booking system to check availability)

✅ Alternative routes(when available) to make your hike easier when your legs have had enough

✅ Our insider knowledge to reserve the best accommodations based on what’s important to you (i.e. location, comfort, etc)

✅ Tours that are designed by hikers for hikers. We combine our knowledge and experience with our local partners to provide you with an amazing hiking tour.

PHOTOS OF VAL GARDENA AND ALPE DI SIUSI DOLOMITES HIKING TOUR