Start: Cortina in Italy
End: La Pissa for night in Belluno
Season dates: 15 July to 15 Sept 2024
Length: 6 days' walking
Typical walk: 13.5km, 640m ascent
Total distance: 85.5km or 53.5 miles
Highest altitude: 2,575m
Grade: Purple 3 (Walking grades)
Group size: 2 or more trekkers
With majestic views of the dramatic limestone peaks and cosy welcoming huts at the end of each day, the Alta Via 1 South is a classic of alpine hiking. This route takes you through the heart of the Italian Dolomites and to some of the most remote and awe-inspiring locations in Europe. If you’re looking for a week-long alpine hike, this trip is one of the best!
Our Alta Via 1 South holiday comprises of the southern 6 stages of the full 9-stage Alta Via 1 trail. Beginning in Cortina, a charming Italian mountain town, the route takes to the high mountains for 6 exciting days hiking through remote and wild terrain. You will start the hike with a circuit of the splendid Cinque Torri, before traversing under the dramatic Monte Pelmo and around the back of the Civetta massif, with ever changing views of these famous massifs. The trip ends in La Stagna before a short bus ride to the bustling town of Belluno. This Southern section of the Alta Via 1 holds bigger sweeps of hillside and more remote locations compared to the Northern part of the trail, whilst still staying in characterful huts with delicious food!
Our self-guided holiday allows you complete the trek at your own pace. We offer a variety of schedule lengths and our detailed routecards describe the recognised Alta Via 1 route along with optional alternatives, allowing you to tailor the route to your individual needs.
Map
Alternative trip options
Prefer a different style or length of trip? Why not try one of these: Guided Alta Via 1 - walk the trail with one of our guides Alta Via 1 North - 4 stages, 5 nights Full Alta Via 1 - 9 stages, 10 nights
Arrival day: Arrive in Cortina
Your trips starts on arrival in Cortina, a wonderful Italian town right in the mountains. The long pedestrian high street is perfect for strolling - and for shops and cafes. We recommend dining out in town at one of the many fantastic restaurants. Hotel in Cortina (breakfast)
Stage 1: Cortina to Rifugio Nuvolau Purple 2 (grade) 4.6km with 590m ascent, 40m descent
Take the bus up the valley to Pian dei Menìs and then climb up onto the hillsides above Cortina. Walk near the splendid Cinque Torri (five towers) and onto the bold ridge that holds the Nuvolau hut. This small and simple hut is one the most atmospheric on the AV1. Mountain hut (dinner and breakfast)
Stage 2: Rifugio Nuvolau to Rif Citta' di Fiume Purple 3 (grade) 13.4km with 390m ascent, 1,040m descent
Retrace your steps on the ridge and skirt underneath it to reach Passo Giau, the second of the road passes above Cortina. The hills beyond allow wide open walking over meadows, interspersed with short climbs. At the end of the day the realm of Cortina is far behind and the Zoldo area looms large. Monte Pelmo is unmistakeable in view with its two summits. Mountain hut (dinner and breakfast)
Stage 3: Rif Citta' di Fiume to Rifugio Vazzoler Purple 3 (grade) 18.2km with 750m ascent, 950m descent
Passo Staulanza is crossed early today, being a wooded road pass. After Rifugio Coldai we pick up a long traverse around the back of Monte Civetta. Rolling downhill at the end of the day we come to Rifugio Vazzoler in its wooded setting. Mountain hut (dinner and breakfast)
Stage 4: Rifugio Vazzoler to Passo Duran Purple 2 (grade) 11.5km with 650m ascent, 760m descent
Today's distance passes quickly on generally good terrain, with short sections of more slow-going and steep walking. Several combes are crossed as we round the Southern end of the Civetta massif. Reach the quiet road at Passo Duran. Mountain hut (dinner and breakfast)
Stage 5: Passo Duran to Rifugio Pian de Fontana Purple 3 (grade) 16.7km with 1,085m ascent, 1,050m descent
Enter an area of bold mountains today, at times with a more remote feel than the hills before. The crossing of the Cime di Zita involves a narrow ridge at the higher end of difficulty for the Alta Via 1. On the way up we can stop at Rifugio Sommariva for lunch. In descent a long, steep and interesting hillside brings you to a grassy shelf hidden from civilisation. Here sits the Pian de Fontana refuge, another basic one and quite charming. Mountain hut (dinner and breakfast)
Stage 6: Rifugio Fontana to La Pissa Blue 2 (grade) 12.2km with 250m ascent, 1440m descent
The trek is completed with a modest half-day stage to the road. To avoid the AV1's via ferrata finish over the Schiara massif we take the straightforward path to Rif Bianchet, then the wide track to La Pissa. We catch the local bus to Belluno. The city comes as a contrast to the calm of the trek, being a lively place very much in an Italian style. Hotel in Belluno (Breakfast)
Departure day: Depart from Belluno
Enjoy your last breakfast in Belluno and look round the shops before departing. The train to Venice makes it easy to keep exploring, and we can advise on further travel in Italy and the wider Alps.
Trip Options
The spacing of the huts along the trail determines the schedule lengths we are able offer on the Alta Via 1 South. There are still a number of great options and we are happy to help you plan a trip that fits your walking style, whether you fancy a fast dash or prefer to savour the stunning scenery and mountain views. We describe a few options below.
Make the trip shorter
For those up for a challenge, the trip can be shortened to 5 stages by making each day a little longer. For example, for fitter hikers, it is possible to walk from Rifugio Vazzoler to La Stagna in 2 stages rather than 3, staying at Rifguio Sommariva al Pramperet. Please do ask us for more details if interested in exploring this option.
If you are interested in an even shorter schedule, why not consider our 4-stage Alta Via 1 North trip starting in Lago di Braies and finishing in Cortina.
Make the trip longer
If you fancy savouring the mountain views for longer, extended schedules are also very possible. For a 7-stage trip we split the long day from Citta’ di Fiume to Rifugio Vazzoler with a stay at Rifugio Coldai, giving two fairly even stages of 9km each. To make the trip even longer, add a night at Rifugio Sommariva al Pramperet, between Passo Duran and Rifugio Pian de Fontana. All options work well so please do ask us for more details if interested in making this trip a little longer.
If you are interested in an even longer schedule, why not consider hiking the full 9-stage Alta Via 1 from Lago di Braies to La Stagna.
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.
Prices
Alta Via 1 South
15 July to 15 Sept 2024
Hutty
Classic
Comfy
Self-guided
6 stages
(7 nights)
GBP 1,040
Singles 150
GBP 1,120
Singles 190 Main Trip
GBP 1,220
Singles 210
8 stages
(9 nights)
GBP 1,115
Singles 150
GBP 1,195
Singles 190
GBP 1,280
Singles 210
Private guided
4 stages
(5 nights)
Price dependant on group size
Please ask us
Options
Baggage transfer
Please ask us
Accommodation
Where we stay
Our Classic mix of accommodation gives a fantastic taste of hut-to-hut hiking in the Italian Dolomites, and includes 5 nights in charming mountain huts plus 2 nights in 3 or 4* hotels in Cortina and Belluno. Our Classic mix of accommodation suits most hikers, and we have options to avoid some nights in dormitories as outlined below.
Avoiding Dormitories
On our Classic 6-stage Alta Via 1 South hike, we have the option to book private rooms at 2 of the 5 huts. Private rooms are subject to availability but please do let us know if you’d like us to try for private rooms on these nights. If successful, we will ask for a small contribution of GBP 10 to GBP 20 per person per night, depending on the hut, for each night in a private room at a hut.
Comfy
On our Comfy trips we will upgrade your hotel in Belluno and we will swap 2 of the simpler huts to alternatives where private rooms are available. We will also aim to book private rooms as standard in 2 of the other huts, giving the possibly for private rooms on 4 of the 5 hut nights. The final hut offers dormitory accommodation only. If we can't book private rooms on any of these 4 nights, we reduce your trip cost by GBP 10 to GBP 20 per person per night, depending on the hut, for each night spent in dormitories. Please note that dinner will not be included in the price if staying in private rooms at Refugio Averau as the dinner service for guests in private rooms is à la carte.
Hutty
For a more basic and economical trip, we offer our Hutty mix of accommodation. On Hutty trips we’ll book dormitory places in the 5 huts, plus more basic 2 and 3* hotels in Cortina and Belluno.
Single Room Supplement
If you would like to stay in single rooms rather than sharing a double, twin or triple room we add our single room supplement. This covers the additional cost of booking single occupancy rooms on a per person basis. The single supplement is only applied to the 2 hotel nights where single rooms are available and is not applied to nights spent in huts, which do not offer single rooms.
Solo Travel
We do not take bookings for solo walkers on self-guided trips. If you are still interested in this trip, we do have availability on our guided trips.
Rifugio Citta di Fiume
Route
Steep ascent along a ridge on the stage from Passo Duran to Pian de Fontana Our approach to the Alta Via 1 South
Our Alta Via 1 South trip gives a complete journey on foot from Pian de Menis, near Cortina, to La Pissa, near Belluno. The Alta Via 1 is a well-established route and our routecards follow the main trail with a few optional variants. Where the route splits, our route generally takes the easier option, with harder alternatives also described in your routecards. This means that on most days you can choose your route dependent on how you feel and the level of challenge you wish to take on.
Alpine Exploratory's latest research on the Alta Via 1 was led by Diane and Dan.
The Terrain
The Dolomites are characterised by dramatic limestone pinnacles which rise up from lush valleys. As such, the trail is also excitingly varied, with rocky paths winding up and over the mountain passes in addition to wide well-trodden paths and tracks in the valley bottoms. In some places, chains and handrails aid progress, however these are not normally a problem for confident mountain walkers. There are also some sections, mainly on the optional variants, where the paths are particularly steep and loose, for example on the descent from some of the higher passes requiring a good sense of balance and steady foot placements.
Is it for me?
The Alta Via 1 South is quieter than its Northern counterpart, with wilder terrain and more basic huts. It’s the perfect trip for those who like to hike in relative peace. Although basic, the huts are welcoming, sociable, and provide excellent dinners. There are also plenty of other huts along the trail allowing for numerous coffee stops throughout the day!
The Alta Via 1 South would be manageable for fit mountain walkers who are happy to walk for up to 8 hours a day over rocky and sometimes exposed ground. If you are fit and active in your day-to-day life, then the Alta Via 1 South can also be suitable for those new to multi-day trekking in the Alps. The paths are generally well waymarked and we provide all of the maps needed, along with our detailed routecards and lots of notes. Although well waymarked, in poor weather, the ability to navigate using a map and compass is essential.
A level of self-sufficiency on the AV1 is necessary, as bags can only be transferred to Passo Duran and to Belluno at the end. On the other nights, you’ll need to carry with you everything you need for the hike; there’s not much to carry and it makes for a simple way of life. The huts on the route are well stocked with great food, so it isn’t necessary to carry food for the entire trip.
Difficulty
It’s important to remember that the Alta Via 1 is first and foremost a walk and that there are no glacier crossings, via ferrata or rock climbing. There are sections of steep and rocky ground which require steady foot placement, and an ability to cope with walking along some narrow and possibly exposed paths. One such section is the narrow ridge between Passo Duran and Pian de Fontana with drops on both sides (stage 5), as well as the steep ascent to Coll del Orso (stage 4). Please let us know if you'd like more information or photos of these sections.
We miss out the difficult via ferrata on the Schiara, the mountain at the end of the trek above Belluno instead opting for a variant to La Pissa, for the local bus to Belluno. We also miss out the Monte Pelmo circuit (this is a widely underestimated variant) due to its exceptional difficulty and exposure, more than that of the Walker's Haute Route.
Flying over the Alps on the way to Venice
Your holiday starts in the resort town of Cortina and ends in the large valley town of Belluno. The most convenient airport is Venice with several transfer options available by coach or by train plus bus. For the end, Venice is a still good option.
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 trekkers arrange their travel by the simplest and most scenic means as suits their plan.
Fly to Venice (VCE) Or fly to Innsbruck (INN) or Munich (MUC)
2h bus then 45m bus
Alta Via 1 South Start Cortina
Alta Via 1 South End Belluno
2h train
Fly from Venice (VCE) Or fly from Treviso (TSF)
Included
Bespoke accommodation itinerary - tailored to suit your particular requirements
Breakfast every morning
Dinner at the huts (on 5 nights for our main trip)
Detailed Routecards AVU4-9 of the Exploratory system, printed on waterproof paper
The 3 topographical maps needed
GPX tracks covering our main 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
Local transport whilst on the trip unless specified
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
We offer a partial baggage transfer service on the Alta Via 1 South as an optional extra. We are able to transfer your bags from Cortina to Belluno via Passo Duran (one of the huts). For clients on our ‘comfy’ trip, we can also offer additional drops to Passo Giau and Passo Staulanza. Unfortunately, we are unable to drop your bags at any other huts due to their remote nature. On these nights your bag will travel on ahead to the next hotel and be waiting for you there. Please do contact us for more information on baggage transfer and for costs.
Got questions about the Alta Via 1 South?
Feel free to ask us any questions you have about any aspects of your planning and preparations! Lucy, Steph, Nicky, Dan and Rob will reply with expert advice. We spend a lot of time walking our routes and more broadly exploring ski and hiking trails around the world so do feel free to ask anything at all.
Enquiry Form Alta Via 1 South Self-guided
If you prefer, please feel welcome to email or call us. Thanks!
Open to the world
Since Alpine Exploratory started in 2005 we have loved getting to know our clients from around the world. Along with the UK, our best-represented countries are the US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Please use our national-rate numbers for a cheaper call to contact our office in Edinburgh.
The Alpine Exploratory team in Edinburgh
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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
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Alta Via 1 South
Alta Via 1 Walking Guide - more about the route itself
Fly to
2h bus then 45m bus
Alta Via 1 South Start
Fly from
The view from Rifugio Citta di Fiume
Alpine Exploratory
+44 (0)131 214 1144
