Hi, I am looking for some advice on trekking in the Dolomites. I am not an experienced hiker, but I am young and fit and really starting to get into the wonder of trekking through mountains. I recently ascended Faulhorn (2600m) in Switzerland and that was amazing.

I am an Australian currently based in Milan.

What I would like to do is make my way to a base point in the Dolomites, then take a cable car up to altitude where I can hike for the day and stay at a mountain hut for the night. Then the following day, continue my hike till I reach a different cable car which can take me down into a village from where I can make my way back either to my original base point or in the direction of Milan. As I said, I probably shouldn't be climbing up any mountains with tools etc but I can handle a steep track, especially if the views are worth it.

Its really hard to know what to do when you have zero ideas about the area. The reason I am trying to find out now rather than just going there is so I can book a mountain hut for the night.

If there is any information you can provide or a helpful website, I'd be most appreciative.

Take care everyone and keep travelling!



Darryl

There are lots of possibilities, but for a nice 3-day hike with two overnights in Rifugios, easy to access from Milan, I would suggest the loop from Alpe di Suisi to Rifugio Bolzano and Rifugio Alpe de Tires, returning to Alpe di Siusi (or dropping down to Tires). Here is one hikers' description, with photos and GPs info:

http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=387933

Rigugio Bolzano is lovely, and I'd suggest starting there, (the reverse of his trip):

http://www.schlernhaus.it/

You would take the train to Bolzano, then a local bus to either Castelrotto or Seis. From Castelrotto you would take another bus up to Alpe di Siusi to start the hike. Or from Seis you ride a cablecar up to Alpe di Siusi. You'll need to check website to make sure all the cablecars are operating through September or whenever you wish to do this. Rifugio Bolzano is open to early October and I believe Rifugio Alpe di Tires is as well.

H Enzian,

Thank you very much for your answer. You have just planned my trek! I will go to Bolzano, take a bus to Seis and then a cable car up. I called Rifugio Bolzano and it sounds like there shouldn't be a problem with the cable car but it was a bit hard to understand the girl on the other end due to my only speaking English. Do you have any idea where I would find info on this cable car?

Thanks again.

Here is information on the cablecar---check on "prices and schedule" to see the hours of operation.

http://www.seiseralmbahn.it/en/

Remember that Seis may also be spelled Siusi. Most towns in this area have names in both German and Italian.

This website has more information on the busses that serve the area:

http://www.seiseralm.it/en/service/traffic-management/

It looks like the No. 170 bus will take you from bolzano to seis/siusi. It stops there before continuing on to Castelrotto.

Oh thank you very much! You are incredibly helpful and I really appreciate it.

Final question: do the rifugios usually provide towels or are we expected to bring our own?

I guess it could vary with different rifugios but if you know anything about Rifugio Bolzano and whether they provide towels that would be great. I tried asking these questions on the phone but the conversation was lost in translation...

Thanks again.

I believe you would need your own towel, and most rifugios require you to bring a sleep sack as well. Blankets are provided. It's also nice to bring "hut slippers" as the huts, at least the ones I visited in Switzerland, generally require you to remove hiking boots.

We did go inside Rifugio Bolzano to look around, but didn't spend the night, so I'm just going on general experience here.

Did they speak to you in German or in Italian? Just curious. both languages are commonly used there, but not everyone speaks both!