Alta Via del Granito

A hut-to-hut trek in the Dolomites is not only a feast for the eyes, but also a chance to taste one of Italy’s most distinctive mountain cuisines. In this region, Italian cooking meets Tyrolean tradition, shaped by alpine life, long winters, and generations of farming in high valleys. The result is a food culture built around hearty, practical dishes made from simple ingredients like bread, cheese, cured meats, and seasonal fruit, often served warm and filling after a long day on the trail. Whether you stop at a rifugio for lunch or settle in for dinner after a summit hike, the Dolomites offer comforting classics with a story behind them. From speck and canederli to sweet apple strudel, many recipes reflect the blend of cultures that defines South Tyrol and Trentino. Add a glass of vin brulé or a small grappa to finish, and you’ll quickly see why eating here feels like part of the trekking experience, not just something you do in between hikes.

The Alta Via del Granito is just not any Alta Via. It's the Italian name for High Trail and in Northern Italy and the Dolomites you can find a lot of them. You may have heard of or you even may have hiked Bookatrekking.com bestsellers Alta Via 1 and Alta Via 2. When it comes to hut to hut hiking Dolomites style, it doesn’t get better than those two phenomenal treks. Although geographically part of the Dolomites, the Alta Via del Granito isn't entirely dolomite. Yep, it's a bit more special than that. Why? Lace up your hiking boots, read our blog post, the tips from Ilse, and go discover the granite trails of the Lagorai!

The Dolomites are not only a world of dramatic cliffs and alpine meadows, they are also a crossroads of cultures, where Central Europe meets the Mediterranean. Whether you are hiking through the Dolomites on high trails or wandering between villages in the valleys, you move through a landscape shaped by people as much as by rock. Two distinct heritages shape life here: the German-speaking South Tyrolean traditions and the ancient Ladin culture, each with its own language, customs, and deep connection to the mountains. This cultural layering is the result of centuries of shifting borders, trade routes through alpine passes, and communities that learned to survive and thrive in a demanding mountain environment. The Dolomites are recognized not only as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their landscapes, but also as a region where living traditions remain deeply rooted in everyday life and reveal themselves step by step along the hiking trails.