Dolomites Alta Via 1, Self-guided

TRIP ITINERARY:

Day 1: Meeting in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy

You arrive at your hotel in Cortina d'Ampezzo, which is the primary mountain town in the Dolomites. There are plenty of shops in Cortina if you need to do any last-minute shopping. Your evening is free to explore the many bars and restaurants Cortina has to offer.

Day 2: From Cortina to Lago di Braies and Rifugio Biella

From Cortina you transfer by bus to the smaller village of Dobiacco where your Alta Via trek begins in earnest. You start with a gentle walk to Lago di Braies, where you walk along the shoreline of the gorgeous mountain lake. You then start your ascent, through classic Dolomites terrain, to the Sora Forno mountain pass and Rifugio Bielle where you spend your first night high up in the mountains.

Day 3: From Rifugio Biella to the Fanes pastures

Today is a very enjoyable day as you enter the stunning Fanes National Park and pass a number of mountain huts where refreshments are available. It's a gentle start, courtesy of 4x4 vehicle tracks constructed during WW1, before you descend steeply to the valley floor at Pederü. You now commence your climb, which takes you to your mountain hut, located in a picturesque glacial basin by a small lake.

Day 4: From the Fanes pastures to Lagazuoi

A gentle start to the day on old WW1 tracks before you veer away from the valley and climb on increasingly steeper terrain to a tiny pass cut into the rugged ridge-line. A brief, but steep, descent takes you to a small lake and you continue your ascent through lunar-like landscape to Rifugio Lagazuoi, which is the highest point of the AV1 and, probably, the most impressive vantage point in all of the Dolomites.

Day 5: From Lagazuoi to Averau

An interesting day packed with WW1 history awaits. Upon leaving your hut, the Alta Via briefly takes you East, past wartime tunnels and trench lines, before a splendid traverse below the face of the majestic Tofane de Rozes. You then drop to the valley floor before an ascent takes you past the famous Cinque Torri (five towers) and more wartime history. A final climb to a small mountain pass on a rocky ridge line completes this day and you arrive at Rifugio Averau.

Day 6: From Averau to Passo Staulanza

You traverse below steep limestone walls to reach the Passo Giau road pass and a morning coffee stop at the hut before you continue across a succession of smaller mountain passes. Although, the distance is relatively long, the terrain is now easy and mostly descending, making for a very enjoyable walk. You end the day at the very comfortable Rifugio Staulanza where you are treated to some of the best food available on the Alta Via.

Day 7: From Passo Staulanza to Rifugio Vazzoler

Leaving the comfortable Staulanza hut behind, sated from a lovely breakfast, you start the day with an easy stroll. Then, begins your ascend through wild and stunning Dolomites terrain, passing a small, emerald green lake. The ascent is made easier by a good track and two huts where refreshments are available. Beyond the second hut, it's all downhill to the very charming Vazzoler hut surrounded by conifer trees.

DAY 8: From Rifugio Vazzoler to Passo Duran

A most enjoyable start to the day, as you walk through conifer woods, crossing a couple of minor mountain passes along the way to the Carestiato hut, which is perfectly located for a lazy lunch stop. It is now downhill to the Passo Duran roadpass and your base for the night.

Day 9: From Passo Duran to Rifugio Fontana

A brief downhill section on easy road, before you start ascending through conifer woods. to the Moschesin mountain pass. Here, the views open up to reveal a stunning and varied Dolomites landscape. The Alta Via now turns increasingly wild as you travel through rugged terrain surrounded by limestone walls and ridge-lines until the final mountain pass is crossed and you enjoy a gentle descent to Rifugio Fontana for a well-deserved rest.

Day 10: From Rifugio Fontana to Belluno

After a night in the charming Rifugio Fontana, you awake to the final day on the Alta Via trail. A short, but intense, climb to the Forcella la Varetta pass gives access to the lush Val Vescovà, which you follow, mostly downhill, along a gushing stream to the road head at la Pissa from where you catch the local bus to the hotel in Belluno to celebrate your completion of the Alta Via 1!

Day 11: Depart Belluno

Breakfast at the hotel in Belluno and the official end of your Dolomites Alta Via 1 tour.