Day 1: Arrive Starting Point: Plätzwiese
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). Settle into your accommodation, step outside and breathe in the fresh, crisp air and enjoy the extraordinarily beautiful surroundings of the Plateau.
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
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!
Walk: 9km | 350m Ascent/Descent | 3 Hours
Walk: 5km | 225m Ascent/Descent | 2 Hours
Overnight: Rifugio Breggasthof Plätzwiese
DAY 3:Walk from Plätzwiese to Sennes
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.
Walk: 17.9km | 900m Ascent/Descent | 6Hours
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.
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.
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 della Pace (“shelter of peace”), in an area that saw some of the heaviest fighting in the region during the First World War.
Walk: 16.7km | 900m 700m| Ascent/Descent/ 3 Hours
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".
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.
Grade &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. You will have a private room in the mountain huts which can have either private or shared bathroom facilities.
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
Your bags will be transferred between your accommodation as per your itinerary.
Equipment
Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes and a day pack.
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, Ryanair, British Airways & Thompson.
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 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.
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. Alternatively we can arrange a private transfer to take you to Brunico rail station.
For bus/Train times, prices and booking visit:
www.sii.bz.it/en,
www.trenitalia.it.
We are often asked the following questions and I hope that you will find the answers useful. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any further queries.
How fit do I need to be?
The walking is graded moderate to strenuous so you should enjoy a good level of walking fitness. The paths are rough and exposed in places so a head for height is an advantage.
Which is the best airport to fly to?
Innsbruck or Verona, which are served by low cost, charter and scheduled airlines.
How far in advance do I need to book?
We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalised as this holiday is extremely popular. You will find up to date availability on our website and we will always try and accommodate your plans.
What personal equipment do I need?
You will need good walking shoes/boots, comfortable walking clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers, a daypack, warm clothing in the late part of the year and hats etc during the summer. We supply a detailed packing list with your information pack.
When is the best time of year?
The best months for walking are June, July, August and September.
