Hiking in Italy: The 8 Best Routes in the Dolomites

Alta Via means nothing more than high route or high path. There are many high paths in the Italian Alps. That is why they all have a number. It is, as it were, a large network of paths and with the numbers it looks like a road network for cars. Very handy, because you can navigate well that way. The Italian walking route that is number one is the Alta Via 1. Logically, this is the hiking route that leaves no highlight of the Dolomites unseen and crosses the entire mountain range.

The Alta Via 1 starts at Lago di Braies, which you can see in the photo above. Lago di Braies is easy to reach from nearby Cortina d'Ampezzo. From here, it is about 120 kilometres to a bus stop. Yep, a bus stop is the end point of the Alta Via 1. You have been on the road for about 10 days and with a short bus ride to Belluno, it's all over. If you want to read more about the Alta Via 1, you can do so in this extensive blog post. Packages for the Alta Via 1 can be found here.

On the Alta Via di Capra, you start your trek on the slopes of Parco Naturale Regionale delle Dolomiti d'Ampezzo, in the shadow of the world-famous Lagazuoi. You will then cross the Falzarego Pass and hike past the Cinque Torri, one of the most extraordinary rock formations of the Dolomites. A visit to Rifugio Nuvolau completes this part of the hut tour. But there is more. Crado da Lago, just a day hike for many tourists, is part of the Alta Via di Capra. With Lago Federa and Rifugio Palmieri the perfect cherry on the cake to a short, vigorous trek in the Dolomites. Find our curated Alta Via di Capra offers here.

Another Alta Via? Yes, as indicated in the previous paragraph, there are a few Alta Vias. The Alta Via 2 is at 2, but could just as well have been at 1. It is the somewhat tougher brother of the No. 1. Think Via Ferratas, steep climbs and descents and a high adrenaline level. On this exceptional walk you will hike from north to south, from Alta Badia to Val di Fassa. Walk in the Puez-Odle Nature Park, over the Sella Massif and around Marmolada, the highest mountain in the Dolomites, and home to the largest glacier. You will pass through several villages in Alta Badia, including La Villa, Corvara and Colfosco, as well as Val Gardena and Val di Fassa.

Is the Alta Via 2 really so different from its more popular brother? Despite being on the same mountain range and not so far apart, the difficulty level of these trails is quite different. The Alta Via 1 can be done without much difficulty by any hiker, beginner or experienced. The most important thing to take into account is the considerable number of days spent trekking. However, the Alta Via 2 is only recommended for experienced trekkers with a certain amount of experience in the mountains. The Alta Via 2 contains sharp ridges, Via Ferratas and steep slopes, which require experience in the mountains. Something for you? Read more about the Alta Via 2 here and check out our packages here. Something for you? No? Then you'll find an easier alternative in the shape of the Dolorama Weg.

If Italy did not share Mont Blanc with its French and Swiss neighbors, the Tour du Mont Blanc would top this list without a doubt. It is one of the most famous hiking adventures in Europe, and nowadays, the route is even run by some. Typically, hikers complete the 170-kilometer Tour du Mont Blanc in 9 days. The traditional starting point is in Chamonix on the French side of Mont Blanc. However, you can also start in Courmayeur on the Swiss side.

The best time to complete the Tour du Mont Blanc is during the summer months, July and August, when the route has little snow, and the weather is usually good. Outside of these months, logistics become more complicated as many hostels and mountain huts along the route are closed. If we were to recommend a more specific period, it would be the second half of August. During these two weeks, the number of trekkers and mountaineers is lower, and the weather is usually quite pleasant.

Not confined to the Dolomites, the Garda Trek follows routes around Lake Garda, as the name implies. Like an ethereal crown, these routes span the northern shores of Italy's largest lake, offering a multitude of paths that traverse various altitudes across and through the mountains in this region.

The precise definition of "What is the Garda Trek?" depends on the specific trek undertaken. This is because there are three distinct treks, each differing in length, duration, and accommodation. Consequently, hikers on different routes may respond differently to this question. However, a common thread among them is their circular nature, all commencing and concluding in the town of Riva del Garda.

Upon completing your trek in the area, you can culminate your journey with a relaxing vacation along the lake's shores, indulging in the sun, beach, and a refreshing Aperol Spritz in hand – truly embracing la dolce vita. Discover your perfect experience here.

Pale di San Martino, part of the Pala Group, is impressive, elegant, literally hardcore, an Italian favorite, and home to one of the most enjoyable and "sexy" hut-to-hut hikes in the Italian Dolomites. Sexy, you say? Well, when you look at the photos and see the landscapes you'll be walking through, you'll undoubtedly want to take some stunning profile pictures or Instagram stories on this trek. This is the Palaronda Trek: short, accessible, not too technical, and a fantastic way to add excitement to your time in Italy. The Pale di San Martino is the largest massif in the Dolomites and is located between eastern Trentino and Veneto. Its highest point is 3,192 meters: Cima di Vezzana.

The Palaronda Trek is short, accessible, and manageable for most hikers. The classic version, also known as the Palaronda Soft Trek, lasts for 4 days, covers about 35 kilometers, and involves almost 3,000 meters of elevation gain. It may sound challenging, but even you can do it. Your daily hiking time is not much longer than a maximum of 5 hours, so you'll have plenty of time to rest your legs and recharge in the mountain huts. The hiking times are generally shorter than those on other well-known hut-to-hut hikes in the Dolomites. Curious? Read all about the Palaronda Trek here.

If you refer to the map of Italy, positioned to the right above Cortina d'Ampezzo, you'll spot the majestic Tre Cime di Lavaredo, also known as the Drei Zinnen. This natural marvel within the Dolomites resides in Parco Naturale Tre Cime, officially established in 1981 and spanning 11,615 hectares. Designated as part of the UNESCO World Heritage since 2009, the Dolomites are often regarded as the most beautiful mountain region in Europe.

The identity of Tre Cime is straightforward—it comprises three colossal rocks that collectively create a striking formation. As previously mentioned, this site serves as the emblem of the Dolomites, attracting numerous day trippers.

Embarking on our Tre Cime hut-to-hut trek entails a four-stage journey around the Tre Cime. On average, you'll cover a distance of 6 to 7 kilometers per day. Without interruptions and at a relaxed pace, each stage lasts approximately 3 to 4 hours. The trails are well-marked, devoid of technical challenges. While physical fitness is a prerequisite for this hike, it remains an ideal choice for anyone seeking to savor the rugged beauty of the Dolomites over a few approachable days. Explore our family-friendly hut-to-hut trekking offers here.

The Alta Via del Granito is a 3- or 4-day circular trek through the unique granite terrain of the Cima d'Asta - Cime di Rava group in the northern Italian Lagorai mountain range, which is geographically still part of the Dolomites. The Alta Via follows a network of ancient trails and former military roads dating back to World War I, connecting the only two refuges in the group. Three days of pleasant hiking amidst stunning natural landscapes, grim reminders of World War I, mountain huts, and alpine meadows provide solid evidence of the centuries-old pact between humans and nature. In short, the Alta Via del Granito is quite legendary.

Do you love mountains? Are you seeking a grand hiking adventure off the beaten path? Then the Alta Via del Granito is definitely for you! If you came here to have those questions answered, we must have a good chat with you. We can imagine that you are looking for something different from the excessively popular Alta Via 1 further north. Perhaps you came here because they are fully booked. Let's be clear that the Alta Via del Granito is not just an alternative to other hut-to-hut hikes in this part of the world. This is an adventure that is highly favored among Italians but hasn't quite entered the mainstream world of long-distance hiking yet. In short, this is your chance to enjoy an unspoiled local rifugio experience.

When you go on hiking trip in the Alps, it is wise to be aware of a few points. Even if this is not your first time, you should never underestimate the Alps. Good tour planning and compliance with the regulations on the mountain will significantly increase safety. To ensure that your hiking is a safe and enjoyable experience, the Austrian Alpine Association has compiled a list of 10 recommendations for safe hiking in the mountains. This list also applies to Dolomites in Italy: 

1. Health in the mountains: Hiking is an endurance sport combined with a beautiful nature experience and can have a positive effect on body and mind - provided one is in good physical condition and has a realistic picture of one's own possibilities and limits. Hiking under time pressure and at too fast a pace is not wise.

2. Careful planning: Good planning is half the work! Hiking maps, literature, internet and expert advice are invaluable when planning tours and enable you to determine the length, height difference, degree of difficulty and conditions of your proposed tour. When planning group walks, the tour should always be planned for the weakest member of the group! The weather in the mountains can change incredibly quickly and rain, wind and cold all increase the risk factor. For this reason, always check the weather forecast beforehand.

3. Fully equipped: Only visit the mountains if you are well rested! Food, rain, cold and sun protection must always be in the backpack, as well as a first-aid kit and a mobile phone (Euro emergency number: 112). However, lighter luggage makes walking easier, so don't take too much extra luggage with you. Your equipment should always be suitable for your planned trip. Keep reading for a suitable packing list for your hiking in Italy.

4. Suitable shoes: Good walking shoes protect your feet and provide a better fit. Shoes that have a good fit, with non-slip soles, water-resistant, and lightweight are a must for more walking pleasure.

5. Proprioception: It is imperative that you stay alert while hiking in the mountains! Excessive speed or fatigue can have a negative influence on your self-confidence and/or concentration. With this in mind, it is better to walk slower and be safer! (75% of stumbles occur due to carelessness on marked paths or roads - not on open terrain!).

6. Stay on marked trails: The Alps have countless marked hiking trails - these are controlled and maintained and should not be deviated from for this reason. It is not at all a good idea to make shortcuts or take alternative routes through unmarked terrain. On the contrary, it increases the risk of disorientation, accidents, or falls in the mountains. Even steep slopes of packed old snow are often underestimated and dangerous. Are you in doubt? Then rather don't.

7. Regular breaks: Timely and regular breaks not only serve to provide welcome relaxation, but also make it possible to enjoy the countryside. In addition, the body needs regular food and drink to maintain performance and concentration.

8. Child responsibility: Hiking in the mountains can also be fun and exciting for children - provided the route is chosen and planned accordingly. Diversity and playful exploration is much more important for children than elevation gain and distances traveled. Dangerous routes require unconditional 1-on-1 help from an experienced adult. Extensive tours requiring long periods of concentration are not suitable for children. If children don't like it, chances are they won't just want to go on a hiking trip again.

9. Small groups: Small groups provide flexibility and enable mutual support. It is also advisable to inform people at home about your plans, what route you are taking, and when you plan to return. Even small incidents can lead to unpleasant emergencies.

10. Respect for nature: Leave no rubbish behind, prevent noise, stay on the marked trails, do not disturb wildlife or grazing animals, and respect the protected areas. Many areas are accessible by public transport; carpooling is also a more environmentally friendly option.

The most important rule on hut tours and on hikes in the Alps or other high mountains is that the weather changes much faster in areas above 2,000 meters and that there are different climatic conditions than at the altitudes where we normally travel. When planning a hut tour and mountain hikes, the weather forecasts must always be taken into account. Even in the high summer, when the temperature in the valley is over 30 degrees, it can snow in the high mountains. The reason for this is that the temperature can drop by 5-6 degrees per 1000 altimeters. Because cold air can also store less moisture, it rains or snows more often in the high mountains than in the lowlands. In the high mountains a thunderstorm can be particularly dangerous, in principle the chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon increases and the weather can change very quickly due to the altitude. 

You can recognize a possible thunderstorm by lightning flashes or small cumulus clouds that keep piling up. A rapidly decreasing air pressure is also a certain sign of an approaching thunderstorm. In case of thunderstorms, always avoid the via ferrata and other metal objects. Find shelter as quickly as possible in a hollow or under a ledge. Nevertheless, good sun protection is essential. The tree line in the Alps runs at an altitude of 1,800 to 2,200 meters - above that, you are exposed to the burning sun, which is always intense in the high mountains.

Packing the right equipment is key for any multi-day trekking adventure in Italy. Below you will find the equipment recommended for any hike in the Alps.

Essentials:

Optional:

A hut tour can be done by anyone in normal health. However, if you want to get the most out of your hut trip, it is wise to prepare yourself physically. You don't have the Alps by the back door, so you will have to be creative when it comes to your preparation. For adequate preparation you can pay attention to the following five things. 

Cardio: It's best to get moving as soon as you think about your hiking in Italy. With the right aerobic fitness you will have a better heart rate, healthy muscles and a large lung capacity. Running, walking, even more walking and and cycling or swimming are excellent training methods. One hour, 3 to 4 times a week is sufficient.

Endurance: Building up your endurance is also important. The best thing you can do is walk long distances, at least once a week. If you can walk comfortably for a longer period of time, you are ready to go.

Train with gear: Use the backpack and shoes you want to use for your cabin trip and add this to your workout as you work on your cardio and stamina.

Altitude: If you can, you can mimic the altitude by walking and hiking in the hills and mountains. If you don't live in the right area, don't panic. The first two points are the most important.

Know your body: This is perhaps the most important part. If you are questioning your physical abilities, it is wise to have a check-up carried out by your GP.

There is no fixed method for preparing for your walking trip. Your preparation may depend on the duration, the surroundings and what you want to achieve. Not everyone is a mountain goat. Don't think about your preparation. Take it easy and enjoy your time in the mountains.