Though the Dolomites are best known for their postcard-perfect winter landscapes complete with snow-covered peaks and alpine chalets, this mountainous region is equally stunning — and far less crowded — in summer. To explore it, I recently joined the six-day Dolomites Hiking & Walking Tour from outdoors-focused operator Trek Travel.
The operator began as part of Trek Bicycle but now operates independently, first leading cycling tours in 2002. In 2024, Trek Travel launched hiking and walking tours, and I joined one of the first Dolomites departures this past August. The trip weaves together the region’s best trails, most sumptuous cuisine and a depth of local insight and experiences that goes well beyond hiking.
Group sizes average about 12 clients, with a maximum of 16, and everyone travels together in a large van. If there are more than eight guests, a second guide is added to ensure there's sufficient support and attention during hikes. (There are always two guides on cycling tours, regardless of the number of guests.) My group had 10 participants, but the other Dolomites departure that month had just five.
Inside the Itinerary
On the first day of our trip, the group met at the train station in Bolzano, a small, enchanting town in northern Italy, where we were quickly ferried off for our first hike. Spring-fed streams trickled alongside wildflower-studded alpine trails as we hiked beneath the spiny limestone peaks just an hour away from Bolzano. Thankfully, the first day’s hike was relatively short and started at a lower elevation, which was a nice introduction to the trip. Over the next few days, we would explore higher peaks and longer distances while breathing in fresh mountain air.
Each day brought a trio of hiking options, curated for different energy and fitness levels. This flexibility meant everyone could tailor the day to their needs, whether they wanted to push toward a panoramic summit or take the scenic route with a gondola assist. Either way, we would meet for lunch at the mountain-top refugio (shelter) for a hearty lunch of handmade pasta or mushroom-topped polenta. Personally, I was partial to the canederli (bread dumplings), which are only found in this northern Italian region, where there is a strong Austrian-German influence.
This tour is great for those craving a journey that blends world-class hiking with authentic Italian hospitality.
Credit: 2025 Trek TravelWhat truly elevated the experience, though, were our guides. Unlike companies that rely on rotating freelancers, Trek Travel draws from a deep bench of dedicated full-time Italian guides, who lead dozens of hiking and biking tours around their home country each year. These seasoned professionals know the terrain because it’s their own backyard, and they bring a familial warmth.
As wonderful as the trekking was, this trip wasn’t just about hiking through epic landscapes — it was about immersion. We learned how mountain communities have evolved over centuries; savored regional wines, cheeses and pastas; and connected with a landscape where nature, culture and cuisine exist in elegant balance. For those craving a journey that blends world-class hiking with authentic Italian hospitality, Trek Travel’s Dolomites adventure offers a breathtaking escape. (The operator also offers a Dolomites road bike tour and Dolomites gravel bike tour.)
After long days on the trail, we unwound in serene spa sanctuaries, soaked in outdoor pools with mountain views and dined on delicate speck (cured ham) and hand-rolled pasta. During our stay at Tyrol Hotel, we indulged in an evening of meticulously prepared small plates, exquisite wine pairings and culinary storytelling at the on-site Michelin-starred Suinsom.
The itinerary was thoughtfully split between two distinct sections of the Dolomites, offering a contrast in scenery from sun-dappled pastures to jagged cliffs draped in morning mist. Many of the hikes took place in the picturesque Alta Badia region, where many villages are within walking distance of restaurants, shops and numerous gondolas — a perfect spot to extend a stay. Most hotels also offer free bus passes to guests, making it easy, fast and free to reach gondolas (and peaks) further away.
The itinerary was efficient and well-designed, taking us across various landscapes and to small local museums and historic sites along the way. That said, because of Trek Travel’s strong emphasis on the outdoors (and the relatively short duration of the trip), there is less focus on history than I’ve seen on similar hiking tours, which often average 10-12 days.
Each day offers two to three route options.
Credit: 2025 Trek TravelWhen to Go and What to Know
The trip begins in Bolzano, which can be reached by a three- to five-hour train ride from Milan or Venice, both of which receive many international flights from the U.S. Several people on my tour opted to fly in to Innsbruck or Zurich and make their way to Bolzano after traveling through Austria or Switzerland. Trek Travel suggests clients arrive at least one day in advance to begin adjusting to the altitude and getting over jet lag.
Because the Dolomites are at such a high elevation, winters are long and intense. There still may be snow in June, and many hotels, restaurants and gondolas shut down by late September so staff can rest and prepare for the busy ski season. As a result, Trek Travel only leads trips to the region in July and August so guests have the best chance of good weather.
I’ve been on a half-dozen group hiking tours in the past few years, and what stood out to me about this trip was that each day offered two to three route options, allowing us to tailor the experience to our energy levels and interests. Some chose the challenge of hiking steep ascents, while others opted for a gentler path, often made easier with a well-timed gondola ride. By splitting into smaller groups with different guides, we each got the hike we wanted without sacrificing the group camaraderie.
Clients should know this is a moderately intense trip, and only one day is extremely challenging (for fairly fit travelers, that is). Though most hikes can be made easier by taking gondolas up and down the mountain, a couple routes simply cannot avoid the inherent steepness of the mountains. Most guests in my group were in their 60s and 70s, and the majority hiked every day. However, guests are also welcome to skip hikes.
Trek Travel’s hiking tours typically run Sunday through Friday, making it refreshingly easy to plan around a standard 9-to-5 work schedule. With just one week off, travelers can still enjoy a full adventure and, like nearly everyone on my trip, extend their getaway by tacking on one or both weekends for a more leisurely, well-rounded escape.
