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.
Starting point
Lago di Braies
Finish point
Falzarego pass / Cortina d'Ampezzo
Duration
4 days / 3 nights
Season
July -
September
Technical level
Uneven trails with bigger rocks, steep sections and exposed terrain. Requires basic hiking experience
Explore the heart-stopping corners of the Dolomites around Cortina d’Ampezzo
Visit the famous Falzarego mountain pass and see the iconic Cinque Torri
Stay in three different authentic Italian rifugios high up in the Alps
Hike along remains from World War 1
Rifugio Sennes view
Cinque Torri
Cortina dAmpezzo surroundings
Le Vert Lake near Rifugio Lavarella
Mountain hut pasture
Rifugio Biella with surroundings
Tofana di Rozes
WW1 remains
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Itinerary
Day 1: Lago di Braies - Rifugio Biella / Rifugio Sennes
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.
Hiking
6.4 km and 930 m of elevation gain / 100 m of elevation loss
Note: Listed accommodations are subject to availability; we will find similar alternatives if necessary.
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Day 2: Rifugio Sennes - Berggasthaus Pederü / Rifugio Lavarella
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.
Hiking
7.6 km and 60 m of elevation gain / 840 m of elevation loss
Note: Listed accommodations are subject to availability; we will find similar alternatives if necessary.
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Day 3: Berggasthaus Pederü - Rifugio Lagazuoi
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 slightly slippery and steep 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.
Hiking
17.8 km and 1700 m of elevation gain / 530 m of elevation loss
Note: Listed accommodations are subject to availability; we will find similar alternatives if necessary.
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Day 4: Rifugio Lagazuoi - Cortina d’Ampezzo
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.
Hiking
4 km and 25 m of elevation gain / 620 m of elevation loss
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Self guided
Included in price
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
Optional Extras
Extra nights in Cortina d'Ampezzo
Private rooms in huts (if available)
Transfer from Cortina d'Ampezzo to the starting point
What to bring to the tour
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 25-30 l
Some cash for food and accommodation
A Thorough Dive Into Everything About Alta Via 1
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Description
A shortened version of the epic Alta Via 1 takes you across its northern and most scenic sections in the vicinity of the famous Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Keeping to the original route, it overcomes 38 kilometers and 2700 meters of altitude before concluding at the Falzarego mountain pass (or Cortina if you wish). This hike is ideal for someone who wants to explore the places bearing scars of WW1 but cannot trek the entire trail.
The stages on this tour are shorter and less demanding than on our Alta Via 1 South hut-to-hut hike. However, you should still be ready to hike between 4 and 6 hours daily.
We will book all your accommodations at rifugios and offer you 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 beforehand.
We are eagerly waiting to assist you on your Alta Via 1 hike!
Map
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.
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 four consecutive days. Any regular hiker should be able to do it, but you should not come unprepared.
This is a shortened version of Alta Via 1, and it includes its most scenic parts with shorter and less demanding stages than the ones on the Alta Via 1 South tour.
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.
As you will also be finishing in Cortina, you can use the same connections in the other direction.
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!!!
Kyle Miller
Verified Customer
Well organized trip. The travel agents were extremely communicative, provided great service, and made adjustments as needed. The GPS app provided was another highlight. It worked exceptionally well made the trek much easier. The itinerary was thorough and included lots of extra details about the region as well as scaling options. The only drawbacks were that the company is based in Slovenia (doesn't seem to have a presence in South Tyrol), and the cost, which was higher than similar treks from competitors.
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!
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)!
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.
Ann Swainson
Verified Customer
Thank you so much for a fantastic trip. It was absolutely stunning, well organised, and a brilliant trip. Special thanks to Jan for his kindness & support on what was a personally challenging trek.
Thomas Wilde
Verified Customer
A great trip - perfectly organized by the hut-hut team, they were immediately available when we needed help!
Robert Backlund
Verified Customer
Our Guide Luka was amazing! And the three-day hike was a Memory for life, really beautiful. Cant recommend it enough.
Gayle Felbain
Verified Customer
Beautiful guided route for our 3-day hut to hut. It included a variety of geography and landscapes and it challenged us in a good way. The organization and information we received from the company both before booking and during our trek was accurate and helpful. Our accommodations were as expected and they were comfortable enough and very welcoming. This was a wonderful way to be in the mountains and really experience them.
Alan Rapoport
Verified Customer
If I could give 100 stars, I would. I don't know if you're a big company or just two or three people behind this, but thank you for such an amazing experience. It was a beautiful adventure. The trails were perfect, each day different from the rest, and a natural beauty that I have seldom seen elsewhere. I had no experience in the world of hiking, and now I can't wait to do the next one! (hopefully next time organised by myself 😂). I had one of the best weeks of my whole life. Thank you a million guys.
Dominic Jacquesson
Verified Customer
Anja and the team at Hut to Hut Hiking designed a terrific 6 day Dolomites himimg adventure for the three of us. The route was breathtaking and balanced, despite our booking very late (June for July), and everything went smoothly, including our luggage transfer. The Rifugios surpassed our expectations and the meals were all amazing. I doubt we could have got a better price if we had booked it ourselves, and we’d have had more hassle and a worse outcome, for sure. Thank you, and I hope to partner with you again 🙏
Julia Mabry
Verified Customer
Hut to Hut organized all of our stays and were diligent about ensuring our rooms were saved for us. They organized our luggage transfer etc. The team was very responsive and helpful! Hut to Hut hiking is simply the best way to experience the mountains!
Christopher Galla
Verified Customer
What a great trip. Small group, great guide. Happy I booked the trek and plan to do more in the future. Highly recommend.
Natalie Shaw
Verified Customer
This three day hike was breath takingly beautiful! Diverse and stunning landscapes, with Klemens expert knowledge of the land, its history and culture blew me away :)
I was a little apprehensive about my first solo trip, but from the first second was made to feel welcome and at ease.
TOTALLY recommend, Thank you Klemen & Hut to Hut! Unforgettable experience :)
Ivan Lopez
Verified Customer
I can’t say enough of how wonderful this company is, we had a customized tour including multiple activities, we had to change the itinerary due to quick changing weather, Klemen took great care of the group, very professional and very caring about the group, I would recommend him and his company.
Dave Blank
Verified Customer
Regardless of changing weather, the team took great care of us, making sure we we’re having fun and comfortable
andrew Lockhart
Verified Customer
A huge thank you to Klemen for the most wonderful holiday. Having you as a guide made all the difference and enabled us to make the best of our time and see places we would never have found without you. Thank you for showing us your wonderful country.
Veronica D
Verified Customer
A perfect hike for a family! It is not too easy but quite manageable with all the huts on the way so you really don't have to carry too much with you and on the third day, you can make a great rest by the beautiful river. We had a great guide who showed us around and took care of all the organization around the accommodation and food. The communication with the team before the tour was spot on and we have really enjoyed the hike worry-free. We have seen a great portion of the region and after the tour we simply chilled in Bled.
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Self-guided
Those who like a good adventure and limitless flexibility should go on a self-guided tour. We prepare the itinerary and book your accommodations while you enjoy the journey without our guide, being fully in charge of all the daily decisions. While you’ll have the full support of our team in case of any emergencies or concerns, a certain level of self-reliance is required.
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.
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