> Walk the Alta Via 1 from Lago di Braies to La Pissa bus stop
> Explore the Lagazuoi Tunnels as an optional route
> Spend the night in cozy Italian Rifugios and in hotels in Cortina d'Ampezzo and Belluno
The Alta Via 1, also known as the Dolomite High Route 1, is one of Italy's most famous trekking trails and is the easiest and most popular of the high routes that go through the Dolomites. The Dolomites are located in north-eastern Italy and stretch throughout the provinces of Belluno, South Tyrol, and Trentino.
During this 10-day adventure you will hike the entire Alta Via 1, from Lago di Braies to the La Pissa bus stop. Your trek begins upon your arrival in Cortina d'Ampezzo, where you spend the night in a comfortable hotel. The next day you depart for Lago Di Braies, the starting point of your Alta Via 1 trek. Along the way you will spend the whole day discovering the breathtaking Dolomites. When trekking in the Lagazuoi area, this route also offers the option to take the famous Lagazuoi Tunnels as an alternative route, a section of great historical significance from World War I. You will spend the night in atmospheric and hospitable mountain huts, also called rifugios. Here you can enjoy delicious Italian dishes and you will also meet many other hikers. At the end of your trek you stay one night in a hotel in Belluno. Bookatrekking.com makes sure your huts are booked including dinner and breakfast — the only thing left for you to do is to enjoy the beautiful trails on the Alta Via 1.
This stage leads from Lago di Braies to Rifugio Pederü, crossing a high section before descending towards the hut. With 940 m of ascent and 890 m of descent, it is a demanding mountain day with effort on both sides of the profile. The route climbs steadily from the lake area, reaches open alpine terrain, and then follows a long descent through broad mountain surroundings. Take your time on the climb, as the highest section comes after several kilometres of continuous uphill walking.
From Lago di Braies, the trail heads south and climbs past the area around Kleiner Apostel, also marked as Piccolo Apostolo at 1,722 m. The ascent continues towards the exposed and equipped section not far from Croda del Becco and the Biella hut, where the route reaches its highest part and the terrain becomes more open. After the high point, the trail passes near Dolomite viewpoints and continues over rolling alpine ground, next to Sennes Hütte right before the descent becomes more pronounced.
The final section drops steadily towards Rifugio Pederü, veering west in a series of zigzags. After a stage with a steep climb and a long descent, the mountain hut is a welcome place to rest, eat and settle in after crossing the high terrain from Lago di Braies.
This stage leads from Rifugio Pederü to Rifugio Scotoni, with 980 m of ascent and 540 m of descent over almost 16 km. The profile shows a steady climb from the start, followed by a long high section and a clear descent before the final uphill approach. It is a demanding mountain day, with open alpine terrain, wide Dolomite views and several changes in rhythm before you reach the hut.
From Rifugio Pederü, the trail climbs steadily through the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park, gaining height towards the upper mountain basins. Along the way, you pass viewpoints towards the Fanes plateau and the Sella Group, with high peaks such as Monte Stiga (2,786 m), Col Becchei Dessora (2,794 m) and Piza de Campestrin Nord (2,834 m) and Sud (2,910 m) visible around the route. After the higher traverse, the trail descends towards the valley floor, before climbing again in the final kilometres towards Rifugio Scotoni.
You arrive at Rifugio Scotoni after a varied stage with a long climb, a high traverse, a descent and one last uphill push. The mountain hut is a welcome place to rest, eat and settle in after this broad crossing through the Dolomites.
This stage leads from Rifugio Scotoni to Rifugio Scoiattoli, with 900 m of ascent and 640 m of descent over varied Dolomite terrain. The profile starts with a steady climb towards the Lagazuoi Pass, then follows a long descent before rising again near the finish. It is a demanding mountain day, with rocky surroundings, high viewpoints and several changes in rhythm. Take your time early on, as the main ascent comes right from the start.
From Rifugio Scotoni, the trail climbs aboveLagazuoi Lake and continues towards the area around Lagazuoi Piccolo (2,835 m). The route then passes close to Lagazuoi Sud (2,835 m) and Torre Grande di Falzarego (2,482 m), with nearby highlights including the Lagazuoi Tunnels and World War I trenches. After the higher section, the trail descends around Travenanzes Pass, continuing through mountainous terrain via the Col dei Bos Pass towards the final climb near the Cinque Torri.
The last part climbs towards Rifugio Scoiattoli, close to the iconic Five Towers area. After a stage with a strong opening climb, a long descent and a final uphill push, the mountain hut is a welcome place to rest and take in the surrounding Dolomite scenery.
The stage begins with the most technically challenging and exposed part of the entire route: a series of via ferrata paths with cables and ladders descending from Nuvolau into the valley. This section is thrilling but short. If you follow our route, you’ll pass by this via ferrata but won’t actually use it. You will, however, encounter a section with ladders and fixed cables to hold on to. These kinds of cables are common along the route; they are there for extra support and do not require any special equipment.
Then you descend the rest of the way to a mountain pass near the valley where you start climbing again, to the pass of Forcella Ambrizzola. As you cross this pass, the impressive Monte Pelmo looms in the background. Here you descend through stretches of forest until Monte Pelmo, also known as the Throne of the Gods, suddenly comes incredibly close. You continue past Rifugio Città di Fume to the Staulanza pass where you find the cozy Rifugio Passo Staulanza.
Tip: At Rifugio Passo Staulanza you can relax and recharge after a long day on the trails in their wellness center and hot tub with stunning views of Monte Pelmo (extra fee). The hut also offers a laundry and drying service for an additional charge, should you wish to use it.
Your hike today begins at the foot of the Moiazza Mountains. From Rifugio Carestiato walk down in a southeast direction until you reach the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park. After about 2.5 kilometers you will arrive at Passo Duran. Here you will find, among other things, Rifugio San Sebastiano, a small church and have a beautiful view of the Moiazza and San Sebastiano mountains.Continue walking south and after about 3 kilometers you will pass Forcella Dagarei (1642m).
From Forcella Dagarei the path slowly starts to climb again and after about 4.5 kilometers and 260 altimeters you will arrive at Malga Moschesin. From here the trail continues in an easterly direction. After Malga Moschesin you still have to walk uphill for a short distance, but after this last stretch the climbing is over for today. During the last kilometers of the day you walk mainly downhill and before you know it you have arrived at Rifugio Sommariva al Pramperet.
The final leg of your hike is about to begin. According to many, this is the most beautiful part of the complete Alta Via 1! From the Rifugio you will walk westward where you will have a view of the Cime di Zita formation. From here begins the climb to one of the most difficult passes of the entire trek, the Forcella di Zita Sud. This is one of the most beautiful passages of the entire Alta Via 1. After a final steep ascent, you reach the narrow, exposed Rocky Ridge. Here you have several steep sections, which are short, but certainly not easy. The pass is the gateway to one of the most beautiful descents of the Alta Via 1. The descent is gradual at first, but then goes down steeply along a grassy ridge before you reach Rifugio Pian di Fontana.
From Rifugio Pian di Fontana, you descend quickly for a short but steady wooded climb to a grassy path and dizzying views downward. After passing Rifugio Bianchet, you enter a beautiful ravine as you make the final descent to the La Pissa bus stop, where the Alta Via 1 ends. From La Pissa catch the bus and travel to tonight's accommodation.
