The Dolomites

The Dolomites, in north-eastern Italy, are part of the Alps and have been recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

These mountains are made of limestone and fossilised ancient coral reefs; lifted by the earth's crust, scoured by the climate and polished by glaciers, they gradually took shape as peaks, rock walls and rock towers of every form. After millions of years of weathering, the rock has a charm all of its own. At sunrise and sunset in particular, the mountains are bathed in a soft rose-coloured glow, a phenomenon known as "alpenglow" (Enrosadira), like a fairyland.

Unique and of unrivalled natural beauty, the Dolomites present one of the most beautiful mountain landscapes in the world, and have been called "God's back garden in the Alps".

This trek visits not only the most representative classic landmarks of the Dolomites but also hidden places that only true explorers find.

The beauty here cannot be captured by whistle-stop sightseeing alone; only by walking it yourself can you become deeply immersed in this breathtaking natural wonder and truly feel its charm.

In-depth "light" hiking

We take you deep into the Dolomites' picture-postcard scenery, to measure it out on foot. Compared with the kind of travel where you sleep on the coach and get off to take photos, "light" hiking gives you a more intense experience: slow down and listen to nature with your whole heart.

Off the beaten track, and fun

Besides the famous, iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Seceda and Alpe di Siusi, we also take you to a pass that tourists seldom visit and to Lago Federa, on which very little has been written in Chinese, to explore the beauty of the Dolomites in greater depth.

Two comfortable bases, no constant changing of hotels

Accommodation is in selected star-rated double rooms, at only two fixed bases, sparing you the bother of constantly changing hotels.

The first three nights are spent in Santa Cristina, in the heart of Val Gardena, in a 3-star hotel only 15 minutes' drive from the centre of Ortisei: away from the bustle, yet with magnificent mountain views and an unspoilt natural setting to enjoy in peace.

The last three nights are spent in Cortina d'Ampezzo, the famous Alpine town known as the "Queen of the Dolomites" (La Regina delle Dolomiti). You stay in an elegant local 4-star hotel in "old money" style where, in refined and graceful surroundings, you can take in to the full the noble air of the Dolomites and the quiet beauty of the mountains, giving the trip a perfect balance of style and comfort.

Flexible travel, with private transfers for greater comfort

To make the trip smoother and the experience more pleasant, the UPARIS Dolomites Trek uses a flexible [private transfer + public transport] way of getting around, combined with the "two comfortable bases" accommodation plan, striking a perfect balance between comfort and efficiency.

For mountain sections far from the towns, such as Val di Funes, Lago di Braies and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, we provide transfers by dedicated vehicle, with no changes and no waiting, so that getting from place to place becomes a time to relax as well.

For areas close to the towns, such as Alpe di Siusi and Seceda, our accommodation lies in the heart of Val Gardena, only about 3.5 kilometres (15 minutes by public transport) from Ortisei, so you can conveniently take the local bus or the town shuttle bus, travel easily to and from the start of the walks, and feel the pure rhythm of Alpine life.

A private vehicle for the long distances, blending into local life on the short ones: comfortable travel, with more freedom.

Classic landmarks

📍 Santa Maddalena – if you come to the Dolomites, you must come here.

In the Dolomites there is a place so beautiful that it hardly seems real.

This is Santa Maddalena.

It is tucked away deep in Val di Funes, surrounded by pastures, forests and mountains, so quiet that time seems to have stopped here.

Where the green grass ends, the tiny church of San Giovanni in Ranui stands alone, with its white walls, red eaves and a spire like a pen, its back to the towering Odle peaks. When the sunlight falls and the sea of clouds stirs, it is like a stroke of light laid on the canvas by a god.

Every morning here brings the sound of cowbells, and every evening smoke rises from the chimneys. It is more than a view: it is the soul of the Alps.

📍 Seceda – the most dramatic ridge in the Dolomites, worth holding your breath for.

Among the mountains of the Dolomites there is one that looks like a blade pared by the hand of a god.

This is Seceda.

Its ridge is sharp and aloof: on one side a gentle green slope, on the other a sudden plunge into the deep valley, where silver-grey rock walls hang as vertical as a curtain, a stirring sight.

Sunlight skims the ridge as though drawing a dividing line across the land: gentleness and wildness, stillness and power live here in perfect harmony.

Seceda is not just scenery; it is more like a declaration by nature: beauty can be as extreme as this.

📍 Alpe di Siusi – the softest light and breeze in the Dolomites, the open country that is the soul of Alpine life.

Among the mountains of the Dolomites lies a vast grassland, where sunlight flows over waves of grass and cowbells echo on the wind.

This is Alpe di Siusi.

It is the largest alpine meadow in Europe, where mountains, pastures and cloud shadows weave together into a soft landscape. Every step feels like walking into an Alpine fairy tale.

To the north you look out on the splendour of Val Gardena, to the south-west stands the mighty Schlern, and to the south-east stretches the outline of the Sassolungo. The whole grassland is like a "pasture cake" set between earth and sky: gentle, far-reaching, and yet awe-inspiring.

📍 Lago di Braies – the green jade of the Alps, the gentlest dream of the Dolomites.

Hidden among the mountains of the Dolomites is a green gem: Lago di Braies.

The water is as clear as a mirror, reflecting snowy peaks and cloud shadows; when a light breeze passes, the surface shimmers with a soft light, as if time itself were melting in this stillness.

The small wooden cabin and the church on the shore stand quietly, keeping watch over the gentle passing of the years. You can row a little boat and drift as you please over the sparkling water, or stroll along the shore, listening to the murmur of forest and water.

Here there is no noise, only the purest heartbeat of nature.

📍 Tre Cime di Lavaredo – the landmark that is the soul of the Dolomites, worth measuring out with your feet and your heart.

In the heart of the Dolomites stand three peaks of stone, like sculptures made by nature.

These are the Tre Cime di Lavaredo.

As if hewn by knife and axe, they soar straight into the clouds; between sunrise and sunset the light and shadow shift and the colours flow, as though the mountains themselves were breathing.

For hikers, to come to the Dolomites without seeing the Tre Cime is not really to have been here at all.

Most people stop at the front and photograph that familiar corner of the postcard. Our steps take you further: through rock caves left from the First World War, to a hidden blue lake where, on the still water, you watch the reflection of the Tre Cime shimmer like a dream.

📍 Cadini di Misurina – a magical wonderland on earth, the most breathtaking spot in the Dolomites.

In the heart of the Dolomites there is a group of mountains that seems to come from another world.

These are the Cadini di Misurina.

The peaks are like blades, sharp and severe, and the gorges are so deep that they seem to lead straight to the centre of the earth. Sunlight and shadow interweave on the rock walls, until you can no longer tell whether this is reality or a magical dream.

Standing on the ridge, you have a bottomless abyss at your feet and endless spires before your eyes. The wind surges up from the valley, carrying the echo of time.

This is not merely scenery: it shakes the soul.

📍 Cortina d'Ampezzo – the Queen of the Dolomites, a mountain legend with the glory of two Olympic Games.

Among the mountains of the Dolomites there is a small town that radiates light and elegance.

Her name is Cortina d'Ampezzo, and people call her the "Queen of the Dolomites (La Regina delle Dolomiti)".

In 1956 she dazzled the world in the name of the Winter Olympics; in 2026 she once again welcomed the flame of glory.

This is the heart of the Italian Alps, and a mountain stage where legend and nobility stand side by side.

In summer Cortina is lush and green, its lakes like mirrors, a paradise for hikers and adventurers. In winter she dons her silver mantle and turns into a skiing mecca, sparkling with poise and romance between the gleam of the snow and the sunshine.

Here nature and elegance intertwine, and adventure and art live side by side.

📍 Passo Giau – the widest skyline in the Dolomites, where every gaze is an epic.

Among the peaks of the Dolomites there is a piece of high ground that takes your breath away: Passo Giau.

This was once the border between the Republic of Venice and Habsburg Austria, and the echoes of history still ring in the mountain wind. The French director Jean-Jacques Annaud shot his film The Bear (1988) here, and its primal, wild landscapes remain unforgettable to this day.

Standing on the pass, you have open sky and land all around and a ring of peaks. In the distance Monte Pelmo, the Nuvolau, the Marmolada, the Averau, the Tofane, Monte Cristallo and the Sorapiss take the stage in turn between sunshine and cloud shadow.

This is a holy place for photographers and, even more, the grandest scene in a traveller's heart.

📍 Lago Federa – a little-known hidden corner of the Dolomites: one lake, one peak, one moment of eternity.

Deep in the Dolomites lies a hidden, tranquil lake.

Its name is Lago Federa.

The surface of the lake is as clear as a mirror, reflecting the shadows of the clouds and the colours of the mountains. And the iconic Becco di Mezzodì points straight at the sky like a sharp arrow. Its name, "the peak of midday", seems to destine it to shine with its purest light at the hour when the sun is at its fiercest.

Here there is no noise, only the whisper of the wind and the breathing of the lake. When the first ray of morning light falls on the water, the whole world turns soft and peaceful.