Dolorama Weg: The Hut-To-Hut Trek for Beginners in the Dolomites

That Italy has much to offer in terms of hut-to-hut hiking is no secret. Hikers know the hiking paradise in the Dolomites well. Besides the wildly popular Alta Via 1 and Alta Via 2, there is of course more to experience in northern Italy. The Dolorama Weg is a hike that winds through the panoramic landscape of the Dolomites, taking you past spectacular views and multiple mountain formations.

The Dolorama Trail is a 61-kilometer (37.9 miles) hike with an altitude difference of 2.356 meters (7.729 feet). The hike is divided into 4 stages and you will walk an average of 6 hours per day. Some days you will be on the road longer than others. Along the way are many resting and viewing points to enjoy the scenery, so you have plenty of time to take in the panoramic views. This also explains the name of the hike: Dolomites + panorama = Dolorama!

The hike starts at the Rodenecker-Lüsner Alm and continues via the Peitlerkofel, which lies at the foot of the Geisler Group, over the Raciesa, and finally ends in Lajen. During this hike, you walk along a well-marked path on comfortable forest and hiking trails. Unlike, for example, a technical hike like the Palaronda Trek, this is a hike suitable for hikers of different levels.

If you compare the route with other hikes in the Dolomites, you will see that part of it overlaps with one of the stages of the Alta Via 2. In fact, both hikes have a stop at Rifugio Genova, or the Schlüterhütte. Although the Alta Via 2 is a hiking trail for experienced trekkers and is known for Via Ferratas, don't worry; you won't encounter them during this part of the hike.

We don't need to tell you how special the Dolomites are. This unique area in Northern Italy has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage since 2009 and took on its impressive form over 200 million years ago.

The Dolorama Route is a beautiful hut-to-hut hike designed for anyone who has never tried a hut-to-hut hike before and would like to give it a shot. The standard version is approximately 60 kilometers long and is divided into 4 stages, with daily walks ranging from 5 to 7 hours.

Most of the trails are not too technically challenging, making them suitable for hikers with a good level of fitness. However, it's important to remember that this is a mountain hike. Overall, the difficulty level is considered moderately strenuous. The uphill and downhill sections can be tough on your legs, and the weight of your backpack doesn't make it any easier. So, the hike can definitely be challenging.

After completing day 1 of the route, you can check off the longest day right away. This hike lasts 8 hours and covers approximately 21 kilometers. Compared to the other days, this is the most demanding day. You can choose to split this day into 2 stages, extending the total duration of the hike to 5 days instead of 4. This is ideal as it makes the journey even more relaxed. During this extended version, you'll have an additional overnight stay at Kreuzwiesenhütte, providing a more leisurely experience of the Dolorama Route.

The route has various entry and exit points along the way that are easily accessible by public transport or cable cars. These points include Würzjoch, Zanseralm, and the mountain station of the Raschötz cable car.

There are plenty of choices in the Dolomites, so we can understand that it can be difficult to pick a hut-to-hut hike that suits you best. The Dolorama Trail is a great choice for a first introduction to the Dolomites. In comparison to the shorter Alta Via 1, the Dolorama Weg is technically much easier.

If you're new to the world of hut-to-hut hikes but still eager to hit the trails, then the Dolorama Route is definitely the way to go. If you find yourself craving more after completing the journey, you'll be ready for your next adventure in the Dolomites, such as the slightly more southern Alta Via del Granito or the somewhat more rugged Palaronda Trek.

Mountain weather can be quite unpredictable, so when is the best time to embark on a hut-to-hut hike? In line with other hikes in the Dolomites and the Alps, the season for the Dolorama Route typically runs from mid-June to mid-September. Before and after this period, the rifugios (mountain huts) close their doors, as the mountains can experience heavy snowfall. Staying overnight at the huts is not possible outside the season.

Although mountain weather can change rapidly, a typical day in the Dolomites is characterized by clear blue skies and bright sunshine. If you're less fortunate, expect occasional rain showers and afternoon storms, often accompanied by thunderstorms.

The summer season is a popular time to hit the trails, even for Italians. Never set out to the mountain huts without a reservation. It's highly likely that they can be fully booked, and there might be no room for you and your group. To avoid disappointment, make your reservations well in advance. For hut-to-hut hikes in the Dolomites, it's best to start planning your trip as early as Christmas.

Netherlands has the NBKV, Flanders has the BKF, Austria and Germany have the Alpenverein, South Africa has the Mountain Club of South Africa, and the United Kingdom has the British Mountaineering Council, and the list goes on. Italy also has its own association, which has been known as the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI) since 1863.

The CAI is highly active in trail marking and maintenance in the mountains, protecting the Italian Alps and Dolomites, organizing climbing competitions, and, of course, managing mountain huts. The CAI oversees 433 fully-equipped mountain huts, 224 bivouacs, and 106 smaller huts, totaling more than 23,500 beds. Hikers are required to stay overnight in mountain huts, called rifugios in Italian. The advantage of staying in these huts is that you don't need to carry a tent, cooking equipment, and food for your multi-day hike. The rifugios vary in size and accommodations, but they all offer a shower, a comfortable night's sleep, and half-board with delicious local dishes. Trust us, the food is really good compared to some neighboring countries.

The Dolorama Trail is a hike with different starting and ending points. Your journey begins in Rodeneck (Rodengo) and then continues to the official starting point at the Zumis parking lot. After a 4-day hike, you will end up in Lajen, also known as Laion in Italian.

The Zumis parking lot is the perfect starting point for the hike, as its ideal location provides easy access to numerous hiking trails in the area.

For accommodation, it's best to stay in Mühlbach or Rodeneck, but Bressanone is also a good option, as it's only a half-hour drive from the starting point.

By car:

Right at the starting point in Zumis, there is a large parking lot available for a fee. The cost is €6.00 per day. Prefer not to pay and don't mind taking a bus ride? In the Vill district of Rodeneck, there is a free public parking lot, and from Rodeneck, you can easily take the bus to Zumis.

From Innsbruck, it takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to travel to Rodeneck. From Bressanone (Brixen), it's about a 30-minute drive.

By bus or train:

Rodeneck is easily accessible by public transportation. The journey from Innsbruck takes about 2 hours, and from Bressanone, it's approximately 50 minutes by bus and train. Just a 20-minute bus ride from Rodeneck will take you to the Zumis parking lot. If you have the 'Almencard Plus,' you can use public transportation for free, so this journey won't cost you anything.

Departure:

After completing the full route, your hike ends in Lajen (Laion). From this point, there are various ways to travel back to Rodeneck. On average, it takes 1.5 to 2 hours to return to Rodeneck.

From Lajen, you can take a bus to Bressanone, which is a direct connection that will get you to the station in about 40 minutes. Then, the bus will take you from Bressanone to Mühlbach in approximately 25 minutes. The final leg of your journey will be by bus from Mühlbach to Rodeneck, which takes about 10 minutes.

A hut-to-hut trek doesn't have to be expensive. The rifugios you'll encounter during the journey are often simple but provide everything you need to rest and recharge for the next day. The average cost is approximately €100 per day. This includes route guidance, navigation assistance, your accommodation in a rifugio, and half-board, consisting of breakfast and dinner. In addition to these costs, you'll, of course, need to spend money during the tour. Consider expenses for lunch (not included), snacks, and a well-deserved drink when you arrive at the next hut. We recommend budgeting between €50 and €70 to cover these expenses.