Tre Cime di Lavaredo hiking Dolomites

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Trek the entire Alta Via 1 – one of the famous High Routes of the Dolomites!
• Hike hut-to-hut and enjoy the atmosphere of a different mountain rifugio each night
• Traveling from north to south, see vistas of more than 80% of the Dolomite Mountains – a recently added UNESCO World Heritage Site

Alta Via or Haute Route – so what’s all the fuss about?

Truly a hiker's paradise, thousands of trails wind their way between the fantastic pinnacles of the jagged Dolomite Mountains, and the Alta Via represent the “best of the best.” These routes are multi-day, hut-to-hut alpine tours, and offer some the most breathtaking, challenging, multi-day trails available in this mountainous wonderland. 

The Alta Via 1 is a fantastic trek, highlighted by breathtaking views, rustic and lively mountain refuges, a sense of excitement of what lies around the next bend or the next pass and the satisfaction of traveling by foot through this beautiful and remote area. This linear trip, traveling north to south through the Italian Alps, begins in the Italian Sud Tirol, and heads south through the Pragser, Tofana, and Civetta mountain groups. This astoundingly rewarding trek visits the Fanes area, Lagazuoi and many Cortina mountains, Pelmo, Civetta, Moiazza and the Dolomiti Bellunesi.

Spread across 10 days and 120 kilometers (75 miles), the Alta Via 1 reaches a high point of 2,752 meters (9,029'). The impressiveness of the scenery and the variety of terrain on this route is matched only by the warmth and hospitality offered by the mountain huts. The unusual contrasts in landscapes, changing colors and textures of the mountains and curious mix of Italian and Austrian influences means fantastic hiking, stunning scenery, and plenty of pasta!

Still want more adventure? We can add several days of via ferrata to your trek, on day 6 traversing the breathtaking Pelmo, and day 10 before you return to Cortina.

Check out our high definition videos in: SUMMER VIDEO GALLERY!

TRIP DETAILS

Length: 11d / 10n

Start / Finish: Cortina d'Ampezzo

Activity Level: For everybody in good and active physical health.

Guided trip:  €2280 with mininum 6 members
Self-guided trip:  €1440 with mininum 2 members

Includes: Double room accommodation in 3-star hotel, private/shared dormitory (3-8 people) accommdations in charming rifugios, meals as noted in itinerary, local English speaking guide, transfers in the area as per itinerary, luggage transfer on day 6.

Airport transfers available on request.

Options:
This trip is available as a group trip on fixed dates (view group departure dates), a custom departure on dates of your choosing, or as a self guided trip.

Want more? Add one to two days of to climb via ferrata.
-or-
Short on time? We can create a shorter version of this itinerary to meet your needs.

• INFORMATION REQUEST
  Ready to take the next step? Just complete and return our Trip Questionnaire, or contact us directly to plan your Dolomites adventure today!

ITINERARY:
Trip itinerary may vary based on weather conditions, fitness levels and abilities of participants.

Day 1 ~ Arrive in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Dolomites
Arrive in Cortina d’Ampezzo and check into your hotel. (Airport transfers available on request.) Cortina enjoys a reputation for great skiing in winter, and in the summer attracts hikers and mountain climbers who challenge the rocky faces of the nearby mountains. It is also a destination for the international society set, and offers many year-round social activities, shopping, and dining.

In the afternoon, meet with your guide who will provide a trip briefing and orientation. If you are doing this trip as a self-guided adventure, you will meet with a Dolomite Mountains representative who will provide a trip briefing and orientation, as well as maps and an Italian mobile phone.
… Hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo (3-Star)

Day 2 ~ Prato Piazza
Hike along the spectacular section below the northern face of Croda Rossa Mountain and Prato Piazza, set in an idyllic high alpine pasture valley. This is probably the best vantage point for viewing the Croda Rossa, so called for its blood red rock caused by the presence of iron oxide. Take a short transfer to the Hotel Drei Zinnen Blick and begin hiking along a winding trail to a saddle, and then descend to a friendly rifugio for the night. Here you will enjoy fantastic views of the north face of Croda Rossa Massif (Red Wall in English, Rote Wand in German) and the Cristallo Group of mountains. (3 hours hiking, 515m / 1,689' ascent.)

Once you arrive, there is an optional additional hike to the top of the Pico di Vallandro.  (Total with optional hike is 6 hours hiking, 1,363m / 4,473' ascent – 849m / 2,784' descent.)
B,D… Rifugio

Day 3 ~ Traverse Under the Croda Rossa Massif
On this superb hike you'll experience a wonderful range of scenery and habitats, two natural parks – Dolomiti d’Ampezzo and Fanes-Sennes-Braies – and more vistas of the spectacular Croda Rossa mountain group. Hike to a family run rifugio (1,965m / 6,447'), a beautiful place to spend the night with another superb view Croda Rossa – this time of the west face of this incredible massif. (7 hours hiking, 450m / 1,476' ascent – 323m / 1,059' descent.)
B,D… Rifugio

Day 4 ~ Altopiano di Fanes You have two options this morning – you can hike to Rifugio Pederù, or, if you prefer a less steep route, we can arrange for a transfer there. From here, continue to hike downhill in the direction of Lago di Limo. When you reach Lake Lé Piciodel you’ll hike through a charming landscape studded with little lakes and rounded mountain tops along the Ru d’Al Plan River. At the fork, continue toward Lago di Limo until you arrive at your rifugio for tonight. Located just beneath the Limo Pass, you’ll have a splendid view of the Tofane Mountains. (4 hours hiking ~7km / 4 miles, 417m / 1,368' ascent – 512m / 1,680' descent.)

Still want more today? There several other beautiful hikes in the area, right from the hut!)
B,D… Rifugio

Day 5 ~ Cime di Fanis & Lagazuoi Massif
Today is a lovely hike through the Altopiano di Fanes to the Lagazuoi Massif.  You'll enjoy beautiful panoramas of the Western Dolomites and the Marmolada Massif, the "Queen of the Dolomites.”

From your rifugio, Alta Via 1 continues through the beautiful high meadow and karst formations, climbing to the Forcella del Lago, a narrow and dramatic gap in the mountain with a trail descent through steep talus on the south side. At the base of the slope is the lake called Lago di Lagazuoi whose green waters are framed by pines with a backdrop of the sheer walls of the Cima del Lago and the Cima Scottoni. From the lake, the path begins the long, steady climb to your rifugio.  Entering open, rocky terrain, you'll come across ruins from the First World War. When you arrive at the Forcella Lagazuoi, a pass that separates Lagazuoi Piccolo from Lagazuoi Grande, you can opt for a short detour through these WWI tunnels and fortifications en route to your rifugio. (6 hours hiking, 692m / 2,270' ascent.) 
B,D… Rifugio

Day 6 ~ Cinque Torri – Nuvolao
Again, you have options this morning – you can travel to Passo Falzarego either on foot or via cable car (descent / mileage).

Once you reach the pass, the first part of the trail climbs gently across grassy hillsides. As you climb, the terrain becomes rockier, with the occasional grass and wildflower patch, including gentians and pretty pink thrift. Waymarkers (trail markers) are regular, and you’ll see red and white painted stripes on rocks, some with painted trail numbers. You’ll cross several gullies on this hike, the first of which provides a view of the diminutive Lago de Limedes below. Continue toward Forcella Averau, enjoying exceptional views of Lagazuoi and Tofana, and southwest to the grassy slopes of the Livinallongo Valley. When you are ready to depart from the pass, continue to the rifugio, your home for tonight. (5 hours hiking.)

There are also options for several other beautiful hikes in the area when you arrive at your rifugio.
B,D… Rifugio

Day 7 ~ Pelmo and Civetta Massifs
Today the trail leads you near two, striking mountains, Averau and Nuvolao. It continues over the Forcella Giau where the views of the Tofana and Monte Cavallo are inspiring, as are the mountains on display to the south: Monte Fromin, Cernera, Pelmo and the upswept flank of Monte Mondeval. You’ll hike over lush alpine meadows, perhaps spotting some wild edelweiss. The last part of the day leads below Pelmo’s north face to Passo Staulanza, where you’ll find your comfortable mountain rifugio for tonight. (6 hours hiking, 633m / 2,077' descent.)
B,D… Rifugio

Day 8 ~ Civetta Massif
Departing Passo Staulanza, you’ll hike by several farms and join a popular trail that climbs to the shoulder of Monte Coldai, anchoring one end of the famous Monte Civetta. After stopping for lunch at Lago Coldai, continue to the Col Negro di Coldai that looks over at the towering west face of Monte Civetta. This “wall of walls” extends for over 4 miles! About midway past this wall you climb to your rifugio, perched on mountaintop with views to the Val Civetta, down the Alleghe Valley and west to the Marmolada Glacier. This overnight stop is unforgettable. (5 hours hiking.)
B,D…Rifugio

Day 9 ~ Civetta & Moiazza to Passo Duran
From the rifugio, descend to the Val Civetta over the Col Rean, through beautiful, open, green meadows to the narrow valley of Val Corpassa. The route takes you right below the sheer rock faces of the Torre Venezia (2,337m / 7,667') and the Torre Trieste (2,458m / 8,064'), both rising some 600 meters (2,000') vertically from the valley floor. You may even get to see some climbers ascending these impressive towers!

Pass by the Rifugio Vazzoler and ascend steeply through a dense forest to Forcella de l’Orso and alongside Monte Moiazza’s southern flank to your rifugio for the night. Though a strenuous day over rugged terrain, this may be one of the prettiest and most varied hikes of your trip. (7-8 hours hiking.)
B,D…Rifugio

Day 10 ~ Return to Cortina d'Ampezzo
Private transfer from your rifugio back to Cortina. Settle in to your hotel and celebrate the conclusion of your trek along the Alta Via 1!
B… Hotel in Cortina d'Ampezzo (3-Star)

Day 11 ~ Depart
Breakfast and departure.
B…

Cinque Torri and Tofana di Rozes, Dolomites