Alta Via 1 · Dolomites

THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL

The classic Dolomites high route.

Alta Via 1 runs north to south through the heart of the Dolomites: from turquoise Lago di Braies across the Fanes plateaux, under the walls of La Varella and Civetta, then down into the valley towards Belluno. We sleep in rifugi — mountain inns with a hot dinner, a carafe of wine and a view of the sunset enrosadira. No climbing skills are needed, but the legs must be ready for eight days of 600 to 1,000 metres of ascent.

• Start at turquoise Lago di Braies
• The wild Fanes and Sennes plateaux
• The kilometre-high north face of Civetta
• Rifugio dinners and cable-protected paths

1. 01
   DAY 1 · 9 km, 900 m of ascent

   Meeting in Dobbiaco and first stage

   We gather in Dobbiaco, drive to Lago di Braies at 1,496 m and step onto trail 1. The climb to Porta Sora l Forn at 2,388 m takes about three hours and drops us straight into a world of bare limestone cirques.

   Overnight: Rifugio Biella, 2,327 m
2. 02
   DAY 2 · 17 km, 700 m of ascent

   Across the Sennes and Fanes plateaux

   A long day across high pastures past Rifugio Sennes and Lago Limo. The path barely loses height, holding around 2,200 m, and finishes beneath the walls of La Varella.

   Overnight: Rifugio Lavarella, 2,042 m
3. 03
   DAY 3 · 16 km, 1,100 m of climbing

   Over Limo to Lagazuoi

   We climb to Forcella del Lago at 2,486 m and cross towards Passo Falzarego. The final pull to Lagazuoi at 2,752 m runs through First World War tunnels — a head torch is essential.

   Overnight: Rifugio Lagazuoi, 2,752 m
4. 04
   DAY 4 · 13 km, 650 m of ascent

   Averau, Nuvolau and Passo Giau

   A traverse under the Cinque Torri towers with a detour to Nuvolau at 2,575 m, one of the finest viewpoints in the Dolomites. We drop to Passo Giau and sleep at the hut by the pass.

   Overnight: Rifugio at Passo Giau, 2,236 m
5. 05
   DAY 5 · 14 km, 550 m of climbing

   Forcella Ambrizzola and Croda da Lago

   A gentler day along the Croda da Lago with Lago Federa in the frame. By evening we descend towards the Zoldo valley, where the wilder second half of the route begins.

   Overnight: Rifugio Citta di Fiume, 1,918 m
6. 06
   DAY 6 · 16 km, 900 m of ascent

   Beneath the north face of Civetta

   The day unfolds under the kilometre-high wall of Civetta, one of the great faces of the Alps. We skirt the massif on trail 560 and sleep at Rifugio Tissi as the sunset lights the whole face.

   Overnight: Rifugio Tissi, 2,250 m
7. 07
   DAY 7 · 15 km, 800 m of ascent

   The Moiazza group and high passes

   The most technical section: narrow ledges with fixed cables in the Moiazza group, where a helmet and care are needed. The descent to Rifugio Carestiato takes about an hour.

   Overnight: Rifugio Carestiato, 1,834 m
8. 08
   DAY 8 · 10 km, 250 m of climbing

   Down to the valley and Belluno

   A short final stage over Passo Duran and a forest descent into the Agordo valley. From there a bus takes us to Belluno, where the route officially ends, and a farewell dinner.

   Overnight: —