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THE DOLOMITE
DOLCE VITA
Six climbing days (rest day optional) of pure single-pitch sport climbing on the pale limestone of Cortina d'Ampezzo and Val Gardena — no ropes coiled for summits, no epics, just clean cragging and Italian sunshine.
- Dolomites
- Single-Pitch Only
- 24 – 31 July 2027
- 7 Days
- 5–8c
- Grade
- 8
- Max Group Size
- €1,090
- Price
The Dolomites are famous for their towering multi-pitch objectives — but this trip isn't that. This is a week of pure single-pitch sport cragging on some of the same spectacular pale limestone, with none of the rope-management, route-finding, or all-day commitment that comes with big alpine routes.
Based in the charming towns of Cortina d'Ampezzo and Val Gardena, you'll work sun-warmed sport crags with quick approaches and quicker turnaround between routes — more burns, more mileage, more actual climbing time. Grades run from a friendly 5 all the way to 8c, so whether you're leading your first outdoor route or chasing a hard redpoint, there's a wall for you.
Six days of coaching from Klemen Bečan and Kostas Grafanaki, with a rest-day transfer between bases and properly legendary Italian food and wine to close out every evening.
- Duration
- 7 Days
- Location
- Dolomites
- Grade Range
- 5 → 8c
- Group Size
- Maximum 8
- Coaches
- Klemen Becan & Kostas Grafanaki
- Price
- €1,090
One unforgettable week
Italian Dolomites
Beginner to advanced
Max 7:1 coach ratio
Coach may vary by date
Guiding & coaching included
Looking for Multi-Pitch?
This Trip Keeps Things Single-Pitch
The Dolomites' famous towers and big walls are a different sport entirely — longer days, rope systems, route-finding, real objective hazard. We don't build that into a group course. If a multi-pitch summit is what you're after, you've got two solid options instead: book one of our guides privately for a dedicated multi-pitch day here in the Dolomites, or join our dedicated Multi-Pitch Intro Course in Spain , built specifically to teach the rope work, anchors, and route-finding multi-pitch actually demands. Email or WhatsApp us and we'll point you the right way.
Real Rock, Real Dolomites
Pale Limestone
& La Dolce Vita
No stock photos, no staged sends — just climbers earning it on Cortina and Val Gardena's sport crags.
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The Gym-to-Crag Climber
You're comfortable indoors and want your first proper outdoor mileage without the added complexity of ropes, anchors, and multi-hour descents.
The Grade-Chaser
You just want to climb, a lot, on excellent rock, with a coach watching your technique — not spend half the day on logistics for one big route.
The Dolce Vita Seeker
Great cragging by day, proper Italian food, wine, and Tyrolean-Italian culture by night. You want the full experience, not just the send.
Technique
- Choosing & caring for gear that keeps you safe
- Movement skills & efficient footwork
- Perfect balance over your centre of gravity
- Overhang tricks: side-stepping, drop knee, flagging, heel hooking, kneebars
- Cleaning anchors — keeping all your gear
Mental Game
- Basic understanding of outdoor risks
- Climbing calls & communication that get your message across
- Redpoint & onsight attempts on new climbs
- Personalized coaching to break through mental barriers
- Finding flow — Kostas's specialty, straight from the yoga mat to the wall
Tactics
- Belaying & lead belaying, catching falls dynamically
- Setting up top-ropes
- Clipstick timing & pre-clipping the first draw
- Reading single-pitch sport routes efficiently
- Long-term progression beyond the trip
- Day 1
- Arrival & Welcome
Welcome dinner, trip briefing, equipment check, goal-setting
- Days 2–3
- Cortina Area Cragging
Single-pitch sport routes, technique development, acclimatizing to the limestone
- Day 4
- Rest & Transfer Day
Morning cultural excursion, scenic transfer to Val Gardena
- Days 5–6
- Val Gardena Area Cragging
Excellent single-pitch sport climbing around Passo Gardena
- Day 7
- Final Climbing & Departure
Morning session, farewell lunch, departures
| Area | Base | Style |
|---|---|---|
| Single-pitch sectors near Cinque Torri | Cortina | Routes for all grades |
| Traumpfeiler | Val Gardena | Accessible cragging, quick access |
| Frea, Passo Gardena | Val Gardena | Excellent single-pitch sport lines |
| Sectors near Falzarego Pass | Cortina | High-altitude, panoramic cragging |
Cortina d'Ampezzo & Val Gardena
The Venue
A UNESCO World Heritage range of dramatic pale limestone peaks, home to hundreds of high-quality sport crags tucked beneath the famous towers and walls that make the Dolomites legendary — this trip sticks to the single-pitch sectors, leaving the big objectives for another day.
With an average of 21 days of sunshine a month through summer, conditions are about as reliable as alpine cragging gets, and the blend of Italian and Tyrolean food and culture makes every evening worth sticking around for.
- Nearest Airport
- Venice (both ways)
- Rock Type
- Limestone
- Climate in July
- 15–25°C
- Style
- Single-pitch sport cragging only
Your Coaching Team
World-Class Coaches
Klemen Becan
Meet guidePerformance & Mental Coach
A former World Cup podium finisher who has sent multiple 9a+ routes, Klemen brings decades of high-level competition experience to the mental side of climbing — fear management, focus, and cruxes that used to feel impossible.
Kostas Grafanaki
Meet guideMovement & Flow Coach
A sport scientist and certified yoga teacher based in Leonidio, Kostas blends a methodical, science-based approach with genuine mental clarity — helping climbers spot subtle movement inefficiencies and break through the fear that's actually holding them back.
Results
What Past Climbers Say
One past participant described the Dolomites as changing their entire relationship with climbing — not just the routes, but something more profound about why they climb at all.
Three days in, I sent my hardest route ever. By the end of the week I'd broken through two plateaus I'd been stuck on for years.
Kostas talked me through a fear-of-falling issue I've had for years, mid-route, calmly, like it was nothing. I actually believed him, which is the whole trick I guess.
Accommodation & Logistics
We Sorted the Boring Bits
Accommodation
Shared accommodation in local climbing hostels, cottages, or places run by local climbers, in both Cortina and Val Gardena. For higher-standard accommodation, send a personal inquiry by email or WhatsApp.
Getting There
Fly into Venice / Tessera Marco Polo for both arrival and departure. Local transport, including the transfer between bases, is organised once you land.
Gear
Bring reasonably tight climbing shoes, harness, helmet, belay device, 2 screw-gate carabiners, and a 60cm sling. We provide most of the rest — full kit list once you book.
Group Size
Maximum 8 participants, roughly 7:1 coach ratio. Small enough for real coaching, never a crowd-control exercise.
What's Included
Full Package
- Guiding — local knowledge across both bases
- Individualized coaching — technical, mental, and tactical
- Climbing safety equipment — ropes, draws, helmets, slings
- Shared accommodation — local climbing hosts
Not included
- Transportation
- Accommodation of any higher standards
- Climbing and travel insurance
- Food & drinks
FAQ
Common Questions
Is any multi-pitch climbing included?
No — this trip is entirely single-pitch sport climbing. If you want to climb one of the Dolomites' famous multi-pitch towers or walls, book one of our guides privately for a dedicated day, or look at our separate Multi-Pitch Intro Course in Spain, which is built specifically to teach that skill set.
What level do I need to be?
All levels, from beginners comfortable at 5+ (5.9) indoors and ready to transition outdoors, to advanced climbers pushing 7a+ and beyond. Grades on this trip run from 5 up to 8c.
Do I need my own gear?
Bring reasonably tight climbing shoes, a harness, and a helmet. We provide belay devices and slings, but 2 screw-gate carabiners and a 60cm sling of your own are handy to have. Full kit list sent once you book.
Is food included?
Food arrangements and any included meals are confirmed before departure.
Where do I fly in and out of?
Venice / Tessera Marco Polo Airport, for both arrival and departure.
Reserve Your Place
Ready for La Dolce Vita?
Spaces are limited to 8 climbers. Secure your spot now — or drop us a line first if you've got questions.
Questions first? Email info@rockbusters.net or catch us on WhatsApp — we reply fast.