Alumni Trips | Alumni Courses | Reunions | Seminars

Hiking Italy's Dolomites

September 12-19, 2008

Hiking Italy's pathways—hut to hut. Photo: Rich Brame

Join a small group of NOLS grads and instructors for a week of spectacular hiking in the Dolomites as we trek between "rifugios" (small, hostel-style lodgings) during the Italian Alps' early autumn.

Connecting our string of rifugios gives us the chance to savor Italian cuisine and culture while mixing with other, mostly European travelers, in a dorm-style setting. Sleeping and dining (dinner and breakfasts) in the rifugios allows us to considerably lighten our packs for our daily hikes (average move is ~5 miles, plus elevation changes) among the stunning spires, valleys, ridges and peaks of northern Italy.

The trip starts and ends in the ancient, cobble-stoned city of Bolzano (capital of the Bolzano-Bozen Province: population ~100K). Participants should plan on flying in and out of Bolzano— consider staying extra days on either end of the trip to explore the sights of northern Italy.

As a group from Bolzano, we will take a series of train and shuttle rides to and from our "roadheads" in the mountains.

We'll follow trails up, over and around the Dolomite's rugged summits. Photo: Rich Brame

The trip spends 6-nights in the "field" at rifugios, and 7-days hiking as well as a hotel night on either end in historic Bolzano. Unlike a standard NOLS expedition, we won't carry cook gear, or heavy rations—even pads and sleeping bags are not needed at the rifugios—but we'll do "real" trail hiking up and down varied terrain with our backpacks.

This trip will re-acquaint you with NOLS backpacking techniques in a convivial, relaxing and visually stunning location. Instruction is geared to your interests, with optional walk-up peaks, Italian "word(s) of the day," time for journal-writing and photography, and more. Of course, non-alumni friends and family members are also invited— this is a great way to introduce NOLS to your sidekicks.

Cick here if you'd like to see some photos from the September 2007 Dolomite trip.

Our trip starts and ends in Bolzano with its mix of German and Italian culture. Photo: firing_tower

Cost: $2475 — this includes hotel lodging in Bolzano on 9/12 and 9/19, lodging and meals (wine/beer and showers not included) at the rifugios, instruction, trail food on hiking days, transportation from the mountains to Bolzano, and group backpacking equipment. Even with challenging exchange rates—this trip is a terrific value.