Dolomites Alta Via 1 North
Self-guided trekking holiday

+ A week on trek to complete half of the AV1
+ Fun Alpine paths without any via ferrata
+ Expert advice and detailed routecards

Latest news May 2013
Please ask about our 2013 season which starts on 1st July. Thank you.

The Alta Via Uno is one of several North-to-South trekking routes in the Dolomites. The whole AV1 is a trek of about 10 days, without via ferrata, and this trip covers the Northern half in one week.

The AV1's Northern half is typical of the whole route. We start in Dobbiaco in the North, and take the bustling resort of Cortina as our terminus part-way down. The terrain on the AV1 mixes easy stretches on which you can stride out, with paths that are more twisty and steep. Overall, the route is not too challenging in the context of Alpine walking, and by taking the easier options each day one can walk the AV1 without straying from good paths.

Our routecards follow the main Alta Via Uno route as far as the Passo Falzarego area above Cortina, at which point we drop down into town. We also describe all of the common variants, so that on most days you have some choices of path. You pass remnants of World War One, where the Italians fought the Austrians in these mountains.

Where we stay
Your accommodation is based on the splendid huts along the AV1, plus our super hotels at start and end. The villages are bright and colourful; the huts are atmospheric and civilised. And the food...!

North or South?

Our North and South weeks on the AV1 are designed to be excellent treks in their own right, and to let the whole AV1 be completed over two separate trips to Italy. But how do the two halves differ?

Very generally, the Northern half is less challenging; it's the Southern half that holds the bigger sweeps of hillside and the more remote locations. The difference is marginal, however, and there is no reason to overlook any part of the AV1 on grounds of remoteness. Because we have configured our two halves to be split in Cortina, the Northern half also gives us more flexibility to add rest days or to space things out within one week. Our Southern week has a greater feeling of steady movement through the landscape.

Both halves are superb treks, both give the true flavour of the AV1.. and both can be done the following year!

Options

We can adjust your AV1 North in various ways, as follows:

Faster treks
The AV1 can be broken up in several different ways, thanks to a fine spacing of huts along the route. Please ask us to suggest an itinerary of between 3 and 6 stages to Cortina, depending on how long you like to be out each day. The AV1 allows many combinations of huts.

Stick to the easiest terrain
The AV1 sits just below the Tour du Mont Blanc in its difficulty, as per our normal AV1 route. However, its normal route still involves some steep descents and stiff climbs. We can adjust your schedule to incorporate easier variants. Other variants are possible within the normal daily pattern; simply choose a route on the day from the choice on your routecard.

Start from Cortina
The AV1 starts near Dobbiaco in the North, but a first night can be spent in Cortina instead. This gives an easier journey, and the ability to leave luggage at your hotel.

Accommodation
The AV1 is a trek among huts, passing few villages between the start and end. However, we can adjust the mix of hotels and huts from our normal schedule. While dormitories are difficult to avoid entirely, we can reduce their number. Please ask about these and other adjustments to your accommodation.