Getting there
- Flights to Bolzano (BZ) (BZO) 65 km from the start
- Flights to Innsbruck (INN) 85 km from the start
Treks / Italy
Alta Via 1
Italy · Nearest city: Venice (also Cortina d'Ampezzo, Belluno)
TypeMulti-day trek
Days7–12
Distance≈ 120 km
Climbing≈ 6,400 m
Highest point2,752 m
A north-to-south traverse of the eastern Dolomites between rifugi. Shorter and gentler than the TMB overall, with a few steep, exposed sections and optional via ferrata.
Fitness
Demanding
Best seasonLate June to mid-September
High pointLagazuoi
Watch out: Rifugi open bookings in winter and popular dates sell out fast. 2026 was fully booked by spring.
Why people choose it
It's the gentlest way to cross the Dolomites, with the pale limestone towers and famous Italian rifugio food as the reward each evening.
What makes it different
- Dramatic vertical limestone scenery unlike the granite Alps
- Rifugi serve proper Italian meals, wine included
- Optional via ferrata sections for those who want more
Before you go
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list services that fit this trek.
Phone and data
Phone plans from the EU and EEA roam here at home prices. Coming from the US, UK or elsewhere? A Europe data eSIM is usually far cheaper than roaming.
Expect long stretches with no signal on the trail. Download offline maps and our GPX before you start.
Insurance that covers this trek
This trek reaches 2,752 m, and many policies stop covering hiking at 2,000 to 3,000 m unless you add an activity upgrade. World Nomads needs its Level 3 activities above 2,000 m, Heymondo its Adventure add-on above 3,000 m, and SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance covers trekking up to 4,500 m.
Rescue is not the same as evacuation. Travel insurance usually pays to fly you to hospital, but not always for the search and rescue itself. Read the policy's "search and rescue" section, or join an Alpine club: membership of the Austrian Alpenverein (it has an English-speaking UK section) includes rescue cover of up to €25,000.
True Traveller sells only to UK and EEA residents. Always check the altitude limit and your country of residence in the policy wording. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.
Camping and where to sleep
Rules vary by region and park. Bivouacs are often tolerated high in the mountains for one night; camping in valleys and parks is usually restricted.
Rules change and differ between parks. Check with the local park or tourist office before you pitch a tent.
Route map
Map layers load on the live site. Use the overview below meanwhile.
Trail from OpenStreetMap (118.0 km) Route variant Start / finish Stop on the way Nearest city
Switch between Topo, Satellite and Street layers with the layer button, and turn on the marked hiking trails overlay. The trail line is the OpenStreetMap hiking route and may differ from the variant you choose. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.
Stops: Lago di Braies → Fanes-Sennes-Prags Nature Park → Lagazuoi → Nuvolau → Civetta → Belluno
Simple overview map
Step by step
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Months before
Plan and book
- Book huts or accommodation as soon as reservations open, starting with the busiest nights.
- Best time to go: Late June to mid-September.
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6–12 weeks before
Train and test your gear
- Take the readiness quiz to see how many weeks of training you need.
- Break in your boots and train with the pack you'll carry.
- Tick off the packing list to see what you still need.
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Getting there
Travel to the start
- Most people start from Venice.
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On the trail
Walk it
- Start early each day, so you arrive before the afternoon weather and the rush for beds.
- In huts, boots stay in the boot room, dinner is served at a set time and lights go out around 10 pm.
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The finish
Get home
- It's a one-way route, so plan your transport back from the finish in advance.
How the season changes things
Best time: Late June to mid-September
June to early July
Early season
Snow patches linger on north-facing slopes and high passes. Huts are just opening, meadows are full of flowers and paths are quieter.
Bring
- Microspikes or light crampons for snow patches
- Gaiters
- Warmer layers for cold mornings
Mid-July to August
Peak season
Most reliable weather, but also the busiest huts and frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Hot in the valleys.
Bring
- Sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- Rain jacket for storms
- Hut bookings made months ahead
September
Late season
Clear, stable days and fewer people, but shorter daylight, cold nights and some huts closing mid to late September.
Bring
- Down jacket for cold evenings
- Headlamp for early starts
- Check hut closing dates
Be ready for
Snow patches
Early in the season, snow can cover the path on high ground. Microspikes or crampons and some experience make these sections safer.
Airy sections
Some paths run along steep drops. They're safe with care, but uncomfortable if you're afraid of heights, especially in wind or rain.
Afternoon storms
Thunderstorms often build after midday in summer. Start early, cross passes and summits before noon, and never shelter under lone trees or on ridges.
What you'll see
9 photos taken on and around the route by Wikimedia Commons photographers. Tap one to see it bigger.
Gear for the Alta Via 1
Photo credits: Lagazuoi by Clemens Stockner, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Pragser Wildsee Seekofel von Bucht by STirol, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Neuner and Zehner from Corspitze by Alex1011, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Piza Scotoni Piza Fanes de Medo Val Badia by This Photo was taken by Wolfgang Moroder. Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author and send me a message. This image is not in the public domain. Please respect the copyright protection. It may only be used according to the rules mentioned here. This specifically excludes use in social media, if applicable terms of the licenses listed here not appropriate. Please do not upload an updated image here without consultation with the Author. The author would like to make corrections only at his own source. This ensures that the changes are preserved.Please if you think that any changes should be required, please inform the author.Otherwise you can upload a new image with a new name. Please use one of the templates derivative or extract., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Lago di Braies, Braies, Italy by Matze Scheel matzescheel, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons; Parco naturale di Fanes-Sennes-Braies by Alberto Restifo albertorestifo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons; Tofana di Rozes by kallerna, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Monte Pelmo panorama by kallerna, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Anello di Modolo by cristianrauta, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos resized for the web. Figures are approximate and vary with the variant you choose.
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