In 1917 the Mountain War came to an end after two years of bitter fighting between the Italian and Austrian armies in the Dolomite Mountains. Read about my exhilarating via ferrata in the Dolomites – amid the First World War’s most extreme battle ground. I am hit by a wave […]
Italian Alps & Dolomiti Mountains
Travel Ideas for the Italian Alps & Dolomiti Mountains in Italy
Wandering with Titian in Pieve di Cadore, Italy
At the end of my big week hiking in the Italian Dolomite Mountains I landed in Pieve di Cadore, a tiny town at the head of the Lago di Cadore in the province of Belluno. My first priority on arrival in Pieve di Cadore was taking off my hot hiking […]
Hiking the Alta Via 4 in the Dolomite Mountains of Italy
I’ve just got back from hiking in Italy – the Alta Via 4 long distance hiking route in the Dolomite Mountains to be precise. Gorgeous scenery, challenging hiking, exciting via ferrata, delicious food in cosy mountain refuges… hiking in the Dolomites is fantastic! I used the Cicerone guide to Trekking in […]
Planning a hike in the Dolomites, Italy
After two amazing hiking trips in the Italian Dolomite Mountains, I want to share some thoughts, tips and ideas for planning a hike in the Dolomites, one of Europe’s best hiking destinations. Hiking in the Dolomites So why go hiking in the Dolomite mountains of Italy? This area has been […]
A guide to planning a hike in the European Alps
It’s that time of year again – I’m planning a hike in the European Alps, that incredible theme park for lovers of alpine trekking. After tackling the Tour du Mont Blanc in recent summers I was a bit worried that I wouldn’t be able to find another Europe hike to […]
Hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc: Elisabetta to Bonhomme
The morning views on departing Rifugio Elisabetta as my Tour du Mont Blanc hike continued were spectactular. As forecast, the weather was closing in but there was still a bit of sunshine breaking through and turning the braided waterways of the Lac Combal to molten silver. The TMB day between […]
A day in Courmayeur and the Monte Bianco Skyway
After seven days hiking the Tour du Mt Blanc clockwise from Les Houches in hot weather, I awoke in Courmayeur to the sweet sound of summer rain. The stone roof tiles glistened and the rain dampened down the dusty days. Last night I was wiped out by a glass of […]
Hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc: Bonatti to Courmayeur
I decided to take the Monte de la Saxe route from Rifugio Bonatti to Courmayeur (I hiked the Tour du Mont Blanc clockwise) as the standard route is only four hours and after seven days on the mont blanc trail that seemed far too easy and likely to be busy […]
Hiking Tour du Mont Blanc: Ferret to Rifugio Bonatti
I didn’t leave the Hotel Col de Fenetre until after 8.30 this morning, my latest start on the Tour du Mont Blanc. This was partly because I was enjoying the coffee so much and it was such a peaceful setting in the tiny village of Ferret. My destination was the […]