Alta Badia Hiking & Via Ferrata Tour

Arrive in Alta Badia (1,226m / 4,022') on your own and check into your hotel (private transfer available on request).
Alta Badia is a sunny hollow on the south side of the Val Badia in the Alto Adige region. Incredible hiking, skiing, and vistas abound – particularly of the Sella Massif. Home to three cultures – Italian, Austrian, and the native Ladin, most signage in Alta Badia is written in three languages – Italian, German, and Ladin! Depending on when you arrive, you may have time for a hike or to explore one of the six villages of Alta Badia.

In the morning, depart from Corvara hiking toward Cascate del Pisciadù (the Pisciadù Waterfalls). Ascend through the Val di Mesdì, and continue hiking under the Dent de Mezdì (2,881m / 9,452'), through the Val de Boslt to a rifugio located on the northern terraces of the Sella Group (2,585m / 8,481'), your home for tonight. The rifugio is situated in a wonderful position with fantastic panoramic views into the Pisciadù Valley that will literally take your breath away. There is also a small but fabulous turquoise alpine lake next to the rifugio – perfect for relaxing or exploring.
(~4-5 hours hiking, 7km / 4.3 miles, 1,155m / 3,789' ascent, 127m / 417' descent.)

Option to climb Via Ferrata Tridentina: this is a stunning route that initially ascends slabs and walls which overlook some huge waterfalls, and has a dramatic final suspension bridge that leads across a chasm.
(~5-6 hours hiking and ascending a moderate 400m / 1,312' via ferrata. Total 750m / 2,461' ascent).

Start your day with a steep ascent. Shortly after you get your first dramatic glimpses plunging down the Val di Mesdì, which you climbed up yesterday. Climb up to the highly panoramic Antersass (2,900m / 9,514'). A gentle descent leads to another steep ascent across scree that brings you to the top of Piz Boé (3,152m / 10,341') – the highest peak of the Sella Massif. You will be amply rewarded for the long hike: enjoy lunch at a small rifugio and admire an incredible 360-degree view of the mountains surrounding you.

When you’re full and rested, begin your descent on a steep and rocky trail down the other side of the mountain to your rifugio for tonight. Situated atop of a natural rock balcony, the views you can enjoy from here are incomparable!
(~6-7 hours hiking, 8km / 5.5 miles, 650m / 2,099' ascent, 700m / 2,296' descent.)

Descend to a nearby alpine lake and continue on a gravel path to the main road at the bottom, from where you begin to hike uphill through pastures on the Pralongiá Plateau (2,572m / 8,438'). Enjoy lunch at a rifugio, and then continue through the meadows to the Setsass mountain group (2,575m / 8,448'). Reach the Lagazuoi cable car, which will bring you to your rifugio for tonight.
(~7-8 hours hiking, 19km / 11.4 miles, 1003m / 3,290' ascent, 1,452m / 4,764’ descent.)

Tonight you’ll enjoy staying at one of the highest rifugio in the Dolomites. Set atop Mount Lagazuoi (2,778m / 9,114'), a veritable castle of rock with spires and turrets, it holds the secrets of WWI in hidden military forts deep within.

Grab your torch (headlamp) and begin the day with a quick tour through the WWI caves on Piccolo Lagazuoi! Once you have sufficiently explored, continue hiking down the Alpe di Lagazuoi to a beautiful lake. From here you will begin a steep ascent and descend on the other side to Val di Fanes, kingdom of the marmots. Descend to a restaurant built just at the edge of the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Natural Park and transfer back to Corvara.
(~5-6 hours hiking, 9km / 6 miles, 304m / 997' ascent, 1,356m / 4,449' descent.)

Option to climb Via Ferrata Tomaselli:
Although Via Ferrata Tomaselli is not excessively long, it is reputed to be one of the hardest and most beautiful in the Dolomites. It takes an exposed but almost entirely equipped line up the southwest face of the Punta Fanes Sud, the first tower on the Cresta di Fanes. From the rifugio, you will hike about 1.5 hours to the start of this very difficult via ferrata.
(~6-7 hours hiking, ascending and descending a challenging 300m / 984' via ferrata).

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