Incredible Itineraries - Hiking and Fly Fishing the Dolomite Mountains of Italy

Fly Water Travel - Incredible Itineraries

Lorenzo Acciai is a second-generation tour guide who has a special knack for taking small groups off-the-beaten-path and showing them intimate and authentic experiences. This trip is highlighted by scenic and lightly traveled trails, small boutique accommodations, and the fine dining. Traveling with Lorenzo is like traveling with a friend who knows the locals and will open doors that the average tourist would never know existed. This trip can be done with groups of two to six guests and focuses primarily on hiking. It also has four days of fishing, making a very special offering for couples wanting to see the secret side of the Dolomites. View the custom itinerary and special availability below.

Day 1: Pick up/transfer to San Cassiano, overnight San Cassiano

We will meet in Venice and drive north to San Cassiano where we will begin our first walk on a path that takes us through beautiful, rolling meadows and tall forests. A traditional Malga, farm house, will be our lunch stop. We will then continue down into the quaint town of San Cassiano, located in the heart of the eastern Dolomite range. Dinner will be at the marvelous three star Michelin restaurant St. Hubertus.

Day 2: San Cassiano, overnight San Cassiano

The pretty town of San Cassiano is in the Trentino-Aldo Adige. The Badia Valley is home to the “Ladini”: people who speak a local, archaic dialect (which varies from valley to valley and is more similar to Latin than Italian.) Many signs are posted in three languages: Italian, German, and Ladin. The fields of Armentara which lie at the foot of the Santa Croce mountains offer us a lovely loop walk today. This morning we’ll depart right from our hotel and hike through the large grassy fields of San Leonardo in the Badia valley. Our hike continues up to 2,000 ft. to a popular sanctuary which attracts pilgrims from all over the area.

We'll stop for lunch here, in the family-run-for-5-generations Rifugio Santa Croce, in a beautiful setting nestled at the foot of the “Sas dla Crusc”. Tonight’s home cooked dinner will be prepared by a mother and daughter working together in the kitchen of their Maso.

Day 3: Val Gardena, Val Gardena

Today we leave San Cassiano and head into the neighboring valley: Val Gardena.
En route we will stop for a hike that brings us up to the Cir pass: a lunar like landscape that will take our breath away. Once we reach the saddle a long descent will take us in to the Vallunga (long valley). From here we will continue our walk to Vila Frainela, an exquisite teahouse where we will have a delicious lunch. Daniela, the owner, prepares some of the best cakes I have ever had! After lunch a short drive will take us back to our hotel where you will have some time to explore the town or relax in your hotel's lovely Spa.

Day 4: Passo Sella, overnight Val Gardena

We set off to reach the Passo Sella, a high mountain pass between the provinces of Trentino and South Tyrol. Here we will have the option to hike up, or hop on a cable car that will take us up to the rifugio Toni Demetz, nestled between the Sasso Lungo (long rock) and the Cinque Dita (five fingers) at an altitude of 2,685m. From here we begin to descend with views overlooking Europes largest high mountain plateau, Alpe di Siusi. Our hike will loop around the Sasso Lungo and take us back to our van. We’ll drive back to our hotel and have some time to relax before dinner.

Day 5: Transfer to Bressanone, overnight Bressanone

We wave goodbye to the Val Gardena as we descend into the Isarco valley till we reach the fairytale town of Bressanone, (also known as Brixin) set on the confluence of two rivers and framed by forested mountains. We will be spending our next two nights in the historic Hotel Elephant. Dinner tonight in our favorite restaurant - the Apostelstube (the room of the Apostles) - an exquisite Michelin starred restaurant managed by the hotel owner and his wife.

Day 6: Bressanone/Novacella Abbey, overnight Bressanone

This morning we’ll visit the town with a local guide, to learn a bit about its extensive history (the Romans were here too) and impressive monuments, including the Cathedral’s lovely frescoed fourteenth century cloister. We’ll then drive to a quaint hamlet that houses the most important Augustinian Abbey in the Tyrol: Abbazia di Novacella, known for its historic garden and baroque library. We’ll enjoy a wine tasting with our lunch. Later in the afternoon we’ll return to Bressanone where you will have free time to wander the winding streets lined with charming pastel houses of this medieval mountain settlement.

Day 7: Transfer Val di Fiemme, overnight Cavalese

An hour’s drive will take us to the Val di Fiemme: one of the sweeping valleys of the Dolomites, stretching along the Avisio river which runs between the Lagorai and Latemar mountains. The town of Cavalese is our home for the next three nights. Here you will meet your excellent river guides Jack and William. After a brief introduction we will gear up and head to the Travignolo river for an overview of the local fly fishing techniques that we’ll be adopting the following days. Here we’ll have the opportunity to catch some nice brown trout. Dinner at a trattoria in town.

Day 8: Val di Fiemme fishing, overnight Cavalese

Our local guide will take us for a full day of fishing on the Avisio river, which is considered a first category water stream and spawning ground for marble trout. Here you will have the challenge of catching some beautiful specimens! We will stop for lunch and continue fishing in the afternoon for endemic species that are typical of the Dolomiti and are characterized by a breathtaking colors. Dinner tonight in a local restaurant.

Day 9: Val di Fiemme Fishing, overnight Cavalese

Today we will have a picturesque hiking and fishing adventure. We will enjoy a hike up to an alpine lake, part of the Lagorai mountain range where we’ll be able to enjoy a lovely day of dry fly fishing for Alpine Char - the main inhabitant of these lakes. A light lunch will be prepared along the shores.

Day 10: Val di Fiemme Fishing, overnight Cavalese

We will return to fish on the Travignolo stream in an uncontaminated and unique environment - a true dry fly paradise. We will have lunch at the Lagorai Terrace in Bellamonte and then continue to fish in the afternoon.

Day 11: Val di Fiemme Fishing, overnight Cavalese

We will enjoy another full day of fishing on the generous Avisio river in the Val di Cembra canyon, where the water flows between the incredible granite walls creating spectacular holes, ideal for hosting marble trout. We’ll enjoy a lunch at the 4 Venti pizza restaurant before returning on the river for the afternoon.

Day 12: Departure

We wave goodbye to this beautiful valley and the Dolomiti mountains as we transfer to your next destination. Arrivederci! See you soon!

Life is full of changes, and lovely for that reason. There may be slight variations in our program due to weather, a great new restaurant, or a beautiful sunset. All hikes can be a gentle stroll or rigorous hike. We tailor each day to guests' ability and desire and can easily adjust as the trip progresses.