Hiking Alta Via N.4 of the Dolomites – For Experts Only

Arrive in Cortina d’Ampezzo (1,224m / 4,016') on your own and check into your hotel (private transfer available on request). Cortina d’Ampezzo is a charming alpine resort town surrounded by stunning peaks. Host to the 1956 Winter Olympics, Cortina enjoys a reputation for great skiing in winter, and in the summer attracts hikers and climbers who challenge the rocky faces of the nearby mountains. This chic Venetian town also caters to the high society crowd, offering many year-round social activities, shopping, and fine dining.

If you are taking a self guided trip, you will meet with a Dolomite Mountains representative In the afternoon. He or she will provide a trip briefing and orientation, as well as maps, and everything necessary for your self guided adventure.
If you are taking a guided trip, you will meet with your guide tomorrow morning. 

In the morning, a private transfer will take you to the town of San Candido and the start of your Alta Via 4 route. Hike to the Rifugio Tre Scarperi / Dreischuster Hütte (1,617m / 5,305'), situated in the quiet Campo di Dentro Valley. From here you’ll have a beautiful view overlooking the Val Pusteria from where you just hiked! Continue hiking up to Monte Mattina, in the valley of the Rio di San Candido (the San Candido River), and continue toward Alpe delle Fosse and Passo dell'Alpe Mattina (2,446m / 8,025'). Arrive at your rifugio for the night (2,405m / 7,890'). From the rifugio you will have an incredible view of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, literally “the three peaks of Lavaredo” (also called the Drei Zinnen in German, meaninhg “three merlons”). You’ll also have incredible vistas of other peaks in every direction – Tre Scarperi, Monte Paterno, Croda dei Toni, Marmarole, Cadini di Misurina, Antelao, Monte Cristallo, Monte Piana, and Croda Rossa d'Ampezzo.
(~6-7 hours hiking, 15,7km / 9,7 miles, 1,303m / 4,275' ascent, 58m / 190' descent. Option to add a via ferrata.)

The first part of your hike today follows an old wartime mule track, which circles around to the west of the magnificent Tre Cime via the Col di Mezzo (2,324m / 7,625'), and on to Rifugio Auronzo on the southern slope. From here, your final approach to Rifugio Fonda Savio (2,367m / 7,766') takes you through cables, ladders, rungs, and ledges, and continues in a similar vein to Forcella del Diavolo (2,598m / 8,524') and across the “Ciadin de la Neve” snowfield.  This final stretch of your hike is extremely interesting: maintaining altitude, the Alta Via 4 follows the Sentiero Bonacossa, an equipped WWI route along the central ridge of the Cadini, which leads you on a path through elegant rock needles. While not an actual via ferrata that you clip in to, a path offers a cable, referred to as a “sentiero di attrezzato,” for you to use as a handrail for your protection. After this full day, arrive at a cozy mountain rifugio (2,110m / 6,922'), your home for tonight.
(~6 hours hiking, 8 km / 4.9 miles, 1,000m /3,281' ascent, 1,200m / 3,937' descent.)

From last night's rifugio, hike past Forcella Maràia (2,101m /6,893'). Enjoy the landscape of Col de Varda and Misurina as you hike, arriving at the town of Misurina in about two hours. Be sure to admire the beautiful Lago di Misurina (Lake Misurina) reflecting the majestic peaks!  Hike along the road to “Bivio Dogana Vecchia,” where you can visit the old customs building. Reach your rifugio for the night (1,928m / 6,325'). A few minutes from the rifugio, just a short hike up a hill, there is also a wonderful turquoise lake to explore.
(~5-6 hours hiking, 14,2km / 8,8 miles, 849m / 2,785' ascent, 1,020m / 3,346' descent.)

Curving high over Val d’Ansei, the full-blooded Via Ferrata Vandelli (a moderate to diffucult via ferrata) is fitted with ladders, rungs, and cables for an exciting climb to 2,370 meters (7,775'), up over Col del Fuoco via chimneys, ledges, and sheer rock faces.  Shrubby vegetation and grass reappear after your climb in Busa del Banco, then it’s a drop via steep flanks to Bivacco Comici (2,050m / 6,726'). This stage, through the Vandelli and Minazio Parks, allows you to cross from the Sorapiss Valley to the San Vito Valley. Tackle Sentiero Minanzio for more aided exposed passages and challenges, as you head toward the magnificent Forcella Grande (2,255m / 7,398') under the amazing Torre Sabbioni, and down to your rifugio for the night (1,823m / 5,981').
(~7-8 hours hiking, 9,3km / 5,7 miles, 1,200m / 3,937' ascent, 1,300m / 4,265' descent.)

From this point on, the Alta Via n.4 joins the Alta Via n.5. Over eroding terrain, a clear path cuts across to Forcella Piccola (2,120m / 6,955') to the converted barracks of Rifugio Galassi. In the shadow of the giant pyramidal Antelao (3,264m / 10,709'), the second highest peak in the Dolomites, Alta Via 4/5 proceeds over tiring moraine, and up a rock face to Forcella del Ghiacciaio (2,584m / 8,478'). Through a steep, tricky chimney you will descend to grass and a light woods in Val Antelao. Once you climb Forcella Piria (2,096m / 6,977'), it is easy going past the Croda di San Pietro, and finally on to a comfortable rifugio (1,796m / 5,892') where you will spend tonight.
(~8-9 hours hiking, 12 km / 7.4 miles, 1,350m / 4,429' ascent, 1,370m / 4,495' descent.)

Today a jeep track leads you over Forcella Antracisa (1,693m / 5,554'), and follow the gently descending path to Pozzale. En route, you can enjoy the wonderful view of the Centro Cadore to the south. From Pozzale, a private transfer will take you to your hotel in Cortina d'Ampezzo.
(~3-4 hours hiking 6,3km / 3,9 miles, 80m / 262' ascent, 990m / 3,248' descent.)

Enjoy one last hearty mountain breakfast and prepare for departure, leaving with incredible memories to last a lifetime (private transfer available on request).