Alpe di Siusi is good for the eyes and good for the soul! It’s a “must” when visiting Val Gardena in the Italian Dolomites. Gentle trails offer relaxing day hikes across Europe’s largest alpine meadow…
All in Europe
Via Ferrata Sass Rigais + Seceda
From Seceda, Sass Rigais is the highest of the Odle-Geisler peaks. We combined a hike across Seceda with a climb to 10,000 feet on via ferrata Sass Rigais…
Via Ferrata Pitla Gran Cir + Gran Cir Scramble
VF Pitla Gran Cir climbs high above Passo Gardena for expansive views of Puez-Odle, Sella Group, and Sassolungo. For a longer day, combine with a hike up neighboring Gran Cir…
Via Ferrata Col Rodella
Col Rodella is a small hilltop at Passo Sella with 360 degree stunning views of iconic mountains: Sella Group, Sassolungo, Marmolada… The via ferrata on the backside is short and fun!
Via Ferrata Oskar Schuster
Unlike other via ferrata routes in the Dolomites, VF Oskar Schuster wasn’t built for troop movement; rather, it was built for fun and adventure! One of our favorite courses!
Budget and Logistics: Two Months in the Italian Dolomites
We did not plan ahead for our two month adventure in the Italian Dolomites, which ran counter to everything we had read prior to our trip…
Day Hike: Belvedere Creston Popera Loop from Berti Hut
Belluno, Veneto, on the eastern side of the Dolomites is off the beaten path. A day hike from Berti Hut along the Belvedere Creston Popera loop is worth leaving South Tyrol to enjoy…
Via Ferrata Nord Croda Rossa di Sesto
Via ferrata Nord Croda Rossa is rated 2B. While not technically difficult, it is a long and aggressive climb to the stunning summit of Croda Rossa di Sesto…
Italian Dolomites: Via Ferrata Strada degli Alpini
Via ferrata Strada degli Alpini was built by Italian forces, who carved through sheer limestone cliffs to create a narrow foot path from Forcello Giralba to Passo della Sentinella….
Unusual Itinerary: 5 Night Trek in Tre Cime Nature Park
Fantastic 5 nights in the east region of Tre Cime Nature Park, a little off the beaten path. We did via ferratas Strada degli Alpini and Nord Croda Rossa…
Day Hike: Prato Piazza to Lago di Braies
Prato Piazza is a high-altitude alpine meadow in Fanes-Sennes-Braies National Park. Great day hikes and an excellent vantage point to behold some of the Dolomite’s most spectacular peaks…
Day Hike: Trail #19 at Lago di Braies
Loop Trail #19 from Lago di Braies wildly exceeded expectations. We escaped the lake-side crowds with a heart-pumping hike to high Alpine pastures…
Dolomites Base Town: Dobbiaco, Val Pusteria
Dobbiaco (aka Toblach) in Pusteria Valley, South Tyrol, was our base town while exploring Tre Cime National Park, Lago di Misurina, Lago di Braies, and more...
Dolomites Base Town: Ortisei in Val Gardena
Ortisei in Val Gardena was our base town while exploring Puez-Odle National Park, with numerous via ferrata options, day hikes, and renowned sites such as Seceda and Alpe di Siusi…
Day Hike: Tre Cime via Val di Rienza
Our first hike in the Italian Dolomites set an exceptionally high bar! We hiked from Val di Rienza up to Locatelli Hut and then Path 101 to Tre Cime…
Bavarian Kings and Fairytale Palaces in Füssen, Germany 1833-1886
Ready for some fairytale castles? This post provides the historical context and cast of characters behind two of Germany’s most famous castles: Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau, near Füssen in Bavaria, Germany.
Theft and Extortion in Budapest, Hungary
Boy did we get suckered, again and again in Budapest. Outright theft at a metro ticket machine, extortion by metro agents, and tasteless restaurant meals that looked nothing like the pictures on the menus. We spent five days in Budapest, which was three days too many…
Stages 1-2 of the Slovenian Mountain Trail: Pohorje Hills
Stages 1 and 2 through the Pohorje Hills of northern Slovenia involved four days of hiking through pine forest, finding our trail legs….
Stage 3 of the Slovenian Mountain Trail: Kamnik Savinja Alps
The Kamnik Savinja Alps are a giant mountaineering playground. We had so much fun in this area that we stayed two weeks exploring the peaks of Ojstrica, Grintovec, Skuta, Kočna, Križ and more…
Stages 4-5 of the Slovenian Mountain Trail: Storžič and the Karavanke
The coolest aspect about the Karavanke is being able to see where you’ve come from (Pohorje Hills and Kamnik-Savinja Alps) and where you are headed next (Julian Alps)…