Fortified by a copious breakfast buffet, we set out for a full day of exploring around the majestic Sciliar plateau and Sassopiatto.  We start by taking the nearby gondola at Spitzbühl to help us gain some altitude without the effort.  This morning’s hike is gently undulating, traversing 3 miles and taking approximately 1h45 minutes across open meadows with superb views, weather allowing, of Sciliar and Catinaccio Dolomite massifs. 

Our efforts are immediately rewarded at our lunch stop, the picturesque mountain hut Rauchhütte, where the dumplings and views are equally memorable.

If the free-flowing beers at lunch have you hankering for a poolside snooze, the walk back to our hotel is quite easy. We will not judge!  Those hankering for more trails, continue onto the hamlet of Saltria, where we catch a chairlift for a swift ascent into the high alpine air for the afternoon’s explorations. Our route offers shady forest trails, open meadows, and vistas of the Fassa and Duron valleys, with the impressive backdrops of the Gruppo del Sassolungo and Sassopiatto.  Following the well-made path (often shared by grazing, bell-ringing milk cows) our walk leads back to Saltria for a short ride home. No matter what route you choose, you're sure to encounter extraordinary views and a day well-spent in this magical corner of Italy.

Dinner on your own this evening – we suggest our hotel’s Alplina Chalet Grill and Bar, where the menu includes steaks, Mediterranean classics, and tasty gourmet pizzas.