Hiking Dolomites

Hi Michele, First, Bolzano is not really "in" the Dolomites. It's on the outskirts, but is a good "jumping off" point to get into the Dolomites if traveling by public transportation. You would train to Bolzano and catch a bus into the Dolomites. Better yet, train to Klausen/Chiusa, catch a bus and spend 3 days in the Val Gardena (which is 20 minutes away). With a car, head straight to either the Val Gardena or Alta Badia for your 3 days. Using public trans., I'd stick with the Val Gardena though. We're not hikers, but I can't imagine needing to pay for an itinerary. Have you read the Rick Steves book (section of his Italy book) on the Dolomites? It's very limited and includes only the Seiser Alm/Alpe di Siusi, but has plenty of info if that interests you. I think you could plan your days using these 2 sites: www.val-gardena.com www.altabadia.it For the Val Gardena area, this link of a trip taken in 2009 by the "go_family" is excellent for info on hikes, walks, lifts, etc, in the Val Gardena: www.fodors.com/community/europe/live-trip-report-from-the-dolomites-and-beyond-by-mrgo-msgo-daughter.cfm Paul

A really nice 3-day, 2-night trek starts and ends up on Alpe di Siusi. One night is at Rifugio Bolzano: http://www.schlernhaus.it/ I'll have to look up the rifugio for the second night---I'll do that and post separately. You can also hike to Rifugio Bolzano as as a day hike (as I did), or do a one night stay there and return to your start (at Compatsch.). Another nice trek is the circumnavigation (or circumambulation?) of Sassolongo and Sassl Piatta at the other end of the Alpe. There are a couple of rifugios along the way; I'll have to dig out my books to find the names. You can do all of this on your own but you may want to make a reseration at Rifugio Bolzano as it is very popular (and justly so.)

Here is the other rifugio on that routte: http://www.tierseralpl.com/ It is only a 2-hour walk from Rifugio Bolzano, so it donesn't make much sense to stop there for the night unless you want to use it as a base for a side trip. but you can use it as a lunch stop onyour way back to alpe di siusi by a different path, making a 2-day loop hike.

Great.... would you happen to know approximately the cost of the Refugio Bolzano?

Thanks for all your help! I'll research that.

I am afraid I do not, and I see it is not on the website. I'll bet they would answer an email inquiry. It is a CAI (Italian Alpine Club) hut, so prices should be consistent with other CAI huts. These run, for non-members, 40 to 50 euro per person, including dinner and breakfast; bed only is around 22 to 24 euro (but I'd pay extra and enjoy their meals as the food is good and that is part of the fun of staying in a rifugio.) CAI members pay about half that, so it's worth joining for people who are spending lots of nights in rifugios. Probably not for just a night or two.

I know this is LATE to be responding to this post, but because I used it when I was trying to also find a 3 day route, I thought I should post for anyone else who is doing the same. Here is a link to my blog where I talk about the route we took (more of a story than a true trip report) but if anyone wants more detailed info they can leave a comment on my blog and I will get back to them.
http://kellbell-whywouldanyonereadthis.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-dolomites-part-one-hike-to-rifugio.html