Highlights
- start your trip in the beautiful and historic town of Bressanone/Brixen
- hike through fields of wildflowers and into deep pine forests
- stop for a lunch in charming mountain huts
- taste the delicious regional wines in Madonna di Campiglio
- admire the dramatic jagged peaks that began as fossilized coral reefs
- enjoy hearty and delicious Tyrolean-Italian fusion cuisine
- explore the picturesque village of Ortisei, home of the Ladin people, with their distinct history and language
- walk along an Alpine river and admire its dramatic waterfalls
Trip price includes
- 7 nights in 3 and 4-star hotels
- 7 breakfasts and 7 dinners
- 1 wine tasting
- all transfers as per itinerary
- gondolas/chairlifts as per itinerary
- luggage transfers for each hotel change
- tips at hotels and included meals
- welcome and farewell drink
- 1 bilingual tour leader for groups up to 9 people, 2 guides for groups from 10-14 people
Not included
- all lunches
- drinks other than water at meals
- tips at meals that are not included
- anything not mentioned in the inclusions
ITINERARY
The dramatic pinnacles and sheer rock walls of this UNESCO World Heritage site extend across three regions (Veneto, Trentino-Alto Adige, and Friuli). Our tour explores two areas of the Trentino-Alto Adige Dolomites – the Val di Funes and the Val Rendena – and offers an alternative to the more famous destinations, which have become extremely crowded and expensive in recent years. We still get great scenery, however, and our hikes go through a variety of environments, from wooded trails to open meadows, rocky terrain, and valleys with lakes and waterfalls. The hikes are between 8-15 km (5-9.3 miles) and are on a mix of terrain that’s accessible to most hikers. The two areas we visit are culturally very different, as the Val di Funes is part of German-speaking South Tyrol while the Val Rendena is in the Italian-speaking Trentino region, so you also get to try dishes with both Austrian and Italian influences. Cap it all off with some of Italy’s best wines and you’ve got a winning combination!
Day 1 – Sunday: Independent arrival in Bressanone and group dinner
Make your way to the delightful city of Bressanone (or Brixen in its German form), which is accessible by train from Milan (4 hrs), Venice (3.5 hrs) or Innsbruck (Austria, 1.5 hrs). The city’s history goes back thousands of years as it lies at the confluence of two rivers and is on an important route through the Alps, so take some time this afternoon to wander the colorful streets and admire the Medieval-Baroque architecture. We stay the night at a delightful family-run hotel rght in the heart of the old town. Meet your guide(s) in the hotel lobby at 6 p.m. for a welcome drink followed by dinner at one of our favorite restaurants. Overnight Bressanone. Hotel and dinner included.
Days 2-4: Hike the Val di Funes
Enjoy three exhilarating hikes through the pine forests, green meadows and soaring peaks of the Val di Funes. We stay in a small village where you’ll find warm hospitality, delicious food, and a lovely place to relax at the end of the day. Cable-cars help with some of the ascents and descents, and you’ll enjoy stopping at the traditional mountain huts called rifugios or malgas for a hearty lunch, a coffee break, or a tasty piece of strudel. 3 nights in the Val di Funes.
Days 5-7: Madonna di Campiglio and the Brenta Dolomites
We bid farewell to the Val di Funes and head to our next destination, Madonna di Campiglio, in the Brenta Dolomites. We are now in the province of Trento, one of northern Italy’s most important cities. Hike through aromatic conifer forests which are home to deer, brown bears and golden eagles, and get refreshed by a cool mountain river that’s fed by numerous thundering waterfalls. Enjoy spectacular views of the Dolomite peaks and waterfalls as you walk through a mix of forests, meadows and pastures. Stop to say hi to the friendly cows and see if you can spot any marmots! We stay 3 nights in Madonna di Campiglio — “the Pearl of the Dolomites” — where we have delicious dinners and sample some of the wonderful wines produced in this region. Overnight in Madonna di Campiglio.
Day 8 – Sunday: transfer to the Trento train station
This morning we have one group transfer to the Trento train station, which is on the high-speed train line (Trenitalia and Italo) and also has regional connections to other cities in Italy. We will arrive at the train station by 10:30 a.m.
CONTACT US FOR A MORE DETAILED ITINERARY
Mikel and Diane –
We were fortunate to travel again with Manu and Wild Sage. We enjoyed a private departure with Manu (our fourth) in July, 2025. Our trip began in Bressanone and tracked the first seven days of the Val di Funes and Val Rendena trip closely. After this portion of the trip, we added five days in Riva Del Guarda. We rented an apartment in Riva on the main town square, which has lake frontage. This extension of the normal itinerary was a wonderful way to end our time in Italy. We enjoyed the lakes, local sites, food, and an amazing day trip to the Brenta Dolomite that included one of the more memorable days of hiking in our long lives spent in the mountains. We did not want our travel to end. Our entire trip was spectacular. As others note, the Dolomiti are unique and exceptionally beautiful. The mountains, food, history, culture, wine, and people are all individually worth the journey. Together these elements are magical. There simply are not enough superlatives to describe our guide and dear friend Manu, our beloved travel companions, and Wild Sage. Perhaps our strongest possible endorsement is the fact that we have now traveled with Manu and Wild Sage on four trips, all private departures, and we are already discussing our next adventure.
Cara –
I can’t recommend Manu and Wild Sage enough! I went with her to Tuscany in 2024, and when she told us she leads a Dolomites hiking trip as well, I knew I had to do that next. She chose the most beautiful hikes with varying landscapes, mostly on lesser known and not crowded trails that you would not find without such an experienced guide. She also chose amazing small towns for us to stay in and hotels with lovely spas to relax and recover in every evening after hiking. Manu is incredibly kind and accommodates all needs and issues that come up. These small group trips are so much better and more personal than taking a giant bus around with a huge group of people. I Ioved getting to know the group of travelers as well. That’s one of the best parts of the trip! The Dolomites are truly one of the most magical places I’ve ever been to. Mountain vistas, bright green landscapes, lush forests, rainbows. 🌈 The sweetest donkeys and cows on the trails! Hiking to lunch in mountain huts with incredible local food! If you think you may enjoy this trip, you will! Just book it! 🩵🏔️
Malissa Philpot –
This is my first adventure with Wild Sage and I’ve been so privileged to spend this amazing week with amazing people! I didn’t want it to end. I traveled by myself and didn’t know really what to expect. But from the very first night with the welcome drinks and meeting everyone I knew it was going to be a great week!
The accommodations and dinners and events were excellent! What really made it so special is the special attention from our guides Manu, Pepe and Melissa. I felt like their goal was to make sure we had the best time ever since after all it’s a vacation of a lifetime for some of us. If there was a question about something like a plant, food, a custom etc. ….whatever it was if they didn’t know the answer they would make sure they found out for you. They closely monitored how everyone was feeling and paid particular attention to our safety including having to change a hike because of unsafe weather conditions. The alternate hike was fantastic by the way. I did have one issue with one of the hotel rooms with a funny odor but Manu was quick on the turn to get the situation fixed and got me into a new room.
They were flexible with whatever happened or if we wanted to change it up a bit. Or just pull over to the side of the road for pictures of rainbows lol 😆
I would recommend Wild Sage over any travel group I know or have heard of. I can’t wait to go on another adventure with them!! So many to choose from. I’d love to do them all. Being active, outdoors and learning something everyday is very important to me and I feel like that’s their main focuses as well.
Alla prossima volta, amico mio!
Malissa Philpot –
So privileged to spend this amazing week with amazing people! I didn’t want it to end. I traveled by myself and didn’t know really what to expect. But from the very first night with the welcome drinks and meeting everyone I knew it was going to be a great week!
The accommodations and dinners and events were excellent! What really made it so special is the special attention from our guides Manu, Pepe and Melissa. I felt like their goal was to make sure we had the best time ever since after all it’s a vacation of a lifetime for some of us. If there was a question about something like a plant, food, a custom etc. ….whatever it was if they didn’t know the answer they would make sure they found out for you. They closely monitored how everyone was feeling and paid particular attention to our safety including having to change a hike because of unsafe weather conditions. The alternate hike was fantastic by the way. I did have one issue with one of the hotel rooms with a funny odor but Manu was quick on the turn to get the situation fixed and I got me into a new room.
They were flexible with whatever happened or if we wanted to change it up a bit. Or just pull over to the side of the road for pictures of rainbows lol 😆
I would recommend Wild Sage over any travel group I know it have heard of. I can’t wait to go on another adventure with them!! So many to choose from. I’d love to do them all. Being active, outdoors and learning something everyday is very important to me and I feel like that’s their main focuses as well.
alla prossima volta amico mio
Susan M –
I am so grateful for the opportunity to do this incredible hiking trip with Wild Sage. The Dolomites is an area I’ve long yearned to visit and it really was beyond my imagining in terms of beauty and cultural interest. I had had a knee issue and was somewhat concerned about my ability to do the hikes, but with the fantastic guidance of Manu, Pepe and Melissa, and encouragement from my fellow participants I had the immense satisfaction of hiking each day. I loved the careful attention to less-traveled routes, as well as the variety of terrain, from cool forests to waterfalls to forbidding and dramatic mountainsides. The hotels were well-chosen and the food was excellent. Our group was very compatible and it was great to spend time with everyone. I do believe that the careful and caring attention paid to all aspects of the trip speaks to the enthusiasm, professionalism and heart of our guides and I’m thrilled to have had the privilege.
Ben K –
We were privileged to travel with Wild Sage, our second adventure with them! We’re already dreaming of another tour.
The Dolomites – within the Italian Alps – is a special place in Italy as well as the world. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site for a reason! The landscape and culture are inspiring, and there is real adventure here and our wonderful guides (Manu, Pepe and Melissa) brought knowledge, perspective and fun! Their enthusiasm, fund of knowledge and real stewardship of Italian hospitality is a game changer. Your heart and soul can see and explore more because of these amazing guides! Their generosity and kindness are truly impressive! Our accommodations were excellent and the food was unbelievably good! The hikes were planned thoughtfully to help us understand the area and its history. My fellow adventure enthusiasts were a great group of people and it was hard to say goodbye. I cannot recommend this area and Wild Sage highly enough! I am grateful for the privilege!
Dr Ian Galloway –
I wish there were more stars for me to choose from! Wild Sage is an extraordinary travel company. On the first hike I had an unexpected medical issue in a remote area. This is when the experience of your guides comes to the fore. The issue was dealt with in a most professional and caring manner. We had a wonderful group and bonded strongly. I have travelled extensively in Europe over the years but never with a company like this. The trip was meticulously researched, planned and executed. When weather conditions made a scheduled hike unsafe, an alternative was ready to go. I would like to make special mention of our lead guide and founder of Wild Sage, Manu. Effervescent, experienced, capable and caring. She clearly loves what she does and it shows. I will travel with this company again and wholeheartedly recommend them to any one contemplating joining any of their programs.
Kelly R. –
We were lucky enough to travel with Manu and Melissa, along with three other couples, to the stunning Dolomites in September 2024. From the moment I met them, I sensed this would be a remarkable adventure. Their warm demeanor added to the experience, allowing us to relax and enjoy every moment. Each day was carefully planned, showcasing their extensive knowledge of the region, the locals, the food, and the wines. They aim to guide you through the most scenic and less-traveled hikes. The accommodations were delightful and comfortable and featured delicious meals. We enjoyed an evening of wine tasting and dined at a five-star restaurant. The Dolomites was the most beautiful place I have ever seen! When the trains in Italy unexpectedly went on a planned strike on our departure day, Manu and Melissa dedicated hours to securing alternative travel arrangements for each of us. Our final day was a bittersweet farewell as we all felt we were saying goodbye to dear friends. This was indeed the best travel experience my husband and I have ever had, and it’s not a question of if but when we will travel with Manu again!
Tina –
The trip was amazing. Melissa and Manu were perfect guides and hosts. The hiking was wonderful and different every day. I can’t wait to travel with them again.
Brian –
What a wonderful week with Wild Sage in the Dolomites! This itinerary takes in a less-touristed but undeniably spectacular section of the Dolomites: plenty of craggy peaks, lush alpine valleys, bubbling streams, and quaint towns. The meals and accommodations were excellent, and the hiking varied and challenging.
But it is the guides that make this trip special. They were engaged, knowledgeable, upbeat and supportive. Their daily plans were flexible and accommodated people with varied needs and interests. They kept the group lively and organized while dealing with a few unexpected events (like a rail strike on our last day of travel). You can find other companies to take you hiking, but none can offer you the expertise, dedication and joy that Manu, Claire and Melissa bring to the trails. Don’t miss this experience!
Barb –
We recently returned from hiking in the Dolomites with Manu and Melissa. The scenery was spectacular and the chosen trails challenging and varied but at the same time very manageable. We were treated to sweeping panoramas, cheerful donkeys, herds of cows with tinkling cowbells, and amazing huts or rifugios where we could sample treats, sip coffee, or have lunch. We reached some of the trailheads by gondola or descended via funicular, which was fun. This trip was extremely well researched and organized. We stayed at lovely hotels and enjoyed delicious meals, some on the premises and others at local establishments. I would highly recommend Wild Sage to anyone contemplating an active European adventure.
Katy –
Great variety of hiking in the spectacular Dolomites. Each day was carefully planned out to ensure a rewarding hike with amazing views, interesting hiking terrain, and most importantly, excellent hut lunches. Our tour guides, Manu and Melissa, took care of all logistical and planning details leaving us free to enjoy the scenery and experience without crowds. Highly recommend this tour to anyone who enjoys mountain scenery and hiking and wants to experience the Dolomites off the beaten path.
Cheryl –
The seven day hike to the Dolomites was definitely a worthwhile trip. I have never been to Italy nor have I taken a tour that was over a single day. I really enjoyed this adventure for a couple of reasons. I liked that we stayed in nicer hotels, which is something I probably wouldn’t do on my own. Having access to whirlpool baths, hot saunas, and other amenities was fun! The single supplement was very reasonable. The hotels were located in smaller towns so we were somehow able to avoid crowds, even though we were there in the middle of summer. That was awesome! I liked that the details of each hike were taken care of, so I did not have to organize anything. Each hike was unique and absolutely beautiful. Exploring different areas added to the interest of our tour and each day was a new adventure! Visiting the huts for lunch was also a fun, cultural experience. Exploring different areas added to the interest of our adventure. Our tour guides, Manu and Melissa, were kind and fun and flexible. They were more like friends than guides. And they knew so much, virtually every question we had was answered. Based on my experience, I would definitely use Wild Sage again.
Gary P. –
Great variety of hiking trails through varied terrain including mountain meadows bursting with wild flowers, forests, alpine lakes, waterfalls and rivers, and ridges above timberline. Each hike passes one or more rifugio where you can stop for a drink or a great lunch. A turn in the trail can open up to a view across the valley covered in forests or showing alpine vistas. Some of the trails crossed the remains of snow fields that two weeks earlier had been impassable. Cable cars take you to a starting or ending point of some hikes. The scenery was spectacular. Wild sage put together a great trip packed with wonderful scenery. This part of the Dolomites is well worth your time.