Aerial top view from drone to wonderful alpine landscape and meadows at Pass Gardena with majestic Sella mountain group in Dolomiti. Alps, South Tirol, Dolomites mountains, passo di Val Gardena, Italy
Lago Fedaia (Fedaia Lake), Fassa Valley, Trentino Alto Adige, an artificial lake and a dam near Canazei city, located at the foot of Marmolada massif. Fedaia Lake is the Province of Belluno, Italy.
Road across Serrai di Sottoguda gorge, Marmolada
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Marmolada Circuit Hiking Tour

5 days / 4 nights

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Walk around the Queen of the Dolomites on a 5-day journey through the Marmolada region, following historic trails, alpine valleys, and panoramic ridges.

Starting point

Malga Ciapela

Finish point

Corvara

Season

From June to September

Technical level

3/5

Fitness level

3/5

Tour type

Hut-to-Hut

Highlights

  • Walk beneath the dramatic south face of Marmolada
  • Hike the panoramic Viel del Pan balcony trail
  • Pass the WWI German War Memorial at Passo Pordoi
  • Enjoy views over the turquoise waters of Lake Fedaia
  • Explore the spectacular Serrai di Sottoguda gorge
  • Finish your journey in the alpine village of Corvara

What’s included in the price?

Self-guided

2 nights in traditional mountain huts with half-board
2 nights in a 3- or 4-star hotel with breakfast
Digital guidebook with itinerary, route instructions, and practical information
GPS navigation with an easy-to-use app
Tour design and organization
Service and support during your hike

NOT INCLUDED

Gondola ticket
Tourist tax

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Airport transfer
Hotel upgrades
Private rooms in huts (if available)
Single supplement

What to bring to the tour

  • Hiking shoes/boots
  • 25 to 45-liter backpack
  • Base layer
  • Sports T-shirts
  • Hiking shorts
  • Hiking water-repellent pants
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Midlayer
  • Sports socks and underwear
  • Leisurewear for evenings
  • Down jacket
  • Gloves
  • Shade hat/cap
  • Warm headwear
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Headlamp
  • Hiking poles
  • ID card or passport
  • Snacks
  • Cash
  • Water bottles or hydration pack
  • Sleeping liner
  • Toiletries
  • Toilet paper
  • Small first aid kit

Towering limestone walls, high alpine passes, and wide panoramic trails define the landscapes around Marmolada. On this hiking tour, you will explore the region surrounding Marmolada, the highest peak in the Dolomites, pass the turquoise waters of Lake Fedaia, and walk below Passo Pordoi and the Piz Boè area, surrounded by dramatic alpine scenery.

The Dolomites in northern Italy are known for their pale limestone towers, high mountain passes, and traditional alpine villages. The region is also deeply connected to history, with remnants of World War I still visible in places such as Passo Pordoi, where monuments and historic routes recall the former mountain front.

This tour focuses on the landscapes surrounding Marmolada, often called the Queen of the Dolomites. Along the way, you can optionally take the cable car to the summit of Marmolada for a spectacular 360° panorama, or explore the nearby Serrai di Sottoguda gorge, where a path winds between narrow rock walls and waterfalls.

The itinerary is flexible and can easily be combined with other hiking tours in the Dolomites, shortened, or adapted to finish in another nearby valley, depending on your travel plans.

We will arrange all the essentials for your trip, including carefully selected accommodation, a digital guidebook with GPS navigation, and local tips to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey through the Dolomites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our tours are designed to cater to a broad range of people, but some days can be quite challenging, with long distances and significant elevation gain. We aim to minimize this as much as possible while ensuring a high-quality experience. To fully enjoy our tours, you should be accustomed to walking for 4-6 hours, overcoming around 600 meters of elevation gain.

However, Alta Via 1 hut-to-hut hikes and Tour du Mont Blanc are more demanding and require a higher fitness level. On these tours, you may need to hike up to 8 hours per day and tackle substantial elevation gain.

Yes, our hiking holidays are appropriate for children who are physically prepared and have a good balance. However, to guarantee the safety and enjoyment of our young participants, we suggest that they should be at least eight years old to join our tours.

Proper footwear is crucial for our walking tours. We recommend wearing sturdy hiking shoes with ankle support for all our hikes. The terrain can be uneven, rocky, and slippery. Wearing sneakers can be dangerous, especially if you are not accustomed to hiking on such surfaces, as they do not offer enough protection and support. Robust shoes also provide the necessary support when your legs get tired during long hikes.

Yes, we highly recommend booking in advance to secure your spot. The earlier you book, the better the chances are of getting your preferred options. If you book close to the start of the season or during the season, we may not be able to guarantee availability in the hotels and apartments. Therefore, it is best to make reservations as soon as possible to avoid any inconvenience.

It is essential to note that accommodations at the destinations of our walking tours are in high demand during the summer season. Therefore, early booking is crucial to secure your preferred type of housing. However, we assure you that we will always try our best to provide you with the most suitable lodging based on your preferences. Rest assured that we will do everything possible to ensure that your stay is comfortable and enjoyable.

Our tours are well-organized, and all the destinations are easily accessible and straightforward to navigate. Therefore, it is unlikely that you will require a guide. Our comprehensive handout will provide you with all the essential information while still allowing you the freedom of a self-guided holiday.

However, if you prefer to have a guide, please let us know, and we will make the necessary arrangements for you.

Most of the accommodations we provide offer vegetarian and vegan options for breakfast. Additionally, you will find no shortage of vegetarian and vegan menus in restaurants during the tour. However, it is worth noting that some mountain huts on Alta Via 1 or Tour du Mont Blanc may not offer vegan meals. In such situations, it is advisable to bring your own food to ensure that your dietary needs are met.

The best time to go on a walking holiday in Italy varies depending on the location you plan to visit. Destinations such as the Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, and Sicily are best visited during early spring and fall when the weather is pleasant, and the crowds are fewer.

However, in areas like the Dolomites or around Mont Blanc, hiking is not possible when there is snow high up in the mountains. Therefore, the hiking season in these areas is limited from late June to late September. It is advisable to plan your trip accordingly to get the best out of your walking holiday in Italy.

We can best advise you after receiving a filled-out inquiry form.

All available guidance options

Self-guided

Are you looking for a good adventure and limitless flexibility? Then you should try out a self-guided tour, perfect for independent explorers who want to set their own pace. Without the need to stick to a group schedule, you’re free to linger at scenic viewpoints while the logistics are taken care of in advance.

Hassle-Free

We handle itineraries, accommodations, and anything else you prefer not to deal with, so you can enjoy a carefree hike.

Trusted by Many

We are a financially protected company, fully bonded and insured, keeping your money safe and allowing you to travel with confidence.

Handpicked Adventures

Only the best walking tours of Italy, cherry-picked by our local team with an in-depth knowledge of the region.

Unbeatable Support

Our 24/7 customer support is where we show our passion, bringing you a better experience by making your well-being our number one priority.

from 975 € /person
Towering rock faces of the Dolomites, Tuscany’s unique architecture, and charming towns on the Amalfi Coast — discover it all on walking holidays in Italy!

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Anja Hajnšek
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