Summer holidays don’t have to mean sea and sand. We pick breaks amid mountains and by tranquil lakes to suit lovers of long hikes, high-energy activity – or just dreamy upland vistas
Stay Mountain huts
Suits Hardened runners
It sounds easy: “Cruising over rocky passes and through lush meadows.” But runners on this holiday in the Dolomites will have to concentrate hard on their footwork: the scenery of this limestone wonderland is so beautiful it would be easy to take a tumble. Dolomite Mountains’ range of hut-to-hut itineraries may be challenging, but the overnights at rifugi with scrumptiously rich food, comfy beds and drinks in the cutesy bars are just reward. The five-day Alta Via 1 covers 77km, starting in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
• From €640pp for five days unguided (guides available), dolomitemountains.com
