Dolomites hiking and craft beer tour: mountain hut walk

Walk the high meadows, meet the marmots, taste beer at the hut

A guided hike in the Dolomites near Cortina d'Ampezzo covers 14 km and 511 meters of elevation gain, leading to a mountain hut where you taste locally made craft beer and learn about the landscape from a former park ranger. The route passes rivers, lakes and the mythological site of Fanes; the initial climb is steep, but the hut marks the turning point where the terrain eases.

Step-by-step itinerary

Trekking and tasting in the Dolomites

• Walk to Fanes mountain hut
• Discover rivers and lakes
• Visit parliament of marmots
• Observe marmots and cows
• Explore life at Pices Fanes hut
• Taste local craft beer (adults only)
• Enjoy breathtaking Dolomites views

The Experience

You start with the steeper section of the day—the walk up to the Pices Fanes mountain hut covers most of the 511 meters of elevation gain, but once you reach it, the effort shifts into something else. Your guide, a former ranger who worked in this UNESCO heritage site, points out the animals and plants you'd miss alone: marmots in their parliament (the mythological gathering place), cows grazing in the high pastures, the rivers that appear suddenly as if by magic. The landscape itself is the constant—the Dolomites crown the horizon in every direction.

At the hut, you taste a craft beer made with water that flows from above 2,000 meters, sourced from the mountain itself. The tasting is optional and reserved for adults. From there, the walk back follows the same route but downhill, passing the lakes and rivers again with the perspective reversed. The total distance is 14 km; the day takes about 7 hours from start to finish.

Your guide speaks Italian or German. Small children can come if you carry them in a backpack; otherwise they need to be able to walk the distance. The hike demands a moderate level of fitness—not extreme, but steady climbing on the way up and the ability to manage a long day on foot.

What’s included

• Expert guide who worked as a park ranger in the Dolomites.
• accompaniment for the full 7-hour hike.
• craft beer tasting at the mountain hut (adults only).
• access to the Fanes mythological site and the high meadows surrounding it.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Sonja Trekking

Is this one for you?The initial climb to the hut is steep and demands moderate fitness, which is what makes the rest of the day possible—once you reach the hut, the terrain eases and you have time to absorb the landscape and the tasting without rushing. Book this if you're comfortable with a long day on foot and want a guide who knows the park as a ranger, not just a route.

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Top questions

How steep is the walk to the mountain hut?

The initial part of the hike is the most challenging, with 511 meters of elevation gain over the first stretch to reach the Pices Fanes mountain hut. Once you arrive at the hut, the terrain eases and the return walk is downhill.

What animals and plants will I see on this hike?

The route passes marmots (gathered at their mythological parliament), cows grazing in the high pastures, and various plants and wildflowers typical of the Dolomites. Your guide, a former park ranger, points out details you would likely miss on your own.

What is the craft beer tasting like?

The beer is made locally with water sourced from above 2,000 meters on the mountain. You taste it at the mountain hut as part of the day; the tasting is optional and only for adults.

Can I bring small children on this hike?

Small children are welcome if you carry them in a backpack. Otherwise, they must be able to walk the full 14 km distance themselves, as this is a full-day mountain hike.

What language does the guide speak?

The guide speaks Italian or German.

Is there food or lunch at the mountain hut?

The hut is a stop on the route where you taste craft beer. Lunch is not included; bring food or arrange a meal separately if you need one during the day.