6-Day Dolomites Alta Via 1 / Hotel Based
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 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. On this quick getaway, we've shortened the classic trek from 11 days to 6, but retained all the highlights and excitement of traveling across the Dolomites! Our linear trip travels north to south through the Italian Alps, covering the first portion of the AV1; beginning in the Italian Südtirol, moving south through the Pragser and Tofana mountain groups, visiting the Fanes area, and concluding at Mount Lagazuoi.
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 colours and textures of the mountains and curious mix of Italian and Austrian influences means fantastic hiking, stunning scenery, and plenty of pasta!
Available early June through end of September.
Accommodations are just examples -- actual accommodation will depend on availability. Rifugios are shared dormitories unless requested and available.
NOTE: There is no luggage transfer available on this trek. Extra luggage can be left in the hotel in Cortina. Accommodations fill up quickly on this route, so you must book far in advance. Private rooms should be booked 12 months in advance. Private rooms still have a shared bathroom -- there are no private rooms with private bathroom.
It is easiest to access the trek from Venice.
Full Itinerary
Day 1: 6-DAY ALTA VIA TREK / 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.
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.
If you are doing this trip as a self-guided adventure, you will meet with a local representative who will provide a trip briefing and orientation, as well as maps, and everything necessary for your self-guided adventure, typically around 6-7pm. Guided treks have their briefing tomorrow.
Meals included: n/a
Mid-Range Accommodations: Hotel Beppe Sello (Cortina)
Day 2: Hike in the Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Reserve (BD)
In the morning, take a private transfer to Malga Ra Stua (1,688m / 5,538'), a cozy hut-cum-dairy farm set in a valley lying between the Croda Rossa (northeast) and Lavinores (west) Dolomite groups, at the entrance of the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Reserve.
The Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Reserve comprises an area of approximately 25,453 hectares (62,069 acres). Clusters of old log-built farmsteads adorn the mountainsides called Viles and are a typical feature of the Ladin-speaking valleys. These tiny communities were once self-sustaining, with outbuildings, baking ovens shared communally. The Fanes high plateau is a popular walking and hiking area with a typical karstic limestone landscape, characterized by caves, fissures, underground streams and small lakes. Rugged rocks eroded by the action of wind and weather rise in all directions. Today you will hike in the Sennes section of the Nature Reserve, along the Alta Via 1.
(~5 hours hiking 12km / 7.4 miles, 920m / 3,018' ascent, 630m /2,067' descent.)
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Hotel in St. Vigilio
Day 3: Capanna Alpina Hike (BD)
Depending on where your hotel is located, in the morning begin your hike from the hotel or take a short private transfer to the start of the hike.
Hike uphill to a lovely lake and, as you continue to gain elevation, you will enter in a fairytale valley, set between mountains surrounded by carpeted with green pastures. Arrive at a cozy mountain hut (2,060m / 6,759'), the perfect spot for lunch. After lunch, you'll hike south on gentle curves out of a steep valley. The route continues through the beautiful high meadow and karst formations, and then descends to a restaurant built at the edge of the Natural Park in an incredible setting. From here, take a private transfer to your hotel in Alta Badia.
(~5 hours hiking 14 km / 8,7 miles, 741m / 2,427' ascent, 555m / 1,820' descent.)
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Hotel Steinrosl (San Cassiano/Alta Badia)
Day 4: Altopiano di Fanes & Lagazuoi Massif (BD)
A lovely hike through the Altopiano di Fanes to the Lagazuoi massif. You will enjoy beautiful panoramas of the Western Dolomites and the Marmolada Massif, the "Queen of the Dolomites."
After a hearty Italian Alpine breakfast, transfer to a restaurant built at the edge of the Fanes-Senes-Prags Natural Park in an incredible setting.
Today's hike will guarantee you spectacular views, and historically, It is of great interest for the abundance of reminders of WW1 and the vicinity to the former border between the long-dismantled Hapsburg Empire and Italy. At the end of your hike, take a private transfer to your hotel in Alta Badia.
(~3,5 hours hiking 6,3 km / 3,8 miles, 1,022m / 3,352' ascent, 2m / 6,5' descent.)
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Hotel Steinrosl (San Cassiano/Alta Badia)
Day 5: Hiking Cinque Torri (B)
Today's hike takes you to the stunning Cinque Torri (Five Towers) boulders. Thanks to their infinite variety of shapes and sizes, the marvelous Cinque Torri ideally represent the entire Dolomites. The characteristic profile isn't comprised of just 5 towers, but by a mass of secondary boulders, fractured towers and peaks sprinkled liberally across the entire area. Enjoy a loop around the towers and take a chance to visit the WW1 remnants along the route. Fighting took place in the surrounding mountains of Cinque Torri, Lagazuoi, Sass de Stria and Col di Lana. These were the scenes of ferocious battles between men of different nationalities and ethnic origins, including the Alpini and the Kaiserjäger. At the end of your hike, take a private transfer to your hotel in Cortina d'Ampezzo.
(~4 hours hiking 8,4 km / 5 miles, 457m / 1,500' ascent, 317m / 1,040' descent.)
Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Hotel Beppe Sello (Cortina)
Day 6: Depart Cortina (B)
Breakfast and departure on your own (private transfer on request).
Meals included: Breakfast
Pricing
6-Day Dolomites Alta Via 1 / Hotel BasedPrices are Per Person and Valid for Trips through December 31, 2026
| # People in Group: | 2-3 | 4-5 | 6+ |
| Self-Guided: | $3095 | $2695 | $2395 |
*** Contact Us for other itinerary and lodging options! ***
NOTE: Prices are per person in U.S. dollars based on double/triple occupancy. All quotations are based on the current rates of park fees, VAT, other government taxes, and current exchange rates. Should any of these be increased or a new tax introduced, these increases will be added on even if your trip has already been paid for.
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