Trek the Alta Via N.1 of the Dolomites – 10 days, 120 kilometers (75 miles), and some of the most breathtaking scenery in these incredible Italian Alps. Hike north to south on this classic high route, watching the spectacular angles of these wondrous mountains change right before your eyes!

Length: 10d / 9n

Start / Finish: Cortina d'Ampezzo

Group and Private Departures Available
This trip is available as a custom, private departure on dates of your choosing, or as a group departure on set dates. View Group Departure Dates.

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

Cost:
Guided Trip: From €2140  (per person, mininum 4 members)
Self Guided Trip: From €1440 (per person, minimum 2 members)

2013 Guided Set departure: from €1720 (per person, minimum 6 members)

Includes:

• Trip briefing upon arrival
• Logistics and map of the area
• Double room accommodation in 3-star hotel
• Shared accommodation (3-8 persons) in charming and family run rifugios
• Meals as noted in itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
• Local English speaking Professional UIAGM/IFMGA Mountain Guide (guided trips)
• Italian mobile phone for emergency calls during the trip (self guided trips)
• Transfers in the area on days 2 and 10
• Luggage transfer on day 5
• Via ferrata equipment (for via ferrata option)
• Local medical and evacuation insurance
• Italian VAT tax

Airport transfers available on request.
Option to have additional luggage transfers. We reccommend every other day. Ask for details and cost.

Private accommodation in rifugios: €170 per person based on double room.

• Trek the entire Alta Via N.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

OVERVIEW

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 N.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 Südtirol, and heads south through different mountain groups. This astoundingly rewarding trek visits the Fanes area, Lagazuoi and many other 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!

Day 1 ~ Arrive in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Dolomites
Arrive in Cortina d’Ampezzo (1,224m / 4,016') on your own and check into your hotel (private transfer available on request). Cortina d’Ampezzo is a charming alpine resort town surrounded by stunning peaks. Host to the 1956 Winter Olympics, Cortina enjoys a reputation for great skiing in winter, and in the summer attracts hikers and climbers who challenge the rocky faces of the nearby mountains. This chic Venetian town also caters to the high society crowd, offering many year-round social activities, shopping, and fine 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, Italian mobile phone, and everything necessary for your self-guided adventure. Depending on when you arrive, you may have time for a hike or to explore Cortina d’Ampezzo’s pedestrian walkway, the Corso Italia, lined with restaurants and cafes, antique shops, art galleries, and boutiques. Most of your luggage will stay in Cortina until the last day of your trip; you will receive a dufflel bag for a set of clothes and belongings which will be brought to you at your rifugio on Day 5 of your hike.
… Hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo (3-Star) 

Day 2 ~ Prato Piazza
This morning begins with a private transfer to the trailhead from where your trek begins.Hike along the spectacular section below the northern face of Croda Rossa Mountain (Red Wall in English, Hohe Gaisl
in German) 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. Descend to a friendly rifugio for the night. Here you will enjoy fantastic views of the north face of Croda Rossa Massif and the Cristallo group of mountains.(~4-5 hours hiking 6 km / 3,7 miles, 1,080 m / 3,543’ ascent, 530 m / 1,739’ descent.)

Once you arrive at the rifugio, there is an optional additional hike to the top of the Pico di Vallandro.
(Additional hike 4.5 km / 2,8 miles round trip,  800 m /2,625' ascent and 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 of the Croda Rossa – this time of the west face of this incredible massif. (~8-9 hours hiking 18,7 km / 11,6 miles, 1,340 m / 4,396’ ascent, 1,350 m / 4,429’ 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 Rifugio Pederù, hike uphill 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 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, 512m / 1,680' ascent, 417m / 1,368' 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 N.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 Scotoni. 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, one of the highest in all the Dolomites (2,752m / 9,029'), with incredible 360-degree vistas. Your main luggage will stay in Cortina; your duffel bag with your clothes and belongings will be taken to tonight’s rifugio. (6 hours hiking 12km / 7.5 miles, 1,100m / 3,609' ascent, 350m /1,148' descent.) 
B,D… Rifugio

Day 6 ~ Cinque Torri – Nuvolao
Again, you have options this morning – you can travel to Passo Falzarego (2,105m / 6,906') either on foot or via cable car (a 647m / 2,123' descent). 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 7.5 km / 5 miles, 650m / 2,133' ascent, 660m / 2,165' descent.)

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~15km / 9.30 miles, 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 (6km)! 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 10.8km / 6.7 miles, ~700m /2,300' ascent, 350m /1,148' descent.)
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 ~14km / 8,700 miles, 900m /2,952' ascent, 1,100m /3,608' descent.)
B,D…Rifugio

Day 10 ~ Return to Cortina d'Ampezzo and depart
In the morning private transfer back to Cortina where you can pick up the rest of your luggage. Departure on your own in the afternoon (private transfer on request).
B...

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.

Trip itinerary may vary based on weather conditions, fitness levels and abilities of participants, and/or the recommendations of your guide

Want to learn more about our Hotels and B&Bs?
The Dolomites has a multi-faceted culture and history that is reflected in each village we visit, and we make sure to provide you with the most authentic experience of the region possible through the hotels and B&Bs we offer. Hotels and chalets are available in the larger villages, while agriturismos (working farms with accommodations similar to B&Bs) are more common in rural areas. And we always make sure you have access to inspired regional cuisine, and the best panoramas you can get in the Dolomites! 

You can also book a custom departure of this trip using our Luxury Hotels. For details, please contact us.

Want to learn more about our Mountain Inns & Rifugi?            
Rifugi – or mountain huts in English – are the classic accommodation for hikers, climbers, mountaineers, and ski mountaineers in the Alps. Set in spectacular locations high in the Dolomites, rifugi are accessible only on foot (with a few exceptions that are reachable by car). These marvelous establishments are open primarily in the summer, with a select few in winter, and offer meals and sleeping facilities.

The Dolomite rifugi are considered the best in the Alps. While some are dormitory style with bunk beds, many meet the standard of a simple guest house with private rooms and en-suite bathrooms, and each has its own unique character and charm. Bedding and linens are provided, hot showers are available, and meals are served in common dining areas – like a small mountain inn set high in the mountains with the most incredible vistas in the Dolomites. Whether you’re hiking in summer or skiing in winter, an overnight rifugio stay is not to miss on a Dolomite holiday.

To learn more about rifugi in the Dolomites, check out our Rifugios in the Dolomites article, and learn about one of the best ways to experience these incredible mountains!

Want to see the Dolomites in action?
Check out the high definition videos in our SUMMER VIDEO GALLERY!

Want to learn what it’s like to stay in a rifugio before you visit? 
Check out our Rifugios in the Dolomites article!

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. Ask us for details!

Short on time? 
Check out our 6-day Hiking the Alta Via N.1 of the Dolomites Quick Getaway!