Dolomites Self-Guided Hiking Tours: Trusted & Hassle-Free

Booking a self-guided hiking trip in the Dolomites is the best option for active travelers who value hassle-free trip planning, route customization, efficiency, and extra support. 

Some hiking routes like the Alta Via 1 are increasingly difficult to book independently, and thus booking a self-guided hiking trip is the only viable and headache-free way to secure consecutive overnight stays in mountain huts. 

Other hiking trips are proprietary routes designed by self-guided hiking companies, which cannot be replicated without their expert guidance and GPX tracks. 

Here are the best self-guided Dolomites trips for hikers in search of (1) a walking holiday with luggage transfer and mostly hotel stays (private rooms), (2) trekkers who want to embark on a classic hut-to-hut hike in the Dolomites, and/or (3) experienced alpinists who want to tackle legendary via ferrata routes.

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Best of the Dolomites Trek

The Best of the Dolomites Trek is an expertly-designed hut-to-hut hiking route which crosses the Dolomites from west to east, starting at Seceda above Val Gardena and ending in Valle di Landro, near Upper Puster Valley.

Initially, the route leads through Puez-Odle Nature Park to Alta Badia. From Passo Falzergo, it crosses the Ampezzo Dolomites to Cortina d’Ampezzo. It continues across the Sorapiss Group and then traverses the Sexten Dolomites, wrapping around Tre Cime di Lavaredo along the way. 

Because this is a custom route designed by Alpenventures UNGUIDED, hikers can successfully book this trek up in the winter (and sometimes in spring).

Alpenventures UNGUIDED is run by a passionate team of hikers and alpinists, based in Germany and Austria, who are adept at customizing routes thanks to their expert on-the-ground knowledge. 

Hikers who have completed both Alta Via 1 and the Best of the Dolomites Trek tend to prefer the latter. So if your heart was set on trekking the AV1, but you missed the booking window, don’t be dismayed. This is a fantastic alternative. 

Trip Duration | 4 – 12 Days. You can book the fast-paced 7-Day Best of the Dolomites Trek, moderately-paced 9-Day Best of the Dolomites Trek, or the relaxed-paced 12-Day Best of the Dolomites Trek. If you have less time, you can also tackle the 5-day west route or the 4-day east route.

Accommodation | Mostly mountain huts. Since the route passes through two mountain towns, hikers can request hotel stays for those particular stages.  

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Dolomites: From South Tyrol to Cortina

The next self-guided Dolomites hiking trip I want to introduce you to is this Dolomites South Tyrol to Cortina d’Ampezzo trip designed by On Foot Holidays (see coupon code below), one of the most ethical and trustworthy hiking operators in Europe. 

Their trip is best for hikers seeking private accommodation and comfort. With the exception of one night in a Rifugio, hikers overnight in guesthouses and hotels. 

Their highly satisfying Dolomites trip commences in the village of San Candido in Upper Puster Valley and ends in Cortina d’Ampezzo. After exploring the immediate surrounding of San Candido, the route leads south through Val Campo di Dentro into the heart of the Sexten Dolomites (which also happens to be our favorite ascent route to Tre Cime di Lavaredo). The self-guided route continues through Cadini di Misurina and around the Cristallo Group to Cortina d’Ampezzo. 

I highly recommend booking with On Foot Holidays if you relish unique off-the-beaten-path  trips, value deep regional expertise, need luggage transfers (except on the rifugio night), and want an outstanding offline navigation app to guide you. 

Trip Duration | 5 – 7 Nights 

Accommodation | Mostly guesthouses and hotels. 1 night in a mountain hut. 

Coupon Code | On Foot Holidays is offering our readers a £20 voucher for their first trip. To redeem, enter the coupon code M&H20 in the “Promotional or voucher code” field on any inquiry or booking form. This offer is available to new On Foot Holidays customers only.

Trip Protection | As an AITO member, On Foot Holidays offers financial protection, champions ethical and sustainable tourism, and meets the high standards set out in AITO’s Quality Charter.

Related | I’ve written extensively about why On Foot Holidays is an outstanding hiking operator in my guide to booking a self-guided Lighthouse Way trek. 

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Alta Via 1

The celebrated Alta Via 1 long distance hiking trail runs north to south across multiple mountain ranges of the Dolomites. The 120-km-long trail starts at Lake Braies in South Tyrol and ends near Belluno.  

Along the way, hikers overnight in some of the most iconic mountain huts in the Dolomites including Rifugio Fanes, Rifugio Lagazuoi, Rifugio Nuvolau, Rifugio Averau, Rifugio Coldai, and many more. 

In 2019, we independently booked the northern and central stages of the Alta Via 1. In 2026, we’re finally returning to complete the southern stages, thanks to Adventure Base’s Alta Via 1 self-guided booking service (don’t miss out on your reader perk). 

Adventure Base, a hiking and mountaineering operator based in Chamonix, stands out due to their commitment to customer satisfaction (see their Trustpilot reviews), their offline navigation app, and 24/7 support. 

Trip Duration | I recommend booking their moderately-paced 11-day Alta Via 1 tour. They also have a 9-day route, 7-day route, and 4-day northern route. 

Accommodation | Mountain Huts

Coupon Code | Adventure Base is offering an exclusive perk to our readers who book any of their self-guided or guided treks. Claim your perk by filling out this inquiry form or using the coupon code MOONANDHONEY at check-out. 

Trip Protection | You can book with confidence knowing that Adventure Base is an AITO member, offering financial protection, ethical and sustainable travel practices, and adherence to a rigorous Quality Charter. They are also members of the Adventure Travel Trade Association. 

Related | How to Book the Alta Via 1 Rifugios

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Alta Via 2

The 167-km-long Alta Via 2 is another famous hut-to-hut hiking trail in the Dolomites which leads from Brixen (Plose) to Feltre. Highlights of this route are crossing the Puez Mountains, Sella Group, and Pale di San Martino Dolomites. Compared to the Alta Via 1, it’s far more technical and requires comfort with exposure, narrow ledges, scree slopes, and scrambling.

Along the trail, hikers may choose to tackle several via ferrata routes, though all of them can be bypassed. Even so, hikers should be comfortable using secured cable-assisted paths. Note that not all cabled routes are classified as via ferrata.

When the Alpenventures UNGUIDED team scouted the route, they encountered many hikers struggling and discouraged on the Alta Via 2. Most were simply unprepared for the route’s technical demands and challenging terrain. This experience motivated Alpenventures UNGUIDED to design an Alta Via 2 itinerary that avoids the most demanding sections while preserving the trail’s highlights.

Though still a challenge, the self-guided Alta Via 2 Hiker’s Route is more accessible than the classic route and likely a better option for most hikers. 

Trip Duration | You can book the 8-Day Alta Via 2, a 5-Day Alta Via 2 North Route, or a 4-Day Alta Via 2 South Route

Accommodation | Mountain Huts

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Brenta Dolomites: The Bocchette Traverse

This self-guided Brenta Dolomites Via Ferrata Route guides experienced mountaineers across the legendary Via delle Bocchette, the most iconic via ferrata route in the Brenta Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Over five days, you move through the heart of the rugged Western Dolomites on long ledge systems, across glaciers (crampons necessary) and scree fields. 

This is a demanding route for hikers who are comfortable with exposure, high-alpine terrain, and via ferrata climbing (Grades B, B/C and C/D). 

Trip Duration | 5 Days

Accommodation | Mountain Huts

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Dolomites Hiking Guides

Hut to Hut Hiking in the Dolomites:

• Hut to Hut Hiking in the Dolomites
• 3-Day Tre Cime di Lavaredo Trek
• 3-Day Rosengarten Dolomites Traverse

Dolomites Travel:

• Places to Visit in the Dolomites
• Things to Do in the Dolomites
• How to Visit the Dolomites Without a Car
• Best Time to Visit the Dolomites
• Day Hikes in the Dolomites

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