Conquer Dolomites on the AV1 Trek

adventurewithjena
Nov 13
6 min read

The Alta Via 1 is a classic multi-day trek through the heart of the Italian Dolomites, offering 7 days of breathtaking alpine scenery and unforgettable adventure. The trail winds through jagged peaks, lush alpine meadows, crystal-clear mountain lakes, and dramatic rocky ridges. Hikers stay in traditional mountain huts, or rifugi, enjoying hearty local meals along the way while immersing themselves in the region’s rich alpine culture.

Rated moderate to challenging, the route rewards those with good fitness and a love of the outdoors with panoramic vistas, striking landscapes, and the chance to experience one of the world’s most iconic mountain ranges.

Day 1

Meet our group at the Venice Marco Polo Airport and take a private car service guide in the beautiful town of Cortina d’Ampezzo. Arrive in plenty of time to explore Cortina, it is a quaint town with stunning surroundings. It is known as the jewel of the Dolomites. Here you will check in to the Hotel Menardi (or hotel of a similar standard), a family owned hotel just off the main streets of Cortina. Enjoy relaxing here or head out to explore the town before dinner.

You will meet your guide and group before dinner, you will have a briefing about the trip then we will get to know each other over a great meal at the hotel.

Then it’s time for a good nights rest before the start of your hike tomorrow.

*Group welcome dinner included

Day 2

Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee) > Pederü

The day will start with a short taxi ride from your hotel to the starting point of the hike, the famous Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee). After a quick photo or two you’ll escape the crowds and start the first climb of the day, on the opposite side of the lake. The path is steady but never too steep, with great views of the lake below. A short exposed section will lead to a pass at 2400m, just above Rifugio Biella, a nice location for a quick lunch break.

The rest of the stage continues easily along wide and smooth tracks across open terrain. You will pass Rifugio Sennes, a great opportunity to stop for a cup of coffee and a slice of cake. It’s all downhill from here, and after one last steep section you’ll reach Rifugio Pederü. You will spend the night here or take a short shuttle to the quaint resort of st Viglio for the night.

The first section of the hike is in the National Park of Fanes, Sennes and Braies.

Today you have hiked 14,8km with 1029m of climbing

*Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 3

Pederü > Rifugio Scotoni or Rifugio Lagazoui

Start the day by climbing up through the forest and on good paths all the way to Rifugio Fanes, a great spot for a morning coffee. From here you will continue on forest roads and paths all the way to the main Fanes plateau, you will pass Lago di Limo and continue to climb gradually to the Forcella del Lago (2486m), a very narrow mountain pass. The descent from here is not to be underestimated, the path is very good but also very steep and the terrain loose, so concentration is required. Once at the bottom of the descent you’ll have some time to relax by the shores of Lago Lagazuoi. From here take a short hike to the refuge for the night, the cosy Rifugio Scotoni or continue to Rifugio Lagazuoi.

Today you have hiked 15,1km with 1103m of climbing (3km extra to Lagazuoi)

*Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 4

Rifugio Scotoni > Rifugio Scoiattoli

From the hut you will ascend to the stunning Lagazuoi, a view point for the whole Dolomites! From the hut you’ll traverse the high balconies of rocky cliffs to the Rifugio Dibona before descending to cross the valley and climb up to Cinque Torri mountain peaks.

There is an open air Great War museum here with restored Italian military base with it’s trenches, machine gun posts and bunkers. Take a break to explore the history and look for climbers on the famous five towers before heading on to your refuge for the night.

Today you have hiked 11 km with 1100m of climbing

*Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 5

Rifugio Scoiattoli > Passo Staulanza

After a mandatory sunrise on the terrace (if the weather allows) and a good breakfast, we’ll start descending all the way to Passo Giau, another busy mountain pass with lots of cars, motorbikes and bicycles. After crossing the road all this will disappear once again and you’ll start walking on a beautiful but slightly more technical section of the route. After tackling a few rocky steps and a steep but short uphill section you’ll get to Forcella Giau, quickly followed by Forcella Ambrizzola and Forcella Col Duro.

You’ll then descend to the other side on a wide gentle track to reach Rifugio Città di Fiume, a lovely spot for a cup of coffee and a break before the last section of the day. To reach our final destination at Passo Staulanza we have one last traverse at the foot of Monte Pelmo, one of the most impressive mountains in the Dolomites and the first to be climbed by Irish mountaineer John Ball. After a few rocky steps and a steep muddy descent in the woods you’ll reach the road and your hut for the night.

Today you have hiked 17km with 600m of climbing

*Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included

Day 6

Passo Staulanza > Rifugio Vazzoler

Today is a beautiful but also challenging day, not to be underestimated. From Passo Staulanza you’ll walk along a short road section followed by a wide forest road. The path will quickly get steeper, though, and lead you to the very scenic Rifugio Coldai, just above 2200 metres. After a mandatory coffee and a break you will continue to the beautiful Lago Coldai and along one of the most famous mountains in the Dolomites: Monte Civetta. Its north-west face, that you will follow in its entirety, is one of the most iconic faces in the whole region, an outstanding sheer limestone cliff rich in mountaineering history. For this reason it’s otherwise known as “the wall of all walls”.

Try not to look too much at it, though, as the path requires attention. It’s quite rocky in places, which might slow you down a little, but I promise you won’t be in a rush to get away from this place! Once you reach the end of the north-west face of Civetta you’ll join a wider track that will lead you quickly to Rifugio Vazzoler, your home for the night. Here the best atmosphere on the AV1 is guaranteed!

Today you have hiked 15km with 950m of climbing

*Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included

Day 7

Rifugio Vazzoler > Rifugio Tomé

Leaving Rifugio Vazzoler is always hard, but another beautiful day awaits. You’ll start the day by loosing some height, walking on a 4×4 track leading towards the valley. Before too long, though, you’ll take a side path underneath the cliffs of the Moiazza mountain range, the continuation of the Civetta range. This section goes from steep muddy paths to boulder fields and scree slopes, and it definitely requires some care, attention and patience. After one last exposed section between Forcella Col d’Ors and Forcella del Camp (not ideal for those who feel uncomfortable with heights), the path easies off a bit and traverses over to Rifugio Carestiato.

Enjoy a break here before the last easy section to Passo Duran and Rifugio Tomé, our very cosy overnight stop.

Today you have hiked 10km with 675m of climbing

Day 8

Rifugio Vazzoler → Passo Duran → Taxi to Belluno

The hike from Rifugio Vazzoler to Passo Duran on the Alta Via 1 is a moderate–challenging stage that transitions from the rugged Civetta area into the Moiazza range, with a mix of rocky alpine paths, forest, and meadows, and some narrow or exposed sections but well-marked trails throughout. It finishes at Passo Duran, a scenic mountain pass with huts and road access; weather can change quickly, so proper layers and footwear are important.

Distance: about 10 km. Elevation: 550–700 m ascent / ~500–800 m descent.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.