THE HIGH DOLOMITES
HUT TO HUT TREK ON THE ALTA VIA
THE HIGH DOLOMITES
SUMMARY
Marvel at the breathtaking scenery on this classic hut to hut trek in the high Dolomites. Experience
exhilarating walking in the spectacular Fannes-Sennes nature reserve, with striking landscapes of
dramatic limestone mountains, snow-capped peaks and picture perfect alpine pastures. This unique
German speaking part of the Northern Dolomites (Alto Adige), boasts a fascinating local history and
exceptional cuisine. A rich variety of wildlife including marmots and chamois and wild flowers which bloom
in their thousands during spring and summer. This region is undoubtedly a walkers paradise!
The Alta Via is a collection of high mountain paths crisscrossing the Dolomites and entirely alpine. Walking
this route gives you the chance to stay in the Mountain huts (Refugios) at high altitude, which have
accommodated walkers for many years and offer simple yet comfortable accommodation. Here you will
experience the peace and tranquillity of high mountain walking. This itinerary provides the perfect mix of
walking, combining a few easier days walking when doing the round walks from the mountain huts, to
longer more strenuous days when walking the stunning high mountain passes between each hut.
Your walking holiday in the dolomites includes six nights in mountain huts (refugios) staying in private
rooms and one night in a B&B. You will spend two nights in Plätzwiese, Sennes and Fannes mountain
huts, all surrounded by the beautiful peaks of the Dolomites and a comfortable guest house on the last
night in the pretty town of San Vigilio. All breakfasts, picnic lunches and evening meals are included other
than the on the last night With comprehensive route notes, maps, detailed pre-departure information pack,
baggage transfers and back up to ensure that you enjoy every minute of your stay in the Dolomites.
HIGHLIGHTS
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Spellbinding views, wild open spaces, mountain lakes, jagged peaks.
Walking the Alta Via, high mountain trails.
Rich flora and fauna.
Superb local cuisine, delicious cheese and outstanding wines.
Opportunity to climb local peaks from the Refugios.
Warm & comfortable family run mountain huts
WHY CHOOSE MACS ADVENTURE HOLIDAYS?
We specialise in great value self guided walking holidays where every last detail is taken care of. As
passionate and regular walkers we know what makes for an unforgettable trip and we pride ourselves on
delivering outstanding walking holidays. From your first contact with Macs Adventure Holidays you will
deal with an Italian specialist who knows the region intimately and will help you plan every aspect of your
holiday to ensure that you enjoy a truly unforgettable walking holiday in Italy.
WHY CHOOSE A SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY IN THE ITALIAN DOLOMITES?
Self guided walking holidays are the best way to explore a new destination. This walking holiday allows
you to wander at your own pace and off the beaten track to experience the spellbinding scenery, with the
peace of mind that everything has been taken care of.
Tour: The High Dolomites
Code: WItSTHD
Type: Self-Guided Walking Holiday
Price: See Website
Dates: June to September on any day.
Walking Days: 6
Days: 8
Nights: 7
Start: Plätzwiese (Prato Piazza)
Finish: San Vigilio
Distance: 7– 17 km
Grade: Moderate to Strenuous
Board Basis: Half Board
IS IT FOR ME?
You will love it if you are a keen walker who
wants to experience the very best of the
Dolomites high alpine scenery, while staying
in mountain huts, surrounded by dramatic
snow capped peaks. If you are after luxury
accommodation this trip may not be for you!
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
Accommodation: 6 nights alpine huts
(refugio’s) in private rooms and 1 guest house.
Meals: A tasty local breakfast is included as
well as packed lunches and evening meals on
all nights but the last one, where dinner can be
arranged locally.
Baggage Transfer: Included, however can be
discounted if you prefer to carry your own .
Travel: Not included.
THE HIGH DOLOMITES
HUT TO HUT TREK ON THE ALTA VIA
ITINERARY
THE HIGH DOLOMITES
Code: WItSTHD
Days: 8 (6 days walking)
Nights: 7
Average daily distance: 14km
Overnights: 2 Plätzwiese, 2 Sennes, 2
Fannes, 1 San Vigilio.
Day
Route
Km
1
2
Arrive Plätzwiese
Circular walk from
berggasthof Plätzwiese
via Strudelkopf
0
3
Walk from Plätzwiese
to Sennes
4
Munt de Sennes walk
5
Walk from Sennes to
Fanes
6
Fanes Circular Walk
7
Walk from Fanes to
San Vigilio di Marebbe
8
9
Overnight: Rifugio Breggasthof Plätzwiese
This charming mountain Hut is located in a
splendid location at 2000 meters facing the giant
limestone peaks of the Dolomites Natural Park
Website: www.plaetzwiese.com/en/index.htm
DAY 2
Roundtrip from Berggasthof
Platzwiese via the Strudelkopf
Today you can choose among several hiking
itineraries. You can climb of the Strudelkopf
(2307m) with excellent views on the Drei Zinnen
or go for a tour through the rolling Stollaplatz and
Stolla-Alm. Or if you are feeling energized by the
mountain air, why not do both as they are
relatively short!
17.9
Walk: 9km | 350m Ascent/Descent | 3 Hours
Walk: 5km | 225m Ascent/Descent | 2 Hours
7.2
Overnight: Rifugio Breggasthof Plätzwiese
17.5
DAY 3
Walk from Plätzwiese to Sennes
16.7
17
Onward Travel
DETAILED ITINERARY
After a hearty breakfast you start today’s walk
with a descent via the spectacular Val dei
Canope to Cimabanche. Then after a short walk
along the valleyyou climb through Val de Gotres
towards Forcella Lerosa, a meadow plateau
surrounded by beautiful mountain peaks. After a
steep descent through a forest, you begin the
final climb through the lovely Val Salata and
reach Sennes.
Arrive Starting Point: Plätzwiese
Walk: 17.9km | 900m Ascent/Descent | 6Hours
We recommend flying to Innsbruck or Verona,
which have good rail and bus connections to
Plätzwiese (Prato Piazza). Travel time from
Innsbruck by train and bus (3h40), and Verona
(4h40).
Overnight: Sennes Hut, Sennes
Family run and operating as a mountain refuge
since 1940. The mountain refuge Sennes is
located at 2126m, in the Fanes-Senes-Braies
National Park.
Website: www.sennes.com
Settle into your accommodation, step outside
and breathe in the fresh, crisp air and enjoy the
extraordinarily beautiful surroundings of the
Plateau.
DAY 4
Roundtrip from Rifugio Sennes
Today's itinerary offers a short yet delightful walk
through plateaus and valleys above the tree line
surrounded by mountain vistas. This short hike
can be extended with a climb to the Muntejela de
Senes peak (2887m). The view from the peak is
stunning.
Walk: 7.2km | 300m Ascent/Descent | 2.5 Hours
Overnight: Sennes Hut, Sennes
DAY 5
Walk from Sennes to Fanes
Today's route is varied and challenging in parts,
initially following the Dolomite Höhenweg/Alta
via Dolomiti, maintaining roughly constant
elevation, then descend to the beautifully located
Lago de Foses and Valon Scuro. On the other
side of the valley, you climb back up towards the
Lago Le Casun and further to Fodara Vedla, a
picturesque village and a lovely place for a
break. After a long, steep descent to the Pederü
hut, you start the final ascent to the Fanes
Plateau where you should reward yourself with a
well deserved cold drink!
Walk: 17.5km | 900m Ascent/Descent | 7/8
Hours
Overnight: Rifugio Fanes
The Fanes Hut is located in the Fanes- Senes
Natural Park amidst the South Tyrolean
Dolomites, offering a warm welcome and cheery
atmosphere. Unchanged over the years your
stay here is bound to leave an lasting memory.
Website: www.rifugiofanes.com
DAY 6
Roundtrip from Rigugio Fanes
Today you can choose between two all-day
walks. The first is a walk to the Ju d’ la Crusc
(2612m), where you stand at the top of a
perpendicular rock wall forming the edge of the
Fanes Plateau. You can also extend the hike to
the L’Ciaval/Kreuzkovel peak (2907m).
The second walk takes you to the the Bivacco
THE HIGH DOLOMITES
HUT TO HUT TREK ON THE ALTA VIA
della Pace (“shelter of peace”), in an area that
saw some of the heaviest fighting in the region
during the First World War.
the walk. For mountain lovers an extra night in
the Sennes and Fannes mountain huts are highly
recommended.
Walk: 16.7km | 900m 700m| Ascent/Descent/ 3
Hours
Extensions
Overnight: Rifugio Fannes
DAY 7
Walk from Rifugio Fannes to San
Vigilio
Descend from the Fanes Plateau to the delightful
village of San Vigilio de marebbe. You first climb
steeply to the ju de Sant Antone with a difficult
descent over a rough slope to the village of
Wengen/La Valle to Crusc de Rit, offering
beautiful views on the way. You then descend
through forests and meadows to lively San Vigilio
di Marebbe.
Walk: 17km | 600m -1450m| Ascent/Descent
7 Hours
Overnight: B&B Villa la Bercia, San Vigilio
Villa la Bercia is a typical South-Tyrolean Chalet,
The family run B&B offers a relaxed and happy
environment to ensure an "unforgettable stay".
Website: www.labercia.com
DAY 8
Departure Day
Your holiday finishes after breakfast.
Please see the travel information section for
details of onward travel from San Viglilio.
If you have a private transfer booked with us you
will be picked up after breakfast and taken to
your destination.
HOLIDAY INFORMATION
Additional Nights
You can add additional nights at any point along
Just let us know if you would like to add one of
our many other Italy tours to your itinerary, or if
you are interested in a city break. We are always
more than happy to tailor our standard itineraries
to suit you
Grade and Fitness
This walking tour is graded moderate to
strenuous, due to the combination of two fairly
easy walking days, with four much more
challenging days. You should be a regular walker
and have a good level of fitness to get the most
from this holiday.
Navigation
You will be following well marked hiking trails and
tracks. We supply very detailed route notes and
maps so navigation is generally easy. You will be
walking in the high mountains and the ability to
navigate with a map and compass in the event of
bad weather is recommended.
Accommodation
We include six nights accommodation in
mountain huts and one night in a cosy B&B. All
are family run mountain huts, guest houses, or
owner operated three star hotels which offer a
genuine warm Italian welcome.
Alternate Accommodation
We will always try and accommodate you at the
locations detailed in the brochure, but because of
limited availability especially in high season we
may have to accommodate you at an alternative
location of the same or better standard. We will
confirm your accommodation details on
confirming your reservation.
Single Rooms
Single rooms are not available on this tour.
Solo Walkers
It may be possible to accommodate solo walkers
on this trip staying in dormitory accommodation
on most nights, depending on availability. Please
contact us for a price and availability.
Meals
The price of your holiday includes, 7 breakfast, 6
packed lunches and 6 dinners. You will arrange
your own evening meal on the last night in San
Vigilio, where you will find plenty of restaurants to
choose from.
Baggage Transfer
Luggage transfers are included on this trip. Your
bags will be transferred from each mountain hut
and moved on to your next overnight
accommodation. If you decide that you would
prefer to carry your own bags we can reduce the
cost of the holiday accordingly. We ask you to
limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per
person.
Equipment
Your information pack has a detailed equipment
list which includes standard walking gear such as
good walking boots or shoes, waterproofs, and
comfortable walking clothes.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
Getting to Plätzwiese and returning
from San Vigilio
By Air - Innsbruck and Verona have direct
flights from most major airports in the UK and
flying time from London is just over two hours .
Airlines include: Easyjet, Ryan air, British
Airways & Thompson flights.
You can then take the train to Villabassa
(Niederdorf) and bus to Plätzwiese. Journy time
from Innsbruck/Verona is around 3hr40 and
4 hr30 respectively.
By Car - You can drive to San Vigilio which has
THE HIGH DOLOMITES
HUT TO HUT TREK ON THE ALTA VIA
a free unsecure car park. You can arrange a
private transfer with us to take you to Plätzwiese,
or you can take a local bus to Brunico and
change bus to Villabassa/Niederdorf where you
will again changes bus to reach Plätzwiese,
taking approx 1hr45mins.
 6 night in mountain huts in a private double/
From San Vigilio — To return to Innsbruck,
Verona or onward travel. You can take the local
bus, or taxi the short distance to Longega/
Zwieschenwasser . You then the bus to Brunico
rail station and onwards by train to Innsbruck/
Verona. The journey takes approximately 2hr50
and 3hr40 respectively.
 24-hour telephone assistance.
 Pre departure information pack.
 Detailed route descriptions and maps.
Alternatively we can arrange a private transfer to
take you to Brunico rail station.
For bus/Train times, prices and booking visit:
http://www.sii.bz.it/en , www.trenitalia.it
M.A.C.S. RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL
We operate holidays in some of the most
beautiful areas of the world and try to operate in
an environmentally aware and sustainable
manner. We do this by following our M.A.C.S.
Responsible travel policy. The full policy is
available online and the cornerstones of this
policy are:
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Minimise Impact & Maximise Benefit
Action & Advocacy
twin room.
 1 night in B&B accommodation.
 7 Breakfast, 6 packed lunches and 6 evening
meals.
 Baggage transfers
Excluded:
 Evening meal on day 7.
 Flights, public transportation, airport transfers.
 Travel insurance.
 Personal expenses such drinks, phone calls,
transfers, tips, etc,
 Additional nights during the holiday.
Options:
 Private transfers
 Additional nights during the holiday.
HOW TO BOOK
Once you have read all the information in this
factsheet or our website and would like to go
ahead with your booking you can book securely
online at www.macsadventure.com or by
telephone on +44 (0) 141 530 8886
Carbon & Communities
Sensitive & Sustainable
AVAILABILITY & PRICE
Availability
You can start your holiday on any date between
the 15th June and 30th of September. Please be
aware that July and August can be very busy.
Price
Up to date prices are available on our website.
Included:
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE
Financial Security
In In accordance with "The Package Travel,
Package Holidays and Package Tours
Regulations1992" all passengers booking with
Macs Adventure Ltd are fully protected for the
initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all
monies paid to us, including repatriation if
required (this insurance will not cover repatriation
to the country of origin for the passengers
outside of the EU), arising from cancellation or
curtailment of your travel arrangements due to
the insolvency of Macs Adventure Ltd
There is no requirement for Financial Protection
of day trips, and none is provided. This
insurance is only valid for packages booked that
DO NOT include flights.
Consumer aware: Your booking is insured by
IPP Ltd and its panel of insurers. - This insurance
is only valid for passengers who book and pay
directly with/to Macs Adventure Ltd. For further
information please go to www.ipplondon.co.uk
This Insurance has been arranged by
International Passenger Protection Limited and
underwritten by Insurers who are members of the
Association of British Insurers & Lloyds
Syndicates.
AITO Quality Statement
Macs Adventure is a member of
the Association of Independent
Tour Operators. The Association represents
Britain’s leading independent tour operators and
encourages high standards of quality and
service.
Macs Adventure abides by the Association’s
Code of Conduct and adheres to the AITO
Quality Charter which can be viewed on
www.aito.com. Visit the website to find out more
about the Association or call 020 8744 9280.
ABTA Member
Statement
Macs Adventure Holidays
is a Member of ABTA. ABTA and ABTA
Members help holidaymakers to get the most
from their travel and assist when things don’t go
according to plan. We are obliged to maintain a
high standard of service to you by ABTA’s Code
of Conduct. For more information on ABTA, the
Code of Conduct and the arbitration scheme
available to you if you have a complaint, contact
ABTA, 30 Park Street, London SE1 9EQ, tel 020
3117 0581 www.abta.com