Hiking the Brenta Dolomites with Backroads: A Journey Worth Taking
There are some trips that remind you why you love to travel—and then there are trips that change the way you recommend travel to your clients. My recent Backroads hiking adventure through the Brenta Dolomites was definitely the latter.
Starting in Trento, Italy, and ending in Verona, this journey combined some of the most spectacular mountain scenery I’ve experienced with exceptional hiking, wonderful food, and five unforgettable nights at Lefay Resort & SPA Dolomiti.
But what impressed me most was something I didn’t fully appreciate before experiencing it firsthand: how seamlessly Backroads handles the logistics behind an active trip.
The Brenta Dolomites: Even Better Than Expected
I’ve visited the Dolomites before, so I knew I was in for beautiful scenery. What surprised me was how different the Brenta Dolomites felt. The dramatic limestone peaks, alpine meadows, forests, waterfalls and mountain views created a landscape that seemed to change around every bend. At times it was like walking on the moon, and other times we were in meadows with beautiful lakes and dramatic peaks.
And while the hiking was certainly a highlight, the experience wasn’t simply about checking miles off a trail. The Backroads leaders were exceptional—knowledgeable, encouraging and incredibly attentive to the group. They knew when to push us a little, when to slow down, and how to make the experience enjoyable for hikers with different abilities.
The Backroads Difference
This trip gave me a whole new appreciation for what goes into a well-designed active vacation. Transportation, luggage, meals, trail logistics, timing, route decisions and countless little details were all handled behind the scenes. We could finish a hike, enjoy lunch, explore a village or relax at the hotel without constantly thinking about how we were going to get from Point A to Point B. That is the luxury of Backroads. It isn't necessarily about five-star everything—it’s about having the freedom to be fully present because someone else has thoughtfully handled the details.
Five Nights at Lefay Dolomiti
And then there was Lefay Resort & SPA Dolomiti. After an active day in the mountains, returning to this beautiful wellness-focused resort was the perfect complement to the hiking. The combination of spectacular surroundings, excellent dining, spa experiences and luxurious accommodations made it easy to settle in and truly relax.
Five nights gave us enough time to enjoy the resort rather than simply using it as a place to sleep between hikes. For me, that balance of active days and restorative evenings was one of the things that made this itinerary so special.
Who Is This Trip For?
I would recommend this type of Backroads journey to clients who want to actively experience a destination rather than simply see it. You don't need to be an expert hiker. What you do need is a willingness to be active and a desire to get off the typical tourist path. It’s especially well-suited to couples, friends, solo travelers and active families who appreciate having the freedom to hike without having to figure out the logistics themselves.
One thing I would tell clients before booking: come prepared for real hiking. The days are active, and good hiking shoes, layers and a reasonable level of fitness will make a big difference. But the beauty of Backroads is that the guides can help tailor the experience to the group and the conditions.
Having experienced Backroads firsthand, I can now speak about the product with much more confidence. I understand not only where you’re going and what you’ll see, but how the entire experience feels. And perhaps that’s the biggest takeaway from this trip. As a travel advisor, I believe there is tremendous value in experiencing the destinations and travel products I recommend. The more I invest in learning the world, the more confidently I can help my clients discover it.
The Brenta Dolomites were spectacular. The hiking was unforgettable. Lefay was extraordinary. And Backroads reminded me just how much better an active adventure can be when the details are expertly handled for you. This is a trip I would happily take again—and one I’m excited to recommend to my clients.
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