Self-guided Alta Via 1 of Dolomites

For your self-guided AV1 package we’ll book all your accommodation and provide you with a detailed digital guidebook, plus day-by-day GPS maps. And – of course! – you’ll be able to contact us during your hike.

Trek package starts from 1500€

Book this hike

Self-guided Alta Via 1

In self-guided AV1 package we’ll book all your accommodation and provide you with a detailed digital guidebook, plus day-by-day GPS maps. And – of course! – you’ll be able to contact us during your hike.

Trek package starts from 1500€

Contact to book now

By doing a self-guided Alta Via 1, you’ll be your own guide in the Dolomites. This gives you the freedom to hike at your own pace, and to take route variants that might not be possible for a typical guided group. However, by booking a self-guided package, you will not be alone!

A self-guided Alta Via 1 is perfect for hikers with good navigation skills, and enough experience to hike without a guide. A self-guided package allows you to hike at your own pace, and add any personal touches to the tour. Our package offers hassle-free hiking, with the safety-net of local, expert guides.

What’s included in a Self-guided Alta Via 1 of Dolomites?

Our standard self-guided packages include :

A digital guidebook

You’ll receive a Self-Guided Alta Via 1 guidebook, created by our team of local guides. Within the guidebook, you’ll find :

• detailed turn-by-turn descriptions
• route-finding information
• information about mountain safety
• interesting facts about local flora, fauna and culture
• descriptions of what views you can expect to see along the trail
• information about where to eat, drink, and buy provisions
• village guides

GPX Files

We’ll send you GPX Files for each stage of your Alta Via 1. You can download these onto your mobile phone, and then follow the GPS route.

Accommodation

We will book all your accommodation for you. For your hike you’ll stay in remote mountain refuges. Here the accommodation is in small, mixed dormitories, which are comfortable but not luxurious. Staying in a mountain refuge is part of the real hiking experience. The views and scenery are spectacular, and you’ll have the opportunity to meet other hikers. For more information about mountain refuges, read this blog post. If you’d prefer more private accommodation, this can be arranged. The exact price changes from year to year, so we will discuss this with you when planning your tour. You can also book pre- and post- trip accommodation if this is required.

Half-Board

The accommodation will provide breakfast in the mornings and most provide a 3 course dinner in the evenings.

The included meals will be listed in your self guided package.

Customising a Self-Guided Alta Via 1 package

If you have specific requests, we’ll work with you to tailor-make your self-guided package. If there’s a specific mountain refuge that you’d like to stay at, or if you want to sleep in more private rooms, we can normally accommodate your requests without a problem. However, please note that accommodation on the Alta Via 1 fills up very quickly, so whether we can accommodate your requests will depend on how early you book your tour.

About the AV1

The Alta Via 1 (often abbreviated to “AV1”) is a 110 kilometre hike across the Italian Dolomites. It typically takes eight to ten days to hike. There are six long-distance routes that traverse the Dolomites, and the AV1 is the easiest in this series. As more hikers share their stories, the Alta Via 1 is quickly becoming Italy’s most popular hike.

The Route

The Alta Via 1 follows a network of well-maintained, undemanding trails from the north of the Dolomites to the south. It winds through a rich array of landscapes; from dense forests and alpine meadows to lunar-like, high-altitude rocky plateaux. Starting at Lago di Braies, the AV1 winds its way through the Sennes and Fanes groups. It then climbs over the Lagazuoi, and past the Nuvolau and Tofane. The AV1 finishes by snaking through the wild, rugged Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park. Hiking the Alta Via 1, you’ll get to see around 80% of the peaks and landmarks that make up the incredible Dolomites. What better way to experience this amazing region?

Who can hike the Self-guided Alta Via 1 of Dolomites?

The trails on the Alta Via 1 are well signed and maintained. Because of this, the AV1 is the perfect hike for anyone wanting to experience long-distance hiking for the first time. That said, there are some steep, exposed sections and the days are challenging. You should only hike the Alta Via 1 if you have a decent level of fitness, and you should have some experience hiking in the mountains. If you’ve already hiked the Tour du Mont Blanc, the Alta Via 1 will feel like a natural step up. The trails are quite rocky and some sections can be technical and exposed.

WW1 History

Along the Alta Via 1 route, you’ll pass some remains from World War 1. Rusty barbed wire, deep trenches and ruined barracks are fairly common sights in the Dolomites. They remind us of the tragic past, when the area became a war zone and contested borders ran along the peaks and ridges. These landmarks are both humbling and interesting!

The Dolomites

The Dolomite mountains are unlike any other, and because of this, they’re instantly recognisable. Pale, stand-alone towers rise up from flat plateaux, creating sheer cliff bands that glow in the afternoon light. The Marmolada is the highest peak, at 3342 metres. Hidden in amongst rocky crevices, you’ll find a huge array of alpine flowers. The most famous of all, of course, is the edelweiss, with its distinct felty petals.

How to prepare, what to bring?

Read our Alpine trekking FAQs for more information. See also our detailed TMB packing list that is useful also for the Alta Via 1.