The Fassa to Pale di San Martino: A Legendary Hut-to-Hut Trek in the Dolomites
Leave the busiest trails behind and discover a quieter, wilder side of the Italian Dolomites. Our Fassa to Pale di San Martino hut-to-hut trek is a spectacular journey through flower-filled valleys, remote mountain passes, dramatic limestone plateaus and landscapes shaped by centuries of culture and history.
This carefully designed Dolomites hiking tour travels from Val di Fassa to San Martino di Castrozza, connecting two of the region’s most remarkable mountain areas: the Fassa Dolomites and the Pale di San Martino. Along the way, you will experience the extraordinary scenery that earned the Dolomites recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, without the crowds found on many of the better-known routes.
Known as the “Trekking of the Legends,” this adventure brings together everything that makes hut-to-hut hiking in the Dolomites unforgettable: breathtaking trails, welcoming mountain huts, ancient folklore, fascinating wartime history and the unmistakable glow of the peaks at sunset.
The journey begins in Val San Nicolò, an enchanting side valley hidden within Val di Fassa. Green pastures, wooden huts, clear mountain streams and soaring peaks create a peaceful introduction to the trek. Far from busy roads and crowded resorts, this is the Dolomites at their most authentic.
From Val San Nicolò, the trail leads south into the wild Monzoni Groupone of the region’s most geologically fascinating and least-visited mountain areas. The scenery becomes increasingly dramatic as alpine meadows give way to rugged rock, open slopes and high-altitude terrain.
The climb to Passo delle Cirelle, at 2,683 metres, reaches the highest point of the route. The reward is an immense mountain panorama extending across some of the most celebrated peaks and ranges in the Dolomites. It is a powerful moment: remote, exhilarating and surrounded by raw alpine beauty.
This is more than a scenic hiking holiday. The trails between Fassa and the Pale di San Martino also cross a landscape rich in history, tradition and Ladin folklore.
Remnants of the First World War can still be found among the mountains, including trenches, defensive positions and military fortifications. These traces offer a moving connection to the people who once crossed and defended these high passes under very different circumstances.
Local stories and legends add another dimension to the journey. For generations, tales of mythical kings, enchanted mountains and supernatural beings have been woven into the valleys and peaks of the Dolomites. Walking through this extraordinary landscape makes it easy to understand why the route became known as the Trekking of the Legends.
Beyond the Monzoni Group, the trek follows beautiful high-level paths at approximately 1,900 to 2,200 metres. These panoramic trails cross open alpine terrain with uninterrupted views of the surrounding Dolomite peaks.
This is one of the defining experiences of the Fassa to Pale Trek: long, peaceful sections where the landscape feels immense and the trails remain wonderfully quiet. Instead of following a crowded hiking corridor, you can slow down, breathe deeply and experience the mountains on their own terms.
Although the route enters genuine high-mountain terrain, it remains a moderate Level 3 hut-to-hut trek. It is an excellent choice for active hikers with good fitness who want a rewarding multi-day adventure without tackling a technical via ferrata itinerary.
The arrival at Passo Rolle reveals one of the most iconic views in the Italian Alps. The vast northwestern face of the Pale di San Martino rises dramatically above the landscape, its pale rock towers changing colour with the movement of the sun.
The view toward Cimon della Pala—often called the “Matterhorn of the Dolomites”—is especially memorable. At sunrise and sunset, the surrounding peaks can ignite in shades of pink, orange and deep red during the natural phenomenon known as enrosadira.
From Passo Rolle, the trail enters the Lagorai Range, and the character of the landscape changes once again. Dolomitic limestone gives way to darker granite peaks, peaceful forests and clear alpine lakes. This striking contrast makes the journey feel like several different treks combined into one remarkable adventure.
One of the most beautiful stops on the route is Lake Colbricon. Surrounded by quiet forest and mountain ridges, its clear waters reflect the surrounding landscape and offer magnificent views toward the Pale di San Martino.
It is an idyllic place to pause, enjoy the silence and appreciate how far you have travelled. After the wild passes and exposed panoramic trails, Lake Colbricon provides a gentler, more reflective finale to the trek.
The journey concludes in San Martino di Castrozza, a historic alpine resort set beneath the towering Pale di San Martino. With its strong mountaineering heritage and extraordinary location, it is the perfect place to celebrate the completion of your Dolomites hut-to-hut adventure.
Our Fassa to Pale hiking tour is for travellers who want to experience more than the most famous viewpoints. It is an immersive journey through the landscapes, history and culture of the Dolomites.
By joining our tour, you can:
The Dolomites are spectacular from the road, but their true character can only be discovered on foot. Walking from hut to hut allows you to wake beneath the peaks, cross entire mountain ranges and watch the landscape transform with every step.
If you are searching for a quieter Dolomites hut-to-hut trek filled with panoramic hiking, alpine history and unforgettable scenery, the Fassa to Pale di San Martino Trek deserves a place at the top of your list.
Join us and experience the Trekking of the Legends—an inspiring journey through one of the most beautiful mountain landscapes in the world.
Welcome to the Dolomites. Upon arrival in Val di Fassa 4,340 feet/ 1,323 meters, one of the most beautiful alpine valleys in Italy, you’ll have time to settle into your accommodation and prepare for the days ahead. Surrounded by iconic Dolomite peaks, this charming Ladin valley provides a perfect introduction to the landscapes you will explore throughout the trek. Take the evening to relax, enjoy the local cuisine and soak in the mountain atmosphere. Above the valley floor, the rugged Monzoni peaks rise over forests and alpine pastures, offering a first glimpse of the terrain awaiting you. Accommodation in a 4-star base camp hotel and no meals are included today.
After a short transfer to Vidor, your trek begins in the beautiful Val San Nicolò, one of the most picturesque valleys in the Dolomites. Flowing streams, flower-filled meadows and traditional mountain huts accompany a steady ascent through this peaceful alpine landscape. The trail climbs to Passo San Nicolò 7,677 feet/ 2,340 meters, a superb natural viewpoint with sweeping views towards Marmolada, the Sella Group, Rosengarten and the Monzoni mountains. From the pass, a scenic traverse leads to your mountain refuge beneath the towering slopes of Marmolada, the highest peak in the Dolomites. In the evening, conditions permitting, you may witness the famous Enrosadira as the surrounding mountains glow with shades of pink and orange in the setting sun. Accommodation and dinner in a mountain hut.
Ascent: 2,198 feet/ 670 meters
Descent: 1,214 feet/ 370 meters
Altitude: 5,676 feet – 7,677 feet/ 1,730-2,340 meters
Distance: 5.5 miles/ 9km
Hiking Time: 4 hours
Today you enter the wild and lesser-known Monzoni Group, one of the most secluded corners of the Fassa Dolomites. Far quieter than the region’s more famous ranges, this area rewards trekkers with a true sense of wilderness and constantly changing mountain scenery. Leaving Marmolada behind, the route climbs through alpine grasslands before entering a stark high-mountain environment of rock, scree and rugged ridgelines. The day’s highlight is Passo Cirele 8,802 feet/ 2,683 meters, the highest point of the traverse. Beyond the pass, a well-maintained trail descends through stable scree slopes before reaching the broad meadows surrounding Passo San Pellegrino. Accommodation and dinner in a mountain hut.
Ascent: 2,231 feet/ 680 meters
Descent: 2,592 feet/ 790 meters
Altitude: 6,266 – 8,825 feet/ 1,910-2,690 meters
Distance: 6.2 miles/ 10km
Hiking Time: 5 hours
Today offers some of the most spectacular panoramas of the entire journey. Leaving Passo San Pellegrino, you follow quiet trails towards Passo Valles, the historic border between Trentino and Veneto. Beyond the pass, the route traverses open alpine terrain dotted with larch trees and crossed by ancient shepherds’ paths. Throughout the day, the immense western walls of Pale di San Martino dominate the skyline, creating one of the most impressive mountain landscapes in the Dolomites. Approaching Passo Rolle, you reach the iconic Baita Segantini, beautifully positioned beside a small alpine lake beneath the striking pyramid of Cimon della Pala, often referred to as the “Matterhorn of the Dolomites.” As evening approaches, the Pale massif is illuminated by the warm colors of sunset, creating a truly unforgettable setting. Accommodation and dinner in a mountain hut.
Ascent: 2,789 feet/ 850 meters
Descent: 2,297 feet/ 700 meters
Altitude: 6,463 – 8,366 feet/ 1,970-2,550 meters
Distance: 9.3 miles/ 15km
Hiking Time: 6 hours
Today the trail introduces a completely different mountain environment. From Passo Rolle, the route enters the eastern Lagorai Range, a granite mountain chain whose landscapes contrast sharply with the limestone peaks of the Dolomites. The trail leads towards the beautiful Colbricon Lakes, passing through the historic area of Cavallazza. This panoramic location offers outstanding views of Pale di San Martino, the Lagorai mountains and, on clear days, Marmolada. The area also preserves fascinating traces of the First World War, including trenches and military positions that once overlooked the surrounding valleys. A pleasant descent leads to the tranquil Colbricon Lakes, nestled among spruce forests and granite ridges. This peaceful setting provides an ideal place for a break before continuing to San Martino di Castrozza. Your trek concludes beneath the dramatic peaks of Pale di San Martino in one of the Dolomites’ most elegant and historic mountain resorts. Once in San Martino, with the use of a cable lift you reach the rocky plateau of Pale di San Martino where you will overnight. Accommodation and dinner in a mountain hut.
Ascent: 1,050 feet/ 320 meters
Descent: 3,051 feet/ 930 meters
Altitude: 4,823 – 7,644 feet/ 1,470-2,330 meters
Distance: 6.2 miles/ 10km
Hiking Time: 5 hours
The final day of the hike, you will explore the Pale di San Martino Plateau, famous for its lunar landscape. It is the largest high-altitude plateau of the Dolomites, many times larger than all the others. Our main itinerary on the plateau leads to the Cima Fradusta summit towering on its southern edge and offering an expansive 360-degree panorama of the plateau and the adjacent Dolomite mountain groups. In the afternoon, you return to San Martino for your last night of the trip. Accommodation in a 4-star base camp hotel in San Martino. Breakfast only included today.
Ascent: 1,936 feet/ 590 meters
Descent: 1,936 feet/ 590 meters
Altitude: 8,530 feet/ 2,600 meters
Distance: 8 miles/ 13 km
Hiking Time: 5 hours
After breakfast you will check out of the hotel, and we will transfer you back to Venice airport. You will not want to book a return flight until the evening on this day. From Venice, you can easily reach many destinations that Italy has to offer if you plan to extend your visit! Breakfast only included today.
What the price includes:
What the price does not include:
A hut-to-hut trek in the Dolomites is ideal for people who love being active outdoors and want to experience the mountains on foot, without the additional challenges of camping or trekking at extreme altitude.
You do not need to be an experienced mountaineer or an elite athlete. You do, however, need to enjoy hiking and be willing to prepare properly for several consecutive days in mountain terrain.
This type of trek is particularly well suited to people who:
Previous mountain hiking experience is extremely useful, but you don’t need years of trekking behind you.
What matters more is that you understand what it feels like to spend several hours on your feet and are prepared for uneven trails, sustained climbs and long descents.
If you are relatively new to hiking, your training period becomes especially important. Build gradually, spend time on real trails whenever possible and complete several longer hiking days before travelling.
Probably not.
If you dislike prolonged uphill walking, struggle significantly on uneven ground, or expect a leisurely walking holiday with short days and minimal elevation change, a Dolomites hut-to-hut trek may not be the right choice.
But if you are excited by the idea of earning the views, travelling through the mountains on foot and finishing each day at a welcoming mountain hut, this can be an extraordinary way to experience the Dolomites.
The important question isn’t whether you are already “fit enough.”
Are you willing to prepare for the trip you have chosen?
If the answer is yes, then with the right training and preparation, a Dolomites hut-to-hut trek can be an achievable and incredibly rewarding goal.
You should be comfortable hiking 6-9 miles/ 10–15 km per day for approximately 5–7 hours of net hiking time, excluding longer breaks. Daily elevation gain on Level 3 itineraries is typically 2,000 – 3,300 feet/ 600–1,000 meters.
The terrain can vary considerably, from well-maintained mountain trails and rocky paths to steeper and more uneven sections. Much of the route involves moderately challenging terrain, and you should be confident walking on uneven ground and ascending and descending sustained slopes.
Some exposed sections are possible on Level 3 routes. Where trails traverse steeper terrain, they are generally wide enough to walk comfortably and secured with fixed metal cables or chains, allowing hikers to pass safely without specialist climbing equipment. While you should be comfortable with heights and exposed mountain environments, this is a trekking route rather than a technical climbing itinerary.
A good level of fitness and regular experience hiking in mountainous terrain will help you get the most out of the trek.
Quality of Trails
The trails on the Fassa Trek are well-marked and generally very well maintained, following established hiking paths rather than technical mountain routes. There are no via ferrata sections on the itinerary. The landscape changes dramatically throughout the trek, from open alpine meadows and forested paths to rugged high-mountain terrain.
Much of the route follows well-trodden, non-exposed trails, particularly in the areas just above the tree line. Some sections are steeper or more rugged, and you should be comfortable walking on uneven mountain terrain. Around Monzoni, there is a short descent of approximately 30 minutes over stable scree, following a solid, well-established zigzag trail. On the 7-day itinerary, the route also reaches the Pale di San Martino plateau, where the terrain becomes more rugged and rocky, adding to the sense of adventure and alpine character of the trek.
Overall, the Fassa Trek combines excellent mountain trails with a variety of alpine landscapes, making it a rewarding route for experienced hikers without requiring technical climbing skills.
Factors of Difficulty
The main factors that add difficulty to the Fassa Trek are altitude, rugged terrain, and the possibility of lingering snow early in the season. The route reaches high points such as Passo Cirele at 8,802feet/ 2,683 meters and, on the 7-day itinerary, the Pale di San Martino plateau at approximately 8,860 – 9,840 feet/ 2,700–3,000 meters. At these elevations, the landscape becomes more rugged and rocky, with less vegetation and more exposed alpine terrain.
Depending on the season and recent weather conditions, patches of snow can remain at higher elevations into late June and, in some years, into the first week of July. If you are trekking during this period, we recommend carrying simple traction devices for hiking boots, such as micro spikes, in case snow or icy sections are encountered. Conditions can vary considerably from year to year, so the exact amount of lingering snow cannot be predicted in advance.
Overall, the route does not involve technical climbing or specialized mountaineering skills, but hikers should be comfortable with higher-altitude environments, rocky and uneven terrain, and changing mountain conditions.
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Climb Mount Kilimanjaro and have the adventure of a lifetime with a group of people who also love the thrill of reaching new highs and pushing their boundaries to discover something new at the top.
Climbing Kilimanjaro on the northern Route is an experience that you don’t want to miss out on! Challenge yourself on one of the most unforgettable climbs of your life, discover the beauty of the Kilimanjaro’s Northern Route and bring home some amazing memories.
How to Train for a Dolomites Hut-to-Hut Trek
Preparing for a hut-to-hut trek in the Dolomites is not about becoming an elite athlete. It is about preparing your body for the specific demands of walking through the mountains for several hours, recovering overnight and getting ready to do it again the following morning.
The Dolomites are incredibly rewarding hiking terrain, but they should not be underestimated.
Depending on your itinerary, your days can involve sustained climbs, long descents, rocky and uneven trails, mountain passes, scree, changing weather and several hours on your feet. The challenge is rarely one exceptionally difficult moment. It is the accumulation of climbing, descending and walking over several consecutive days.
The goal of your training should therefore be simple:
Arriving in the Dolomites fit enough that you can enjoy where you are, rather than spending every day simply trying to get through it. We have designed this trek starter plan to help you understand the training needs so you can get prepared.
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What Makes a Dolomites Hut-to-Hut Trek Physically Demanding?
People sometimes look at the distances involved in a Dolomites trek and assume the hiking will be relatively straightforward.
Distance alone does not tell the full story.
A day of 10–15 km in the mountains can feel very different from walking the same distance at home. Elevation gain and loss, rocky trails, sustained climbing and descending all increase the physical demands.
During a Dolomites hut-to-hut trek you should be prepared for:
Not everyone will have access to hills, but this is the best way to train your body and legs for down hill hiking. Depending on your chosen adventure you do need to assess the level of downhill. We have elevation gains available for all of our key trips. I encourage you to review the daily elevation drops and what type of terrain you will be walking on.
For example, on this trip you will be drop 700m/ 2,296 feet to 1,000m/ 3,280 feet on different days all on steep rocky terrain.
You have just walked for days on end you have reached your goal but not you have to retrace your steps, often in a quicker time frame. Hiking downhill will take its toll on your joints. Fore sure, the downhill hike will take more wear and tear on your joints and muscles than the uphill.
You do need to use effective training techniques to minimize the impact on your body. Descending using good technique means that you move faster and feel lighter. Remember, 80% of accidents happen on the way down.
We live in Eagle-vail Colorado with amazing access to altitude and a wide range of mountain terrain to train on. In Colorado we can train all year round on hilly terrain preparing for Kilimanjaro, Himalayan trekking and mountaineering trips. I know most of you are joining our trips from sea level and with minimal access to hill training. I encourage you to get out to Colorado doing some multi-day hiking in preparation for your chosen adventure.
If you do not have access to hills and mountains, you must figure out other ways to prepare your knee joints to handle downhill stress. From a knee perspective, downhill hiking means eccentric loading and typically thousands of repetitions of it. Eccentric loading (the lengthening phase of a contraction) is especially challenging to what is called the patellofemoral joint of the knee. This is where the knee cap, meets the femur. Inadequate strength, poor mechanics and lack of exposure to this type of loading can turn downhill forces into injury producing stress. Prior to your trekking trip you need to start implementing sport specific training into our general preparedness programming.
Hiking uphill is all concentric muscle action (muscle active while shortening) at the knee joint without any eccentric loading (loading while muscle is lengthening). Concentric only exercises tend to cause less mechanical stress, load and pain to joints and tendons than do exercises that have eccentric phases. What goes up must come down.
You must prepare our body and specifically your knees to handle downhill hiking. Depending on the trip, you really need 6 months of some sport specific training into our general preparedness programming.
The strength movements below are similar but slightly different in specific ways. We purposely only hit each one once per week because too much volume of these exercises could quickly lead to an over training injury, so be careful. I would recommend adding in additional hip flexor and quadriceps mobility work at the end of your training sessions as well to maintain good length tension relationships and to protect your spine.
Increase vertical loading volume of the knees with a sight posterior to anterior (back to front) force vector. Get exposed and accustomed to decelerating the vertical and forward forces using primarily a knee strategy. Transition from doing most lunges and squats with a 3 points of contact foot position to a more heel elevated position where we contact and press through the forefoot.
The 3 points of contact foot position is the most stable position for the foot and encourages a balance of hip and thigh musculature – great for general preparedness training. Transitioning to a heels elevated position where the forces are applied through the forefoot places most of the stress on the quadriceps and knees – optimal for downhill hiking training.
You should consider adding these movements into your weekly training 2 times per week. Add 3-5 sets of 10-15 repetitions (per leg)
1). Heels Elevated Goblet Squat
2). Forward Alternating Lunge with Farmers Carry Loading
3). Forward Alternating Drop from Box Lunges
4). Banded Posterior to Anterior (PA) Forward Lunges
One of the best ways of mitigating the risk of musculoskeletal issues is by carrying a light pack. Then build up the weight you carry over time. An overly heavy backpack is not recommended in the early stages of your training.
Extract its biggest toll on your body during steep and/or long downhill sections, so a hiker should always aim to travel as lightly as the dictates of their skillset and the environment into which they are venturing allow.
If you are carrying weight on longer hike you should slowly build up the weight you carry. You should also consider carry water uphill and dump as much water/ weight as possible for your downhill. Always assess the weight you are carrying for each hike and always build up slowly over time. You do not want to get injured.
In our opinion, La Sportiva have great footwear options at the moment. This footwear combines advanced technologies for comfort, stability, grip, and durability. The 2H Double Heel improves walking and braking performance, while 3D Flex™ supports natural ankle movement with added stability and protection. The Impact Brake System™ uses angled lugs to reduce impact and improve traction, and the Vibram® outsole provides excellent grip and durability. GORE-TEX® delivers breathable, waterproof protection, while ReSole Me allows the footwear to be resoled by an approved La Sportiva cobbler, extending its usable life.
Another great option is the Salomon Quest 4 GTX Trekking boots. More and more people are using these trekking boots on a wide range of our trekking adventures in Nepal and around the world. They are comfortable, sturdy, waterproof and a very resilient trekking boot for Kilimanjaro. They will give you the warmth you need on the cold night walking to the summit as well!
Ian has used the Scarpa Kenesis pro GTX trekking boots for a few years. They are a little heavier than other trekking boots but a great boot for Kilimanjaro. If you maintain them well, you will have them for years. Scarpa are always re-inventing trekking boots and if they fit your foot correctly, then they may be the right boot for you. They work great and last a long time.
Ian has also used a range of Mammut trekking boots over the years. He really likes the Mammut Trovat guide High trekking boots. They are really durable, reliable and will last a long time. The high ankle support is great for the rocky terrains you will encounter and all around a great boot for Kilimanjaro. All these boots will last a long time if you look after them well.
You could also consider using the Meindl Vakuum trekking boots. These are a good option for Everest Base Camp treks and a wide range of trekking peaks and multi-day trekking adventures. These are a very popular boot and we see a lot of clients arriving to Nepal in this option. They are an excellent choice for mixed rocky terrain and long distance hiking. These boots will be with you for many miles as they are an extremely durable boot. Also, this could be a good option for you if you feel the cold in your feet as they will be a warmer option.
One of the advantages of our Fassa to Pale di San Martino hut-to-hut trek is that you don’t need to carry camping equipment or a huge expedition backpack.
You will still be travelling through mountain terrain, however, and having the right equipment makes a significant difference to your comfort and enjoyment.
Everyone who signs up for the trek receives our full, itemized kit list, with detailed guidance on what we recommend bringing. The list below is simply an overview of the key items you should expect to need.
A comfortable, well-tested pair of hiking boots with good grip should be at the top of your list.
Whatever you choose, do not arrive in the Dolomites with brand-new footwear. Use your training hikes to make sure your footwear works for you over several hours of climbing and descending.
Bring good-quality hiking socks and consider having a lightweight pair of shoes or sandals for relaxing at the rifugios.
Mountain weather can change quickly, so think in layers rather than one heavy item.
Your basic clothing system should include:
Avoid cotton as your primary hiking layer. Lightweight, quick-drying clothing is much more practical in the mountains.
You will need a comfortable backpack large enough for the clothing, water and personal equipment required during the trek (30L).
Fit matters more than buying the most expensive pack available. We like Deuter as they have the best back support.
Train with your backpack before travelling and gradually build towards carrying the weight you expect to have in the Dolomites. Adjust the shoulder straps and hip belt properly and make sure you know where everything goes.
We highly recommend trekking poles.
They are useful on climbs, but their real value often becomes apparent on the descents, where they can improve stability and help you move more confidently over rocky and uneven terrain.
If you haven’t used poles before, practice with them during your training rather than learning on the first day of the trek.
You should have a reliable way of carrying water and protecting yourself from the strong mountain sun.
Bring:
You will also need a small selection of personal items, including toiletries, any personal medication, blister treatment, a headtorch, charging equipment and other everyday essentials.
Keep things simple.
Everything you bring has to go somewhere, and unnecessary items quickly become noticeable when you’re carrying them through the mountains.
You do not need to figure out your equipment alone.
Once you sign up for our Fassa to Pale di San Martino trek, we provide a complete itemized kit list explaining exactly what you need to bring. Our team can also help you with questions about footwear, backpacks, layering systems and other equipment before you travel.
Use your training period to test your equipment as well as your fitness.
By the time you arrive in the Dolomites, your boots should feel familiar, your backpack should be comfortable and using your trekking poles should feel completely natural.
Nothing you bring should be getting its first proper test on day one of your trek.
A great Dolomites trek is about much more than booking hotels and following a trail.
The right itinerary, the right preparation, knowledgeable mountain leadership and good support can completely change your experience. Our goal is to take care of those details so you can concentrate on enjoying one of the most spectacular mountain landscapes in Europe.
Your trek starts long before you arrive in Italy.
We place a major emphasis on preparation because we know that the better prepared you are, the more you will enjoy your time in the mountains.
Once you sign up, we provide detailed information on training, equipment and what to expect on the trail. We want you arriving with the fitness, footwear, equipment and confidence needed for several consecutive days of hiking.
We have designed our Fassa to Pale di San Martino itinerary to give you a genuine journey through the Dolomites.
This is not about racing from one location to another or trying to cover the greatest possible distance each day.
We want enough challenge to make the journey rewarding while still giving you time to stop, take in the scenery, enjoy the rifugios and experience the culture, food and atmosphere that make trekking in the Dolomites so special.
We believe smaller groups create a better mountain experience.
Our scheduled Dolomites departures are designed around small teams, allowing for a more personal experience and giving our guides greater ability to manage the group and different walking speeds.
It also creates the atmosphere we want on a hut-to-hut trek: a group of people sharing a mountain journey rather than simply following a crowd.
The mountains are constantly changing.
Weather, trail conditions and the needs of the group can all influence decisions during a trek.
Having experienced mountain leadership means you can focus on your hiking while your guide manages the route, conditions and day-to-day decisions required to keep the journey running smoothly.
The Dolomites are about much more than beautiful trails.
The rifugios, food, history, culture and communities are all part of the experience.
Our local mountain guides bring that destination knowledge to the trek, helping you understand and experience the region rather than simply walk through it.
You don’t need to carry everything you have brought to Italy over every mountain pass.
Our Fassa to Pale trek includes luggage support, allowing you to hike with a daypack containing the clothing, water and personal equipment you need for the day.
For many people, this creates the ideal balance: a genuine multi-day hut-to-hut mountain journey without having to carry a heavy backpack for the entire trek.
Ian Taylor Trekking has spent more than 20 years taking people into mountain environments around the world.
We bring that experience into how we design our trips, prepare our clients and manage people in the mountains.
You don’t need to be an experienced mountaineer to join us.
What we ask is that you come with the right attitude, complete the necessary preparation and arrive ready to embrace the challenge.
We’ll help you with the rest.
Ultimately, we want you to come home remembering far more than how many kilometres you walked.
We want you to remember the huge limestone towers above the trail, reaching a mountain pass you worked hard to get to, sitting outside a rifugio after a great day of hiking, sharing dinner with your group and waking up knowing you get to do it all again.
Come prepared. Hike with a great team. And experience the Dolomites properly.
You don’t need to be an elite athlete, but you do need a good level of hiking fitness.
You should be comfortable spending several hours on your feet and prepared for consecutive days of climbing and descending on mountain trails. Our longest trekking day is approximately 15 km, with up to 2,789 feet (850m) of ascent, so arriving properly trained will make a significant difference to how much you enjoy the experience.
It can be an excellent first hut-to-hut trek for an active person who is willing to train. You don’t need previous mountaineering or technical climbing experience, but we strongly recommend having some hiking experience before you arrive.
If you’re new to multi-day trekking, use the months before your trip to gradually build your fitness and become comfortable walking on hills and uneven terrain.
We recommend giving yourself at least 12 weeks of focused preparation if you already have a reasonable base level of fitness. If you are starting from a lower fitness level, start earlier.
More time allows you to build gradually, which is far better than trying to cram your preparation into the final few weeks.
Your training should prepare you for what you will actually encounter in the Dolomites.
Focus on:
The aim isn’t simply to become fitter. It’s to become fit for this specific trek.
As you get closer to departure, hiking should become an increasingly important part of your preparation.
Try to complete several longer hikes involving meaningful ascent and descent. You should know what it feels like to spend four, five or six hours on your feet before arriving in Italy. We also recommend completing some back-to-back hiking days so you experience walking again with tired legs.
Absolutely. You may need to be more creative, but you can prepare extremely well without having mountains nearby. Use a StairMaster and follow our training advice on how best to train.
Where possible, travel to hillier terrain occasionally for longer Trek Rehearsal Days.
This is not a high-altitude trek in the same sense as Kilimanjaro or Everest Base Camp. The Fassa to Pale route does, however, enter genuine high-mountain terrain, reaching approximately 8,825 feet / 2,690m.
For most people, the greater physical challenge will be the cumulative effect of several days of climbing, descending and hiking over uneven mountain trails.
No. One of the advantages of our Fassa to Pale itinerary is the luggage support.
You will hike with a daypack containing the clothing, water and personal items you need during the day rather than carrying all of your luggage over every mountain pass. You should still train with your daypack so that it feels completely familiar before the trek.
We highly recommend them. Poles can help with stability on uneven terrain and are particularly useful during longer descents.
If you plan to use poles in the Dolomites, practice with them during your training. They should feel like a natural part of your hiking by the time you arrive.
Your footwear should be comfortable, supportive, appropriate for mountain trails and, most importantly, thoroughly tested. The Dolomites include rocky and uneven terrain, so good grip is important.
We’ll provide our full equipment recommendations when you sign up, but whatever footwear you choose, put plenty of miles into it during training. Do not make day one of the trek the first serious outing for your hiking footwear.
Weather is part of travelling in the mountains and conditions in the Dolomites can change quickly. Your guide will assess the conditions and make decisions based on the weather, terrain and safety of the group. This is also why carrying the correct waterproofs, warm layers and mountain equipment is important, even when the forecast looks good.
Staying in traditional Italian mountain huts, or rifugios, is one of the highlights of the experience. They give us the opportunity to remain in the mountains rather than descending to the valley each evening. Expect mountain accommodation, hearty food and the opportunity to relax with your group after a great day’s hiking. For many trekkers, the evenings in the rifugios become as memorable as the walking itself.
Yes. Everyone who signs up receives our complete itemized kit list along with detailed pre-trip information. We’ll help you understand what you need and give you plenty of time to test your equipment during training.
Follow our Trek- Ready program that we have designed to help you come prepared. Tell us honestly about your hiking background, current training and any concerns you have.
Our job isn’t simply to get you booked onto a trek. We want to help you choose the right trip, prepare properly and arrive in the Dolomites ready to enjoy it.
Country:
Italy
Duration:
7 Days
Distance:
60 km / 37 miles
Max. Altitude:
2,690 m / 8,825 feet
Difficulty:
Demanding
Group Size:
7
Interested in a hut to hut or backpacking trek? Tell us where you are in the planning process and our team will help you choose the right route, date, and preparation plan.
