Dolomite High Routes in the Three Peaks Region - A unique mountain experience!

The most important data on the individual High Routes at a glance:

Dolomite High Route 1: The Classic Way (opened 1966)
from Lake Braies to Belluno | Eastern Dolomites
◷ 12 days | ↔ 150 km | short stages | easy to moderate | 1 via ferrata

Dolomite High Route 2: Way of Legends and Myths (opened 1969)
from Bressanone to Feltre | Western Dolomites
◷ 15 days | ↔ 185 km | easy with few exceptions | some grade II climbing sections, one glacier crossing

Dolomite High Route 3: Path of the Chamois (opened 1975)
from Dobbiaco or Villabassa to Longarone | Eastern Dolomites
◷ 10 days | ↔ 120 km | long stages | 1 to 2 via ferratas, some grade II climbing sections

Dolomite High Route 4: The Grohmann High Route (opened 1974)
from San Candido to Pieve di Cadore | Eastern Dolomites
◷ 8 days | ↔ 90 km | several via ferratas and grade II climbing sections

Dolomite High Route 5: Titian High Route (opened 1974)
from Sesto to Pieve di Cadore | Eastern Dolomites
◷ 10 days | ↔ 100 km | several via ferratas and grade II climbing sections | overnight stays partly in bivouac shelters only

Dolomite High Route 6: Path of Silence (opened 1972)
from Sappada to Vittorio Veneto | Carnic Alps
◷ 14 days | ↔ 190 km | lonely, long stages | difficult | several via ferratas and grade II-III climbing sections | overnight stays partly in bivouac shelters only

Dolomite High Route 7: In the Footsteps of Lothar Patera (opened 1976)
from Pieve d’Alpago to Segusino | Carnic Alps
◷ 11 days | ↔ 110 km | lonely, very long stages | very difficult | 1 via ferrata and grade II climbing sections | overnight stays partly in bivouac shelters only

Dolomite High Route 8: Way of Panoramas (opened 1981)
from Bressanone to Salorno | Western Dolomites
◷ 13 days | ↔ 160 km | short stages | easy to moderate | 1 via ferrata

Dolomite High Route 9: Transversal (opened 1983)
from Bolzano to Santo Stefano | Western and Eastern Dolomites
◷ 14 days | ↔ 180 km | short stages | easy to moderate | 1 via ferrata

Dolomite High Route 10: Judicarian High Route (opened 1985)
from Bolzano to Lake Garda | Nonsberg Alps, Brenta Group, Lake Garda Mountains
◷ 18 days | ↔ 200 km | long stages | moderate to difficult | 3 via ferratas

Which Dolomite High Routes are in the Three Peaks region?

The Glinzhof is located in the Three Peaks region and serves as both a starting point and a final destination for the 4 Dolomite High Routes that run through the Eastern Dolomites. For this reason, we have a personal connection to these long-distance trails and would like to particularly recommend them to you.

Tip: If you would like to find out more about the Dolomite High Routes in detail, we recommend the books “Dolomite High Routes 1-3”, “Dolomite High Routes 4-7” and “Dolomite High Routes 8-10” by Franz Hauleitner. They contain all the important information and addresses for the individual stages as well as recommended variations of the respective long-distance trails.

A big plus:
The books are very light and fit well in a backpack.

Dolomite High Route No. 1 is considered the easiest of the 10 High Routes. Most stages are at an average altitude of 2000 meters and are easily manageable for passionate hikers. Only at the very end do you need absolute sure-footedness, a head for heights, and via ferrata experience. Those who do not feel up to it can easily take an alternative route.

The high-altitude route is marked with red-white-red signage as well as a blue triangle with a 1 in the center. The well-laid paths lead you over the main ridges of the most significant Dolomite groups to the charming city of Belluno, which is affectionately known as "Little Venice" in the mountains.

Since the path snakes along the natural north-south route through the Eastern Dolomites, you will witness impressive landscapes along the way.

In Belluno, at the Ufficio Turistico, you can receive a badge for the successful completion of Dolomite High Route No. 1 after presenting your collected hut stamps. If you complete the route in the opposite direction, you can obtain your badge at the Hotel Lago di Braies.

In contrast to Route No. 1, on High Route No. 3 you do not cross the main ridge of the Eastern Dolomites, but rather hike over the eastern side ridges. This makes the route considerably more demanding. Not only are there two valley descents to tackle, but you must also frequently overcome grade II climbing sections and, depending on personal preference, master one or two via ferratas.

Dolomite High Route No. 3 is consistently marked with orange or red signage as well as the orange triangle with a 3 in the center. It impresses with a magnificent mountain backdrop that is worth every effort. Whether it's traversing the Sorapiss massif, crossing the Picco di Vallandro massif, or hiking through the Bosconero group—the imposing landscapes will remain unforgettable.

While many stage destinations and stopovers are tourist magnets, the path itself leads through remote regions of the Dolomites, so you can look forward to quiet and lonely sections.

The long-distance trail ends in the historic town of Longarone, which was almost completely destroyed during a dam disaster in 1963. There, you can collect your well-deserved badge at the Ufficio Turistico.

Dolomite High Route No. 4 snakes—just like No. 1 and 3—through the Eastern Dolomites. From the Alta Pusteria, you travel through a spectacular realm of rock to Pieve di Cadore in the Piave Valley, the 16th-century birthplace of the famous Venetian painter Titian. There are no valley descents, so you will spend almost your entire time in the alpine and rocky regions.

The high-altitude route is marked with red-white-red signage and a red triangle with a 4. The rocky backdrops awaiting you along the way are guaranteed to make any mountain lover's heart leap with joy: the trail features the famous Three Peaks, the wildly rugged Cadini Group, the immense Sorapiss massif, the striking rocky spires of the Marmarole, and the notorious Monte Antelao, the second-highest peak in the Dolomites.

At the end of your multi-day tour, you can obtain a badge in Pieve di Cadore at the Ufficio Informazioni Turistiche at Piazza Municipio 13 after presenting all your hut stamps.

The loop that this high-altitude route follows through the beautiful Sesto Dolomites is one level tougher than High Route No. 4: grade III climbing skills are mandatory. Once, you must descend all the way into the valley, and at least twice, you may have to sleep under the open sky. Additionally, you will need plenty of water and sufficient provisions, as you cannot replenish your supplies on some stages.

The path is marked with red-white-red signage and a five inside a red triangle. Due to its high level of difficulty, it is one of the less-traveled high routes. Especially after the valley descent to Auronzo di Cadore, the crossing of the Marmarole massif can become quite lonely compared to the Sesto Dolomites.

Highlights of the tour, much like No. 4, include the imposing Three Peaks, the wild nature of the Marmarole, and the massive Antelao. However, because High Route No. 5 follows different paths than No. 4, your perspective on these impressive high-mountain vistas will be entirely different.

As with the other tour, you can exchange your collected hut stamps in Pieve di Cadore at the Ufficio Informazioni Turistiche at Piazza Municipio 13 for a badge.

Be physically fit

Depending on the level of difficulty, the individual high routes require different levels of basic fitness. However, regardless of which path you take, you should definitely be able to do the following:

• Your endurance should be sufficient to hike for 7 hours without signs of fatigue.
• You should have a head for heights and be sure-footed.
• You should physically master the basics of climbing, as via ferratas or climbing passages must be tackled depending on the high route.

As preparation for a high-altitude hike, jogging, swimming, gymnastic exercises, and demanding day hikes are recommended.

Know the alpine hazards

We have already written about the dangers in high mountain terrain in more detail here. Therefore, here is just a brief summary of the risks you may encounter on the Dolomite High Routes:

• Rockfalls: Be particularly careful when traversing steep mountain flanks and via ferratas.
• Heavy rainfall: Paths can become impassable or may partially break away from the mountainside.
• Snow: Until early summer, snowfields can be found along the way, where you could potentially slip.
• Fog: The Dolomite High Routes are very well marked, so getting lost in the fog is very rare.
• Venomous snakes: They live mainly in the southern Dolomites but are sensitive to vibrations, which is why there are very few reports of bite injuries. However, should it happen, it is best to immobilize and cool the bite wound, take a painkiller, and notify mountain rescue. Please do not tie off, suck out, cut open, or cauterize the wound!

1. Plan your route very carefully, memorize it as much as possible, and know the technical difficulties exactly. This way, your mind will be free to appreciate the beauty of the landscape you'll be hiking through.
2. In midsummer, the huts are also in high season, which means all sleeping berths might already be booked. Therefore, it's best to reserve a room before you start your journey.
3. The Dolomite High Routes can also be hiked in the opposite direction. In that case, however, they are more strenuous and, in our opinion, less rewarding. But whether as a crowning start or a grand finale – the wellness oasis at the Glinzhof definitely makes the experience perfect.