Explore the breathtaking Dolomites, Italy’s most captivating mountain range, on a self-guided hut-to-hut hike along the iconic Alta Via 1 alpine trail.
Hike through the stunning Dolomites on this week-long hut-to-hut adventure, exploring the fairytale Seiser Alm and the mythical Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park.
A 4-day version of the famous Alta Via 1 trek, covering its northern part from the crystal-clear Lago di Braies and the panoramic Falzarego mountain pass.
Visit one of the lesser known parts of the Western Dolomites and explore the diverse mountains, hiding emerald lakes, cozy rifugios, and unforgettable views.
Trek the southern part of the Alta Via 1 hut-to-hut hiking route, overcoming six scenic stages from the Falzarego mountain pass to the town of Belluno.
Embark on an enchanting Dolomites journey, from the serene Lago di Braies to the iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo, steeped in natural wonder and alpine charm.
Every hiking enthusiast has probably had to have heard of the Dolomites. The unique limestone towers surrounded by vast green meadows and mountain lakes paint one of the most recognizable panoramas in the Alps. And who would not dream of experiencing this heavenly land in person on a hiking tour in the Dolomites?
Covering the northeastern part of Italy, the Dolomites stretch across one of the most visually spectacular alpine landscapes. The authentic ‘rifugios’ will provide you with shelter and tasty meals, but the mountains will be the ones to satiate the longings you did not even know you had when hut-to-hut hiking in the Dolomites.
Planning a hut-to-hut hike in a foreign country usually means dealing with stress and time-consuming affairs. Therefore, we wanted to make it easy for you by pre-planning the most scenic hiking tours in the Dolomites along its famous hut-to-hut trail: Alta Via 1.
Here’s how we help you:
Detailed self-guided itinerary with all the necessary info for a successful hike
A GPS route + simple-to-use app for easy navigation
Booking all your accommodations
Breakfast and dinner at the huts
Full 24/7 support during your trip
Feel as free as an Alpine Chough soaring above the 3000-meter high mountain peaks with all the listed things off your mind. When hiking, your sole focus should be on the otherworldly surroundings.
Check out our best hut-to-hut hikes in the Dolomites.
Why Dolomites?
The Dolomites aren’t just mountains – they’re a masterpiece of nature. Their jagged limestone peaks, glowing pink at sunset, and sprawling emerald meadows create a landscape found nowhere else on Earth.
Sculpted over 250 million years, this UNESCO World Heritage site is a geological wonder that stands apart from any other range.
And what’s better than around 1,000 km of well-maintained hiking trails to explore it all!?
There are around 1,000 km of hiking trails waiting to be explored
Where to go?
The Dolomites are divided into 15-26 distinct mountain groups (depending on the classification used), each with its own charm and character.
From the red-hued cliffs of Rosengarten to the rugged peaks of Marmolada, the towering Sella massif, and the scenic Langkofel, there’s a diverse range of landscapes to explore.
The Dolomites are divided into 15-26 different mountain groups
Where to stay?
With over 130 mountain huts (rifugi) scattered across the Dolomites, staying in these huts is a key part of the hut to hut hiking experience. These rustic yet comfortable refuges offer a chance to rest, enjoy hearty local meals, and connect with fellow hikers.
Click here to learn more about what to expect when staying in Dolomites huts and how to make the most of your mountain stay.
There are over 130 rifugios to fuel your journey
How to plan?
Planning the Dolomites adventure requires a bit of prep. From figuring out how to get there—whether by car, bus, or train—to choosing the best hiking routes for your skill level, there’s a lot to consider. You’ll need to know how to navigate the trails and pack the right gear for the weather and mountain hut stays.
5 Essential Tips for Hut-to-Hut Hiking in the Dolomites
Choose the Right Season: Timing is everything when it comes to hiking in the Dolomites. The ideal months are from late June to late September when the trails are clear and the huts open. Venturing outside this window could mean closed rifugios and snow-covered trails.
Book Your Mountain Huts Early: The Dolomites offer a range of mountain huts known as “Rifugios,” each with a unique charm. Due to their popularity, it’s crucial to book your stay well in advance, especially if you’re planning to hike popular routes like the Alta Via 1.
Know Your Route: The Dolomites offer various routes with different levels of difficulty. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced hiker, there’s a route for you. Research thoroughly and choose a trail that matches your skill level and interests.
Pack Smart: While the Rifugios offer some amenities, it’s essential to pack wisely. A sleeping bag liner, waterproof slippers, and a microfiber towel are among the must-haves. Remember, you’ll be carrying everything on your back, so pack light, but don’t skimp on essentials.
Mastering Multi-Day Logistics: You’ll need to coordinate between different rifugios for availability, manage daily hiking distances to match your fitness level, and ensure you have contingency plans for bad weather.
Hassle-Free
We handle itineraries, accommodations, and anything else you prefer not to deal with, so you can enjoy a carefree hike.
Book with confidence
We are a financially protected company, fully bonded and insured, keeping your money safe and allowing you to travel with confidence.
Tried & Tested Adventures
Only the best hut to hut hikes in the Dolomites, cherry-picked by our local team with an in-depth knowledge of the region.
Unbeatable support
Our 24/7 customer support is where we show our passion, bringing you a better experience by making your well-being our number one priority.
Things to know
Hiking in the Alps is typically possible from mid-June to late September, depending on the snow conditions at high elevations. Many hiking routes cross mountain passes that are located above 2000 meters, so it is important to check the current conditions if you plan to visit in early summer.
Keep in mind that the huts along these routes close for the season outside of this time frame, so it is not possible to plan multi-day tours outside of these months.
We have rated our tours on a difficulty scale from 1 to 5, with 1 being the easiest and 5 being the most challenging. The difficulty level of a tour indicates how fit you need to be and how much hiking is required. All of our Alta Via 1 tours are suitable for people who are regularly active and can hike for about six to eight hours per day.
In addition to the physical demands of the hike, there is also a technical difficulty level to consider. This refers to the skill level required to navigate the path. A level 1 trail is smooth and wide, like a gravel road, while a level 5 trail is uneven and exposed, requiring the use of your hands for balance. Essentially, the higher the technical difficulty level, the more surefooted and skilled in scrambling you need to be.
We recommend booking your tour as soon as possible to secure a spot, as accommodations along the trail tend to fill up quickly. This will help you ensure that you have a place to stay during your trip.
In the event of an injury, it is best to call local emergency services. While you may be in a remote area and unable to continue without further exacerbating your injury, it is important to remember that you will be hiking along popular trails and will not be completely stranded.
However, if you are feeling too tired to continue hiking, you can choose to reroute towards the nearest town along the trail and find public transportation there. Although Alta Via 1 does not pass directly through any large towns, it does pass close to some of them.
Most of the huts along our hut-to-hut hikes are equipped with showers, but their availability may depend on recent rainfall. Keep in mind that mountain huts are not luxurious hotels, so don’t expect the same level of amenities. However, they do offer a comfortable and convenient place to rest after a day of hiking.
No. The huts provide blankets and pillows for comfort, but it is a good idea to bring your own sleeping liner to reduce the need for the huts to wash their bed linens every day. If you don’t, you might need to buy one on the spot.
Cell phone reception in the mountains can be unreliable. You may be able to get a signal if you can see a town or if you are near a mountain hut. Even if you cannot get a signal inside the hut, you may be able to get one by stepping outside. Wi-fi is not widely available in the mountains, and is only offered at select lodges.
If you dress appropriately, you can typically complete most stages of the hike even in light rain. However, if a storm is forecasted, it is important to not hike and to wait until the storm passes, even if that means spending an additional day at the hut. This is for your own safety.
Most accommodations offer vegetarian meal options, although vegan options may be more difficult to find in huts. However, we will let you know in advance if there are any vegan options available so that you can plan accordingly.
In addition to the essential items such as hiking shoes, a backpack, and sports clothes, there are several other important items you should pack for your hut-to-hut hiking tour.
While we do not require you to have insurance before booking, we strongly recommend that you do. Look into joining the Italian Alpine Club, which might provide coverage in the event of any unexpected incidents during your hike.
Mountain huts may not be luxurious, but they are cozy and comfortable, offering warm beds, delicious meals, and toilets. You can choose between private rooms and dormitories, but it is important to book in advance if you want to avoid sharing a room with other people. Keep in mind that huts are popular and can fill up quickly, so it is best to plan ahead to secure your preferred accommodation.
You can read all about the comfort of rifugios here.
As long as children are physically prepared for long hiking days and are sure-footed, they should not have any problems participating in the tour. We recommend that children be at least eight years old in order to ensure their safety and enjoyment of the experience.
None of the stages offer any shortcuts if you want to get to the end of your hike. If you get too tired, you can conclude your hike sooner at one of the road-equipped mountain passes or head for the nearest town.
There are several ways to get to the Dolomites. If you are flying to Europe, you can then combine your flight with a bus, train, or car ride.
We had a lovely hike today with our guide Klemen. He personalized the tour on our needs and interests, so that we saw places we wouldn't without his experience. The hike was a little bit slippery after the rain from the last days and it went a lot upwards, but it was totally worth it! Thanks again :)
Claudia Ossa
Verified Customer
9 day hiking trip including rafting and mountain biking. Sadly the weather didn’t help, we had a lot of rain, but Klemen modified our plans, making it a great experience after all.
Klemen is an excellent guide and I highly recommend him!!!
Michael Boychyn
Verified Customer
We had a fantastic experience hiking the Dolomites with their incredible views thanks to the great planning by Hut to Hut Hiking Europe (Anja)!
Rebecca Lawson
Verified Customer
Our 3 day hike had to be rearranged 2/2 weather, so a one day hike was arranged for us. We appreciated the concern about weather and conditions. Our hike was with Matevz, who was a great guide. Very helpful and knowledgable. Would definitely recommend and will be back for a longer hike one day!
Nicole Cocks
Verified Customer
This trip was organized with every detail considered. Our accommodation, most meals and routes were planned each day which is perfect when the region is unknown and you have not completed a multi-day hike before. We had a great time!
Olivia Berriff
Verified Customer
Excellently organised and the apps worked brilliantly without data/roaming. This was expertly managed by Sara and we had the best time in full confidence that we were in great hands.
