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Short Alta Via 1 (family-friendly)

Duration: 5 days
Trails: T3 trails
Distance: 0 - 10 km per day
Ascent per day: 250 - 500 m ascent per day
> Walk the Northern section of the Atla Via 1
> Spend the night in cozy Italian Rifugios
> Bookatrekking.com arranges all huts along the way

The 5-day Alta Via 1 is specially designed for families with younger children, from around 8 years old. In this version of the short Alta Via 1, the huts are booked a little closer together. This allows you to hike shorter distances, and thus you will have more time for the daily hikes.

The Alta Via 1, also known as the Dolomite High Route 1, is one of the most famous hut tours in Italy. The Dolomites are located in northeast Italy and stretch across the provinces of Belluno, South Tyrol, and Trentino. During this 5-day adventure, you'll hike through the northern part of the Alta Via 1. This means that from Lago di Braies, you'll follow the path to Rifugio Lagazuoi and then return to Cortina d'Ampezzo. Along the way, you'll spend all day exploring the breathtaking Dolomites. You'll spend the nights in cozy mountain huts, also called Rifugios. Here you can enjoy delicious Italian dishes and also meet many other hikers. Bookatrekking.com makes sure your huts are booked including dinner and breakfast, all you have to do is enjoy the beautiful trails on the Alta Via 1.

Itinerary

Day
1

Lago di Braies - Rifugio Biella

Duration: 03:20 h
Distance: 6.15 km
Ascent: 860 m
Descent: 20 m
You start at the lake and take the trail on the West side of the lake towards Croda del Becco (The Seekofel). The first few kilometers will be shared with some pockets of tourists who are hiking around the lake but as soon as you walk away from it, it will become quiet. You will leave the crowds behind you and start hiking uphill. Follow the waymarkers until you leave the gravel road and find yourself hiking up a rocky and zigzagging trail. From here you can look back to Lago di Braies behind you. You will reach a section which is enforced by a cable. No worries, these chains are not qualified as via ferrata. Just an extra help on this rocky section. You will go up and over and start descending to Rifugio Biella, the Seekofelhütte.

Rifugio Biella (Seekofel Hütte)

Info
Rifugio Biella (Seekofel Hütte)
Rifugio Biella (Seekofel Hütte)
Day
2

Rifugio Biella (Seekofel Hütte) - Rifugio Pederü

Duration: 02:30 h
Distance: 7.83 km
Ascent: 40 m
Descent: 790 m
Soon after leaving Rifugio Biella, you pass Rifugio Sennes. A little further on, you'll find a junction with a Christian cross and a wooden bench. After about four kilometers you have a fantastic panoramic view of the Dolomites. A little further on, you can already see the valley where you will find Rifugio Pederü.

Rifugio Pederü

Info
Rifugio Pederü
Rifugio Pederü
Day
3

Rifugio Pederü - Rifugio Lavarella

Duration: 02:25 h
Distance: 5.63 km
Ascent: 520 m
Descent: 30 m
Today you follow a relatively easy trail, between the mountains. It leads you to the Fanes plateau, where Rifugio Lavarella is located. Along the way, you'll be surrounded by pine trees and some insane panoramic views. You will get stunning views of the vertical walls of the Fanes massif.

Rifugio Lavarella

Info
Rifugio Lavarella
Rifugio Lavarella
Day
4

Rifugio Lavarella - Rifugio Scotoni

Duration: 04:15 h
Distance: 10.4 km
Ascent: 550 m
Descent: 590 m
Today you will hike through the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park, and walk around Lago Limo. This mountain lake is a small water basin, perfect for those who want to take a break during this hiking day. Seeing the mountains reflected in the water is mesmerizing. Next, you pass Ücia de Gran Fanes, a rustic mountain hut. This is a perfect opportunity to take a break, for a coffee or lunch, for example. The path takes you further to the top of Col di Loggia, where you then reach Forcella del Lago Lagazuoi. The Lagazuoi Scharte is next on the schedule for today, this is an extremely steep descent, but it gives you fantastic views of Lake Lagazuoi.

Rifugio Scotoni

Info
Rifugio Scotoni
Rifugio Scotoni
Day
5

Rifugio Scotoni - Passo Falzarego (Including Lagazuoi Tunnels)

Duration: 03:45 h
Distance: 7.07 km
Ascent: 680 m
Descent: 560 m

This stage offers an alternative route that features the famous Lagazuoi Tunnels and World War I remains. Here, the true highlights of the journey begin as you enter the Cortina d’Ampezzo Valley, cross one of the most thrilling passes of the entire trek, and stand atop one of its greatest viewpoints — the summit of Lagazuoi.

The day begins gently, winding through idyllic meadows, clear streams, and rolling stone pastures before the scenery turns rockier and more dramatic. The route then leads towards the Forcella del Lago pass. Your efforts are soon rewarded with breathtaking views over the picturesque Lago di Lagazuoi.

From here, it’s a short climb to the Lagazuoi Hut, where you will set off to explore the historic Lagazuoi Tunnels. Take your time, mind your head, and reflect on the events that shaped these remarkable passages.

Once outside, continue your descent to Passo Falzarego, where you can catch a bus back to Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Note: This route is not technically demanding, but we strongly recommend bringing a headlamp, gloves, and a warm vest. The tunnels are cold and damp, and in some sections completely dark.

Included

  • Booking the huts

    We will take care of arranging accommodation on the Alta Via 1 for you. We will also provide you with a detailed itinerary for every stage and instructions on how to get to the trailhead.

  • Full travel guide

    You’ll receive access to our trekking app, which serves as your complete digital travel guide for the Alta Via 1. 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 Alta Via 1, 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 (where possible)

    Accommodation in the huts includes dinner and breakfast, unless otherwise indicated in the exclusive list. This allows you to travel lighter and not have to worry about an extra meal. Please note, however, that lunch is not included, but can be purchased at the huts.

  • 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.

  • Dinner Rifugio Pederü

    Where possible we book accommodations on a half-board basis but at Rifugio Pederü only breakfast is included. In the evening you can dine at the hut without any problems and pay for it in cash on the spot. So make sure you take enough cash with you on trek.

FAQ

  • Difficulty of the Alta Via 1: Is This Trek Right for Me?

  • When Is the Best Season to Hike the Alta Via 1 in the Dolomites?

  • How to Get To the Starting Point of the Alta via 1

  • Endpoint in Cortina D’Ampezzo

  • 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

  • Booking

  • Availability

  • Cancellation policy

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