---
title: "Grande Traverse of the Dolomites - Bolzano to Cortina"
type: "tour"
trip_type: "self-guided"
lang: "en"
distance_km: 130
elevation_plus_m: 7930
elevation_minus_m: 6430
difficulty: "Medium"
duration_days: 10
from_price_eur: 1180
season: "Mid-June to mid-September"
accommodation: "Mountain refuges (dormitories and collective rooms)"
start_point: "Bolzano"
end_point: "Cortina d'Ampezzo"
url: "https://dolomites-guide.com/tours/grande-traverse-bolzano-cortina/"
description: "10-day self-guided traverse from Bolzano to Cortina through Rosengarten, Alpe di Siusi, Puez-Odle, and Tre Cime. Mountain refuges with half-board."
---

# Grande Traverse of the Dolomites - Bolzano to Cortina

A 10-day self-guided traverse from Bolzano to Cortina crossing the Rosengarten, Alpe di Siusi, Puez-Odle plateau, Lagazuoi and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo - all with refuge half-board throughout.

## Overview

This traverse links the most celebrated landscapes of the Dolomites in a single continuous journey. Over 10 days, walkers move through the Rosengarten massif, across the vast expanse of Alpe di Siusi, over the high Puez-Odle plateau and past the wartime tunnels of Lagazuoi before finishing with two nights near the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Mountain refuge accommodation keeps you embedded in the range from start to finish.

## Stats

- Trip type: self-guided
- Difficulty: Medium
- Duration: 10 days
- Daily hours: 2-7h
- Distance: 130 km
- Elevation gain: 7930 m
- Elevation loss: 6430 m
- Accommodation: Mountain refuges (dormitories and collective rooms)
- Start: Bolzano
- End: Cortina d'Ampezzo
- From price: €1180 per person
- Season: Mid-June to mid-September

## Highlights

- Rosengarten towers glowing at dusk from the Stella Alpina refuge
- Alpe di Siusi - Europe's largest high-altitude alpine pasture
- Puez-Odle plateau: a vast limestone tableland above the valley world
- Lagazuoi summit with sweeping views from the Marmolada to Austria
- WWII bunkers and tunnels carved into the Fontanegra pass rock
- Travenanzes canyon - a dramatic gorge of pale Dolomite stone
- Two nights at the foot of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo

## Included

- 9 nights in mountain refuges with half-board (dinner and breakfast)
- Digital travel packet with route notes and GPX files
- Luggage transport on select days
- Tourist taxes
- 24/7 phone support throughout the trek

## Not included

- Transport to Bolzano and from Cortina
- Lunches and drinks
- Travel insurance
- Possible paid showers at refuges
- Printed travel packet (optional supplement)

## Availability

- 06/2026: available
- 07/2026: available
- 08/2026: available
- 09/2026: available
- 06/2027: available
- 07/2027: available
- 08/2027: available
- 09/2027: available

## Day-by-day itinerary

### Day 1: Bolzano to Stella Alpina Refuge

- Distance: 13 km
- Time: 3.5 h
- Ascent: 880 m
- Descent: 550 m

**Gateway into the Rosengarten.** The traverse opens with a climb through Passo Costalunga and along the Roda di Vael ridge, where the Rosengarten towers dominate the western skyline. The day is short but the arrival at Stella Alpina refuge (2,000 m (6,562 ft)) sets the mood immediately - this is mountain terrain from the first afternoon.

### Day 2: Stella Alpina to Alpe di Tires

- Distance: 14 km
- Time: 5 h
- Ascent: 900 m
- Descent: 430 m

**Through the Vajolet towers.** The route threads past the vertical Vajolet Towers and climbs to Passo Principe at 2,599 m (8,527 ft) before descending to the Alpe di Tires refuge at 2,440 m (8,005 ft). The surrounding rock architecture is extraordinary - tall, rusted-orange pillars on all sides. Expect to stop often.

### Day 3: Alpe di Tires to Passo Sella

- Distance: 14 km
- Time: 4.5 h
- Ascent: 860 m
- Descent: 570 m

**Across Europe's largest alpine pasture.** The morning drops onto the wide green expanse of Alpe di Siusi, where the walking is gentle and the horizons enormous. The route then climbs steadily past the Sasso Piatto before finishing at Passo Sella (2,244 m (7,362 ft)) - the gateway to the high Sella country ahead.

### Day 4: Passo Sella to Gardenaccia Refuge

- Distance: 15 km
- Time: 6 h
- Ascent: 1090 m
- Descent: 800 m

**Into the Puez-Odle wilderness.** The route descends to Selva, climbs the quiet Vallunga valley and pushes up to the remote Puez plateau - austere limestone tabletops with few other walkers. The Gardenaccia refuge at 2,050 m (6,726 ft) makes a memorable stop, perched above the Badia valley with wide views on all sides.

### Day 5: Gardenaccia to Dibona Refuge

- Distance: 15 km
- Time: 6 h
- Ascent: 1000 m
- Descent: 790 m

**Lagazuoi and the Cortina panorama.** The day passes through La Villa and climbs past Lago Scotoni to reach Lagazuoi at 2,507 m (8,225 ft) - a summit with a refuge and views stretching from the Marmolada to Cortina d'Ampezzo. A long descent brings you to Dibona refuge (2,037 m (6,683 ft)) for the night.

### Day 6: Dibona to Ra Stua Refuge

- Distance: 15 km
- Time: 6.5 h
- Ascent: 700 m
- Descent: 1050 m

**WWII history and the Travenanzes gorge.** The Fontanegra pass holds wartime tunnels and bunkers carved directly into the rock - a sobering detour through living history. The route then drops into the Travenanzes canyon, a narrow corridor of white and grey stone, before levelling out to Ra Stua refuge at 1,668 m (5,472 ft).

### Day 7: Ra Stua to Prato Piazza

- Distance: 14 km
- Time: 5.5 h
- Ascent: 760 m
- Descent: 570 m

**Across the Sennes plateau.** A varied day climbs from Ra Stua through the rolling Sennes alpine meadows beneath the red cliffs of Croda Rossa. After crossing the Gran de Foses valley, the route arrives at Prato Piazza - a wide grassy shelf suspended above the Landro valley with an unobstructed view south.

### Day 8: Prato Piazza to Auronzo Refuge

- Distance: 15 km
- Time: 6 h
- Ascent: 1140 m
- Descent: 930 m

**First sight of the Tre Cime.** A demanding day drops to Landro then climbs steadily through the Val Ribon before the final push to Auronzo refuge at 2,320 m (7,612 ft). The Tre Cime appear in full profile as you approach - one of those mountain views that interrupts your stride completely. First of two nights here.

### Day 9: Tre Cime Full Circuit

- Distance: 11 km
- Time: 4.5 h
- Ascent: 590 m
- Descent: 590 m

**The full Tre Cime loop.** A shorter day dedicated entirely to the classic circuit. The route passes the Lavaredo refuge and Forcella Lavaredo, skirts the north face of all three towers and visits the Locatelli refuge - the finest vantage point on the walk - before returning to Auronzo via the Paterno col and the Piani lakes.

### Day 10: Auronzo to Cortina via Misurina

- Distance: 4 km
- Time: 2.5 h
- Ascent: 10 m
- Descent: 150 m

**A gentle finish at Misurina.** The final morning follows a relaxed path from Auronzo past Lake Antorno to the shores of Lake Misurina at 1,780 m (5,840 ft). A bus then runs to Cortina d'Ampezzo, bringing the traverse to a close in one of the most elegant mountain towns in the Alps.

## FAQ

### What level of fitness is needed for this traverse?

This is a sustained 10-day route rated Medium (Level 3/5). Most days involve 5-6 hours of walking with 700 to 1,100 m (2,297 to 3,609 ft) of daily gain. You should be comfortable hiking in mountain terrain with a daypack for several hours. No technical climbing is required.

### What is the accommodation like on this route?

You stay in traditional Dolomites mountain refuges throughout. Most nights are in dormitory or collective rooms shared with other trekkers. Bedding is provided. Half-board includes a cooked dinner and breakfast. Private rooms are rarely available on this itinerary.

### When is the best time to walk the Grande Traverse?

The route runs from mid-June to mid-September. July and August offer the most settled weather with all refuges open. Late June and early September are quieter with cooler temperatures - a good choice if you prefer fewer people on the trail.

### How is luggage handled?

Luggage transport is included on select days where road access allows it. On other days you carry a daypack with personal items. A full packing list and logistics guide are included in the digital travel packet sent before departure.

### Is the Tre Cime circuit crowded on Day 9?

The Tre Cime circuit is one of the busiest walks in the Alps and can be very crowded mid-morning in peak season. Starting early from Auronzo refuge - before the day-tripper buses arrive - gives a noticeably quieter experience on the trail.