Dolomites

Podcast conversation with Agustina Marmol.

If you have always wanted to go on a “hut to hut” hike there are options all over the world – Nepal, Patagonia, Peru, Switzerland, the Dolomites, and more.

What makes the Dolomites special?

• The area you will hike through covers a variety of cultures – Italian, Austrian, and Ladino with different languages, customs, and food
• Agustina calls it “civilized hiking” – you have more access to restaurants, towns, people, and services
• There are 400+ refugios, plus 3, 4, and 5* hotels – giving you charming places to stay at any price point
• The terrain works for beginners through advanced hikers
• The views are spellbinding. You will hike through fairytale settings, by green pastures with roaming cows and horses, near sparkling lakes, and the most panoramic vistas you can imagine
• You get to simply carry a daypack each day while someone else is responsible for moving your luggage from place to place!
• There are options to make your trip multi-adventures with via ferratas, biking, paragliding
• You are in Italy and the food is amazing

What questions to ask yourself before planning an extended hiking/multi adventure trip to the Dolomites?

1. How many days do I have?
2. How much hiking do I want to do?
3. How challenging do I want the hikes to be?: Routes have various options – beginner, moderate, strenuous
4. Are all travelers the same level hiker or do we need to modify some routes?
5. Am I already in hiking shape? (if not, get started at home so you are more prepared to enjoy your trip)
6. What type of accommodations am I looking for?: Chalets, agroturismos, refugios, 4*, 5* hotels
7. Do I want a guided or self-guided trip? (note: in addition to taking care of all logistics, a guide adds richness and depth to your trip – sharing stories, history and introducing you to the refugio owner or restaurant chef, who he’s likely friends with)
8. Are there specific towns, and iconic spots I want to visit?
9. Do I want to incorporate other adventure elements like a via ferrata or paragliding?

There are SO MANY accommodations we love – from basic refugios to 5* luxury hotels. We shared a few photos of what it’s like inside a refugio so you know what to expect. Agustina also took us through what a typical day is like hiking hut to hut in the Dolomites. And we talked about our favorite hotels and the best spas to luxuriate in during or after your hiking.

Incorporating unconventional transportation into your experience adds fun and richness to your trip – plan take chair lifts, gondolas, and/or a helicopter.

The best time to visit is June/July & September to the first week of October. Try to avoid August when in addition to all of the foreigners, Italians are also on vacation in the Dolomites.