Alta Via 1 Guided Hike

Take on the iconic Alta Via 1 with an expert guide and discover hidden gems, legendary peaks, alpine lakes and the rugged beauty of the Dolomites.

Starting point

Lago di Braies

Finish point

Belluno

Duration

10 days / 9 nights

Technical level

Fitness level

Price

From: 2,465€/person

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Alta Via 1 Guided Hike

Explore the stunning Dolomites with an expert guide leading the way

Complete the famed Alta Via 1 hut-to-hut hiking trail in its entirety

Take in panoramic views from high-altitude passes like Forcella Sora Forno

Experience the quiet beauty of remote mountain passes and hidden valleys

Capture breathtaking views from iconic spots like Cinque Torri and Monte Civetta

Rest each night in cozy rifugios, enjoying authentic Italian mountain cuisine

Enjoy spectacular views

Traverse the iconic Dolomites

Take in the views of Passo Giau

Find your way to iconic sights

Find peace on the Alta Via 1 trails

Majestic Cinque Torri

Find hidden lakes like Forcella di Lago

Day 1: Lago di Braies – Rifugio Biella

After a brief bus transfer from Dobbiaco, your adventure begins at the stunning Lago di Braies, where a leisurely path around the lake will provide photo opportunities of the clear waters and surrounding peaks. As the trail ascends, your guide will lead you through a peaceful forest before a steeper climb toward the Forcella Sora Forno pass at 2,388 meters, offering breathtaking views of the Dolomites. After crossing the pass, you descend slightly to end the day at Rifugio Biella, where you’ll spend your first night on a high-mountain plateau.

Hiking

6.4 km and 930 m of elevation gain / 100 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Rifugio Biella

Day 2: Rifugio Biella – Berggasthaus Pederü / Rifugio Fanes

From Rifugio Biella, your guide will lead you along a scenic route through the high alpine meadows, pointing out possible marmot sightings along the way. The landscape shifts as the trail gently descends toward Rifugio Sennes, offering breathtaking views of dramatic rock formations and expansive valleys. Continuing your descent, you’ll follow the soothing sounds of a mountain stream until you reach Berggasthaus Pederü, a historic spot from WWI, where you’ll spend the night in a picturesque valley.

Hiking

7.6 km and 60 m of elevation gain / 840 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Berggasthaus Pederü

Day 3: Berggasthaus Pederü / Rifugio Fanes – Rifugio Scotoni

Today’s hike is long and challenging, so your guide will ensure an early start and set a manageable pace. As you ascend through the steep valley framed by the towering Dolomites, you’ll have the option to take a short detour to a nearby lake. After reaching the high plateau near Lago Limo, your guide will help you navigate the trickier sections of the trail as you approach the Forcella del Lago Lagazuoi pass. After a careful descent, you’ll reach Rifugio Scotoni, where your guide will go over tomorrow’s route.

Hiking

17.8 km and 1700 m of elevation gain / 530 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Rifugio Scotoni

Day 4: Rifugio Scotoni – Rifugio Nuvolau / Rifugio Averau

Starting from Rifugio Scotoni, your guide will take you through former WWI battle zones as you head towards the Falzarego Pass. Along the way, you’ll take in views of the imposing Tofana di Rozes mountain before turning to a shaded forest path. After a short ascent, you’ll reach the famous Cinque Torri rock towers, perfect for a photo stop. The day ends at Rifugio Nuvolau, perched on a ridge with some of the best sunset views over the Dolomites.

Hiking

9.3 km and 625 m of elevation gain / 780 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Rifugio Nuvolau

Day 5: Rifugio Nuvolau / Rifugio Averau – Rifugio Passo Staulanza

Retracing your steps along the ridge, you’ll descend to the expansive Passo Giau, where grazing cattle roam. Your guide will take you through undulating meadows, offering sweeping views of the rugged Dolomite peaks. As you continue past Forcella Col Piombin and Forcella Giau, you’ll encounter Monte Pelmo’s towering presence. After passing several more mountain cols, you’ll end the day with a gentle descent to Rifugio Passo Staulanza.

Hiking

18 km and 450 m of elevation gain / 1220 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Rifugio Passo Staulanza

Day 6: Rifugio Passo Staulanza – Rifugio Vazzoler

Your guide will lead the way as you climb towards Forcella Coldai, offering tips to navigate the steep ascent. At the top, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of Monte Civetta and Lago Coldai. Traversing the slopes beneath Monte Civetta, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the Dolomites’ rugged beauty. The descent into a cooler, forested area brings a change in scenery, and your guide will ensure a smooth arrival at Rifugio Vazzoler, tucked among the pine trees.

Hiking

18 km and 940 m of elevation gain and 1130 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Rifugio Vazzoler

Day 7: Rifugio Vazzoler – Rifugio Carestiato

Your day starts with a steady descent from Rifugio Vazzoler, as your guide leads you past the impressive Torre Trieste, a favorite among climbers. The trail then begins to climb towards Forcella del Camp. This steady ascent offers dramatic views of steep rock faces. After cresting the pass, the trail becomes gentler as you approach Rifugio Carestiato, located above Passo Duran, where you’ll enjoy a cozy evening surrounded by stunning mountain views.

Hiking

9 km and 620 m of elevation gain / 530 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Rifugio Carestiato

Day 8: Rifugio Carestiato – Rifugio Sommariva al Pramperet

Leaving Rifugio Carestiato, your guide will lead you down to Passo Duran before taking a remote trail into more rugged terrain. As you ascend over a ridge, a new valley unfolds, revealing rugged landscapes beneath the Tamer Grande peak. After passing WWI landmarks like Forte di Forcella Moschesin, you’ll reach Rifugio Sommariva al Pramperet for a well-earned night of rest in this remote mountain refuge.

Hiking

12.8 km and 700 m of elevation gain / 650 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Rifugio Sommariva al Pramperet

Day 9: Rifugio Sommariva al Pramperet – Rifugio Furio Bianchet

Today presents one last major challenge — crossing the Cima de Zita. Your guide will ensure careful navigation through this section, with rewarding views at the summit. After snapping some pictures, you’ll descend through the funnel-shaped valley towards Rifugio Pian de Fontana, and then continue down to Rifugio Furio Bianchet, where you’ll enjoy your final night in the mountains.

Day 10: Rifugio Furio Bianchet – La Stanga

On your final day, you’ll descend along Trail 503 towards Val Cordevole. The path winds through serene woods and crosses a small bridge before a gentle descent through Val Vescovà. As you near the end, the rugged Dolomites give way to the gentler landscapes of the valley. Your hike concludes at La Stanga, where you can catch a bus to Belluno, marking the end of your Alta Via 1 adventure.

Hiking

6.8 km and 45 m elevation gain / 850 m elevation loss

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Guided

Included in price

9 nights in huts with dinner and breakfast

Digital guidebook with itinerary, route instructions, and practical information

Tour design and organization

Professional guide

Food & drinks during the day

Tour tax not included

Comfortable sports clothes

Insulation jacket

Spare socks, underwear and shirt

Gloves

Toilet paper

Snacks

Headlamp

ID card

Trekking poles if you are used to them

Extra layer

Rain jacket

Headwear

Sports shoes with good grip

Water bottle

Sunscreen

Toothbrush

Sleeping liner

Backpack 25-40 l

Some cash for food and accommodation

A Thorough Dive Into Everything About Alta Via 1

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The Alta Via 1 trail is a journey into the heart of Italy’s most majestic mountain range.

Stretching over 120 kilometers, it offers an extraordinary variety of landscapes – from soaring peaks and deep valleys to vibrant alpine meadows. Each day presents a new adventure as you hike through narrow mountain passes, across wildflower-filled plateaus, and along paths that skirt dramatic rock formations like the Cinque Torri and the massive Monte Civetta.

While the trail itself is accessible to regular hikers, the guidance of an expert elevates the experience, helping you navigate the terrain with ease and offering fascinating stories about the regions you’re passing through – whether it’s the scars of World War I at Falzarego Pass or the geological wonders that shape these ancient mountains.

Unlike a self-guided trek, this tour offers the peace of mind that comes with expert leadership. From the bustling trailhead at Lago di Braies to the quieter, remote reaches of the Dolomites, your guide will share insights that bring the landscape to life.

As you journey further from civilization, you’ll experience the true solitude of the Dolomites, broken only by the warmth of traditional mountain huts, or rifugios.

We’ll take care of rifugio bookings and all additional logistics to ensure your trip is hassle-free. With a guide leading the way and our team backing you for support, your only task is to take it all on – the towering peaks, the quiet valleys, and the thrill of walking some of the most spectacular paths in Europe.

With guaranteed departure, it’s entirely up to you to take the leap and dive head-first into the adventure!

Start planning today!

The sooner the better - guaranteed availability and best prices if you don't wait for too long.

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.

Read more about the hiking season on the Alta Via 1.

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.

Read more about the mountain huts in the Dolomites.

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.

Check out our comprehensive list of recommended equipment.

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.

You can read more about it on our subpage.

Alta Via 1 is the least technically challenging hut-to-hut hiking route in the Dolomites. However, its most demanding parts can be compared to The Walker’s Haute Route.

As a long-distance route, it includes anywhere between five and eight hours of hiking per day across uneven terrain with a significant elevation gain for nine consecutive days. Any regular hiker should be able to do it, but you should not come unprepared.

There are great train and bus connections to Cortina d’Ampezzo from most nearby airports. From Cortina, you can travel to Dobiacco and catch a bus to Lago di Braies where you start your hike.