Self-Launched Hike, E-Bike and Canoe in the Dolomites
6 days · Dolomites, Italy
Much Better Adventures charges £1,395
No-markup version: ~£540 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
This self-launched version of the iconic Dolomites multi-activity adventure covers the same stunning ground — hiking Passo Giau and the Cinque Torri, e-biking up Mount Fertazza, and canoeing the turquoise Lago del Mis — but without the guided group tour premium. You'll swap the included airport transfer for a budget bus/train combo from Venice, book your own e-bike hire and canoe session directly, and stay in well-rated budget hotels and agriturismos rather than the 4-star spa hotel. Expect the same jaw-dropping UNESCO mountain scenery at roughly half the price. All costs are approximate estimates.
Day-by-day
Venice to Selva di Cadore
Selva di Cadore, Dolomites
Arrive into Venice Marco Polo Airport and make your way to Selva di Cadore independently. The most budget-friendly option is to take the ATVO or ACTV bus from the airport to Venice Mestre station (~£5), then a regional Trenitalia train to Calalzo di Cadore (~£15), followed by a local Dolomiti Bus to Selva di Cadore (~£5). Total journey time is around 3–3.5 hours. Check into your guesthouse and take an evening stroll to soak up views of Mount Pelmo, Cernera and Civetta. Grab dinner at a local trattoria — try the canederli (bread dumplings) or a hearty polenta dish.
🚌ATVO/ACTV bus to Mestre (~£5), Trenitalia train Mestre to Calalzo di Cadore (~£15), Dolomiti Bus to Selva di Cadore (~£5)
🛏Guesthouse or 2-star hotel in Selva di Cadore, e.g. Albergo Ristorante Sport or similar (~£35–45/night)
- →Travel from Venice Marco Polo Airport to Selva di Cadore via bus and train (~£25 total)
- →Evening walk to viewpoints for Mount Pelmo and Civetta
- →Dinner at a local trattoria in Selva di Cadore (~£15)
Hike Passo Giau to Mondeval di Sora
Passo Giau / Mondeval, Dolomites
This is one of the finest hikes in the Dolomites and you can do it completely independently — no guide required. Take the Dolomiti Bus from Selva di Cadore to Passo Giau (check seasonal timetables, ~£5 each way) or hire a taxi (~£20 one-way). The well-marked trail from Passo Giau up to the Mondeval di Sora plateau is clearly signposted (look for trail markers). The route passes through sweeping views of Monte Pelmo, Croda da Lago and the Lastoi de Formin. The hike is approximately 7 miles with 984ft ascent and 3,281ft descent, taking 4–5 hours. After the hike, optionally visit the Vittorino Cazzetta museum in Selva di Cadore to see the Mondeval Man exhibit (small entry fee ~£4). Download the Komoot or AllTrails app for offline maps before you go.
🚌Dolomiti Bus to Passo Giau (~£5 each way) or local taxi (~£20 one-way)
🛏Guesthouse or 2-star hotel in Selva di Cadore (~£35–45/night)
- →Self-guided hike from Passo Giau to Mondeval di Sora plateau (7 miles, 4–5 hours)
- →Panoramic views of Monte Pelmo, Croda da Lago and Civetta
- →Optional visit to Vittorino Cazzetta Museum in Selva di Cadore (~£4)
- →Picnic lunch on the plateau (buy supplies from local deli the evening before, ~£8)
E-Bike Mount Fertazza
Mount Fertazza, Dolomites
Hire an e-mountain bike locally in Selva di Cadore or nearby Colle Santa Lucia — several rental shops operate in the valley seasonally. Expect to pay around £40–55 for a full-day e-bike hire including helmet. Follow the well-marked gravel trail up through spruce and larch forests to the Fertazza hut (Rifugio Fertazza), then push on to the 6,824ft summit. The views of Marmolada, Averau and Pelmo from the top are extraordinary. Stop for lunch at the Rifugio Belvedere on the mountaintop — a hearty pasta or risotto costs around £12–16. Descend on the mix of gravel and off-road trails back to the valley. Search for 'noleggio e-bike Selva di Cadore' or check with your accommodation for the nearest rental outlet.
🚌E-bike (self-powered) from accommodation base
🛏Guesthouse or 2-star hotel in Selva di Cadore (~£35–45/night)
- →E-bike hire for the day (~£45–55 including helmet)
- →Climb to Mount Fertazza summit (6,824ft) via gravel and forest trails
- →Lunch at Rifugio Belvedere on the summit (~£14)
- →Descent via scenic off-road trails through alpine pastures
Hike Averau and the Cinque Torri, then transfer to Mis Valley
Cinque Torri / Mis Valley, Dolomites
Take a Dolomiti Bus or taxi from Selva di Cadore towards Passo Falzarego (~£10–20 depending on option). From the Falzarego area, follow the well-marked trail towards Forcella Averau — look for CAI trail signs. The route takes you past incredible 360° panoramas of the Lagazuoi and Tofane before reaching the iconic Cinque Torri rock towers. Explore the free open-air WWI museum of trenches and fortifications around the towers — a fascinating and eerie experience. Descend to Passo Falzarego. From here, you'll need to arrange onward transport to the Mis Valley near Sospirolo (~43 miles). The most practical option is a pre-booked taxi or rental car for this transfer (~£40–60 for a taxi, or hire a car for the day ~£35). Check into an agriturismo in the Mis Valley — options include Fattoria dei Fiori or similar family-run farmhouses, bookable via Agriturismo.it or direct.
🚌Dolomiti Bus or taxi to Passo Falzarego (~£15), pre-booked taxi or rental car to Mis Valley/Sospirolo (~£50)
🛏Agriturismo in Mis Valley near Sospirolo, e.g. Fattoria dei Fiori or similar (~£35–50/night, book direct or via Agriturismo.it)
- →Bus or taxi to Passo Falzarego trailhead (~£15)
- →Self-guided hike through Averau and the Cinque Torri (6 miles, 4–5 hours)
- →Exploration of the free WWI open-air museum at Cinque Torri
- →Transfer from Passo Falzarego to Mis Valley by taxi or rental car (~£50)
- →Check in to agriturismo in Mis Valley
Canoe Lago del Mis
Lago del Mis, Mis Valley
Lago del Mis is a strikingly beautiful turquoise reservoir in the heart of the Monti del Sole. Book a canoe or kayak hire session directly at the lake — several local outfitters and sports centres in the Mis Valley offer hourly or half-day rentals (~£20–30 for a half-day). Alternatively, search GetYourGuide for 'kayak Lago del Mis' for bookable guided sessions (~£35–50pp). Paddle across the emerald waters and pull out to walk to La Soffia waterfall and the Cadini del Brenton rock pools. Bring a picnic lunch from the agriturismo or a local shop. Note: in August/September water levels may be low — in that case the Piave River near Ponte nelle Alpi is the excellent alternative (canoe hire also available locally). Enjoy a farewell dinner at your agriturismo this evening.
🚌Short drive or walk from agriturismo to Lago del Mis
🛏Agriturismo in Mis Valley near Sospirolo (~£35–50/night)
- →Canoe or kayak hire on Lago del Mis (half-day, ~£25–35)
- →Self-guided paddle across the turquoise lake waters
- →Walk to La Soffia Waterfall and Cadini del Brenton rock pools
- →Picnic lunch by the lake (~£8)
- →Farewell dinner at the agriturismo (~£18)
Mis Valley back to Venice
Venice Marco Polo Airport
After breakfast at your agriturismo, arrange your return journey to Venice. The most budget-friendly route is to get a taxi or local bus from Sospirolo to Belluno (~£10–15), then take a Trenitalia regional train from Belluno to Venice Mestre (~£10), and finally the ATVO or ACTV bus to Venice Marco Polo Airport (~£8). Total journey time is roughly 2–2.5 hours. Allow extra time for connections and check timetables in advance at trenitalia.com and dolomitibus.it. Aim to depart your accommodation by 7:00–7:30am to catch a midday or early afternoon flight comfortably. Arrivederci!
🚌Taxi/bus to Belluno (~£12), Trenitalia train Belluno to Venice Mestre (~£10), ATVO bus to airport (~£8)
- →Breakfast at agriturismo
- →Return journey to Venice Marco Polo Airport via Belluno (~£25 total)
- →Check train and bus timetables in advance at trenitalia.com and dolomitibus.it
Self-launched vs. Much Better Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Much Better Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£540 | £1,395 |
| Duration | 6 days | 6 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £855 per person (61%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Much Better Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£540
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Hike, E-Bike and Canoe in the Dolomites cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £540 per person for 6 days in Dolomites, Italy. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Much Better Adventures?+
Yes — Much Better Adventures charges around £1,395 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £540 — a saving of roughly £855 (61%) per person.
How long is the Dolomites, Italy trip?+
This itinerary runs 6 days, covering 6 day-by-day stops through Dolomites, Italy.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, culture trip through Dolomites, Italy, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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