Alta Via No. 1 – Dolomites

You’ll get picked up at the Venice International Airport by your guide and then driven to Toblach near the Pragser Wildsee lake. The transfer takes approximately 3 hours and brings you on an interesting road through places like Cortina d’Ampezzo to Toblach. On your way to Toblach the transfer driver will stop in Belluno, so that you can leave everything you don’t need during the trek at the hotel in Belluno.

You’ll arrive in the picturesque village Toblach in the early afternoon, so you will have some time to check out the cute little shops or try already a first Apple Strudel. You’ll stay in a hotel right in the center of Toblach. With the guide and the rest of the group, you’ll go for a welcome dinner in one of the local restaurants or eat directly at the hotel. During the dinner your guide will give you a final briefing and share some last information about the trip and the first stage of your Alta Via No. 1 trek.

In the morning you’ll take a short bus transfer (30 minutes) from your hotel to the departure point of the hike, the famous Pragser Wildsee. You’ll walkalong the turquoise lake side, where locals believe you can access the underground mysterious empire of the Fanes. Of course there’ll be enough time to take this world class Instagram shot of the lake.

A steep but rewarding uphill with a short section of wires will lead to the mountain pass. Over open terrain with scenic views we will get to the Seekofel refuge, a nice location for a break and a snack. From the refuge, it is possible to climb up to the Seekofel Peak which will provide 360° views (+2.5 hours).

The rest of the stage continues easy along wide and smooth tracks across open terrain. You will pass several refuges which invite for a short break to enjoy some local apple strudel or great Italian coffee. Once you get over the Macchina pass you’ll reach the Pederü mountain lodge the overnight location for the first day.

The first part of the hike is fairly easy. From the Pederü hut an easy but first steep trail is leading up towards the Fanes hut and then later to the greater Fanes Alp, a nice and quite flat high plateau. You will pass the Limolake before starting the long and steady climb to the Forcella del Lago (2486m) which is a narrow mountain pass.

On a steep zig-zag descent next to sheer Dolomite walls you will reach the Lagazuoi lake. Over an open, bouldery field you’ll ascent to the Lagazuoi Pass. You can already spot the Lagazuoi hut which you’ll visit the next day. From the pass you’ll descent down to the Rifugio Col Gallina. The breathtaking panorama down to the Falzarego pass and the surrounding mountains such as the Tofana di Rozes is unique!

In the morning you’ll hike up along an easy path to the Falzarego pass. From the pass you’ll take the exciting trail through the tunnels from the World War up to the Lagazuoi cable car station. The interesting trail is leading up through narrow tunnels and you can learn a lot from the history of the area and the bitter war. At the end of the tunnels, you will reach the Lagazuoi mountain hut (2759m) which is also the highest point of the Alta Via 1! From the hut you can even climb a littlehigher to the summit of the Lagazuoi.

From the refuge you’ll leave the official Alta Via trail and take a very wild alternative Alta Via Route. The descent towards the Terra Roses valley brings you very close to the sheer mountain walls of the famous Tofana de Rozes. You’ll traverse along the stunning Tofana de Rozes south side to reach the Dibona refuge above Cortina.

From the Dibona hut a steep descent is leading to the main road leading from Cortina d’Ampezzo up to the Falzarego pass. The Falzarego pass was a battlefield between the Italians and Austrian and nowadays many items remain such as trenches, wires and bullets can be found.

You’ll hike up to the famous Cinque Torri (five towers), where you can admire some rock climbers summiting one of the towers before whilst enjoying a coffee and a nice apple strudel. Energized you’ll take the trail to the Rifugio Croda di Lago with its nice mountain lake. The perfect opportunity for an extended lunch break and a swim in the cold mountain lake.

Behind the hut a nicely ascending trail is leading to the Forcella Ambrizzolla, a small mountain pass which offers great views over the entire South Tyrol. From the pass an easy trail is traversing to the Malaga Prendera and from there further to the Rifugio Città di Fiume where you’ll spend the night.

A very diverse hike leads just below the Monte Pelmo (one of the most impressive ones in the Dolomites) to the Staulanza pass and further to the Civetta Mountain range. On the hike you will also get to see the Marmolada far in the distance, which is the highest mountain in the Dolomites and the only one with a remaining glacier.

From the Rifugio Città di Fiume you’ll take a nice and gently ascending trail over a rocky slope to the Staulanza pass. On your way you can admire the magnificent rock faces of the Pelmo and see the sun rising behind the mountain. From the Passo Staulanza you will carry on a wide forest road followed by a steep but scenic uphill which leads to the Rifugio Coldai on 2132 meter. The panoramic views on the terrace of the Rifugio are inviting for a quick break and some snacks before you continue your walk to the final destination of this stage.

From the hut you’ll take a short ascent to the Forcella Coldai. Just a few meters below the pass you can go for a swim in the ice cold Coldai, like this you’re perfectly refreshed for the last stretch of the stage. Along the traverse through the valley of the Civetta you can admire the views down to the Italian village Agordo and the steep and impressive mountain walls of the Civetta. This section is one of the best parts of the entire trek. The night will be spent in the Rifugio A. Tissi, the mountain hut with the probably most spectacular sunset on the entire trek.

A long and hard stage is waiting for you. This stage is probably one of the most scenic stages as you will climb through boulder fields right below sheer mountain cliffs. From the Rifugio A. Tissi you descend a little bit and walk over a nice meadow to the Vazzoler mountain hut, a perfect stop for a coffee and a visit in their alpine garden. On your way you’ll get to see the famous Torre Venezia, a sheer mountain tower which is famous all over the world for its excellent rock climbing routes.

After the break an easy 4×4 track is leading down towards the valley but before you’ll take a narrow trail underneath the great cliffs of the Moiazza mountain range. The trail is tough and difficult. The trail is often just narrow and blocked with big rocks, but worth every step. The amazing views and the unique landscape are very rewarding. The difficulties end when you’ll reach the Forcella del Camp, a saddle on the southern end of the Moiazza peak. From the saddle the trail traverses further over to the Rifugio B. Carestiato where you’ll spend the night high above the village of Agordo.

After a cozy night in the Rifugio B. Carestiato you’ll take an easy gravel road down to the busy mountain road Passo Duran – a famous motorbike stop. At the pass it is possible to enjoy another coffee before you will carry on through a changing landscape of dark forests and along light lime stone cliffs to reach the Rifugio Pramperet, a nice lunch spot in a high plateau. Large open valleys are crossed on the way.

After an extended break at the Pramperet hut the final ascent of the day is ahead of you. A steep and rocky trail leads to the Portela del Piazedel the first pass of that stretch. From the pass the trail gets quite poor and your following only a vague path to the Forcella del Cima de Zita Sud at 2395m. From here you’ll descend to the Rifugio Pian de Fontana (1632m), a small hut on a grassy hill with great food where you’ll spend the night. The hut is very simple and authentic and it has all you need for a great last night in the mountains!

Your final hiking day takes you from the rifugio and slowly descends into the forest. You will pass the Rifugio Bianchet for a break before enjoying your final steps on the AV1 to La Pissa. Here you will travel by bus to Belluno to celebrate with dinner and drinks at a typical local restaurant followed by a night in a comfortable hotel.

After breakfast a shuttle will collect you and drive you to the airport in Venice. You are free to book any flight departing from Venice Marco Polo International Airport (VCE) at 11h30 or later.