Hike the most scenic section of Alta Via 1
Explore the spectacular Dolomites in the vicinity of Cortina d’Ampezzo
Ascend the renowned Falzarego pass and witness the Cinque Torri
Stay in traditional rifugios, and enjoy the authentic experience in the Alps
Discover the historical WW1 remnants on the trail
Evening view from Rifugio Sennes
Cinque Torri are not to be missed when visiting the Dolomites
Finish your hike in Cortina d'Ampezzo
Walk across green meadows and emerald lakes
Uncover picturesque mountain pastures
Rifugio Bella - the first hut on Alta Via 1
Enjoy views of the Dolomites' iconic mountain towers
Visit the historically significant locations on the WW1 front
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
3 nights in huts with dinner and breakfast
Digital guidebook with itinerary, route instructions, and practical information
GPS navigation with an easy-to-use app
Tour design and organization
Service and support during your hike
Tourist tax
Embark on a shortened version of the epic Alta Via 1 hike, and explore the northern and most picturesque sections of the trail, in the vicinity of the famous Cortina d’Ampezzo.
This hike follows the original route, spanning 38 kilometers and an elevation gain of 2700 meters, before culminating at the Falzarego mountain pass (or Cortina, depending on your preference). It is perfect for those who want to discover the landscapes marked by the events of World War 1 but are unable to complete the entire trail.
Although shorter and less challenging than the entire route, hikers should still be prepared for daily treks of 4-6 hours. You will still be hiking across rugged terrain, which means this is hardly a walking holiday but a strenuous hiking experience.
We will take care of all your accommodation at rifugios and provide support during your hike. You will also receive a detailed written guide with a day-by-day itinerary and a precise GPS track of the planned route before setting off.
We already look forward to organizing your Alta Via 1 hike!
Although hiking in light rain is manageable as long as proper attire is worn, it is crucial to note that hiking during a storm can be extremely dangerous. It is recommended to schedule hikes early in the day during the summer months to avoid thunderstorms. However, if the forecast predicts severe weather, it is best to reschedule, or we can advise you on a different tour option.
It depends on the tour, as some routes run well above 2000 or even 2500 meters of elevation. Therefore, they are impassable in snowy conditions, limiting the visiting season to the summer and early autumn days between late June and early October.
However, some of our holidays keep to lower elevations, so hiking in early spring or late autumn is still possible. You can read more extensively about it on our subpage about the Dolomites.
All the accommodations offer vegetarian and vegan options for breakfast. You also will not have any trouble finding such menus at restaurants. When you eat at mountain huts, though, they might not serve vegan meals. In such cases, it is best to bring your own food.
Our hiking holidays are suitable for children as long as they are prepared physically and sure-footed. To ensure the safety and enjoyment of young participants, we recommend that they be at least eight years old to join the tours.
While our tours are designed to suit a wide range of people, some days can include long distances with substantial elevation gain. We try to keep this to a minimum while preserving the overall quality of your experience, but you should be used to walking for 4-6 hours while overcoming around 600 meters of elevation.
We also try to route our walks in the vicinity of cable cars and chairlifts to shorten your climbs or help you descend in case of fatigue.
Shoes are an essential piece of equipment when walking in the Dolomites. We suggest you wear sturdy hiking shoes with ankle support for all our tours, as the ground in the Dolomites is uneven, sometimes rocky, and slippery. Therefore, you risk a severe injury if you wear sneakers, especially if you are not used to hiking on such terrain.
The car might offer you slightly more flexibility and freedom, but it is not necessary to come by car, as public transport is well-organized in the Dolomites and the entire Alps. Even traveling across different countries is very convenient. Be it by bus or train — you can reach virtually any destination in the Dolomites using public transport.
Additionally, you will promote sustainable tourism by reducing your carbon footprint, and we are all for keeping the environment of the Dolomites as untouched as possible.
Keep in mind that the Dolomites are one of the most popular tourist destinations all year round, and all accommodations are subject to availability. Therefore, early booking is crucial to ensure the housing you desire, but we will always do our best to get you the optimal lodging based on your preferences.
Yes. The sooner you book, the better your options will be. If you book just before the season starts or during the season, we cannot guarantee you a spot in the hotels and apartments.
Some stages can be shortened by descending to the valley sooner than intended. At some locations, you can even do so by taking a chairlift or a cable car. However, we try to keep our tours as undemanding as possible, so you will not encounter such issues.
The Dolomites’ area is well-connected to the outside world, making it easy to access by public transport. You can do so by flying to one of the nearest airports in Venice, Treviso, or Innsbruck, and then taking a train or bus to reach the final destination. We wrote about it extensively on our How to get to the Dolomites subpage.
Given how well-organized our tours are and how accessible and easy-to-orient the Dolomites are, you most likely will not need a guide. Our handout will equip you with all the essential information while you will still enjoy the freedom of a self-guided holiday.
But if you feel more comfortable with a guide, you can let us know, and we will make the necessary arrangements.
