Winter Hiking in the Italian Dolomites: Self-Launched Edition

Fly into Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) — well served by budget carriers including Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air from most UK airports. Rather than a pricey private group transfer (~€300 one-way), take the ATVO airport bus to Mestre (~€8), then a Flixbus or regional coach toward Belluno and onward to Selva di Cadore/Pescul. The full journey takes around 3–3.5 hours and costs a fraction of private transfers. Alternatively, consider renting a car at the airport (shared between 2–4 people it's very cost-effective) for maximum flexibility in the mountains — petrol and tolls add roughly £30–40 for the week. Check into a 3-star guesthouse or B&B in Pescul or nearby Selva di Cadore. The area has several welcoming family-run options such as Hotel Coldai or B&B La Civetta, typically £50–80/night for a double. Settle in, grab dinner at a local trattoria, and pick up or confirm your snowshoe hire for the week.

🚌ATVO bus from VCE to Mestre (~€8), then regional Flixbus/coach to Selva di Cadore (~£12). Or hire a car at VCE for the week (~£120–160 total for the car, very cost-effective split between travellers).

🛏3-star guesthouse or B&B in Pescul/Selva di Cadore (e.g. Hotel Coldai or B&B La Civetta) — approximately £45–55pp/night in a twin room

• →Fly into Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) — budget airlines from UK from ~£40–80 one-way
• →Take the ATVO bus to Mestre then a regional coach/Flixbus toward Belluno and Selva di Cadore (~£15–20 total)
• →Alternatively, hire a car at the airport — split between 2–4 people it's ~£25–35pp for the week including fuel
• →Check into a 3-star B&B or guesthouse in Pescul or Selva di Cadore (~£40–55pp in a twin room)
• →Arrange snowshoe and trekking pole hire from a local ski/outdoor shop in Selva di Cadore (~£12–15/day)
• →Welcome dinner at a local trattoria — try polenta, canederli or venison stew (~£15–20 including a glass of wine)

An iconic full day on the snowshoes. The trail starts directly from Pescul, winding through larch forests and snowy alpine pastures up to the Fertazza mountain hut (6,033 ft) and on to Rifugio Belvedere (6,830 ft) — roughly 7 miles and ~2,300 ft of elevation gain. The route is well-marked and follows forestry and silvo-pastoral paths. For safety in avalanche terrain, strongly consider hiring a local certified alpine guide for the day — this can be arranged through the Collegio Guide Alpine Veneto or local guide associations in Selva di Cadore. Expect to pay ~£100–130 for a private guide (split between your group this is very reasonable). Alternatively, book a small-group guided snowshoe day tour via GetYourGuide or directly with local operators such as Dolomiti Guide or Guide Alpine Cortina. Pack your own lunch or stop for a hearty meal at the rifugio itself (~£12–18). The chairlifts from Pescul offer an easier route up or down if needed (payable locally, ~£10–15). Return to the hotel by mid-afternoon and warm up at a local spa or thermal bath.

🚌Walk from hotel — trailhead is on the doorstep. Optional chairlift (~£10–15).

🛏3-star guesthouse or B&B in Pescul/Selva di Cadore

• →Full-day snowshoe hike to Rifugio Belvedere (6,830 ft) — 7 miles, ~2,300 ft elevation gain
• →Book a certified local alpine guide for the day via Collegio Guide Alpine Veneto or GetYourGuide (~£100–130 for a private guide, split between your group)
• →Lunch at Rifugio Belvedere with spectacular views of Monte Civetta, Monte Pelmo and Marmolada (~£12–18)
• →Optional chairlift up or down from Pescul (~£10–15) for an easier day
• →Evening unwind at hotel wellness facilities or a local spa

Drive or take a local taxi (~15 mins, £10–15) to the quiet hamlet of Livinallongo del Col di Lana. Today's route leads through snow-blanketed forests past the medieval Castello di Andraz, then climbs an old military mule track up to the vast panoramic saddle of Passo Sief (7,245 ft), nestled between Monte Sief and Col di Lana. The trail involves untracked snow and limited signage in the upper section — a local guide is strongly recommended for this day. Buy a packed lunch from a local bakery or deli in Livinallongo before setting off, as there are no mountain huts on this route. The total hike is around 5 miles and ~1,970 ft gain. Return to Livinallongo by mid-afternoon and drive back to the hotel. If conditions are good, your guide may lead a further ridge ascent for even more sweeping views of the Sella and Marmolada groups.

🚌Drive or local taxi to Livinallongo del Col di Lana (~15 mins, ~£10–15 taxi or negligible fuel cost if self-driving).

🛏3-star guesthouse or B&B in Pescul/Selva di Cadore

• →Drive or local taxi to Livinallongo del Col di Lana (~15 mins, £10–15)
• →Visit the medieval Castello di Andraz en route
• →Full-day guided snowshoe to Passo Sief (7,245 ft) — ~5 miles, ~1,970 ft elevation gain through remote forest and open alpine terrain
• →Book certified alpine guide (shared cost from Day 2, or re-book separately ~£100–130 for the group)
• →Pick up a packed lunch from a local bakery or alimentari in Livinallongo (~£6–10)
• →Optional ridge extension to the Col di Lana summit (guide dependent on conditions)

The most ambitious day of the trip. Drive ~45 minutes to Col de Mèz and begin a high-altitude loop up to Forcella Forca Rossa (8,169 ft), the highest point of the itinerary. The trail climbs through larch woodland and open alpine pastures past the old Casoni di Valfredda huts, ascending into a remote wild valley before the steep final push to the saddle. The views from the top — Pale di San Martino, Civetta, Moiazza — are extraordinary. Descend via a panoramic ridge to the gentle pass between Valfredda and Fuciade, where a groomed trail leads back to the start. A guide is essential for this day given the elevation and avalanche terrain. Lunch is available at a mountain hut near Fuciade (~£12–16), or bring a packed lunch. Return to hotel by mid-afternoon for a final relaxing evening.

🚌Self-drive or taxi to Col de Mèz (~45 mins, ~£20–25 taxi or fuel cost).

🛏3-star guesthouse or B&B in Pescul/Selva di Cadore

• →Drive ~45 minutes to Col de Mèz trailhead (self-drive or arrange a local taxi, ~£20–25)
• →Full-day guided snowshoe loop to Forcella Forca Rossa (8,169 ft) — ~6 miles, ~2,130 ft elevation gain
• →Panoramic views of Pale di San Martino, Civetta, San Lucano and Moiazza ranges
• →Lunch at a mountain hut near Fuciade or packed lunch (~£10–16)
• →Farewell dinner at a local restaurant in Selva di Cadore (~£20–25 with wine)

A shorter, scenic final morning before the journey home. Drive (~30 mins) to the Fedare area beneath Passo Giau — one of the most photographed vistas in the Dolomites. A 2–3 hour snowshoe loop (3 miles, ~720 ft gain) follows the ridgeline with sweeping views of Marmolada, Gran Vernel and the Pordoi-Sella group. This shorter route means you can manage it with or without a guide, depending on snow conditions — check with your hire shop or locally on the day. Enjoy a final lunch at Rifugio Fedare (~£12–16 for a hearty mountain meal). Then begin the journey back to Venice: drive or arrange a taxi to Belluno, pick up a regional coach/Flixbus, or drive directly to VCE (~2.5 hours). Aim to arrive at the airport by 4:00 PM to allow time for check-in. Return your hire car or take the ATVO bus back from Mestre.

🚌Self-drive or taxi back to Venice Marco Polo Airport (~2.5 hours). Taxi from Belluno to VCE ~£60–80 (split between group). Coach from Belluno to Mestre + ATVO bus ~£15–20pp.

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Drive to Fedare/Passo Giau area (~30 mins from Pescul)
• →Short snowshoe loop along the Passo Giau ridgeline — 3 miles, ~720 ft elevation gain, 2–3 hours
• →Spectacular views of Marmolada, Gran Vernel, and the Pordoi-Sella group
• →Final lunch at Rifugio Fedare with local mountain cuisine (~£12–16)
• →Return to Venice Marco Polo Airport — self-drive (~2.5 hrs) or taxi to Belluno then coach (~£15–20)
• →Return snowshoe and gear hire at the shop before departing