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Expert Alta Via Delle Dolomiti Friulane

Duration: 4 days
Trails: T4 trails
Distance: 10 - 15 km / 6 - 9 mi per day
Ascent per day: More than 1000 m / 3281 ft ascent per day

> Cross the wildest Dolomites of them all
> Spend the night in mountain huts along the trail
> For true alpine adventurers only

There’s a moment, just before sunrise, when the silence in the Friulian Dolomites is so complete it almost hums. You step out of the hut — pink morning light bouncing off rugged limestone towers, no human in sight. This is the Alta Via delle Dolomiti Friulane: raw, remote, and absolutely unforgettable. While most Alta Vias bring you past rifugios with cappuccinos and warm showers, this expert route strips it down to the essentials. It’s just you, the trail, and the towering solitude of the Dolomiti d’Oltre Piave.

Over four challenging days, you’ll cross scree fields, scale exposed passes, and descend into valleys that see more ibex than humans. With stops at Rifugio Padova, Rifugio Giaf, and Rifugio Flaiban Pacherini, this trek connects the dots through the wild heart of the Carnic and Gailtal Alps. Think T4-T5 level terrain, alpine competence required. But if you’re ready for a proper mountain adventure, far from the crowds, this is the one.

Let’s be clear: this trek is not for beginners. But for seasoned hikers who want a true taste of the untamed Dolomites, the Alta Via delle Dolomiti Friulane will stay with you forever.

Itinerary

Day
1

Calalzo di Cadore - Rifugio Padova

Duration: 07:40 h
Distance: 17.2 km / 10.7mi
Ascent: 1410 m / 4626ft
Descent: 860 m / 2822ft
Lowest Point: 680 m / 2231ft
Highest Point: 1890 m / 6201ft

The day starts easy, winding out of Calalzo di Cadore through quiet streets and onto the Lago di Cadore Bridge. For the first 3 kilometers, it's all gentle terrain—then the trail shifts. Trees close in, the ground steepens, and the Dolomites make their presence known.

Around 5.75 km in, the hike throws its first real challenge your way: 1.3 kilometers of expert terrain. Narrow paths, loose rock, and sharp inclines—this stretch demands focus, and ideally, hiking poles. It's the kind of section that wakes up your legs and clears your mind.

But it’s not all grit. At 10 km, you’ll reach Rifugio Tita Barba, a welcome rest stop with alpine vibes. Just beyond it lies Panorama sul Lago, a viewpoint that lives up to its name with sweeping views of the lake far below.

From there, the trail begins to ease. A 6 km descent carries you through shady forest and soft light until Rifugio Padova appears at the edge of the cliffs—your finish line for the day. Quiet, sturdy, and tucked into the mountains like it belongs there.

Rifugio Padova

Info
Rifugio Padova
Rifugio Padova
Day
2

Rifugio Padova - Rifugio Giaf

Duration: 05:00 h
Distance: 7.18 km / 4.5mi
Ascent: 1030 m / 3379ft
Descent: 910 m / 2986ft

Today’s stage may be relatively short in distance, but it packs in around 1,000 meters of elevation gain and rewards you with stunning views. You’ll begin by heading east from Rifugio Padova. After about 1.5 km, you’ll reach a fork—take the path to the right, leading towards Forcella Monfalcone di Forni.

This climb is steep and the terrain becomes rougher, so take your time and watch your footing. From Forcella Monfalcone, the route continues more challengingly towards Forcella del Cason, and remains technical after crossing this second pass, with a steep descent that requires care.

After roughly 6.5 km, you’ll reach another fork. Here, turn left (towards the north). Continue for about 1 km, and you’ll arrive at Rifugio Giaf, nestled in a beautiful alpine setting—an ideal spot to rest and enjoy the end of the day.

Rifugio Giaf

Info
Rifugio Giaf
Rifugio Giaf
Day
3

Rifugio Giaf - Rifugio Flaiban Pacherini

Duration: 05:30 h
Distance: 9.63 km / 6mi
Ascent: 1010 m / 3314ft
Descent: 820 m / 2690ft
Lowest Point: 1420 m / 4659ft
Highest Point: 2130 m / 6988ft

The day begins without hesitation—straight from Rifugio Giaf, the trail heads into rugged alpine terrain. A steady climb along the Truoi dai Sclops brings you to Forcella Urtisiel, your first summit in just 2 km. From this saddle, steep drops on both sides reveal dramatic views of jagged Dolomite peaks.

The trail then traces along exposed slopes, leading to a spectacular viewpoint over the Cimoliana Valley, where the river winds through a wild, rocky gorge far below.

Around the 5.5 km mark, the harsh landscape softens. You’ll reach Canpuros meadow, an alpine clearing surrounded by cliffs and scattered trees. In summer, it bursts with wildflowers—an unexpected, peaceful pause in the middle of the rugged Dolomites.

The final climb leads to Forcella dell’Inferno, your second pass of the day. From this dramatic saddle, the trail drops sharply through a 600-meter technical descent past Passo del Mus, where sure footing is essential. After this challenge, the path finally relaxes, easing down to Rifugio Flaiban Pacherini, quietly set in a grassy basin—the perfect place to rest after a wild and beautiful stage.

Rifugio Flaiban Pacherini

Info
Rifugio Flaiban Pacherini
Rifugio Flaiban Pacherini
Day
4

Rifugio Flaiban Pacherini - Forni di Sopra

Duration: 04:20 h
Distance: 10.3 km / 6.4 mi
Ascent: 420 m / 1378 ft
Descent: 1160 m / 3806 ft
Lowest Point: 830 m / 2723 ft
Highest Point: 1980 m / 6496 ft

Your final day begins gently. Leaving Rifugio Flaiban Pacherini, you follow a steady uphill through larch forests and rocky terrain toward Passo di Suola. It’s a short climb—just under 2 km—but enough to get the legs moving and open up wide mountain views.

At the pass, the trail turns downhill. A steady descent follows, offering peaceful rhythm and stunning alpine scenery. After about 4.5 km, the sound of rushing water signals a hidden gem: a waterfall spilling down the hillside—a perfect spot to pause and take it in.

The landscape shifts again as you cross the dry, stony bed of the Rovadia creek, followed by a shallow crossing at the Secondo guado del Tagliamento river. From here, the valley floor draws closer.

The final stretch follows the Tagliamento River, leading you into the quiet green of Parco dei Laghetti, where small lakes and soft grass welcome you to Forni di Sopra.

Included

  • Full travel guide

    You’ll receive access to our trekking app, which serves as your complete digital travel guide for the Dolomiti Friulane. Inside, you’ll find everything you need for your trek: route descriptions, hiking maps, navigation support, payment information, and all the key details specific to your journey.

  • Accommodation

    During your Dolomiti Friulane, you will spend your nights in mountain huts. In the mountain huts we normally only book dormitories, but we can look into private rooms on request. If the private rooms are fully booked or not available in the hut, we automatically book a bed in dormitories for you. Please note that private rooms are more expensive and there will be an additional charge for this.

  • Half-board in Huts

    Accommodation at the huts includes dinner and breakfast. We will arrange this for you as well. This allows you to travel lighter and have one less thing to worry about. Bear in mind that lunch is not included, but it can be purchased at the huts. Here you can also buy an array of snacks and bottled water.

  • Navigation support

    Our trekking app also includes built-in navigation support. With GPS-based maps and offline access, you can follow the trail confidently and stay on route even without mobile signal.

Excluded

  • Traveling to and from

    You have to make your own way to the starting point. The total amount does not include personal transport.

  • Transfers

    Should you need any form of (public) transport on location, this is not part of the trekking package. This includes the use of taxi, bus, cable cars, gondolas, ferries, etc.

  • Lunch

    Half-board is included in the price of this trek. Lunch, however, is not. You can get something to eat at the mountain huts along the way.

  • Travel Insurance

    Your international travel insurance is your own responsibility. Discuss your itinerary with the insurance company before your trek.

  • Personal expenses

    Personal expenses on such as souvenirs, drinks, and other similar expenses are for your own account.

FAQ

  • How to Get to the Starting Point of the Dolomiti Friulane

  • How to leave the endpoint of the Alta Via delle Dolomiti Friulane

  • What if the dates I want are not available?

  • If I book now, can I immediately arrange the rest of my trip?

  • How do I know if this trek is right for me?

How to Book

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Packing List for the Dolomiti Friulane

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