Walking the Dolomites of Val Badia
Self Guided Walking
Val Badia shall astonish you with its breathtaking landscapes on this quintessential Dolomite walking tour
The name “Dolomites” comes from the rock “dolomite” – a type of carbonate rock, responsible for the characteristic shapes and colours of these mountains. On this trek you can enjoy exhilarating hikes through the awe-inspiring nature of dramatic limestone mountains with snow capped peaks, a magnificent nature reserve, picture-perfect alpine pastures and idyllic meadows. This unique German-speaking part of Italy boasts an exceptional cuisine, a rich variety of wildlife, such as the distinctive marmot and chamois, and deliriously lovely spring flowers which bloom in the thousands, including prized orchids, lilies and monkshoods. Leave your worries behind as you skip to the gentle sound of singing birds. Nourish your bliss, the stage is set.
Tour Highlights:
♦ Spellbinding views, wild open spaces, mountain lakes, jagged peaks, precious flower meadows;
♦ Gorgeous flora and fauna;
♦ Superb culinary specialties, including delicious cheese, carne Salada, polenta, mushrooms, speck and outstanding wines;
Itinerary:
Day 1. La Valle-Wengen
Arrive in the mountainside village of La Valle, or Wengen in German, go for a stroll to soak in your extraordinarily beautiful and peaceful surroundings and marvel at the unique language that you will hear spoken, as La Valle has a vast number of Ladinic speakers. Immerse yourself in the pure essence of the Dolomites.
Day 2. Round walk La Valle – Crusc de Rit – La Valle
Today’s excursion starts and ends in La Valle and passes over the Sas De Crosta (Pares) mountain. A stop at the Crusc de Rit is a must, as for this panoramic point you can look over the Val Badia on the south, and the Valpusteria and Austrian peaks on the north. Proceeding across stretches of forest and wide pastures, you have exceptional views including the majestic rock faces of the Sas Dalesc Desc, the Sas Dales Nu and the Ju de Sant Antone. It is also possible to shorten the itinerary.
Walking distance: 17,3 km (12,7 km shorter version); 5-7 hrs; uphill walk: 921m; downhill walk: 745 m
Day 3. Round walk Pederoa – Spizan - Pederoa
The walk starts and ends in the village of Pederoa, 2 km from La Valle and it is reacheable on foot, by local bus or with a prearrangement private transfer. Initially the route alternates asphalted sections with footprint that climb gradually until you reach forests and wide glades with panoramas on the whole La Valle and its surrounding mountains, as well as on Longiaru and the impressive Monte Putia. A gradual descent on a good dirt road along the Gran Ega stream (the largest in Val Badia) brings you down from the Spizan peak back to Pederoa.Public bus to La Valle (you can also book a private transfer when booking the tour)
Walking distance: 13 km; 5 hrs; uphill walk: 772 m; downhill walk: 773 m
Day 4. Passo Valparola - Corvara
A short included transfer brings you to Passo Valparola here starts an outstanding panoramic trail along the Sett Sass until the wide upland meadow of Pralongiа from where you have extraordinary views on the peaks and the valleys of the Val Badia the Marmolada glacier in the backdrop. Public bus to La Valle (you can also book a private transfer when booking the tour)
Walking distance: 14,9 km; 6 hrs; uphill walk: 572 m; downhill walk: 1181 m
Day 5. La Valle - Rifugio Fanes
Today’s route is a gradual climb and then descent on stony footpaths. Along the way you will admire the rock faces of the Sasso delle Nove and a complete view on the Pares ridge and the Austrian peaks. The last uphill section is quite steep till the Ju De Sant Antone where there are ample views on the valley and the Fanes-Senes-Braines Natural Park. Crossing the high pastures you reach Rifugio Lavarella and Rifugio Fanes from where it is worthwhile to deviate for 1km until Le Vert lake and Limo lake.
Walking distance: 14 km; 6 hrs; uphill walk: 1278 m; downhill walk: 563 m
Day 6. Return from Rifugio Fanes to La Valle
Today’s route is a bit steep but fascinating and crosses the larch forest as you climb to the alpine lake Lech Parom where the vast and majestic Fanes upland and prairies gradually turn to sheer vertical rock surfaces surrounded by the typical Dolomiti peak. To avoid the steep climb, it's possible to follow a more gradual trail and it’s possible to descend to Val di Medesc through a narrow stony canal that brings you to La Crusc from where you can admire other massif of Val Badia. In the last stretch to La Valle, you will cross the Armentara with its wide lawns, a peculiarity of this landscape.
Walking distance: 20,1 km; 8 hrs; uphill walk: 790 m; downhill walk: 1511 m
Day 7. Round walk Longiarù – Rifugio Genova - Longiarù
The itinerary is quite steep at the beginning until the side of Monte Putia, it's a magnificent peak, particular in its shape and stands out over the others in Val Badia. As you head towards Rifugio Genova, a pleasant hiding place beneath Passo Poma, you cross wide prairies with exceptional views on the peaks of Puez- Odle Natural Park and the Fanes massif. The way back is through the Seres valley characterized by a succession of ancient watermills. It's possible to shorten the trail by about 3 km. Longiaru is reachable by local bus directly from La Valle or you can book a private transfer.
Walking distance: 17 km (13,4 km) ; 5-6 hrs; uphill walk: 1110 m; downhill walk: 1110 m
Day 8. Departure
After breakfast departure to your home country on your own or extension of your stay.
Luggage transport: Luggage transfer is not included in this trip as you mostly stay in La Valle-Wengen. When you walk from La Valle to Fanes hut, you take a day pack with an overnight change of clothes. Your luggage remains at the hotel in La Valle.
Practical information: The daily walks range between 10 and 21 km. Most walks can be extended or shortened. You will use local public transport to reach the start of the day’s walk and afterwards to return to La Valle-Wengen. It is important to take along enough water as it is rare to find water fountains along the walking routes. Detailed description of the public transportation connections and schedules is provided in the itinerary road book delivered on spot. Linen and blankets are provided in the hut, but not towels or sleeping bags. You can order picnic lunch to your hotel and pay it on spot.
How to get there: It is best to fly to Innsbruck or Verona Airport (eventually Milan Airport) and then take a bus airport-city train station and a train to Brunico. You can either take a taxi directly from Brunico to La Valle-Wengen or take a local bus to Pederoa (40 minutes) followed by a taxi to La Valle (2 km). It’s even possible to book a private transfer from Brunico to La Valle-Wengen, when booking the trip. There are a few local buses running from Pederoa to La Valle each day. If you come to La Valle with your own car, you can park in the hotel’s free unguarded, open-air parking area. There are no parking restrictions in La Valle.