Alta Via 1 Highlights
Discover the breathtaking nooks of the Dolomites near Cortina d’Ampezzo
Experience the renowned Falzarego mountain pass and witness the famous Cinque Torri
Spend your nights at three distinct and genuine Italian rifugios located high up in the Alps
Trek along remnants from the First World War
Itinerary
After a brief bus transfer from Dobbiaco, your adventure begins at Lago di Braies — a stunning alpine lake tucked between steep rock faces and towering peaks in the northern part of the Dolomites. You can admire the surroundings while ascending toward the Forcella Sora Forno mountain pass. Depending on availability and preference, you can stay the night at Rifugio Bella or continue until you reach Rifugio Sennes beside the Senessee lake upon a gently downwards-sloping path.
6.4 km and 930 m of elevation gain / 100 m of elevation loss
Rifugio Biella / Rifugio Sennes
The day begins with a descent towards Rifugio Pederu where a military camp used to stand during WW1. On your way, you will cross a lively mountain stream. You’ll either spend your night here or climb out of the valley to one of the two rifugios up there. The path gradually ascends through a valley enclosed by the surrounding mountain peaks. Upon reaching an elevated plateau above 2000 meters of elevation, you will soon be at your destination for the night, be it Rifugio Fanes or Rifugio Lavarella. They lie close to each other, near picturesque alpine lakes.
7.6 km and 60 m of elevation gain / 840 m of elevation loss
Berggasthaus Pederü / Rifugio Lavarella
The first ascent of the day to the striking Lago di Limo will be enough to warm you up for the remainder of today’s journey. Following a relatively flat path across rocky terrain, you will eventually climb more steeply toward the Forcella di Lago mountain pass. A treacherous descent follows, meaning you have to be sure-footed. After that, you will gradually ascend across an upsloping rocky plateau and reach Rifugio Lagazuoi, perched on top of a ridge at 2750 meters of elevation overlooking the Falzarego pass.
17.8 km and 1700 m of elevation gain / 530 m of elevation loss
Rifugio Lagazuoi
Leaving the route’s highest point, you will descend across a landscape marked by WW1 combats. Passing tunnels and former warehouses, the path takes you below the commanding Tofana di Rozes mountain peak toward the Falzarego pass. You can catch a bus to Cortina d’Ampezzo from there. Hikers who would prefer to hike to the valley can do so on a path past Rifugio Angelo Dibona and through Pocol to Cortina. It lengthens your hike by 10 kilometers.
4 km and 25 m of elevation gain / 620 m of elevation loss
Pricing
Included in price
3x accommodations with breakfast
Tour design and organization
Booklet with detailed itinerary and route instructions
Service and support during your hike
GPS navigation with an easy-to-use app
Description
Discover the beauty of the most scenic and northern sections of the epic Alta Via 1 hike near Cortina d’Ampezzo, on this abbreviated version.
This hike follows the original trail covering 38 kilometers and a vertical gain of 2700 meters, ending at the Falzarego mountain pass (or Cortina, depending on your preference). It is ideal for those who want to witness the landscapes impacted by World War 1 but are unable to complete the entire trail.
While this version is less demanding than the entire trail, hikers should still expect daily treks of 4-6 hours over rugged terrain, making it a strenuous hiking experience rather than a leisurely walk.
We take care of all your rifugio accommodations and provide you with full support during your trek. Before setting off, you will receive a detailed written guide with a day-by-day itinerary and accurate GPS tracks of the planned route.
We are excited to plan your unforgettable Alta Via 1 hiking adventure!
Location
Things to know
Our tours are designed to cater to a broad range of people, but some days can be quite challenging, with long distances and significant elevation gain. We aim to minimize this as much as possible while ensuring a high-quality experience. To fully enjoy our tours, you should be accustomed to walking for 4-6 hours, overcoming around 600 meters of elevation gain.
However, Alta Via 1 hut-to-hut hikes and Tour du Mont Blanc are more demanding and require a higher fitness level. On these tours, you may need to hike up to 8 hours per day and tackle substantial elevation gain.
Yes, our hiking holidays are appropriate for children who are physically prepared and have a good balance. However, to guarantee the safety and enjoyment of our young participants, we suggest that they should be at least eight years old to join our tours.
Proper footwear is crucial for our walking tours. We recommend wearing sturdy hiking shoes with ankle support for all our hikes. The terrain can be uneven, rocky, and slippery. Wearing sneakers can be dangerous, especially if you are not accustomed to hiking on such surfaces, as they do not offer enough protection and support. Robust shoes also provide the necessary support when your legs get tired during long hikes.
Yes, we highly recommend booking in advance to secure your spot. The earlier you book, the better the chances are of getting your preferred options. If you book close to the start of the season or during the season, we may not be able to guarantee availability in the hotels and apartments. Therefore, it is best to make reservations as soon as possible to avoid any inconvenience.
It is essential to note that accommodations at the destinations of our walking tours are in high demand during the summer season. Therefore, early booking is crucial to secure your preferred type of housing. However, we assure you that we will always try our best to provide you with the most suitable lodging based on your preferences. Rest assured that we will do everything possible to ensure that your stay is comfortable and enjoyable.
Our tours are well-organized, and all the destinations are easily accessible and straightforward to navigate. Therefore, it is unlikely that you will require a guide. Our comprehensive handout will provide you with all the essential information while still allowing you the freedom of a self-guided holiday.
However, if you prefer to have a guide, please let us know, and we will make the necessary arrangements for you.
Most of the accommodations we provide offer vegetarian and vegan options for breakfast. Additionally, you will find no shortage of vegetarian and vegan menus in restaurants during the tour. However, it is worth noting that some mountain huts on Alta Via 1 or Tour du Mont Blanc may not offer vegan meals. In such situations, it is advisable to bring your own food to ensure that your dietary needs are met.
The best time to go on a walking holiday in Italy varies depending on the location you plan to visit. Destinations such as the Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, and Sicily are best visited during early spring and fall when the weather is pleasant, and the crowds are fewer.
However, in areas like the Dolomites or around Mont Blanc, hiking is not possible when there is snow high up in the mountains. Therefore, the hiking season in these areas is limited from late June to late September. It is advisable to plan your trip accordingly to get the best out of your walking holiday in Italy.
We can best advise you after receiving a filled-out inquiry form.
While hiking in light rain is manageable, it is important to note that hiking during a storm can be dangerous. It is advisable to schedule hikes early in the day during the summer months to avoid thunderstorms. However, if the weather forecast predicts severe weather, it is best to reschedule your walk for another day or explore different tour options.
Your safety is our top priority, and we will always work with you to find a suitable solution in case of inclement weather.
Most of the destinations for our walking tours in Italy have excellent public transportation. While renting a car can provide flexibility, several locations cannot be comfortably accessed by car. Instead, we suggest relying on public transport to reduce stress and have a more environmentally friendly experience.
We provide all the necessary information for buses, trains, and ferries to ensure that you can reach your destination with ease. By using public transport, we can also reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable travel experience.