Hut-to-Hut Trekking in the Dolomites

This trek requires a good level of fitness and is ideal for steady-footed, keen hikers. There is a mix of moderate hikes and more challenging trails with considerable elevation gain and loss each day, so previous hiking experience and good stamina is recommended. There may be the occasional ascent and descent on rough terrain and scree, but no technical or exposed sections, and the stunning views will be more than enough reward for your effort. You should be confident walking for up to 6-7 hours a day carrying your 35-50L pack between the refuges for three days – packing light is recommended! If this is your first experience trekking hut to hut, we recommend putting in some training with a weighted backpack beforehand (please see the FAQ regarding luggage, too). Similarly, if you are not used to multi-day treks then putting in some long weekend hiking trips and physical preparation in advance wouldn't go amiss.

Marta Marinelli, raised in Italy’s serene Prosecco Hills, dreamt of global adventures, inspired by her father's travel stories. Her passion evolved into a career, backed by a decade of studies including degrees in international tourism and destination management. She’s worked in the adventure travel sector since 2012, living in Italy, the UK, and now sunny Portugal.

Over twenty years, Marta has explored over 55 countries, visiting remote areas like Ghana, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Haiti and Nepal’s Upper Mustang region. As a Senior Adventure Expansion Manager at Much Better Adventures, she focuses on creating life-changing experiences, ranging from multi-activity adventures, challenging treks to ultimate adventures in iconic places. She loves the challenge of finding the best local adventure hosts around the world, collaborating on adventures that offer genuine immersion, pushing beyond the beaten path and working on exclusive itineraries that challenge your comfort zone.

What makes her tick? Enabling people to live adventure-rich lives while positively impacting and empowering local communities around the world, generating sustainable opportunities for both the host, guides, community, and the environment.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Whilst staying up in the mountain huts on days 2-5 it is not always possible to pay for items by card, so it is recommended to have cash with you. Lunches are not included, but you can buy your own as you'll stop each day at great mountain huts serving a choice of sandwiches or hot meals. You should budget around €30 per day to cover your lunches, snacks, drinks and showers. In total your host recommends having €200 with you in cash for this trip.

Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip for good service. Your guide will help with advice, however we suggest the below as a guideline per person:

30-40 Eur per person per trip

Of course, you are free to tip more or less, and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality - a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

The Dolomite Mountains offer some of the best weather in all of the Alps. The summer months (mid-July to September) have warm temperatures and plenty of sun. However, it is also not unheard of for snow to fall on higher ground during the summer, and patches of snow may still be present into July. While the average maximum temperature may reach 30°C (86 °F) on the valley floor, it may feel cooler in the wind or in the shade. July and August are the hottest months and carry the greatest risk of thunderstorms, which can be torrential and usually occur in the afternoon. Being well-prepared and equipped for all these eventualities is essential.

The local tap water is safe to drink. Please bring along your own reusable water bottles (at least 2L) to fill up at the mountain huts to avoid buying single-use plastic bottles.

We recommend checking out the country specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

Yes, but as a reminder first, in terms of bags your host recommends all you need is: a hiking backpack approx. 35-40L to carry your essential items for 3 days at a time, plus one main piece of luggage, max. weight 15 kgs. There is a 15kg weight limit, one bag per person, for your main luggage as your host has to arrange for the luggage to be transferred during the middle of the trip to Agordo.

On Day 1, on arrival at Hotel Orso Grigio, your host will need to collect your main bag so it can be stored until Day 4 (at their office, which is a 1hr drive away). It is best if you arrive on this trip with your hiking backpack already packed ready for the hiking to start on Day 2. Your host will wait at the hotel for 30mins or so whilst everyone gets checked in and sorts out their last bit of packing, before collecting the main bags to be stored until Day 4. There is a shop in Pescul open till 7:30pm should you need any last minute supplies.

On Day 4 your host will bring your main luggage to Agordo, where they'll meet the group around 11am, giving you an opportunity to swap out dirty clothes for clean ones. The location where the van will park in Agordo is open air, and there is the possibility it could be raining, so having your luggage organised so you can swap over kit quickly is a good idea. There is a restaurant nearby for an early lunch, with a planned stop time of one hour in Agordo, before transferring 40mins or so up to Malga Ciapela to start the second part of your hike.

If you're travelling with extra baggage - other than your backpack and one main bag 15kgs, perhaps you're in the middle of a bigger trip for example, then any excess luggage can be stored with your host free of charge on Day 1, and you'll then have access to it again at the end of your trip on Day 6. Please note, this Excess Luggage service is included in the trip cost only if you join the group arrival transfer in Venice, as that will be the opportunity to hand it over to the host for storage, otherwise a local supplement of €80EUR will apply for individual excess luggage transfers.

You'll be accompanied by a local expert qualified mountain guide, leading a group of 8 trekkers maximum. Please note that you will only meet your guide on Day 2 of the trip. However your host will provide you with all the details and info you need to meet your group for dinner at the hotel on Day 1. A Whatsapp group will also be created ahead of departure to facilitate communication.

If poor weather comes in (such as storms, heavy rain and poor visibility), depending on the stage of the trek your host will consider the conditions and plot an alternative route which may involve sitting out any extreme weather in one of the huts. This is an unlikely event in the summer months, but your hosts are experienced mountain guides with a lot of successful treks in this part of the world under their belt, so you are in the best of hands.

Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.

Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing.

Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness.

We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last-minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

Interested in a more exclusive experience? Opt for a 'Private Group' through the dates and prices tab to book this adventure for just you and your chosen companions.

Our team of Adventure Hunters create exclusive adventures with highly vetted, specialist hosts. We only work with independent, local in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with.