italian dolomites hut-to-hut hike for couples: July 22-30, 2026

Into the Wild is a chance to take a moment for you and your partner. To dive deep into your wild woman self. To see the Italian alps’ beauty, culture, and landscape. To, simply put, have a wild time with your partner, experience the mountains of Italy that will take your breath away, sleep in 3 adorably quaint huts with amazing food, and try new things. To accomplish a feat that will challenge you and make you feel proud.

This trip is for you badass hiker couples out there! This Italian Dolomites 3 night thru-hike plus day hikes is just that: a hut to hut hike lasting 3 nights, through beautiful mountainous terrain like you’ve never dreamed of, followed by a rest day and one more extremely beautiful day hike (optional). This trip is NOT for a fair-weather hiker or somebody who’s never hiked before. It CAN be for somebody getting into hiking or who simply likes hiking, or somebody who’s never backpacked before, or somebody who’s willing to put in the time to train. You and your partner absolutely must be ready by May 2026 for this trip.

Do you have an interest in hiking through the Italian Dolomites, up and down beautiful passes on the Alta Via 1? Do you desire to see the world through new eyes? To achieve a physical feat that you can look back on and be proud of? Self-rediscovery? Self-empowerment? Bringing out your inner wild selves?

If so- this retreat is for you, and couples like you. Come as you are and leave as your best selves, with new friends, new experiences, and a new zest for life and the outdoors.

The cost per couple for this trip is $5399.

Below is the information on what you’ll experience on this thru-hiking trip in the Dolomites.

To see what 2025’s trip was like, follow me on instagram at @intothewild.adventure and check out the Dolomites highlight!

overview:

This trip to the Italian Dolomites will likely be the first to the area for many of you. This Into the Wild trip is run by Wendy and Thor- we will have all the details laid out and ready for you- all you have to do is follow our lead and enjoy the experience of hiking miles and miles through absolutely stunning scenery. Thor will provide photos of our trip, so you’ll have memories of the hike and the beauty throughout for years to come.

pricing:

This hiking trip is priced at $5399 per couple (two people in a romantic relationship). You may pay in one or two installments. This price will include the first night’s hotel stay in Venice, Italy, a night in Cortina d’Ampezzo before the trek, 3 nights in huts and mountain lodges, two more nights in Cortina after the hut to hut, and then a final night back in Venice. It also includes all breakfasts, lunches and dinners, bus and train tickets to trailheads. You will pay for anything else including extra alcoholic drinks, snacks, and souvenirs. You’ll also need to get travel insurance which isn’t too expensive, but it is required and proof must be provided. You’ll also be required to sign a liability waiver.

when:

July 22-July 30, 2026. You must book your flight to arrive on July 22nd to Venice Airport to avoid problems with delays, etc. The transfer to Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, will happen on July 23rd, and we will begin our trek on the 24th.

The hut-to-hut trek will include 3 nights stays in huts called Refugios (the 25, 26, and 27th). These are not the small huts your mind might think of, but more like rustic hostels nestled in the Dolomite range, where we will sleep, dine on half-board meals (large portions, boasting the region’s delicious fares!) and beverages, and enjoy the magestic alpine views. Please note that most huts have only twin beds and bunk beds, but in huts where a double/queen/king bed can be reserved for couples, they will be. Each night we will rest up, enjoy each other’s company in stunning scenery, and prepare for the next day’s adventure.

After these 3 nights going hut to hut, we will transfer back to Cortina d’Ampezzo for a rest day (the 28th of July). We will then do a beautiful day hike on the 29th, and you can opt in or out of an early morning hike on the 30th before we head back to Venice, arriving around 6pm. You will book your flights for the morning of July 30th from Venice back to your home. Optionally you can stay in Venice on either end of the trip to get your sightseeing in!

Who:

This retreat is for the couple interested in maximum fun in the beautiful Dolomite mountain range of Italy. We will combine adventure and sightseeing and send you home feeling amazing. We are firm believers that fun and adventure with your partner are a key part of maintaining a healthy relationship. Be prepared to rediscover each other and what originally drew you together!

Couples who come to this retreat should fall somewhat into these guidelines:

You and your partner want a trip that will break the mold of typical trips- it’s exotic, challenging to plan for yourself, and so unlike any other trip you’ve taken.

You enjoy nature and being out in it.

You love hiking.

You want to try new things.

You look forward to having an epic time with your partner without having to do the work of planning it.

You are ready to unplug and have amazing experiences.

You are ready to gain friends of a similar outdoor and travel loving mindset.

Why:

When is the last time you enjoyed 8 nights abroad for yourselves? To develop as a couple, rediscover each other and to have adventures you deserve?

NOTE: THIS PARTICULAR INTO THE WILD TRIP IS ALL ABOUT THE HIKING, ADVENTURE AND THE INCREDIBLE SIGHTS AND EXPERIENCES. UNBEATABLE FOOD WILL BE PREPARED ALONG THE TRAIL!

What:

A couple’s adventure vacation built to help you rediscover you and your partner’s connection, your passions, and this beautiful earth you live on. An experience that will make you feel youthful and adventurous (and tired!). A moment to be close whatever it is that drives you. A bonding experience not to be missed.

We will hike together. Make lots of new friends, and laugh a lot, and create unforgettable memories, together, of course.

A friendly note: We have noticed that a lot of people come to the Dolomites and are surprised that the trails are techinical, narrow, rocky and challenging. Consider this your warning that this is not a walk in the park! However- you can do it with training or if you’re already an avid mountain hiker. Happy to give you tips and tricks as you train!

IMPORTANT NOTE: tHIS RETREAT WILL INVOLVE WILD ADVENTURES. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO STRIVE for and GET TO A MODERATE/advanced HIKE LEVEL BY May 15 2026 SO YOU CAN BE READY TO trek/hike and adventure WITH THE GROUP. iF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AT ALL ABOUT WHAT THIS MEANS, JUST ASK! wendy or Thor @itwadventure.com

Disclaimer: Due to the nature of retreat planning- there are not refunds, only re-sales of your ticket in which you must find a buyer. IMPORTANT: if you end up not being ready for this hike, you can transfer your ticket to another trip for a $500 fee plus the difference in costs between retreats.

Into The Wild is requiring its trip attendees to provide proof of travel insurance purchase for this trip. Generally this costs an extra $100USD per person, and can save your bacon when traveling and things go wrong. Please email wendy@itwadventure.com if you have any questions about getting travel insurance.

Below are some pictures of the Couples trip to the Dolomites in 2025 so you can preview the scenery!

ITINERARY: (Subject to changes)

July 22: everyone meets up in Venice, and the trip officially begins with an intro dinner. Explore Venice in small groups. Sleep :)

July 23: store non-trek luggage in Venice. Head out at 11 am via public transportation to the lovely and gorgeous Italian town of Cortina d’Ampezzo! We will spend one night here and you will be able to get last minute trek items needed- or snacks as well if we arrive to town on time.

Day 1 of trek, (July 24): We will head via transport 30 minutes out of Cortina to our start point. The start point is a gorgeous lake that will undoubtedly be very crowded- however as we start climbing, we will leave the crowds behind. 8.6km / 881m up / 240m down. We will stop for lunch at a rifugio along the way, and I promise you that at this point you will have already fallen in love with the Dolomites. When finished hiking, we will check into our first hut/rifugio and eat dinner and relax!

Day 2 of trek, (July 25): Wake up, eat breakfast at the hut, and packs on! Today we will do 10km / 538m up / 608m down. Couple of steep ups and downs as we conquer passes. Narrow trails. So much fun! GORGEOUSSSSSSSS. Another great lunch break at a rifugio along the way, and when we arrive to our sleeping hut, we will relax until dinner.

Day 3 of trek, (July 26): Wake up, eat breakfast and head to our last hut. Today we will hike 12.2km / 1150m up / 450m down and be able to enjoy some WW1 tunnels carved into the mountains, and enjoy incredible views. Arriving at the hut, we will drop our packs and have dinner and sleep.

Day 4 of trek, (July 27th): Wake up, eat breafast and hike back to Cortina d’Ampezzo! Today we will hike 12.8km / 1100m up / 1275m down. We will also enjoy a rather dramatic scenery change as we leave the rocky cliffs and mountains and head into green forests and pastures that will take your breath away. When we arrive to Cortina, we will check into our hotel and enjoy a little bit more luxurious rooms! Group dinner, free time.

July 28: Rest day. Today we will enjoy doing whatever you want to do. There is no scheduled itinerary except an optional lunch with the group and a dinner as well. You are truly free to explore Cortina as you wish, but be sure to grab some peach gelato at Da Po- it’s life changing.

July 29: Today is an optional day hike that will begin very early in the morning to avoid crowds. This hike is up to Lake Sorapis, an incredibly bright turquoise lake that blows the mind! We will have a packed breakfast today and be able to get a snack at a hut by the lake. Expect more crowds on this one, but it’s worth it because of the views and the beauty. This is a 7.5 mile hike, 2,000 foot gain and there is one section that has a cable you can hold onto, as the trail has quite a big dropoff on one side. After hiking, we will go back to the hotel, collect our luggage, and head back to Venice (about 3 hours of travel). Upon arrival in Venice, we will check into our hotel, reunite with the rest of our luggage, and have our final group dinner! (Note: today’s hike is subject to change based on weather).

July 30: retreat ends! Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and head on home or extend your trip!

We aim for friendships to be formed with other couples- it’s one of the top features of Into the Wild retreats, as stated by couples who’ve participated in the past. MOST rooms are SHARED, dorm-style rooms. If possible at the huts, a double bed will be reserved for each couple, but most have twin or bunk beds. Again, with the nature of the mountain huts, all rooms are shared occupancy. We know- this sounds scary. But it always turns out to be the best!

A reminder: your expenses are all paid, except your flights to and from Venice from your home, extra alcohol, extra snacks and any souvenirs. We cover lodging, activities, food, transport, etc!