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Alta Via 1: North
Arrival day: Arrive in Dobbiaco
Your trips starts on arrival in Dobbiaco. This decorative town is in the Sud Tirol style and is on the branch railway line from the Brenner pass. There are several restaurants for dining out.
Hotel in Dobbiaco (breakfast)
Your trips starts on arrival in Dobbiaco. This decorative town is in the Sud Tirol style and is on the branch railway line from the Brenner pass. There are several restaurants for dining out.
Hotel in Dobbiaco (breakfast)
Stage 1: Lago di Braies to Rifugio Sennes
Purple 2 (grade) 9.4km with 940m ascent, 310m descent
The mountains start immediately above Lago di Braies, a famed lake hemmed in by hillsides. The local bus takes you there from Dobbiaco. Take to the hillside, steep and loose in places, and climb towards Croda de Becco, an optional 2,810m peak that can be walked on the way to your hut. (We also describe the pleasant cross-country walk to Lago di Braies.)
Mountain hut (dinner and breakfast)
Purple 2 (grade) 9.4km with 940m ascent, 310m descent
The mountains start immediately above Lago di Braies, a famed lake hemmed in by hillsides. The local bus takes you there from Dobbiaco. Take to the hillside, steep and loose in places, and climb towards Croda de Becco, an optional 2,810m peak that can be walked on the way to your hut. (We also describe the pleasant cross-country walk to Lago di Braies.)
Mountain hut (dinner and breakfast)
Stage 2: Rifugio Sennes to Rifugio Lavarella
Red 2 (grade) 10.3km with 500m ascent, 570m descent
Cross-country is the theme for the next two stages, as you cross large areas of upland meadow and rock. Surrounding views of limestone peaks characterise the stage which is divided into two at Rif Pederu, a cheerful hut at a road head.
Mountain hut (dinner and breakfast)
Red 2 (grade) 10.3km with 500m ascent, 570m descent
Cross-country is the theme for the next two stages, as you cross large areas of upland meadow and rock. Surrounding views of limestone peaks characterise the stage which is divided into two at Rif Pederu, a cheerful hut at a road head.
Mountain hut (dinner and breakfast)
Stage 3: Rifugio Lavarella to Rifugio Lagazuoi
Red 4 (grade) 15.3km with 1350m ascent, 640m descent
From Rifugio Lavarella follow well-made paths and tracks through the high valley to reach Le de Lagacio. (We also describe a harder route whiches reaches the lake by passing over the steep Forcella di Lech). From the lake climb steeply to reach Rifugio Lagazuoi, the highest hut on the trip at 2,752m. From the hut it's worth making the short climb along the Kaiserjägersteig (or Austrian Mountain Troop Path) to the summit of Lagazuoi.
Mountain hut (dinner and breakfast)
Red 4 (grade) 15.3km with 1350m ascent, 640m descent
From Rifugio Lavarella follow well-made paths and tracks through the high valley to reach Le de Lagacio. (We also describe a harder route whiches reaches the lake by passing over the steep Forcella di Lech). From the lake climb steeply to reach Rifugio Lagazuoi, the highest hut on the trip at 2,752m. From the hut it's worth making the short climb along the Kaiserjägersteig (or Austrian Mountain Troop Path) to the summit of Lagazuoi.
Mountain hut (dinner and breakfast)
Stage 4: Rifugio Lagazuoi to Passo Giau
Purple 2 (grade) 12.6km with 640m ascent, 1150m descent
Today there is the option to explore the Galleria Lagazuoi, a restored First World War tunnel. Our route then takes you to under the shadow of the immense cliffs of the Tofana de Rozes, and down into the valley. Here climb up the hills on the other side with the option to explore the Cinque Torri. Our route passes Rifugio Averau and drops down to the road at Passo Giau where we catch a bus to Cortina.
Hotel in Cortina (breakfast)
Purple 2 (grade) 12.6km with 640m ascent, 1150m descent
Today there is the option to explore the Galleria Lagazuoi, a restored First World War tunnel. Our route then takes you to under the shadow of the immense cliffs of the Tofana de Rozes, and down into the valley. Here climb up the hills on the other side with the option to explore the Cinque Torri. Our route passes Rifugio Averau and drops down to the road at Passo Giau where we catch a bus to Cortina.
Hotel in Cortina (breakfast)
Departure day: Depart from Cortina
Enjoy an Italian breakfast in the wonderful town of Cortina. If you have time, we recommend exploring this pretty town before catching the bus. The bus runs to Venice, or try our suggestions for travel via Treviso and onwards in Italy.
Enjoy an Italian breakfast in the wonderful town of Cortina. If you have time, we recommend exploring this pretty town before catching the bus. The bus runs to Venice, or try our suggestions for travel via Treviso and onwards in Italy.
Trip Options
The spacing of huts on the Northern section of the Alta Via 1 determines the schedules we are able to offer, and we are delighted to work with you to create a schedule that suits your walking style so please do just let us know your preferences. We provide some ideas on how to vary your trip length below.
Make the trip shorter
Our normal 4-stage trip can be made shorter by merging the first 2 stages and walking from Lago di Braies to Rifugio Lavarella in a single long day. The day becomes 18.5km and with 1,455m ascent - an achievable option for strong hikers but hard to recommend to most.
Shorter days
A longer schedule is also very possible. We would achieve this by splitting the final 2 stages into 3 with nights in Rifugio Scotoni (known for its delicious food) and Rifugio Dibona (under the slopes of the Tofana di Rozes).
Combine with the Alta Via 9 East
For an even longer trip, we suggest an 8 stage tour which adds on the final 4 stages of the Alta Via 9 to the end of the Alta Via 1 North. These extra stages include the famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo walk. Please ask us for details of this lovely circuit option.
Hike with a guide
Hike with confidence in the company of our fully qualified International Mountain Leaders (IMLs), with the navigation, accommodation and arrangements taken care of. If your group would like a guide for your trip, please get in touch for more details or view our scheduled guided trips.
2027 Prices
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Alta Via 1 North 15 Jul to 16 Sep 2027 |
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| Dormitory | Classic | ||
| Self-guided | |||
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3 stages (4 nights) |
GBP 1,090 Singles 210 |
GBP 1,160 Singles 210 |
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4 stages (5 nights) |
GBP 1,170 Singles 210 |
GBP 1,260 Singles 210 Main Trip |
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5 stages (6 nights) |
GBP 1,260 Singles 210 |
GBP 1,380 Singles 210 |
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| Combine with the Alta Via 9 East | |||
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8 stages (9 nights) |
- |
GBP 1,760 Singles 430 |
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| Options | |||
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Baggage transfer |
Please ask us | ||
Accommodation
Where we stay
Our Classic mix of accommodation aims to give an enticing taste of hut-to-hut hiking in the Dolomites, and includes 3 nights in comfortable mountain huts plus two lovely hotels in Dobbiaco and Cortina. We plan to book private rooms at the 3 huts if possible. Private rooms are limited, and if these aren't available we'll reduce your price on a per night basis.
Dormitory Places
If you'd prefer to stay in dormitory places in the huts please do let us know. These are usually places in shared rooms of up to around 12 people.
Hotel Upgrade
As standard we book a 3* hotel in Dobbiaco. For a touch of luxury we can upgrade you to a 4* hotel in Dobbiaco. If you'd like to go for this we add on a supplement of GBP 30 per person. In Cortina we already use the comfiest hotels in town. Generally the hotels in the Dolomites are of a high standard.
Single Room Supplement
For single occupancy rooms on the 2 hotel nights we add our single supplement.
Solo Travel
We do not take bookings for solo walkers on self-guided trips. For solo walker's we can offer our guided Alta Via 1. This is for the full Alta Via 1.
Private rooms
If private rooms are essential for you, we recommend our Dolomites Highlights trip: a week-long hike through the Dolomites staying in private, ensuite rooms.
Our Classic mix of accommodation aims to give an enticing taste of hut-to-hut hiking in the Dolomites, and includes 3 nights in comfortable mountain huts plus two lovely hotels in Dobbiaco and Cortina. We plan to book private rooms at the 3 huts if possible. Private rooms are limited, and if these aren't available we'll reduce your price on a per night basis.
Dormitory Places
If you'd prefer to stay in dormitory places in the huts please do let us know. These are usually places in shared rooms of up to around 12 people.
Hotel Upgrade
As standard we book a 3* hotel in Dobbiaco. For a touch of luxury we can upgrade you to a 4* hotel in Dobbiaco. If you'd like to go for this we add on a supplement of GBP 30 per person. In Cortina we already use the comfiest hotels in town. Generally the hotels in the Dolomites are of a high standard.
Single Room Supplement
For single occupancy rooms on the 2 hotel nights we add our single supplement.
Solo Travel
We do not take bookings for solo walkers on self-guided trips. For solo walker's we can offer our guided Alta Via 1. This is for the full Alta Via 1.
Private rooms
If private rooms are essential for you, we recommend our Dolomites Highlights trip: a week-long hike through the Dolomites staying in private, ensuite rooms.
Route
Our Alta Via 1 North trip gives a complete journey on foot from Lago di Braies near Dobbiaco, to Passo Giau. The AV1 is a well-defined route with a number of variants. As standard, our routecards follow the easiest route however we describe the different options in detail also, allowing you to choose your route as you go!
Every year we recce the route and update our routecards to reflect the current trail conditions and any changes to the trail which have occurred over the winter. This ensures you have the most up to date information on the trail.
The Terrain
The Dolomites are some of the most beautiful and dramatic mountains in the world and form part of the Southern Limestone Alps. The terrain underfoot is similarly varied, mixing easy stretches on solid paths surrounded by towering limestone formations, with high, rocky mountain paths and wide forest tracks.
The optional variant over the Forcella di Lech on Stage 3 crosses particularly loose and steep terrain on the descent, and care should be taken. On Stage 1, handrails are in place to help with the ascent to Forcella Sora Forno, and more handrails assist with the optional descent through the Gallaria Lagazuoi (the First World War tunnels which lead through the hillside below Rifugio Lagazuoi) on the final stage.
Is it for me?
With the relatively short days and well-walked trails, the Alta Via 1 would be suited to those with a good level of fitness who are happy to walk for around 6-8 hours per day over rocky and at times loose terrain. The trail on the Northern section sticks to the more popular areas of the Dolomites, meaning you get a great sense of camaraderie as you walk and making it a fine option for a first multi-day Alpine hike.
Due to the remote nature of the huts, we cannot arrange bag transfer on this trip. Instead you’ll need to carry everything you need for the duration of the trek; it’s not much to carry and there are plenty of well-placed huts along the trail offering packed lunches.
As with all of our trips, although the trail is well-trodden, the way-markers can be hard to see in poor weather so it is essential that at least one person in your group can navigate using a map and compass.
Difficulty
The Alta Via 1 North is first and foremost a walk; there are no glaciers, via ferrata or climbing sections. There are, however, a few sections of steep and loose terrain such as the descent from Forcella di Lech and the Galleria Lagazuoi as described above, both of which can be avoided. We consider this Northern section of the trail to be easier than its Southern counterpart, with shorter days, relative proximity to civilisation and easier trails.
Alta Via 1 Walking Guide - more about the route itself
How to get there
Your holiday starts in the Sud Tirol village of Dobbiaco and ends in the larger mountain resort of Cortina. The most convenient airport is Venice, with several transfer options available by coach or by train and bus. For the start, Innsbruck and even Munich airports work well thanks to the train over the Brenner pass.
Travel to and from the trip is not included in the holiday price. We take care to give the most useful notes possible about all the travel options. We supply these both on booking and in your info pack, and we offer personalised tips at any point. The aim is that our hikers arrange their travel by the simplest and most scenic means as suits their plan.
We also offer personalised tips based on our extensive travels across Europe; please ask us for advice and we'll be happy to help.
Included
- Bespoke accommodation itinerary - tailored to suit your particular requirements
- Breakfast every morning
- Dinner at the huts (on 3 nights for our main trip)
- Detailed Routecards AVU1-4 of the Exploratory system, printed on waterproof paper
- Topographical maps needed
- Downloadable GPX Tracks covering the route
- Expert advice and local information
- A comprehensive 'Season Update' following our pre-season recce
- Full support during your trip from the Alpine Exploratory team (9am until 9pm in the Alps)
Not included
- Travel to and from your trip
- Transport to reach off-route accommodation (unless otherwise specified)
- Any other local transport taken whilst on the trip
- Travel insurance
- Lunches, snacks, drinks and evening meals in the towns (this would be 2 nights on our main trip)
- Baggage transfers (available as an extra)
Baggage transfer
Let us move any extra luggage you have from Dobbiaco to your hotel in Cortina whilst you walk. Due to the remoteness of the huts, unfortunately we are not able to deliver your bags to any of the huts. There is not much extra to carry but please do ask us for more details and for a quote to transfer your extra bags direct to Cortina.
Questions about the Alta Via 1 North?
Feel free to ask any questions about your planning. Ben, Eve, Ione, Katy, Lucy, Rob, Simon, Skylar or Steph will reply with expert advice. We spend a lot of time hiking our routes (and trails around the world) so please ask us anything.
 
Enquiry Form
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If you prefer, please feel welcome to email or call us. Thanks!
| Contact Alpine Exploratory | |
| info@alpineexploratory.com | |
| Phone | +44 (0)131 214 1144 |
| Our times |
9am to 5pm UK time, Monday to Friday |
| Our national-rate numbers. Please use for a cheaper call to our Edinburgh office |
From the USA: 646-757-1102 From Canada: 416-628-3473 From Australia: 02 8319 2266 From New Zealand: 04 889 4515 |
Open to the world
Since Alpine Exploratory started in 2005 we have loved getting to know our clients from around the world. Our best-represented countries are the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Spendid views on Stage 3 between Rifugio Fanes to Rifugio Lagazuoi
Alpine Exploratory
