Interactive hiking guide
Alta Via 1 - Dolomites
The classic Alta Via 1 traverses from north to south, but we flipped the script and did it the other way around. The amount of kilometers is the same but since we started from a lower altitude and finished in a higher place the total elevation gain is about 1000m more than the classic way. The only reason we decided to do it in reverse was to avoid hiking in a queue with the crowds.
Normally, the route is completed in 10 days which allows you to hike at a comfortable pace. We aimed for 8 days but ended up wrapping it up in 7. Our days varied from 5 to 10 hours, counting breaks. We camped most of the nights but it's possible to complete the hike without carrying a tent. There are several mountain huts and little hotels along the way.
The Dolomites are famous for their via ferratas which can be scary to many people and you'd need extra equipment. Lucky for us, Alta Via 1 doesn't require any fancy skills – no climbing or ladders.
That being said, the overall grading for Alta Via 1 in our opinion is moderate. We had a few exhausting days but if you complete it in 9 or 10 days it would be a moderate hike, making it a great option for someone who's just starting out with long distance hikes. The route is well-kept with many signposts and the trail varies from 4x4 tracks to narrow but clear paths.
Explore the Dolomites without the technicality of via ferratas
- LocationItaly
- DifficultyModerate
- Distance115km
- Stages7 days
- Elevation Gain 8200m
- Elevation Loss 7200m
The Elevation Profile
Total Distance
-km
Elevation Gain
m
Elevation Loss
m
Max Elevation
m
Min Elevation
m
- Stage
- Point of interest
The Alta Via 1 hike in the Dolomites offers breathtaking alpine scenery, amazing food at the refugios, and a unique opportunity to explore the stunning region of northern Italy.
How to get there
We flew in to Venice and then took a two hour train to Belluno. The next morning we took a 20min bus ride to La Pissa where the trail starts. If you do it the classic way and start from Lago di Braies you can catch a Cortina Express bus from the Venice airport to Dobbiaco (one change in Cortina d’Ampezzo, total time 3,5 hours). From Dobbiaco there is a frequent bus (445) to Lago di Braies.
Water & food
It was surprising that most of the refugios didn’t have a water fountain outside. You’d have to ask to refill your bottles in the bathrooms. They always say that the water is not drinkable but we never had an issue with the quality of the water. We did have a filter bottle with us.
Regarding food you’re up for a treat! The food at the refugios was delicious. We were excepting a lot of pasta but what we didn’t expect was the tasty pies and desserts. Pies and tarts with different berry jams were our favourites. We carried all of our dinners and breakfasts but during the day we stopped at the refugios for a snack or a full plate of pasta if possible. Keep in mind though, you won’t find any mini market for food along the whole trail.
Accommodation
You can complete the whole route by sleeping in mountain huts. A few hotels can be found along the way and also one campsite. We slept most of the nights in our tent.
Wild camping
Wild camping in the Dolomites is prohibited, but it seemed to be tolerated if you pitch your tent at sunset and take it down at sunrise. You should be above the tree line and follow the "leave no trace" policy strictly.
When to go
Best time is from mid-June to mid-September. There might be snowy patches on the high passes until July but since it's not a technical trail it shouldn't be a problem. We completed the hike in late August.
Money
We carried some cash but the card was accepted pretty much everywhere and there weren't any problems with the service.