Hiking & the Mountains

The valley around the house is one of the great summer destinations in the Dolomites. From the door you can reach hundreds of kilometres of hiking trails, the birthplace of the via ferrata, and a world-class trail-running scene — all framed by the Antelao, Pelmo and Sorapis, with Cortina d'Ampezzo fifteen minutes up the valley.

Hiking and the high trails

Walks start from the path behind the house. San Vito sits at the foot of the Antelao — the "King of the Dolomites" — and is a genuine hiking hub. A classic day walk climbs from the village to Rifugio San Marco (1,823 m), about two hours on foot, ringed by the Antelao, Sorapis and Marmarole; gentler options include the little Lago di Mosigo and the walk to the Ru de Assola waterfall. San Vito is also a meeting point for three of the great Dolomite high routes — the Alte Vie 3, 4 and 5 — and a launch point for the ascents of Sorapis and Antelao.

The area's most famous walk is to the turquoise Lago di Sorapis, most easily reached via Passo Tre Croci above Cortina — one of the most photographed lakes in the Alps. The high trails and mountain huts are reliably open from mid-June to late September; outside that window, snow and closed huts make most routes impractical. Trail conditions in these mountains do change year to year, so it's worth checking locally before setting out — something a host on the ground can help with.

Via ferrata and climbing

These mountains are the birthplace of the via ferrata. Many of the routes around Cortina date back to the First World War of 1915–18, when troops equipped the ledges and chimneys with cables, ladders and bridges to reach the front lines — though several of the most famous routes at Lagazuoi and Cinque Torri were actually built or rebuilt after the war, retracing those wartime paths. Cortina has more than thirty via ferratas winding through the Tofane, Cristallo and Cinque Torri, from beginner-friendly climbs to demanding high-altitude traverses, and the cliffs around Lagazuoi are honeycombed with tunnels and trenches you can walk through today.

Cinque Torri is Cortina's most famous climbing location — a cluster of limestone towers that was also the site of fierce fighting in the First World War, with reconstructed trenches, an open-air war museum, and Rifugio Nuvolau, the oldest refuge in the Dolomites, on the ridge above. Because a via ferrata is not automatically safe just because there are cables, first-timers should go with a certified Alpine Guide — the local Guide Alpine Cortina run introductory routes, and we can point guests to them.

Trail running

The trails around Cortina are a world stage for running. The house sits at the heart of the Lavaredo Ultra Trail by UTMB — one of the sport's most iconic events, run over five distances from 10K to the flagship 120K, which climbs 5,800 m past the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, starting and finishing on Cortina's Corso Italia. The same high paths — past Cristallo, Sorapis, Tofane and Croda da Lago — make superb training and recreational running terrain through the summer.

Your base for a walking or training trip

The whole house sleeps 14 and is built for active groups — a trail crew training for the Lavaredo, a walking party, or family and friends combining the mountains with a Dolomites holiday. You get a quiet, modern, more affordable base fifteen minutes below Cortina, a private garden and dedicated parking, EV and e-bike charging, and a local host who knows these mountains and can point you to the right guides and routes.

Hiking & mountains FAQ

What walks start near the house? Several trails start on the path behind the house. A classic day walk climbs from San Vito to Rifugio San Marco (about two hours); gentler options include the little Lago di Mosigo and the Ru de Assola waterfall. San Vito is also a launch point for the ascents of the Antelao and Sorapis.

How do I reach Lago di Sorapis? The turquoise Lago di Sorapis is most easily reached via Passo Tre Croci above Cortina — one of the most photographed lakes in the Alps and an achievable day hike.

When is hiking season in the Dolomites? The high trails and huts are reliably open from mid-June to late September. Outside that window, snow and closed huts make most high routes impractical, and conditions change year to year, so check locally before setting out.

What is a via ferrata, and do I need a guide? A via ferrata is a protected climbing route with fixed cables, ladders and rungs that lets hikers ascend rock faces safely with a harness and via ferrata set. For your first routes, go with a certified Alpine Guide; the local Guide Alpine Cortina run introductory routes.

Can I run the Lavaredo Ultra Trail trails? Yes — the house is very close to the Lavaredo Ultra Trail course, and the high paths past the Tre Cime, Sorapis and Tofane are open for running from roughly mid-June to late September.

Is the house good for a walking or trail-running group? Yes — it sleeps 14, sits on the valley floor with trails from the door and Cortina 15 minutes away, and has a private garden, parking and EV and e-bike charging.