Start: Lago di Braies after night in Dobiacco
End: Cortina in Italy
Season dates: 15 July to 16 Sept 2027
Length: 4 days' walking
Typical walk: 11km, 650m ascent
Total distance: 37,5km or 23,5 miles
Highest altitude: 2,752m
Grade: Purple (Walking grades)
Group size: 2 to 10 trekkers
The Italian Dolomites are the perfect setting for a walking holiday, with majestic rock formations towering over narrow scenic valleys and forested paths leading up to jaw-dropping vistas. Our 4-stage Alta Via 1 North hike takes you along some of the best walking trails in the Dolomites. The pleasant walking, combined with comfortable huts and delicious food, makes for a splendid hut-to-hut hike in less than a week.
Our Alta Via 1 North trip comprises the first 4 stages of the full Alta Via 1 route, from Lago di Braies in the north (a short bus ride from Dobbiaco) to Cortina, a characterful Italian mountain town in the south. The route climbs sharply from Lago di Braies with its beautiful blue waters into the high Dolomites before taking to an enjoyable cross-country theme with breath-taking views and 3 comfy mountain huts. The penultimate night on the trail is spent at Rifugio Lagazoui, placed high above the Falzarego pass and offering 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains including Monte Tofane and Cinque Torri. This popular section of the AV1 is ideal for experiencing the wilds of the mountains without sacrificing the comfort.
As a self-guided hike, we provide you with our detailed routecards, maps and lots of notes on the route. In our routecards we describe the recognised Alta Via 1 trail along with optional variants, allowing you to select your route as you go!
Map
Alternative trip options
Prefer a different style or length of trip? Alta Via 1 - Walk the full route Alta Via 9: East - A similar 4-stage trip Alta Via 1: South - 6 stages and 7 nights Alta Via 2: North - A harder trek in the Dolomites Alta Via 9 - Traverse the Dolomites from West to East
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)
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)
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)
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)
Stage 4: Rifugio Lagazuoi to Cian Zope Purple 2 (grade) 8.4km with 100m ascent, 1120m descent
Today there is the option to explore the Galleria Lagazuoi, a restored First World War tunnel. The main walk takes you to under the shadow of the immense cliffs of the Tofana de Rozes, and along to Rifugio Dibona, before heading into the valley. From Cian Zope we recommend taking the bus into Cortina for you final night. (We also describe a pleasant valley trail to Cortina, for hikers who want to walk the entire way). 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.
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. With a length of 18.5km and with 1,455m ascent, this 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 longer day from Rifugio Lavarella to Rifugio Lagazuoi into 2 shorter stages, including a stay in Rifugio Scotoni, known for its delicious food.
Extend the trip
Make the trip longer by extending the fourth hiking stage to Rifugio Averau, or a nearby alternative. The route to Averau crosses to the other side of the valley at Passo Falzarego, with stunning views back to Lagazuoi and to Monte Tofane. The trip would then finish with a fifth stage from Averau down to Cortina, leaving time on the way to explore the famous Cinque Torri. We are also very happy to arrange additional nights in Cortina after your hike if you wish.
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
Alta Via 1 North
Early bird price for 2027
Dormitory
Classic
Self-guided
3 stages
(4 nights)
GBP 1,040
Singles 210
GBP 1,110
Singles 210
4 stages
(5 nights)
GBP 1,120
Singles 210
GBP 1,210
Singles 210 Main Trip
5 stages
(6 nights)
GBP 1,210
Singles 210
GBP 1,330
Singles 210
Combine with the Alta Via 9 East
8 stages
(9 nights)
-
GBP 1,690
Singles 430
Options
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.
Rifugio Sennes
Route
Steep descent of the Forcella di Lech on Stage 3 Our approach to the Alta Via 1 North
Our Alta Via 1 North trip gives a complete journey on foot from Lago di Braies near Dobbiaco, to Cortina. 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!
Latest research on the Alta Via 1 by Alpine Exploratory's Diane.
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. An alternative route exists to skip this section and we describe this in our routecards (via Capanna Alpina). 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 into Cortina.
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.
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 Alta Via 1 North Self-guided
If you prefer, please feel welcome to email or call us. Thanks!
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
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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.
Alpine Exploratory
Alpine Exploratory is a system of knowledge on the best mountain trekking in our areas, giving clients superb holidays based on this exploration.
02 8319 2266 from Australia
416-628-3473 from Canada
04 889 4515 from New Zealand
646-757-1102 from the USA
Alta Via 1: North
Alta Via 1 Walking Guide - more about the route itself
Spendid views on Stage 3 between Rifugio Fanes to Rifugio Lagazuoi
Alpine Exploratory
