DolomiteSafari - Mountain Guide in the Dolomites
Ciao, I am Filippo Barbieri, IFMGA Mountain Guide based in Bolzano, founder of DolomiteSafari, designer of the itineraries & builder of this website! Guiding, for me, has never been only about reaching a summit. It has always been about discovery and travelling through the mountains with curiosity. Whether on skis, along a via ferrata or on rock, I strongly believe every experience is shaped by the landscape, but even more by the people who share it.
Every person arrives in the mountains with a different suitcase, bringing a different story, a different rhythm and different expectations. My role is not only to guide safely, but to help create an atmosphere where people feel free to explore, learn and connect with the environment around them.
For me, guiding is about sharing a way of living the mountains, with curiosity, humility and a deep respect for the places we move through. I try to create the ideal space for people to slow down in this fast & scrolling world, to feel part of the natural environment and to experience the Dolomites from the inside rather than simply passing through them watching from the window of a car.
The Idea of DolomiteSafari
I was never interested in placing a cup on a shelf just for reaching a peak! What has always inspired me is the journey itself, the path, the discovery, the changing perspectives that only come from moving through the mountains day after day. This vision naturally created the idea behind DolomiteSafari: not a single tour, but a way of exploring valleys, cultures and landscapes through real experiences in the mountains.
Travelling slowly, staying in local huts, supporting small family-run rifugi and adapting to the rhythm of the environment are all part of the way I guide. Choosing a safari approach means reducing unnecessary transfers, spending more time immersed in the landscape and building a deeper connection with the places we visit. Respect for the mountains, for local cultures and for future generations is part of the adventure!
With DolomiteSafari:
• Talk directly with your local guide Filippo
• You are never a booking number
• Programs are flexible and built around you
• Real local knowledge, beyond standard tours
• Personal support before, during, and after the experience
• Your trip supports local huts, families, and mountain culture
From a Law Degree to the Mountains
Before becoming a full-time mountain guide, my path began in a very different world! It’s possible that my legal studies gave me a sense of responsibility, structure and attention to detail! The mountains, however, were always present, and over time, they became the place where I felt most authentic, so I decided to move closer to a way of life that felt more me!
Based in Bolzano, Moving Across the Dolomites
Living in Bolzano allows me to move across the entire Dolomite region, from South Tyrol to Trentino and into the Venetian Dolomites, and to Lake Garda & Brenta Dolomites as well. This central position makes it possible to design from high hut-to-hut traverses to flexible base-camp experiences, following the spirit of a safari! Bolzano is the door of the Dolomites!!!
A Few Thoughts From Your Guide
A DolomiteSafari is also a way of travelling through the mountains. A few small choices can make the experience deeper, smoother and more meaningful for everyone involved.
Book early, travel better
Planning with time allows us to choose the best huts, the right routes and the most beautiful flow of the journey, avoiding unnecessary transfers and making the safari feel more natural.
Consider travelling outside peak season
The Dolomites change completely when the crowds disappear. Quieter trails, softer rhythms and a more authentic atmosphere often make the experience even more special.
Arrive with a flexible spirit
Mountain huts are simple by nature. Sometimes that means shared rooms, fewer comforts and a different rhythm from everyday life… but it is often exactly there that the most memorable moments happen.
Disconnect to reconnect
If the phone doesn’t work, see it as an invitation rather than a problem. A few days without constant notifications can open space for real conversations, deeper focus and a true connection with the mountains.
