La Dolce Vita Wine Tours

The Italian Alps & Dolomites

Hiking the wine roads & alpine trails of Alto Adige & Trentino

Trip Notes:

Hiking Level of Difficulty

Though alpine hiking sounds difficult, have no fear. The lower Alps in the wine country of Aldo Adige is not so fierce, while in the Dolomites we pick very popular, do-able trails. No technical hiking or climbing skills needed (though being in shape always helps). Our hikes alternate between ridge trails in the Adige River valley, paralleling the valley floor, and mountain hikes. When in the valley, we walk on wooded trails, quiet gravel lanes, and marked paths that cut through the vineyards and apple groves. These are relatively easy walks. The other hikes are at higher altitudes. Fortunately, the heavy lifting is done by cable car, which takes us up to our trailheads in the Alps. Here we’re hiking on trails through pine forests and open meadows. There is some climbing, but it’s in small pieces and nothing too extreme. In the Dolomites, we go to our trailheads by van. Here again we’re on broad trails; the climbs are gradual and quite do-able. We recommend hiking boots, or at least good walking shoes with deep treads. If you have walking sticks, now’s the ideal time to bring them!

Airport

Venice, Milan, or Innsbruck (Austria)

Pre-tour

Plan to land in Italy or Austria a day before the tour begins; that’s necessary to be at our starting point on time. Most people spend the preceding night in either Verona (1 hour by train from Venice) or Trento (2 hours from Venice). If you land in Innsbruck, it is advisable to arrive in Trento the day before our tour begins. Contact us for details. For hotel suggestions, email us or consult a good hotel search engine, such as TripAdvisor.com or Venere.com.

Meeting point

Our meeting point is the Trento train station, a charming historic city midway between Verona and Bolzano. If you’re coming from Verona that morning, you‘ll take a 9 A.M. train, arriving in Trento at 10 A.M. (Precise train details will be in your information packet.)

Departure day

On the final day, we leave by 9:30 and shuttle to the train station of Trento, arriving by 11:30 A.M. During the tour, we can help you interpret the train schedule and buy your return tickets, if assistance is desired.

Trip extensions

Venice is an obvious choice for pre- or post-tour travel. But if you’ve already been there, done that, we’d recommend Verona. Founded by Romans on the banks of the Adige River, the city has layers upon layers of history. It boasts one of the largest Roman coliseums, dozens of churches laden with art, the home of Shakespeare’s Juliet Capulet, lively outdoor markets, and streets lined with elegant shops.

Italian train schedule

Click here for the Trenitalia schedule in English. Be aware that the schedule is posted just a few months in advance, so if you’re looking for long-range dates, try something sooner, if only to get an idea of departure frequency and trip length.

Weather

When packing, check check www.weather.com. Go to “Caldaro, Italy” and “Canazei, Italy” to get a general idea of temperatures and forecast. Because of the altitude, the Dolomites can be brisk, even in late June, with spring snow still on the ground and daytime temperatures in the 40s or 50s. The Adige River valley will be much warmer—in the 60s, 70s, or even hotter on the valley floor—with summer hiking clothes in order.

Reading

Articles & additional photos by La Dolce Vita Wine Tours cofounder Patricia Thomson:

• Pinot Grigio: An American Infatuation (article in Tastes of Italia)
  
• Gewürtztraminer Aged by Accident (blog post in Living La Dolce Vita)
  
• Alps/Dolomites: 100 Great Shots (blog post in Living La Dolce Vita)