Hiking Italy: Delving Into the Dolomites

Many of you who know me and/or follow my meanderings know that I have been eagerly anticipating my trip to the Italian Dolomites this summer.  Well, here I am and it so far has exceeded my expectations and hopes.  I only wish I could say as much for my own body!

A Guide on the Inside

Our guide, Gary Scott, Dolomites, Italy

I was invited to join Gary Scott ( @DolomitesGuide on Twitter) on one of his touring weeks as he takes small groups of people through this stunning mountain range.  With his serious Everest mountaineering and rock climbing background, he is almost over-qualified for these leisurely walking vacations through the mountains of northern Italy.  But then, I’d rather have someone who is fairly unruffleable handling details of a hiking week.  As an avid traveler, I’m liking this whole concept of giving up control and planning to someone who is well-versed on the trail treasures and ins and outs of navigating the Dolomites region.

The whole gang at a rifugio, Dolomites, Italy

Northern Italy….Venice AND Hiking?!?

After I savored Venice for four days before the meet-up date, I met Gary and one of the clients from the previous week, Anna, for dinner in Mestre.  She was beaming and almost giddy talking about her wonderful week of walking. Or was it the wine and limoncello? I know I was enjoying both!

First view of the Dolomites, Italy

The next morning, I met the other “groupettes” I would be touring with for the week;  Annie, Margot and Barry from Australia and Jon, a Brit transplanted to Oz.  Being that Gary himself hails from down under, I was the sole representative of the U.S. Oh dear me.  Or should I say, “Oh my Gawd!” Because, evidently, I say that a lot, as they jovially pointed out.  And by the first evening, the “sheilas” were already doing what they call a pub crawl and hanging with the locals at the stand-up bar in Cortina.

Wildly, happy me hiking the Dolomites, Italy

Snow Flurries and Sunshine

But before that, we had a perfect warm up hike around the Tri Cimi Lavarado, or the Three Towers, a dramatic trio of massive pure dolomite rock reaching to the heavens.  The terrain was beautiful and sprinkled with wild flowers and the views offered a constant 360 degree gawk.  Don’t ask me why, but I was overjoyed when a few snow flurries came seemingly out of nowhere, as the sun was shining down on us.

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” John Muir

But no story is complete without an antagonist.  My knee that had started to grumble (a very old injury) after walking for miles on cobblestone streets in Venice, was only mildly making protest. Only after we drove a bit and it “set” did the pesky joint tell me it felt like making this trip more of a challenge than I had expected.

Caught eating strudel at a beautifully situated rifugio, Dolomites, Italy

A Room With a View

Alas, my temporary gimpness has allowed me to write a bit about the Dolomites and share some photos with you.  Today, after a wonderful lunch with the gang, I took the chair lift up to a refugio where we’ll all meet for a sunset view dinner.  I’m babying it for one day in the hopes it will reward me with less stabbing pains on future outings!  Trust me, the views from this “office” are no less than stunning and panoramic. The proprietors mind not at all that I plan to loiter here, doing some birding and photography and sipping lattes for a few hours.

“How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains!” John Muir

Alpenglow or "enrosadira" as it's called here in the Dolomites, Italy

And above is the famed “alpenglow” the against the Dolomites that I captured after dinner.  I hope you enjoy what I’ve captured so far.  Ciao for now!

Photos by Gina Stark, with some contributed by Gary Scott

If you liked this post and want more of Italy, read about Venice: A Thing of Beauty. Then and Now.

If you’d like more information about connecting with our suuperb and experienced guide for the Dolomites region, Gary Scott, check out his Dolomites Walking Tours and/or follow @DolomitesGuide on Twitter!