Hiking Through the Dolomites With Exodus Adventure Travels

Last week I swapped my desk for hiking boots and joined a group of travel agents on a 7-night adventure through the Dolomites with Exodus Adventure Travels - and wow, what a trip! There were 13 of us in total: four Canadians, seven Brits, one Italian, and one American. I met up with the UK crew at Heathrow, and after a quick round of “so what do you sell?” introductions, we hopped on a flight to Venice. From there, our Estonian mountain guide Stiina met us at the airport and whisked us away on a three-hour transfer up to Villa Bassa, a charming little town in the mountains. The roads were twisty, the scenery jaw-dropping, and by the time we reached the 4* family-run Hotel Adler, I was already smitten with the place. We were shown to our rooms - some of us sharing, others lucky enough to have a room to themselves (you can usually nab a single room on Exodus tours if you don’t mind paying a little extra). Once we’d settled in and dropped our bags, we met up with the rest of the group for a well-earned drink in the bar before heading out for dinner at a local restaurant. That first evening was all about getting to know one another. This kind of group tour is perfect for solo travellers. You don’t need to worry about planning routes or eating alone — everyone bonds quickly over sore calves, shared snacks, and who’s got the best hiking socks. It’s such an easy way to explore somewhere new without ever feeling like you’re on your own. Every morning started with breakfast in the hotel restaurant from 7am, followed by a DIY packed lunch. Picture a buffet of fresh bread, ham, cheese, salad, fruit, nuts - basically, hiker heaven. At 8:30am we’d pile into our private minibus and head off for the day’s hike. Most trailheads were about 30 minutes away, just enough time to admire the views before we hit the trails. Our tour was graded 3 out of 7, which Exodus calls “moderate.” Translation: you definitely need to be reasonably fit. There were steep climbs, uneven trails, and the occasional patch of snow to navigate (yep, even in early autumn!). Some days we reached altitudes around 2,500m, and let me tell you - those uphill stretches took everyone’s breath away, literally. In summer, when the snow melts, there’s an option to do a level 5 version that takes you even higher into the mountains. Maybe next time... We hiked in some seriously iconic spots. Lago di Braies was like stepping into a postcard — the turquoise lake surrounded by jagged peaks was absolutely breathtaking. Then there was Strudlekopf, with its stunning panoramas and the occasional snow patch to make things interesting. Of course, we couldn’t miss the Tre Cime di Lavaredo — those three towering peaks are iconic for a reason, and seeing them up close totally lived up to the hype. On our last day we hiked Monte Piana, which isn’t just a mountain; it’s also an open-air WW1 museum, complete with trenches, dugouts, and caves — a surreal mix of history and nature. Each day brought a new part of the Dolomites to explore - jagged peaks, emerald valleys, and cozy mountain huts where we’d stop for coffee or a slice of apple strudel. Since it was the end of the hiking season, a lot of the higher huts were closed, which meant… no toilets. Let’s just say I’ve perfected the art of the “wild wee”. By mid-afternoon, our driver would collect us (usually between 3:30–4:30pm), and most of us made a beeline for the hotel spa - steam room, sauna, and pool time were all part of the recovery ritual. At 6:45pm, our guide would give us a quick briefing on the next day’s route, followed by a four-course dinner at 7pm in the restaurant or wine cellar. The food was classic Tyrolean - rich, local, and delicious. One evening the hotel even hosted an aperitivo hour, complete with complimentary drinks and canapés before dinner. Naturally, this was followed by a few nightcaps at the bar. Midweek we had a free day to rest our legs, so most of us ventured to San Candido, a nearby town, and took a cable car up the mountain for some panoramic views (and another strudel, of course). Because this was one of Exodus’ Premium Tours, nearly everything was included - all meals except for dinner on the first night and lunch/dinner on our free day, plus tips for local guides. All in all, it was an unforgettable week of fresh air, mountain magic, and fantastic company. The Dolomites completely stole my heart - and my quads have never been so sore in such a satisfying way.