Walks in the Italian Dolomites

This is a beautiful area for hiking, and the variety of self-guided hikes we were given was great. There was everything from short easy rambles to long challenging climbs. The Bellevue Hotel was wonderful, with awesome service and delicious food. Definitely an experience I would be happy to repeat. The only negative factor was that, although we never got lost, some of the route notes could do with updating. It seemed that total hike distances were often understated. Also, we did the last tour of the season, and found that some of the refugios mentioned as lunch stops were closed. I would recommend that anyone going late in the season check before setting out, or be sure to carry your own food.

Loved this trip - it was my first self-guided trip and my first trip with Headwater. They have a great selection of hikes to choose from, right from easy rambles to tough hikes. I did pretty much all moderate and more difficult hikes and the directions and provided maps are excellent. I stayed at Park Hotel Bellevue in Toblach (Dobbiaco) which is one of the best hotels I have ever stayed at. Included transportation passes and time tables easily let you get around to all the trail heads and even to other towns in South Tyrol if you do not feel like hiking or if the weather is inclement.

Dobbiaco was a tremendous centre and the Park Hotel Bellevue was everything that we would have wanted. The guidance notes for the walks were excellent and each of the itineraries gave us a different view of the Dolomites from rolling pastures to jagged peaks. I would unreservedly recommend the holiday.

Overall, a wonderful experience. We were somewhat uneasy about a centre-based trip, because if you find that the food isnt to your liking the first couple of days it could make for a disagreeable week. We neednt have worried, the chef at the Bellevue is top notch, making terrific use of fresh local vegetables, fruit and cheese and kept us guessing on what the menu would have to offer next. Service was consistently professional and friendly. What I liked best about the walks was the sheer variety really no two alike, pastures, meadows, forests, boulder strewn scree fields, babbling brooks, fields brimming with wild flowers, cute hamlets, the suggested hikes had it all. The moderate rating is fair, though there are a few parts where a walking stick comes in handy.

This is the perfect self-guided walking holiday. The location is ideal, the hotel is fabulous, and everything is exceptionally well organized. If you want to go on a non-group walking holiday in beautiful mountain scenery but you like not having to plan routes - and a wonderful place to eat and stay - this is the holiday for you!