Alta Via 1 Dolomites Trek

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive in San Candido

The group will meet at the Hilton Garden Inn in Mestre, conveniently located between Marco Polo Airport and the entrance to Venice, at 9 AM. A shared shuttle will then take you to Sexton, a village near San Candido at the northern tip of the Italian Dolomites. Upon arrival, you’ll meet your guides for lunch at a local restaurant, followed by a brief orientation and leisurely hike. Afterward, we'll transfer to our hotel in San Candido to relax before gathering again for a delightful dinner featuring local cuisine. (LD)

Distance: 2.5 - 3.5 miles (may vary)

Day 2 – Tre Cime di Lavaredo | San Candido

We start our trek with a hike to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, an icon of the Dolomites. Taking a lesser-known route, we capture the spectacular views of these epic rock monoliths. We descend into the Val Fiscalina and return to our welcoming hotel in San Candido. (BLD)

Ascent: 3200 feet | Descent: 3350 feet | Distance: 9.5 miles (may vary)

Day 3 – Lago di Braies | Val di Rudo

We begin the day surrounded by the spectacular beauty of Lago di Braies with the iconic views of Sass dla Porta towering above the lake. We hike up to Forcella Sora Forno and have lunch at one of the many rifugi located atop this alpine plateau, before descending into Val di Rudo to arrive at Rifugio Pederü. This rifugio dates back to World War I, when the village of Pederü was a camp for the Kaiserjäger - the Emperor's Hunters. (BLD)

If private rooms are available at this rifugio, they will be given to the guests who booked first. 

scent: 3260 feet | Descent: 3060 feet | Distance: 9 miles (may vary)

Day 4 – Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park

We ascend to the high alpine pastures of Val di Fanes. The Fanes Valley— known as the Parliament of Marmots—is set within a glacially sculpted amphitheater dotted with lakes and cut with pure mountain spring water. It’s a great place to relax and soak in the natural beauty of the alpine setting, or take advantage of some of the afternoon hikes in the area. We spend the night in a favorite mountain rifugio in the Fanes Valley. (BLD)

Please note that there are no luggage transfer to this rifugio and you will need to carry whatever you need for the night and following day in your backpack. If private rooms are available at this rifugio, they will be given to the guests who booked first. 

Ascent: 1900 feet | Descent: 200 feet | Distance: 5 miles (may vary)

Day 5 – Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park | San Cassiano

Departing Val di Fanes, we’ll ascend the Forcella Lagazuoi and follow an exhilarating trail down to the breathtaking Lago di Lagazuoi. After a hearty lunch at Rifugio Scotoni, renowned for its grilled specialties, we’ll continue our descent into Alta Badia, where we’ll unwind and enjoy some well-deserved relaxation at our hotel in San Cassiano. (BLD)

Ascent: 1900 feet | Descent: 3230 feet | Distance: 9.2 miles (may vary)

Day 6 – Alta Badia | Optional Rest Day

For those interested in hiking today, we’ll start directly from our hotel in San Cassiano, following a trail along the Santa Croce beneath the towering cliffs of Sasso della Croce. Our journey will lead us to a stunning mountain church. From here, guests can choose to return to the hotel and indulge in its wonderful spa or continue to a charming mountain hut for lunch. The evening will be free for guests to enjoy dinner on their own. (BL)

Ascent: 2500 feet | Descent: 900 feet | Distance: 8.5 miles (may vary)

Day 7 – Passo di Valparola and Lagazuoi | Cortina

The region around the Passo di Valparola and Lagazuoi formed one of the front lines for the Austro-Hungarian forces in WWI—a line which they fiercely maintained throughout the war. Today we hike through the Austrian trenches to the summit of Sasso di Stria, a natural fortress which was crisscrossed with tunnels, bunkers, and trenches, and which now stands as an open-air museum of the conflict. On to Passo Falzarego we take the cable car to Rifugio Lagazuoi for short hikes near the summit and a panoramic lunch. We traverse under the majestic south face of Tofana de Rozes and make our way down to Cortina. (BLD)

Ascent: 2700 feet | Descent: 4000 feet | Distance: 8.2 miles (may vary)

Day 8 – Cinque Tori and Averau | Cortina

Today we will find our way around the maze of towers that make up Cinque Torri, exploring the the Italian WWI front line. We will visit the oldest rifugio in the Dolomites - Rifugio Nuvolau - and taste arguably some of the best Casunziei (fresh beetroot-filled pasta) in the Dolomites, before returning to Cortina. Cortina d’Ampezzo, site of the 1956 Winter Olympic Games and soon the 2026 Winter Games, is a wonderful town to spend the afternoon exploring. The evening will be free for guests to enjoy dinner on their own. (BL)

Ascent: 3250 feet | Descent: 2700 feet | Distance: 7.5 miles (may vary)

Day 9 – Croda da Lago and Monte Pelmo | Val di Zoldo

We bid farewell to Lagazuoi, Tofana di Rozes and Cinque Torri, and look forward to Monte Pelmo and Civetta Massif. Hiking under the rock spines of Croda da Lago, we cross high alpine meadows to Forcella Ambrizolla. Passing a 7500-year-old Late Mesolithic site we descend to Rifugio Citta di Fiume for lunch under Monte Pelmo, known locally as "al caregon de'l Padreterno", or "God's Throne". We drop further into Val di Zoldo for the evening. (BLD)

Ascent: 2720 feet | Descent: 3300 feet | Distance: 11.2 miles (may vary)

Day 10 – Civetta Traverse

We enter a more wild and less traveled portion of the Alta Via 1, but there are still welcoming rifugi along the route where we can stop for refreshment. Coffee and strudel at Rifugio Coldai whilst admiring Monte Pelmo, lunch on the terrasse of Rifugio Tissi, gazing at the imposing vertical walls of Monte Civetta; and dinner in the garden of Rifugio Vazzoler, contemplating the glowing ember of Torre Trieste montain in the setting sun. (BLD)

Please note that there are no luggage transfer to this rifugio and you will need to carry whatever you need for the night and following day in your backpack. If private rooms are available at this rifugio, they will be given to the guests who booked first. 

Ascent: 2600 feet | Descent: 3100 feet | Distance: 7.5 miles (may vary)

Day 11 – Civetta and Prosecco Region

Departing the heart of the Civetta Massif we hike to Rifugio Carestiato for lunch then make our way down to Passo Duran and on to the conclusion of our Alta Via 1 adventure. A private shuttle will meet us and take us to our hilltop castle hotel overlooking the rugged hillside vineyards of the Prosecco region, to celebrate our final evening together. (BLD)

Ascent: 2030 feet | Descent: 2360 feet | Distance: 7 miles (may vary)

Day 12 – Optional Prosecco Walk and Return to Venice

Following breakfast at our castle hotel, we travel through vineyards for a Prosecco tasting and light lunch at the estate of a leading producer. We will then transfer back to Venice for our final evening at an included accommodation near the Marco Polo Airport. (BL)

Day 13 – Depart Venice

Depart Venice on return flights or onward travel. Shuttle from Venice hotel to Marco Polo airport is provided. (B)