Today, shift gears from tourist to mountain explorer. The morning bus to Santa Cristina connects to the Monte Pana lift, depositing you on the western edge of Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm where the real hiking begins. The roughly three-hour push to Plattkoffelhutte Rifugio Sasso Piatto tackles most of your day’s elevation gain. First, cut through forested mountain roads before ascending to high alpine meadows dotted with pastoral huts. If the uphill exertion doesn’t slow you down, the desire to want to take photos every step of the way will. 

Lunch at the rifugio fuels you for the afternoon’s continuation around the Sassolungo/Langkofel rock formation to Forcella Sassolungo. The additional two to three hours of hiking is surprisingly manageable on the well-maintained trail. Relatively flat with sweeping views across surrounding valleys, this route does have a few narrow points crossing small streams and several rocky sections that demand attention. 

Tonight, take your pick of mountain accommodation styles. Our top choice for creature comforts and alpine ambience is Rifugio Friedrich August. It’s where mountain hut vibes meet private rooms at a price that won’t break the bank. For a more off-grid and money-saving experience, end your hike a little sooner at Rifugio Sandro Pertini. This isolated mountain hut is a little more than halfway between Sasso Piatto and Passo Sassolungo (where your day starts tomorrow.) If you’re looking to splurge, head to Hotel Passo Sella or Rifugio Salei, but beware there are likely multi-night minimums at these upscale options so you’ll need to budget more time into your journey. A few nice rifugios are also available at the top of Passo Sussolungo, but you’ll need to be confident in your abilities to make the extreme climb at the end of an already long day or else time your trek accordingly so you can catch the last gondola up – usually around 4 or 5 pm.

If your first instinct has you a little apprehensive to board the “coffin gondolas” at Passo Sassolungo, we wouldn’t blame you. But rest assured this vintage cable car has been transporting skiers and hikers to Forcella de Sassolungo since the 1950s. The narrow design of the compartments only allows for one or two persons at a time and is meant to be better suited for the whipping winds of mountain pass. If you like an adrenaline kick with slightly unnerving charm, you’ll love the three minute ride up the nearly 3,000 meters of elevation. Otherwise it feels like three hours. Behind you, the views stretching across the entire Dolomite range are a worthy antidote to calm the nerves. 

Safely back at the base of the lift, your descent continues to Plan de Gralba. The trail should take under two hours to complete, and you can catch one of the lifts near the top of the Sassolungo Mountain Bike Park to speed your way down.

By midday you’ll face another choice: quick lunch at one of Plan de Gralba’s base hotels or push through to Corvara where more dining options await?

Pro tip: since you’ll be taking the bus to Corvara, we suggest waiting to eat until you arrive there, if possible. These winding mountain roads are packed with hairpin turns, which don’t pair well with a full stomach.

Once in Corvara in Badia/Karfur and happily satiated, catch the lift up to Piz la Ila before it closes. There, rolling high-altitude plateaus and dramatic viewpoints stretch as far as the eye can see. Tonight, stay a little closer to the stars in one of the rifugios atop Piz la Ila. Epic panoramic views of the surrounding Alta Badia area make for an equally dazzling sunset and sunrise.

By now your legs might need a break, but the adventure doesn’t have to stop. Head down to the adorable town of St. Kassian/San Cassiano where local mountain bike outfitters await. For a sporty ride, head back up to Piz la Ila where a network of dedicated singletrack trails and technical descents will entertain you all day, ride after ride. 

Pro tip: In the Dolomites in summer, many gondolas and chair lifts are equipped to transport mountain bikes, as well. 

For a more leisurely cycle, enjoy the extra wide double-track paths winding through Alta Badia’s scenic valleys and charming towns. Ask one of the rental shop staff to recommend a suitable route for your experience level and interests. Whatever adventure you choose, it’s worth the upgrade to an e-bike if you want to cover more ground with less suffering. 

Back in St. Kassian, your hiking pack waits patiently for your evening return. Treat yourself to an upscale accommodation in town like Aman Rosa Alpina, Hotel Fanes, or Hotel Steinrosl, or select something more modest to align closer to a basic rifugio budget. Luckily it’s all possible right in St. Kassian without needing to take another climb.

Your final day brings everything full circle with a bus ride back to Val Gardena, where you’ll drop your bags at VitalHotel Dosses in Santa Cristina. If you skipped Seceda on the first day, now’s your chance at redemption—the Col Raiser cable railway delivers you to those iconic jagged ridgelines and sweeping vistas. Budget time for lunch at AlmHotel Col Raiser, Fermeda Hütte, or Baita Daniel Hütte, where plates of Tyrolean dumplings and apple strudel welcome you.

Don’t let the views and mountain air distract you for too long! Make sure you’re back down and checked into the VitalHotel Dosses with enough time to enjoy their spa facilities—the perfect self-care grand finale to several active days in the Dolomites. Take a dip in their outdoor pool while soaking in views of the towering northern face of Sassolungo. Hot tubs, saunas, an ice room, and a mountain spring deluge are all your well-earned rewards after a taxing few days on the trails. Linger several nights, and enjoy guided excursions into the surrounding area by foot or bike so you can get more Dolomites magic without having to plan it yourself. When it’s time to depart, Santa Cristina is an easy bus connection back to Bolzano where more transit connections carry visitors onward.