Because of all of the uncertainty around COVID, we actually didn’t pay much attention to the trip itinerary, focusing instead on making sure we had all our paperwork in order. Our Grand Canyon trip was a “Level 3” difficulty and was very doable after following Wildland’s training guide, so we followed a similar routine to train for this leveled up tour. 

After a missed connection in Frankfurt and over 7 hours spent on the train into Geneva—we opted to take the train rather than wait for a new connecting flight that wouldn’t take place until the next day…looking back, we should have just stayed at the airport—we made it to Les Houches, crossing the Switzerland/France border by taxi.  

I was expecting charming mountain towns with shutters on the windows and big views of the mountains from every vantage point. And frankly, the trip did not disappoint. It took our group a half hour to walk a few blocks on the first day because there were so many photo ops to be had.

There are luggage transfers throughout the trip, which means most nights we were packing up our bags and bringing them to a drop zone at our hotel, or when available, directly to the vans. What I didn’t realize about the itinerary though, is that most often we were hiking directly to the next village or town, and our luggage would meet us at our chalet for the evening. 

It was empowering to walk from village to village, being able to cover that kind of distance in a single day.

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I was just two days into a trek of the Alta Via 1 – a historic point-to-point trail through the heart of the Italian Dolomites. My brother and I were hiking as an ode to reconnect with our Italian heritage, as well as wanting to experience an international hiking trip with an extensive network of rifugios (mountain huts) and the conveniences they brought. 

With light packs carrying just the essentials, we were able to traverse the 120km route through the mountains in 6 days. We felt nimble and free with light packs, able to travel more freely from rifugio to rifugio without the burden of backpacking gear to hinder us. 

During that time, we fell into a wonderful rhythm that permeates the Dolomites. We would wake up in the mountains to a steaming hot cappuccino – bones and joints aching slightly but loosening after the first steps on the trail. A few hours of hiking, following a meandering trail through vast green valleys that felt like we were in the Sound of Music brought us to the next rifugio for lunch – a time to rest our legs and bask in the midday sun. 

The afternoons were usually punctuated by gradual climbs into the alpine, through passes in the mountain that looked intimidating from afar. Passage through narrow rock canyons offered panoramic views of the valley we had been a few hours previously. A plume of smoke in the distance indicated the next small rifugio and we’d soon find ourselves in a warm dining room sharing conversations with other hikers from around the world who came to experience the majesty of the Dolomites.

WHY HIKE IN THE DOLOMITES:

Located in Northeastern Italy, the Dolomites are one of the most spectacular mountain ranges in the world with scenery unlike anywhere else. The stunning limestone cliffs are geologically unique, with dramatic towers stretching thousands of feet above lush, alpine valleys. 

Across the landscape, towns nestle in the green valleys, and at higher elevations, rifugios offer warm and convenient refuge for hikers and travelers. With a rich history of Tyrolean mountain culture, breathtaking scenery, and regional cuisine, the Dolomites make for an unforgettable hiking or traveling experience.

7 Day Tour in the Dolomites 

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The Tour du Mont Blanc is a popular hiking trail in Europe that stretches 170 kilometers (106 miles), through France, Italy, and Switzerland. The Mont Blanc Trail traverses through one of the most impressive and beautiful ranges in the world, and it’s a relatively accessible trail for anyone in good shape. The hike is also a dream for foodies, as it allows you to explore new foods in different villages and hamlets throughout three countries. Hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc is a bucket list item for many backpackers, and for good reason.

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