A bit of flat land
in a world of
high peaks
In northern Italy at the Austrian border lies the Renon Plateau, a bit of flat land in a world of high peaks: around it, wonderful and majestic, rises the complex of the Dolomites, whose spectacular beauty can capture even the most experienced hiker.
For a long time the Renon was inaccessible to most, until a small train rail (still in function today) was built in 1907, opening the way to local tourism that here prospered well, but the history of this place is way more complex and troubled and under the surface the Renon hides a rough past still perceivable through the double language and through the scars left by the last two wars.
The farms, “masi”, and the mills that have channeled the strength of the mountains, come from the hard work of stubborn man and women whom learned to use this land to their advantage and that still today cultivate the steep fields with respect and care. Here, traditions are preserved, and this is visible also through the work of the craftsman, through the typical northern foods and through the world-famous wines produced here.
We will leave our hotel by feet every morning and we will cross the modest and neat hamlets and the hoods to try to capture some of the essence of this border land. We will enjoy one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world and learn about the history of Renon from the paleolithic up to today.
We will fully immerse ourselves in between these enchanted mountains where, according to the ancient legends, spirits still live…
Practical
informations
Difficulty level
We will walk 15 km on average a day at a steady but chilled pace and the paths are not particularly hard, making this trip suitable for whomever enjoys walking. We will always get back to the starting point at our hotel, so you just need to bring a small backpack with what is necessary for the day.
Accomodation
The accommodation provided is in double rooms, but single rooms are also available. For special request or single rooms please contact the organizer.
Transports
A private shuttle service is provided each day to get back to the hotel after the walk or to move to further destinations of our tour. The same shuttle will drive us from the station in Siena to our Hotel upon arrival, and the other way round on the day of departure.
The group
In order to best enjoy our walks we keep our groups small: no more than a maximum of 12 people. The group will be lead by three guides, all fluent in English and one Norwegian speaker.
What to bring
Hiking shoes and clothes, comfortable backpack or fanny pack for the daily excursions, waterproof jacket, sunscreen.
Spring in Italy can vary a lot. Temperatures are usually between 10-25 degrees celsius and it could get quite hot during the day and quite chilly in the evening: be prepared for both conditions.
Credit cards are widely accepted in Italy in all big business, but cash is still used for all little-medium expenses so we strongly advise you to have cash money for your daily personal expenses.
How to get there
Our meeting point will be the train station in Bolzano.
The closest airports are Verona and Milano. Norwegian Airlines flies directly to Milano, SAS- Scandinavian Airlines flies directly to Milan, and to Verona with a stop. Other companies like Lufthansa or KLM fly to Verona, usually with a stop.
To reach Bolzano by train you can buy the tickets through the Trenitalia website.
Detailed
programme
Day One
Meeting at 16.00 pm in Bolzano, at the train station, from there we move with our shuttle to the hotel in Collalbo. Once settled in our rooms there will be a meet & greet to get to know each other, the guides will present themselves and the program for the week.
Day Two
Ring walk from the hotel through the wonderful nature of the dolomites. Our feet will take us to one of the most ancient farms of the area, that now is a museum, and all the way to the lake of Costalovara were we will have a pic-nic before heading back.
Day Three
Our shuttle will bring us in the Senales Valley, famous for the stunning views of the Odle Dolomitic group. We will spend our day walking through this beautiful area and we will stop in a alpine chalet for lunch.
Day Four
Visit to the town of Bolzano and to the Similaun Ice Man museum. We will take a walk into the city, on the riverside and through the vineyards all the way to a family-owned wine cellar where we will taste fine local wines and local specialties before returning to our hotel for dinner.
Day Five
With the cableway we will reach up to 2200 meters above the sea level to have a 360 degrees view of the Plateau and his mountains. From here we will walk back to the hotel in Collalbo.
Day Six
We will take a ring walk that will bring us to some spectacular geological formations, the earth pyramids, all the way through little villages and alpine chapels. We will take a break in a “maso”, local old farm, and then head back through hoods and pastures.
Day Seven
With public transports we will reach the Mountain Museum “Reinhold Messner” in Bolzan and then we will move to the close village of Merano where we will take a walk from the town all the way into the nature along the Passirio river.
Day Eight
Departure
Please Note: The above schedule is subject to change due to weather or other circumstances beyond our control.
16200 kr.
Included
- 7 nights accommodation in Hotel in Collalbo
- Breakfast and dinner at the Hotel
- All transportations from the arrival in Bolzano, until we drive you back to the train station on the last day (except on the free day)
- All activities and visits.
- Guides.
Not included
- Plane tickets
- Transportations to and from Siena on the first and last day
- Lunch
- Personal expenses
- Beverages and alcoholic drinks
- Tips
- everything not specified under “included”