Alta Via 1

The Lagazuoi tunnels are a system of World War I mine and access galleries dug into the Piccolo Lagazuoi above Passo Falzarego in the Dolomites. Restored and open to hikers, they run for more than 1 km inside the mountain, finishing high above the pass near Rifugio Lagazuoi. The full loop from Passo Falzarego takes 2.5 to 3 hours, gains and loses 639 metres, and demands a head torch and a helmet at minimum. Most people ride the Lagazuoi cable car to the top station and walk down through the tunnels to the pass. This guide covers the route, the historical background, what to wear, how to get there, the Lagazuoi cable car, staying at Rifugio Lagazuoi and how the tunnels fit into the Alta Via 1. One of our team walked the tunnels in summer 2025 and her notes are included further down.

Lago di Braies, Pragser Wildsee, Lake Braies, and Lake Prags are four names for the same thing: The Pearl of the Alps, the most beautiful lake of the Dolomites. It is not just the starting point of our favourite Alta Via 1, it is also one of the most popular stop-and-go tourist destinations in Italy. It is super busy but one can get away from the crowds and make a visit to Lago di Braies a lot more special. Include a stay in Rifugio Biela at the foot of Croda del Becco (Seekofel), the majestic mountain featured in any Instagram post and Tiktok reel about Lago di Braies. Andiamo!! Lago di Braies gets 1000s of visitors daily. In Summer 2023, vehicle access was restricted because of overtourism. Do you know those Instagram vs Reality posts? A beautiful spot, slightly overrun by the crowds. But your visit doesn’t need to be like that. Join us on a hike, on a tiny Lago di Braies trekking, get a spectacular appetizer of the Alta Via 1, and leave Pragser Wildsee recharged.

Experience the Alta Via 1 through the Dolomites — without worrying about route planning or booking your mountain huts. Planning your Alta Via 1 itinerary is the first real step toward one of the most spectacular multi-day hikes in Europe. From the emerald shores of Lago di Braies to the quieter southern valleys above Belluno, the Alta Via 1 takes you through the heart of the Dolomites — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — on a journey that mixes wild alpine scenery with warm rifugio hospitality every single night. We have helped thousands of hikers book this route. This guide covers everything: the full itinerary with accurate stage data, route options, costs, difficulty, gear, weather, and when to go.