Quality of Trails

Description
Why Trek the Friuli Dolomites?
✓ Trek through the Dolomites' most pristine wilderness —the least-touched corner of this UNESCO World Heritage site
✓ Experience true mountain solitude —encounter fewer hikers in a week than others see in an hour, even during peak summer
✓ Zero infrastructure, pure alpine nature —no roads, no lifts, no crowds across 21,500 hectares of protected wilderness
✓ Witness the legendary Campanile di Val Montanaia —one of the Dolomites' most iconic and dramatic rock towers
✓ Summit panoramic peaks with 360° Dolomite views —extended itineraries reach breathtaking alpine summits
✓ Sleep in authentic mountain refuges —experience traditional alpine hospitality with hearty meals and warm beds
An Untouched Corner of the Dolomites
This trek stands apart from every other journey through the Dolomites. The route crosses the Friuli Dolomites —the most untouched and least inhabited area of the entire Dolomite Alps. This is true wilderness where nature still dictates the rhythm, where the mountains form a compact, continuous chain of dramatic peaks that surprise even the most experienced alpine hikers.
The Friuli Dolomites remain almost entirely untouched by modern civilization. There are no public roads, no cable cars, and no artificial infrastructure. Most mountain refuges rely on generators for electricity. Across more than 21,500 hectares of protected alpine wilderness , only eight mountain huts are scattered through this vast terrain. This is a place where silence is absolute, nights are truly dark , and your connection with the mountains feels immediate and profound.
The Challenge: Steep, Remote, Rewarding
Although the Friuli Dolomites are not among the highest peaks in the Dolomite range, they demand respect. The highest summit, Cima dei Preti ("Priests' Peak") , rises to 2,706 meters, and the terrain is steep and uncompromising. Day after day, the route involves sustained ascents and descents of approximately 1,000 vertical meters , often across scree slopes and talus fields. While distances between refuges are relatively short, the constant elevation gain and technical terrain make this trek both physically and mentally demanding.
This sustained effort is precisely what makes the experience so rewarding. Each climb reveals wide, untouched panoramas. Each descent deepens your sense of complete removal from civilization. The isolation, combined with the raw beauty of the landscape, creates a rare and deeply immersive mountain experience that stays with you long after you return home.
Who This Trek Is For
Physical Requirements: To join this itinerary, you must be in good physical condition with prior mountain hiking experience. This is not a beginner trek—it requires stamina, sure-footedness, and comfort with extended days on challenging alpine terrain.
Mountain Refuge Accommodations: Nights are spent in staffed alpine huts, where you'll find comfortable beds, hot showers, and traditional mountain dinners and breakfasts. These simple comforts feel extraordinary after full days immersed in the wilderness—warm hospitality in the heart of the mountains.
Difficulty Level & Physical Requirements
Level 1 - Village-Based Hikes
Level 1 are our easiest hikes. You should be comfortable hiking 3 – 4 hours with up to 500 m cumulative ascent and a lightweight backpack of 2 – 3 kg. Families with small children can join Level 1 hikes.
Level 2 - Easy Hut-to-Hut Treks
You should be comfortable hiking 8 to 13 km per day with an average cumulative ascent of 500-600 meters and for approximately 5 hours on an average. Level 2 routes run only along well-maintained trails and primarily through easy terrain, such as meadows above the tree line.
Level 3 - Moderate Hut-to-Hut Treks
You should be comfortable hiking 10 to 15 km and for 5 to 7 hours (net hiking time, ie without long breaks) on well-maintained trails. Daily cumulative ascent on Level 3 itineraries is normally 600 to 1000 meters. Terrain on a typical Level 3 route varies significantly, but for most of the route you will be hiking through moderately difficult terrains. Exposed trails are not unusual on Level 3 routes, but they are widened or properly secured, normally with a metallic cord or chain, so that hikers pass without gear safely.
Level 4 - Challenging Hut-to-Hut Treks
Level 4 hut-to-hut hikes are designed for experienced and very fit hikers. To enjoy a Level 4 hike, you must be physically prepared for long crossings between huts with continuous and steep ascents of up to 1000 meters. Level 4 hikes may feature challenging terrain including loose talus, rugged trails, lightly maintained trails, insufficiently marked trails and sections of secured trail requiring use of via ferrata gear.
Season & Duration
About the trekking
Itinerary
Prices
Travel
Accommodation & Meals
Primary Itinerary
What's Included
Getting to the Basecamp
Insurance and Visa
Accommodation
Meals
Factors of Difficulty
Accommodation
Solitude
FAQ
Our team is here to help. Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about your Friuli Dolomites trek.
Safety Considerations
Insurance and Visa
Weather in the Dolomites
Clothing and Gear