Hiking Alta Via N.1 – Getaway Part II

Day by Day

Trek part of the Alta Via N.1 – the classic high route of the Dolomites! You’ll revel in 5 days of hiking through some of the most breathtaking scenery in these incredible Italian Alps. This is the perfect quick trip for those looking for a classic trek but who are short on time!

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, you will meet with a Dolomite Mountains representative who will provide a trip briefing and orientation, as well as maps, 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. Your luggage will stay in Cortina until the last day of your trip.
In the afternoon, meet a Dolomite Mountains representative who will provide a trip briefing and orientation, route maps and everything necessary for your self-guided adventure.
… Hotel in Cortina D'Ampezzo

Day 2 ~ Lagazuoi Massif
After breakfast, meet with your guide who will provide a trip briefing and orientation (guided trips).

In the morning take a private transfer to Rifugio Dibona (2,083m / 6,834'), the start of your hike. Today you will travel under the Tofana di Rozes massif to the summit of Mount Lagazuoi (2,778m / 9,114'), a veritable castle of rock, with lots of spires, turrets and hidden military forts to explore. Here you will reach one of the highest rifugios in the Dolomites. Spend the afternoon exploring World War I tunnels built into the hillside or relaxing on its patios, where you’ll feel as though you're sitting at the edge of the world – its spacious deck offers 360° view of the Dolomites!
(4-5 hours hiking 8,2km / 5,1 miles, 1,069m / 3,508' ascent, 392m / 1,286' descent.)
B,D… Rifugio

Day 3 ~ Cinque Torri
This stage is of great interest for both the spectacular mountains around and the abundance of reminders of the terrible years of WWI, due to the vicinity of the former border between the long-dismantled Hapsburg Empire and Italy. Hike a memorable traverse below the awesome Tofana di Rozes, ascending Forcella Lagazuoi (2,573m / 8,442'), Forcella Travenanzes (2,507m / 8,225') and Forcella Col dei Bos (2,331m / 7,648') and gradually descend along the line of trenches. Reach the main road that goes from Cortina to Passo Falzarego, cross it and climb through forests to the fascinating, renowned Cinque Torri area and its rifugios. From here the incredible vistas around, including the Pale di San Martino, Civetta, Monti del Sole and the Marmolada with its shrinking glacier. Take some time to relax, and in the afternoon descend to the south to Passo Giau and reach your rifugio for the night (2,236m / 7,336').
(~6-7 hours hiking 17.7km / 10.9 miles, 1,103m / 3,621' ascent, 1,541m / 5,058' descent. Option for a shorter hike, using the Lagazuoi cable car, not included.)
B,D… Rifugio

Day 4 ~ Pelmo and Civetta Massifs
After breakfast, from your rifugio, pass a chapel, and begin to hike uphill to the rear of grassy Col Piombin, that takes its name from a past mining activity. The trail leads over the Forcella Giau (2,360m / 7,742’) with plenty of ups and downs; here the views of the Tofana and Monte Cavallo are inspiring, not to mention the mountains on display to the south: Monte Fromin, Cernera, Pelmo and the upswept flank of Monte Mondeval. Along the hike you’ll have great views of the majestic Sorapiss, the unmistakable pyramid of Antelao and far off the Cadore Dolomites. All of a sudden the Pelmo (3,168m / 10,394') will be incredibly close, and at this range it’s easy to understand why it was dubbed ‘Throne of the Gods’. The last part of the day leads below Pelmo’s north face, (which is 1,006m / 3,300' straight up to the top) to your comfortable mountain Rifugio at Passo Staulanza  (1,783m / 5,850'), your home for tonight.
(~5 hours hiking 12,5km / 7,8 miles, 487m / 1,597' ascent, 946m / 3,105' descent.)
B,D… Rifugio

Day 5 ~ Civetta & Moiazza
From Passo Staulanza, you hike by several farms, join a popular trail and climb to the shoulder of Monte Coldai. Shaped like an enormous trident and linkened to a set of  organ pipes, it rises majestically between the deep-cut Cordevole river valley and the smiling pasture of Val Zoldana. After stopping for lunch at Rifugio Coldai (2,132 m / 6,995’) near the beautiful Lago Coldai, you continue on to the Col Negro di Coldai that looks over at the towering west face of Monte Civetta. This “wall of walls” extends for over 6km / 4 miles! About midway past this wall you climb steeply to your rifugio for tonight (2,250m / 7,382’). This overnight stop is memorable.
(~5.5 hours hiking 10.8km / 6.7 miles, 1,130m / 3,707’ ascent, 644m / 2,113’ descent.)
B,D… Rifugio

Day 6 ~ 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 Rifugio Bruto Cartestiato. Continue to Rifugio San Sebastiano, following a clear white gravel lane across pasture clearings and light wood (~40 minute hike). From Rifugio San Sebastiano you’ll have your private transfer back to Cortina d'Ampezzo. Celebrate the conclusion of your trek along the Alta Via 1..Though a strenuous day over rugged terrain, this may be one of the prettiest and most varied hikes of your trip.
(~7 hours hiking 15.6km / 8.4 miles, 983m /3,225’ ascent, 1,649m / 5,410‘ descent.)
B… Hotel in Cortina d'Ampezzo

Day 7 ~ Depart
After breakfast departure on your own (private transfer available on request).
B…

EXTEND YOUR ADVENTURE!
You've come all this way, why not stay a little longer? Dolomite Mountains offers fantastic extensions that you can enjoy before or after your trip in the Dolomites. Explore Venice, Verona, Lake Garda, Florence, or Milan, or any of the many other magical places found throughout Italy. There's no more perfect way to recover from jet lag upon arrival, or delay your return to reality at the end of your trip!

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

Cost

Guided Trip:  
From € 2.220 per person (minimum 2 participants)
From € 1.440 per person (minimum 4 participants)
Group Departures: € 1.310 per person (minimum 4 participants)

Self Guided Trip:
From € 870 per person (mininum 2 participants)
From € 760 per person (minimum 4 participants)
The cost is based on 3-star hotels, it can be upgraded to 4/5-star, please contact us for a quotation.

Private room supplement in rifugios: €15 per rifugio, per person (based on availabilty)
High season supplement from July 20th to August 31st: 5% surcharge

Cost Includes: 

• Trip briefing
• Logistics and map of the area
• 2 nights accommodation in 3-star B&B in Cortina d'Ampezzo
• 4 night accommodation in charming rifugios (shared dormitories)
• Meals as noted in itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
• Local English speaking hiking guide (guided trips)
• Transfers on days 2 and 6, these serivces may be shared with other Dolomite Mountains guests
• Local tourist tax
• Italian VAT tax

Airport transfers available on request.
Luggage transfers available on request.

Helicopter Sightseeing & Airport Transfers – There's Nothing Else Like It!
Take to the skies for an aerial look at the spectacular Dolomite Mountains, and make memories to last a lifetime! Whether on a panoramic sightseeing ride or an airport transfer, you'll appreciate a bird's eye view of the stunning scenery aboard state-of-the-art single engine helicopters. With over 30 years in operation, our experienced pilots and ground crew employ the utmost safety standards, quality, and service. Contact us for a quotation.
Rides are weather dependent. Heli-transfers from/to airports require advanced reservation. In-resort rides can be reserved with shorter notice.

Accommodation

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!

Prefer luxury accommodations?
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 even 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!

More info

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 trip! Ask us for details. 

Prefer a longer trek? 
Check out our 10-day Hiking the Alta Via N.1 of the Dolomites and hike the entire Alta Via 1!

Group Trip Dates