Highlights
* start your trip in the beautiful and historic town of Bressanone/Brixen
* hike through fields of wildflowers and into deep pine forests
* stop for a lunch in charming mountain huts
* taste the delicious regional wines in Madonna di Campiglio
* admire the dramatic jagged peaks that began as fossilized coral reefs
* enjoy hearty and delicious Tyrolean-Italian fusion cuisine
* explore the picturesque village of Ortisei, home of the Ladin people, with their distinct history and language
* walk along an Alpine river and admire its dramatic waterfalls
Trip price includes
Tour cost includes: 7 nights in 3 and 4-star hotels; 7 breakfasts and 7 dinners; 1 wine tasting; all transfers as per itinerary; gondolas/chairlifts as per itinerary; luggage transfers for each hotel change; tips at included meals; welcome and farewell aperitivo, 1 bilingual Italian/English tour leader for groups up to 9 people, 2 guides for groups from 10-14 people
Not included
Tour cost does not include: all lunches; drinks other than water at meals; tips at meals that are not included; and anything not mentioned in the inclusions
ITINERARY
The dramatic pinnacles and sheer rock walls of this UNESCO World Heritage site extend across three regions (Veneto, Trentino-Alto Adige, and Friuli). Our tour explores two areas of the Trentino-Alto Adige Dolomites – the Val di Funes and the Val Rendena – and offers an alternative to the more famous destinations, which have become extremely crowded and expensive in recent years. We still get great scenery, however, and our hikes go through a variety of environments, from wooded trails to open meadows, rocky terrain, and valleys with lakes and waterfalls. The hikes are between 8-15 km (5-9.3 miles) and are on a mix of terrain that’s accessible to most hikers. The two areas we visit are culturally very different, as the Val di Funes is part of German-speaking South Tyrol while the Val Rendena is in the Italian-speaking Trentino region, so you also get to try dishes with both Austrian and Italian influences. Cap it all off with some of Italy’s best wines and you’ve got a winning combination!
Day 1 – Sunday: Independent arrival in Bressanone and group dinner
Make your way to the delightful city of Bressanone (or Brixen in its German form), which is accessible by train from Milan (4 hrs), Venice (3.5 hrs) or Innsbruck (Austria, 1.5 hrs). The city’s history goes back thousands of years as it lies at the confluence of two rivers and is on an important route through the Alps, so take some time this afternoon to wander the colorful streets and admire the Medieval-Baroque architecture. We stay the night at a delightful family-run hotel rght in the heart of the old town. Meet your guide(s) in the hotel lobby at 6 p.m. for a welcome drink followed by dinner at one of our favorite restaurants. Overnight Bressanone. Hotel and dinner included.
Day 2-4: Hike the Val di Funes
Enjoy three exhilarating hikes through the pine forests, green meadows and soaring peaks of the Val di Funes. We stay in a small village where you’ll find warm hospitality, delicious food, and a lovely place to relax at the end of the day. Cable-cars help with some of the ascents and descents, and you’ll enjoy stopping at the traditional mountain huts called rifugios or malgas for a hearty lunch, a coffee break, or a tasty piece of strudel. 3 nights in the Val di Funes.
Days 5-7: Madonna di Campiglio and the Brenta Dolomites
We bid farewell to the Val di Funes and head to our next destination, Madonna di Campiglio, in the Brenta Dolomites. We are now in the province of Trento, one of northern Italy’s most important cities. Hike through aromatic conifer forests which are home to deer, brown bears and golden eagles, and get refreshed by a cool mountain river that’s fed by numerous thundering waterfalls. Other hikes take you to high Alpine lakes that reflect the sky and clouds in their shimmering surfaces. We stay 3 nights in Madonna di Campiglio — “the Pearl of the Dolomites” — where we have delicious dinners and sample some of the wonderful wines produced in this region. Overnight in Madonna di Campiglio.
Day 8 – Sunday: transfer to the Trento train station
This morning we have one group transfer to the Trento train station, which is on the high-speed train line (Trenitalia and Italo) and also has regional connections to other cities in Italy. We will arrive at the train station by 10:30 a.m.
Gary P. –
Great variety of hiking trails through varied terrain including mountain meadows bursting with wild flowers, forests, alpine lakes, waterfalls and rivers, and ridges above timberline. Each hike passes one or more rifugio where you can stop for a drink or a great lunch. A turn in the trail can open up to a view across the valley covered in forests or showing alpine vistas. Some of the trails crossed the remains of snow fields that two weeks earlier had been impassable. Cable cars take you to a starting or ending point of some hikes. The scenery was spectacular. Wild sage put together a great trip packed with wonderful scenery. This part of the Dolomites is well worth your time.
Cheryl –
The seven day hike to the Dolomites was definitely a worthwhile trip. I have never been to Italy nor have I taken a tour that was over a single day. I really enjoyed this adventure for a couple of reasons. I liked that we stayed in nicer hotels, which is something I probably wouldn’t do on my own. Having access to whirlpool baths, hot saunas, and other amenities was fun! The single supplement was very reasonable. The hotels were located in smaller towns so we were somehow able to avoid crowds, even though we were there in the middle of summer. That was awesome! I liked that the details of each hike were taken care of, so I did not have to organize anything. Each hike was unique and absolutely beautiful. Exploring different areas added to the interest of our tour and each day was a new adventure! Visiting the huts for lunch was also a fun, cultural experience. Exploring different areas added to the interest of our adventure. Our tour guides, Manu and Melissa, were kind and fun and flexible. They were more like friends than guides. And they knew so much, virtually every question we had was answered. Based on my experience, I would definitely use Wild Sage again.
Katy –
Great variety of hiking in the spectacular Dolomites. Each day was carefully planned out to ensure a rewarding hike with amazing views, interesting hiking terrain, and most importantly, excellent hut lunches. Our tour guides, Manu and Melissa, took care of all logistical and planning details leaving us free to enjoy the scenery and experience without crowds. Highly recommend this tour to anyone who enjoys mountain scenery and hiking and wants to experience the Dolomites off the beaten path.
Barb –
We recently returned from hiking in the Dolomites with Manu and Melissa. The scenery was spectacular and the chosen trails challenging and varied but at the same time very manageable. We were treated to sweeping panoramas, cheerful donkeys, herds of cows with tinkling cowbells, and amazing huts or rifugios where we could sample treats, sip coffee, or have lunch. We reached some of the trailheads by gondola or descended via funicular, which was fun. This trip was extremely well researched and organized. We stayed at lovely hotels and enjoyed delicious meals, some on the premises and others at local establishments. I would highly recommend Wild Sage to anyone contemplating an active European adventure.
Brian –
What a wonderful week with Wild Sage in the Dolomites! This itinerary takes in a less-touristed but undeniably spectacular section of the Dolomites: plenty of craggy peaks, lush alpine valleys, bubbling streams, and quaint towns. The meals and accommodations were excellent, and the hiking varied and challenging.
But it is the guides that make this trip special. They were engaged, knowledgeable, upbeat and supportive. Their daily plans were flexible and accommodated people with varied needs and interests. They kept the group lively and organized while dealing with a few unexpected events (like a rail strike on our last day of travel). You can find other companies to take you hiking, but none can offer you the expertise, dedication and joy that Manu, Claire and Melissa bring to the trails. Don’t miss this experience!
Tina –
The trip was amazing. Melissa and Manu were perfect guides and hosts. The hiking was wonderful and different every day. I can’t wait to travel with them again.
Kelly R. –
We were lucky enough to travel with Manu and Melissa, along with three other couples, to the stunning Dolomites in September 2024. From the moment I met them, I sensed this would be a remarkable adventure. Their warm demeanor added to the experience, allowing us to relax and enjoy every moment. Each day was carefully planned, showcasing their extensive knowledge of the region, the locals, the food, and the wines. They aim to guide you through the most scenic and less-traveled hikes. The accommodations were delightful and comfortable and featured delicious meals. We enjoyed an evening of wine tasting and dined at a five-star restaurant. The Dolomites was the most beautiful place I have ever seen! When the trains in Italy unexpectedly went on a planned strike on our departure day, Manu and Melissa dedicated hours to securing alternative travel arrangements for each of us. Our final day was a bittersweet farewell as we all felt we were saying goodbye to dear friends. This was indeed the best travel experience my husband and I have ever had, and it’s not a question of if but when we will travel with Manu again!