Self-guided walking
7 nights,
single centre
Level: 2+
Moderate plus
Flights
available
17.0Kg CO2e
Headwater
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In the heart of the Italian Dolomites, the Alta Badia region boasts some of the most spectacular alpine scenery as well as a reputation for excellent cuisine. The village of San Cassiano is no stranger to either and sits just 15km, as the crow flies, due West of Cortina d'Ampezzo (or 30km by road and the Falzarego Pass). Around 500m in altitude above the village lies a large area of beautiful alpine meadow, dotted with traditional wooden mountain huts and the most amazing panoramic views. At some points you have a 360-degree vista that spans from the Austrian Alps to the North to the Marmolada range to the South (the highest peaks in the Dolomites), with the Fanes Natural Park to the East and the Sella mountain range and Gardena Pass to the West - all stunning views in their own rights but when combined it's almost mind-blowing!
With over 400kms of marked trails, just in this area of the Dolomites, a week's walking from here allows you to discover the awe-inspiring beauty of this region. Amazingly, all of this is accessible on well-defined and well way marked paths either directly from the hotel, using the hotel's shuttle service or via a short bus or cable car ride.
This area is steeped in WW1 history with some of the hardest fighting taking place between Italian and Austro-Hungarian troops in the mountains nearby. There is a WW1 Museum located in what was an Austro-Hungarian fortress and there are still tunnels that can be visited on the Lagazuoi mountain (although you do need a head for heights for this).
Famed for its varied cuisine - a mix of Italian and Austrian for the most part - the Alta Badia region has two restaurants with a total of 4 Michelin Stars between them. Ciasa Salares, famed for its locally sourced cuisine, is your home for the week, located just a short walk (or even shorter shuttle/bus ride) from the centre of San Cassiano. Run by the Wieser family, Stefan, Wilma and their son Jan Clemens, who is passionate about the hotel's fantastic wine cellar, they manage to combine alpine chic in the decor with good old-fashioned hospitality. The four restaurants include an informal wine bar, a terrace restaurant, a main restaurant as well as tables in the labyrinthine wine cellar where you can enjoy delectable cured meats, fonudes and an impressive wine list including biodynamic wines. There are also two other very special rooms - the Cheese Room and the Chocolate Room. Other facilities include a library and lounge, a luxurious spa with indoor swimming pool, relaxation area, treatment rooms (3), sauna, steam room and an outdoor hot tub to soak away those aching limbs after a day of walking.
The walking in this area is primarily on well-tended and well way-marked tracks. There are narrower paths that run through the pine forests and in others where the tracks enter the local villages where you'll be walking on tarmac for a while. There are moderate ascents on most days, and longish descents on days when a cable car is used to gain altitude. Walkers should have a good fitness level and be confident on uneven terrain - a couple of the suggested walks may be unsuitable if you have a fear of heights, however other options are possible. In the unlikely event of extreme bad weather, cable cars may not operate. Walking boots are essential and walking poles are recommended. Some of the higher level walks may have snow in early/late season.
Read more about this holiday in our 'Unique Places to Stay' blog.
Arrive at your hotel in Armentarola, San Cassiano. As you're at the same hotel all week the below itinerary is only a suggestion and you can, of course do any walk on any day.
You stay at Ciasa Salares.
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Ciasa Salares, your home for the week, is located just a short walk (or even shorter shuttle/bus ride) from the centre of San Cassiano. Run by the Wieser family, Stefan, Wilma and their son Jan Clemens, who is passionate about the hotel’s fantastic wine cellar, the hotel combines alpine chic in the décor with good old-fashioned hospitality.
The hotel's three restaurants include an informal wine bar, a main restaurant and tables in the wine cellar. There are also two other very special rooms – the Cheese Room and the Chocolate Room, used for tastings, individual courses during meals and special occasions. Complimentary grappa tasting is available once a week, as well as one glass of wine and cheese tasting in the wine cellar. You will also get 4 half board meals included at the half board restaurant. Customers wishing to eat at one of the other two restaurants at the hotel can use their 'credit' from the half board menu and pay any difference locally. Drinks are always excluded.
Other facilities include a library and lounge, a luxurious spa with indoor swimming pool, relaxation area, treatment rooms (3), sauna, steam room and an outdoor hot tub with fabulous alpine views to soak away those aching limbs after a day of skiing and walking. Headwater customers get free spa access (spa treatments available for a supplement).
The hotel offers a free shuttle service to San Cassiano (village and the main Piz Surega lift) as well as to the Capanna Alpina restaurant for the Fanes Natural Park walk.
E-mountain bikes are available to hire for additional charge (payable locally.)
From the hotel, you ascend steadily along peaceful country lanes, through pine forest and up onto high alpine meadows with spectacular views of the surrounding Dolomites mountain ranges. Either enjoy a picnic en route or when you reach the mountain hut at Pralongia, take time over lunch and soaking up the mountain panorama. Return to San Cassiano for the hotel shuttle or walk back to the hotel.
Walk directly from the hotel or take the shuttle to San Cassiano. This pilgrimage route first skirts above the village then heads through some delightful pine woods. Along the route you pass depictions of the last hours of Jesus Christ's life on earth before you reach the church at Santa Croce with its amazing backdrop and views across the valley and the village of Badia. Descend to Badia and take the bus back to the hotel.
Enjoy truly spectacular scenery on this favourite Alta Badia trail. You can start the day with a gondola lift or you can climb the first 5km through pine forest and alpine meadows. Once up at the top there are fabulous views ahead to the Marmolada mountains, the highest in the Dolomites, and behind as far as the Austrian Alps in the distance. At some points you have the most incredible 360-degree panoramic views. Continue on with a variety of mountain hut options for lunch then descend to Corvara for a well-deserved drink before catching the bus back to the hotel.
A short bus trip to Badia before this lovely walk takes you to two small lakes close to Badia with the fabulous backdrop of the Somamunt, Col Plo Alt and Pre Janin mountains. There are some wonderful views over the village and across the valley to the Santa Croce mountain as you head to Lech dla Lunch (pronounced lek-dela-loonk). Bring a picnic and you could even stop here for loonk! A steep climb sets you on your way to Lech da Sompunt and its delightful swans. Descend back to Badia passing through tiny hamlets and take the bus back.
Today you head up to one of the key strategic passes from WW1 the Passo Valparola for fabulous views over the San Cassiano valley. Heading through the delightful Pre de Costa meadows, and past the Malghe Valparola, you head up towards the pass. When you get there, you may want to stop for refreshments at the rifugio at the top. You can make this a history trip and continue on to the nearby WW1 museum or even to Passo Falzarego and a cable car up to the top of Lagazuoi one of the most fiercely fought over mountains in the Dolomites. Another alternative is a tough 12km walk across towards the Setsas mountain with more fabulous views and back to the hotel.
Definitely worth the wait - the Fanes Natural Park is a huge expanse of outstanding natural beauty. You can either walk directly from the hotel or get the shuttle to the Capanna Alpina hut before starting the steep climb up to the panoramic Col de Locia. The verdant plateau beyond (Plan de Ciaulunch) and the climb up to the Forcela dl Lech provide awe-inspiring views of the surrounding mountains and a sparkling, aquamarine mountain lake. You need a head for heights on this one as you descend via two steep gorges, with well trodden paths, to the Scotoni mountain hut and down a spectacular ski slope to the start point.
If you'd like to extend your trip with extra hotel nights we recommend: Giulietta e Romeo, Verona; Hotel Kette, Venice.
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The Giulietta e Romeo hotel, named after the town's most famous lovers, lies in a quiet side street just yards from the Arena. The hotel is fairly modern in style and very comfortable. There is a large lobby area, which leads onto the breakfast room, which is decorated in white with subtle lighting and art deco friezes on the windows.
The rooms are all carpeted and traditionally decorated in blue and red decor with cherry wood furniture. They are all en-suite and have double-glazing so there is little noise from the street. A couple of rooms even have the famous Juliet style balcony if you fancy a re-inaction!
Parents of under 10 year olds should be aware that some rooms at the Hotel Giulietta e Romeo have a balcony with a step up.
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The Hotel Kette is set in the heart of Venice, a short distance from Teatro La Fenice, from via XXII marzo, the elegant shopping street, 2 minutes from piazza San Marco and only 10 minutes from Ponte di Rialto. So this is an excellent base for exploring the many delights Venice has in store.
The 63 en suite rooms are immaculately furnished and are fully worthy of the four-star rating.
It is possible to reserve a non-smoking room (please contact us and we will request this for you).
These tour only prices are based on two people sharing. Single supplement from £184.
We can book your flights, protected by ATOL and ABTA. Please ask at time of enquiry.
You should allow approximately 40 euro for local bus fares and any cable car and gondola journeys during the week - the cable car and gondolas are optional however some of the suggested walks require bus travel.
If you choose a flight inclusive package with us, you will fly into Venice airport. We can provide transfers from the airport, please contact us for details and prices.
We hold an ATOL License and are fully ABTA bonded, so you can book your flights with us in confidence. We can book most airlines and will advise you of your most convenient airport and flight options.
Flight prices vary massively and change quickly. At Headwater we will sell you your flights at the same price you can buy them yourself. We simply add £35 per person to cover your flight protection, to learn more please click here.
Subject to availability and dependent on service provider, please ask at time of enquiry and book early to avoid disappointment. *Unfortunately, due to the airline themselves we are unable to book Ryanair.
Self-guided walking
7 nights,
single centre
Level: 2+
Moderate plus
Flights
available
17.0Kg CO2e
Headwater
Navigation App
