Hut to Hut Hiking in the Dolomites

The Dolomites are one of the world's great mountain walking destinations. These extraordinary pale limestone towers, rising from the valleys of northeast Italy, form a UNESCO World Heritage Site of exceptional natural beauty, and the network of hut-to-hut routes threading between them offers some of the finest multi-day walking in Europe.

Ranging from 11 to 57km (7 to 35 miles) and taking 2 to 4 days to complete, the 25 mostly circular routes in this third edition Cicerone guidebook by Gillian Price span the full breadth of the Dolomites. Suitable for experienced hikers with a head for heights, routes range from moderate to challenging, with some traverses involving scrambling and exposure.

25 multi-day hut-to-hut routes covering the full breadth of the Dolomites, from the Tre Cime di Lavaredo and Cortina Dolomites to the Marmolada, Sella, Civetta, Pale di San Martino and Dolomiti di Brenta
Iconic highlights include the Tre Cime tour, the Sella traverse, the Catinaccio loop, the Civetta tour and the Tofane-Lagazuoi circuit above Cortina d'Ampezzo, some of the most celebrated mountain walks in Italy
Routes across UNESCO-listed mountain groups are also described, including the Puez-Odle altopiano, Sassolungo, Latemar and the remote Dolomiti Friulane, covering the full range of landscapes within the World Heritage Site
1:100,000 mapping provided for every route alongside detailed information on hut accommodation, public transport connections, access points and route difficulty
Comprehensive practical guidance covering the best season to walk (mid-June to late September), accommodation in mountain rifugi, food and drink, equipment, waymarking and an Italian-English glossary


The Dolomites are at their most spectacular when explored over multiple days, moving from hut to hut through the high passes and rocky cols that connect each mountain group. Gillian Price, Cicerone's foremost Italy author, has crafted the definitive multi-day walking guidebook to one of Europe's most breathtaking mountain landscapes.

Seasons

Mid-June to late September, when the majority of the refuges are open. Peak Italian holiday time is August, especially around 15th August.

Centres

Main centres for the Dolomites include Cortina, Belluno, Selva di Cadore, Arabba, La Villa, Selva, Bressanone, Dobbiaco, Canazei.

Difficulty

Moderate and challenging routes, including some mountain traverses involving scrambles and exposure.

Must See

Spotting your first chamois, marmot or Ibex. The majestic Marmolada and Pelmo, the towering Civetta, and the Cinque Torre (now only four of them!).

Route summary table Preface to the fourth edition Introduction The Dolomites Geology Plants and flowers Wildlife Getting there Local transport Information When to go Accommodation Food and drink What to take Maps, apps and gpx tracks Dos and don’ts Emergencies Using this guide DOLOMITI FRIULANE Walk 1: Anello delle Dolomiti Friulane MARMAROLE Walk 2: The Marmarole Runde DOLOMITI DI SESTO Walk 3: Vallon Popera Walk 4: Tre Cime tour Walk 5: Tre Scarperi tour FANES-SENES-BRAIES Walk 6: Croda Rossa tour Walk 7: Sasso della Croce–Cunturines CORTINA DOLOMITES Walk 8: Tofane–Lagazuoi Walk 9: Nuvolau–Cinque Torri Walk 10: Croda da Lago–Pelmo CIVETTA Walk 11: Civetta tour DOLOMITI BELLUNESI Walk 12: Cime de Zita traverse Walk 13: Alpi Feltrine PALE DI SAN MARTINO Walk 14: Palarondatrek Walk 15: Over the Pale di San Martino MARMOLADA Walk 16: Behind the Marmolada SELLA Walk 17: Sella traverse PUEZ-ODLE Walk 18: Around the Puez–Odle Altopiano Walk 19: Odle di Eores SASSOPIATTO-SASSOLUNGO Walk 20: Sassopiatto–Sassolungo tour SCILIAR AND CATINACCIO Walk 21: Sciliar–Antermoia traverse Walk 22: Catinaccio loop LATEMAR Walk 23: Latemar traverse DOLOMITI DI BRENTA Walk 24: Western Brenta Walk 25: Eastern Brenta Appendix A: Tourist offices Appendix B: Italian–English glossary Appendix C: Further inspiration