Hike the Ring of the Friulian Dolomites

Arrive in Pieve di Cadore (878m / 2,881') at your leisure, and check into your hotel (airport transfer available on request). Approaching from the south, Pieve di Cadore provides a natural gateway to the heart of the Belluno Dolomites. Just an hour and a half away from Venice and about 45 minutes southwest of Cortina d'Ampezzo, it is a place where culture, art, and nature seamlessly blend. Settle into your hotel, and depending on when you arrive, explore the town and its remarkable museums, or take a short hike to stretch your travel legs.

After breakfast, you'll meet your UIAGM/IFMGA professional mountain guide for a trip briefing and orientation and take a private transfer to the start of your hike.
You'll hike uphill on an easy trail through picturesque meadows, surrounded by a collection of spires known as the Spalti di Toro. As you continue to climb, you depart the forest, and Forcella Scodavacca (2,042m / 7,000') will emerge in front of you. This pass is like a gate of stones welcoming you into the valley beyond. But be sure to take a look back towards the south, and admire two incredible massifs: Pelmo (3,168m / 10,394') and Antelao (3,264m / 10,709'), the second-largest peak in the Dolomites.
From the pass, the descent is relentlessly steep and with challenging footing over rough scree. As you reach the base of the trail, you'll enter a lovely woodland setting. Continue to your rifugio for tonight.
(~4.5 hours hiking, 6 km / 2,1 miles, 818m / 2,683' ascent, 687m / 2,254' descent.)

Today's itinerary will lead you over three high saddles (Urtisiel, Brica, and dell'Inferno) among various stunning alpine landscapes. From rock spires to plunging valleys, vast scree slopes, and awesome crests, this landscape is rugged, challenging, and exhilarating! The spectacular middle section of the trail takes its name from the local dialect "troi dai sclops," which means "path of gentians." The views are fantastic throughout the hike, but the fairy alpine meadow Canpuros, an enchanted place where hundreds of different flowers species blossom, is the highlight of today's hike.
(~6-7 hours hiking, 8,6 km / 5,1 miles, 1,182m / 3,877' ascent, 1,019m / 3,342' descent.)

Option: Via Ferrata Cassiopea al Torrione Comici
Add an extra night at Rifugio Flaiban-Pacherini, and climb a via ferrata with your guide.

Today's trail slowly arcs around the east and south sides of Monte Pramaggiore (2,478m / 8,130'). Monte Pramaggiore, together with Croda Pramaggiore, form an elongated rocky fortress dividing two valleys – the Val Settimana and the Val Cimoliana. As you hike, you'll watch the mountain change right before your eyes, presenting different angles and elevations, emphasized by the changing light of the day. You'll descend to the entrance of the Val dell'Inferno – Valley of Hell – truly an idyllic place, despite its name! You'll continue your descent to reach the final rifugio of your trip!
(~4 hours hiking, 7,7 km / 4,6 miles, 553m / 1,813' ascent, 900m / 2,952' descent.)

Today is arguably the most challenging day of the trip, offering exciting hiking with incredible ups and downs along with scenery that won't disappoint! Begin by taking the uphill path towards Forcella Montanaia (2,334m / 7,655'), the highest pass you'll cross on your trip. This lonely tower – a popular climbing destination – rises from the scree of the Val Montanaia amphitheater, towering some 300 meters (940') from its base.
While the hike up is hard, it is not technically difficult. The descent, however, is more challenging, as you're hiking on scree all the way down. Watch your footing and take your time! Continue to Rifugio Padova for your return transfer to your hotel.
(~5-6 hours hiking, 6,3 km / 3,8 miles, 1,039m / 3,408' ascent, 1,007m / 3,302' descent.)

Breakfast and departure on your own (private transfer available on request).