Highlights:

• Towering cliff-faces; jagged spires and ridges

• Lago di Braies and other mountain lakes

• Forests, grassy plateaus and wildflowers

• Character-full and social mountain rifugios

Brief:

⏱ Duration: 8 - 10 days
🗺 Distance: 115 km
⛰ Difficulty: Challenging
🗓 Best Time: July - September
🛏 Accomm: Refugios/Inns

Alta Via 1 Overview

Alta Via 1 is a classic European walk located in far north-eastern Italy. It extends for 115 kilometres in a north/south direction through the Dolomite mountain range. The trailhead in the north is Lago di Braies and in the south is near Belluno.

The Dolomites form part of the broader European Alps, but they have a distinctive appearance. They are characterised by a dramatic verticality; cliff walls and stone spires thrust upwards improbably and unexpectedly. Peaks and ridges are jagged and serrated, like shattered shards of glass. Rock-strewn plateaus and scree slopes look like they’re from another planet. Lower down, dense forest and mountain pastures provide contrast.

There are several “Alta Via” routes in the Dolomites. Alta Via 1 is the oldest and most accessible. It doesn’t involve any Via Ferrata (very steep rock ascents or descents where steel fixtures have been installed to assist walkers/climbers). Mountain huts or rifugios are scattered throughout the Dolomites and constitute the main accommodation on the walk. During the walking season, meals are available at the rifugios.

The Alta Via 1 also has some interesting reminders of World War I. The Dolomites were the scene of fierce and protracted fighting between Italy and the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. There are still ruins of barracks, trenches, and tunnels to be seen, as well as several open-air museums.

Some walkers choose to tackle a segment of Alta Via 1. People have different views as to the best segment, but really it comes down to what you like, your walking abilities and, of course, how many days you can allocate to the walk.

Assistance and further information:

• For assistance in walking all or part of Alta Via 1, click the button below.

• For a WTA Blog description of undertaking the Alta Via 1, click the button below.

• For information on other walks in Italy, click the button below.