02 8319 2266 from Australia
416-628-3473 from Canada
04 889 4515 from New Zealand
646-757-1102 from the USA
Alta Via 9 (Guided)
Arrival day: Arrive in Bolzano
Your trip begins on arrival in Bolzano, a small city on the main train line between Venice and Munich. Surrounded by mountains on 3 sides, Bolzano is the capital of Italy's mostly German-speaking Südtirol region and the gateway to the Western Dolomites. You'll meet your guide and the rest of your group in the evening.
Hotel in Bolzano (breakfast)
Your trip begins on arrival in Bolzano, a small city on the main train line between Venice and Munich. Surrounded by mountains on 3 sides, Bolzano is the capital of Italy's mostly German-speaking Südtirol region and the gateway to the Western Dolomites. You'll meet your guide and the rest of your group in the evening.
Hotel in Bolzano (breakfast)
Stage 1: San Cipriano (St Zyprian) to Rifugio Alpe di Tires
Purple 4 (grade) 11.4km, 1560m ascent, 260m descent
Take a morning bus to San Cipriano (St Zyprian) where the Alta Via 9 begins. The first day is predominantly uphill, getting steeper and rockier as we near our high point of the day - the Molignon Pass - where views open up over the prominent peaks of the Rosengarten Nature Park. From the pass, drop to the welcoming Rifugio Alpe di Tires, your home for the night.
Mountain hut (dinner and breakfast)
Purple 4 (grade) 11.4km, 1560m ascent, 260m descent
Take a morning bus to San Cipriano (St Zyprian) where the Alta Via 9 begins. The first day is predominantly uphill, getting steeper and rockier as we near our high point of the day - the Molignon Pass - where views open up over the prominent peaks of the Rosengarten Nature Park. From the pass, drop to the welcoming Rifugio Alpe di Tires, your home for the night.
Mountain hut (dinner and breakfast)
Stage 2: Rifugio Alpe di Tires to Passo Sella
Blue 2 (grade) 12.4km, 350m ascent, 610m descent
Descend from the hut on pleasant tracks - keeping an eye out for marmots - before traversing the hillside through high Alpine meadows to Rifugio Sasso Piatto. From here our main route follows the official Alta Via 9, on a balcony path with views to the Marmolada, the highest peak in the Dolomites. In good weather, it may be possible for your group to take a harder option on this otherwise short day, following a higher route to the dramatic Forcella Sassolungo. Both routes end at Passo Sella.
Hotel at Passo Sella (dinner and breakfast)
Blue 2 (grade) 12.4km, 350m ascent, 610m descent
Descend from the hut on pleasant tracks - keeping an eye out for marmots - before traversing the hillside through high Alpine meadows to Rifugio Sasso Piatto. From here our main route follows the official Alta Via 9, on a balcony path with views to the Marmolada, the highest peak in the Dolomites. In good weather, it may be possible for your group to take a harder option on this otherwise short day, following a higher route to the dramatic Forcella Sassolungo. Both routes end at Passo Sella.
Hotel at Passo Sella (dinner and breakfast)
Stage 3: Passo Sella to Rifugio Boè
Purple 3 (grade) 8.6km, 1000m ascent, 300m descent
Today's stage is solidly uphill, striding out from Passo Sella for a sustained climb up through the Val Lasties, the valley which splits the sheer-sided Sella plateau in two. The ascent is steep and rocky in places. We emerge onto the plateau at 2,908m, the highest point on our route, crossing this wild landscape to the stunningly-positioned Rifugio Boè, marooned in an ocean of rock. The highest peak of the Sella, Piz Boè (3,152m), lies just behind the hut.
Mountain hut (dinner and breakfast)
Purple 3 (grade) 8.6km, 1000m ascent, 300m descent
Today's stage is solidly uphill, striding out from Passo Sella for a sustained climb up through the Val Lasties, the valley which splits the sheer-sided Sella plateau in two. The ascent is steep and rocky in places. We emerge onto the plateau at 2,908m, the highest point on our route, crossing this wild landscape to the stunningly-positioned Rifugio Boè, marooned in an ocean of rock. The highest peak of the Sella, Piz Boè (3,152m), lies just behind the hut.
Mountain hut (dinner and breakfast)
Stage 4: Rifugio Boè to Passo Campolongo
Black 2 (grade) 12.4km, 230m ascent, 1240m descent
Setting off from Rifugio Boè, a rocky traverse leads across the plateau beneath Piz Boè to reach the edge of the Sella group at Forcella Pordoi. From here, a steep scree descent leads to an exciting and challenging balcony path, over scree and rocky ground at the foot of the higher cliffs. To your right the views of the Marmolada are exceptional. Now on the Eastern side of the Sella group, descend on good paths to Passo Campolongo. Travel to accommodation in nearby Corvara, a popular resort.
Hotel in Corvara (breakfast)
Black 2 (grade) 12.4km, 230m ascent, 1240m descent
Setting off from Rifugio Boè, a rocky traverse leads across the plateau beneath Piz Boè to reach the edge of the Sella group at Forcella Pordoi. From here, a steep scree descent leads to an exciting and challenging balcony path, over scree and rocky ground at the foot of the higher cliffs. To your right the views of the Marmolada are exceptional. Now on the Eastern side of the Sella group, descend on good paths to Passo Campolongo. Travel to accommodation in nearby Corvara, a popular resort.
Hotel in Corvara (breakfast)
Rest day in Corvara
Corvara is a charming small town in the heart of the Dolomites with a selection of welcoming and comfy hotels. Relax with a book and enjoy the views of the surrounding peaks, or take one of the many cable cars up into the mountains, perhaps to visit a nearby hut for lunch.
Hotel in Corvara (breakfast)
Corvara is a charming small town in the heart of the Dolomites with a selection of welcoming and comfy hotels. Relax with a book and enjoy the views of the surrounding peaks, or take one of the many cable cars up into the mountains, perhaps to visit a nearby hut for lunch.
Hotel in Corvara (breakfast)
Stage 5: Passo Campolongo to Passo Valparola
Red 2 (grade) 12km, 700m ascent, 390m descent
Return to the trail for another easier stage, following gentler paths across the high meadows of the Pralongià plateau. This open area is known as the 'amphitheatre of the Dolomites', with uninterrupted panoramic views across a wide area of the central Dolomites. Ahead is the Sennes-Fanes Nature Park with Monte Lagazuoi visible, passed by the Alta Via 9 tomorrow. The day ends with a rockier descent to Passo Valparola and a short journey to the nearby village of San Cassiano.
Hotel in San Cassiano (breakfast)
Red 2 (grade) 12km, 700m ascent, 390m descent
Return to the trail for another easier stage, following gentler paths across the high meadows of the Pralongià plateau. This open area is known as the 'amphitheatre of the Dolomites', with uninterrupted panoramic views across a wide area of the central Dolomites. Ahead is the Sennes-Fanes Nature Park with Monte Lagazuoi visible, passed by the Alta Via 9 tomorrow. The day ends with a rockier descent to Passo Valparola and a short journey to the nearby village of San Cassiano.
Hotel in San Cassiano (breakfast)
Stage 6: Passo Valparola to Rifugio Dibona
Purple 2 (grade) 9.7km, 590m ascent, 720m descent
Today we enter the stunning Sennes-Fanes Nature park. Climb steeply to reach Forcella de Salares, and then traverse behind the Lagazuoi massif to reach Forecella Travenanzes. From Forcella Travenanzes, the Alta Via 9 traverses under the immense cliffs of the Tofana di Rozes to reach Rifugio Dibona. Enjoy views across the valley to the famous Cinque Torri.
Mountain hut (dinner and breakfast)
Purple 2 (grade) 9.7km, 590m ascent, 720m descent
Today we enter the stunning Sennes-Fanes Nature park. Climb steeply to reach Forcella de Salares, and then traverse behind the Lagazuoi massif to reach Forecella Travenanzes. From Forcella Travenanzes, the Alta Via 9 traverses under the immense cliffs of the Tofana di Rozes to reach Rifugio Dibona. Enjoy views across the valley to the famous Cinque Torri.
Mountain hut (dinner and breakfast)
Stage 7: Rifugio Dibona to Cortina
Red 2 (grade) 10.7km, 240m ascent, 1060m descent
This stage of the Alta Via 9 continues to traverse below the cliffs of the Tofana di Rozes, initially heading uphill to Rifugio Pomedes. Enjoy views South over the Cinque Torri and Monte Averau. Later begin the long descent to Cortina, on good tracks and through woodland. Our route passes Lago Ghedina before finally entering Cortina from the North.
Hotel in Cortina (breakfast)
Red 2 (grade) 10.7km, 240m ascent, 1060m descent
This stage of the Alta Via 9 continues to traverse below the cliffs of the Tofana di Rozes, initially heading uphill to Rifugio Pomedes. Enjoy views South over the Cinque Torri and Monte Averau. Later begin the long descent to Cortina, on good tracks and through woodland. Our route passes Lago Ghedina before finally entering Cortina from the North.
Hotel in Cortina (breakfast)
Stage 8: Cortina to Passo Tre Croci
Red 2 (grade) 9.2km, 920m ascent, 340m descent
Leaving Cortina, climb back into the hills to reach the Forcella Zumeles, a pass in the foothills of the Monte Cristallo range. From here, we walk through the high woodland on an undulating path. Look out for a World War 1 tunnel with good views back to Cortina. Descend on good paths, across gullies and through trees. At Passo Tre Croci we book a roadside hotel.
Hotel at Passo Tre Croci (dinner and breakfast)
Red 2 (grade) 9.2km, 920m ascent, 340m descent
Leaving Cortina, climb back into the hills to reach the Forcella Zumeles, a pass in the foothills of the Monte Cristallo range. From here, we walk through the high woodland on an undulating path. Look out for a World War 1 tunnel with good views back to Cortina. Descend on good paths, across gullies and through trees. At Passo Tre Croci we book a roadside hotel.
Hotel at Passo Tre Croci (dinner and breakfast)
Stage 9: Passo Tre Croci to Rifugio Lavaredo
Purple 3 (grade) 14.1km, 1050m ascent, 530m descent
A day of two halves. The route initially climbs back to traverse around the cliffs in the Monte Cristallo. We follow a scree path with a few loose gullies to cross, before descending to the charming village of Misurina and its famous lake. Walking around the lake, the route then begins the ascent to Rifugio Auronzo on the edge of the Tre Cime National Park. Continue for a short distance to Rifugio Lavaredo, a smaller hut away from the road.
Mountain hut (dinner and breakfast)
Purple 3 (grade) 14.1km, 1050m ascent, 530m descent
A day of two halves. The route initially climbs back to traverse around the cliffs in the Monte Cristallo. We follow a scree path with a few loose gullies to cross, before descending to the charming village of Misurina and its famous lake. Walking around the lake, the route then begins the ascent to Rifugio Auronzo on the edge of the Tre Cime National Park. Continue for a short distance to Rifugio Lavaredo, a smaller hut away from the road.
Mountain hut (dinner and breakfast)
Stage 10: Rifugio Lavaredo to Rifugio Comici
Red 2 (grade) 10.5km, 500m ascent, 600m descent
A highlight of the Alta Via 9, today the route heads around the famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo, with stunning views of this famous rock formation and the surrounding peaks. It's a stage to take your time over, and there are plenty of side paths to explore further. Leaving the three peaks behind, pass Rifugio Pian di Cengia and descend to Rifugio Comici (Zsigmondyhütte) for another night in the mountains.
Mountain hut (dinner and breakfast)
Red 2 (grade) 10.5km, 500m ascent, 600m descent
A highlight of the Alta Via 9, today the route heads around the famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo, with stunning views of this famous rock formation and the surrounding peaks. It's a stage to take your time over, and there are plenty of side paths to explore further. Leaving the three peaks behind, pass Rifugio Pian di Cengia and descend to Rifugio Comici (Zsigmondyhütte) for another night in the mountains.
Mountain hut (dinner and breakfast)
Stage 11: Rifugio Comici to Sesto (Sexten)
Blue 2 (grade) 10.4km, 30m ascent, 940m descent
Your crossing of the Dolomites finishes with a shorter day, descending from the mountains through the scenic Val Fiscalina. Look back for a final good view of the peaks of the Tre Cime nature park. Ahead, the Karnische Alps on the border with Austria can be seen, a contrast to the rocky formations of the Dolomites. Descend through pretty woodland pasture to reach Sesto (Sexten) in the valley. From here, take the bus to Dobbiaco and enjoy the afternoon in this historic town.
Hotel in Dobbiaco (breakfast)
Blue 2 (grade) 10.4km, 30m ascent, 940m descent
Your crossing of the Dolomites finishes with a shorter day, descending from the mountains through the scenic Val Fiscalina. Look back for a final good view of the peaks of the Tre Cime nature park. Ahead, the Karnische Alps on the border with Austria can be seen, a contrast to the rocky formations of the Dolomites. Descend through pretty woodland pasture to reach Sesto (Sexten) in the valley. From here, take the bus to Dobbiaco and enjoy the afternoon in this historic town.
Hotel in Dobbiaco (breakfast)
Departure day: Depart from Dobbiaco
After a last breakfast we depart from the Dolomites. Trains make it easy to reach Austria and Munich. In the other direction, buses can be taken to Venice. We love to advise on onward travel - please ask us for suggestions on places to visit after your Alta Via 9 trip.
After a last breakfast we depart from the Dolomites. Trains make it easy to reach Austria and Munich. In the other direction, buses can be taken to Venice. We love to advise on onward travel - please ask us for suggestions on places to visit after your Alta Via 9 trip.
2027 Dates
Please join us for a guided Alta Via 9 trek:
AV9g 28 August to 10 Sept 2027
Scheduled Guided Trips
Our scheduled guided Alta Via 9 trips follow our standard schedule of 11 stages and 1 rest day, making 13 nights accommodation. The maximum group number at any one point will be 8 clients to 1 Alpine Exploratory International Mountain Leader.
Although the walking dates on our scheduled guided trips are fixed, we'd be very happy to book extra nights before or after your trip, for you to explore the area a little more. Please do just ask for more details.
Private Guided
We would be delighted to plan a privately guided trip for your family or group of friends at any time within our walking season. We will find you a guide and book your accommodation on the dates your choose. You will have full flexibility over the length of your trip, your choice of accommodation and your dates. Please see our self guided page for full details of the options available. Join us any time in our season from 15 July to 16 September 2027
Prices
|
Alta Via 9 Guided 15 Jul to 16 Sep 2027 |
|||
| Classic | |||
|
11 stages, 1 rest day (13 nights) |
GBP 3,550 Singles 600 Main Trip |
||
Accommodation
Where we stay
The accommodation on our Alta Via 9 is of a high standard, with delicious buffet breakfasts included every morning. Our scheduled guided trips follow our 'classic' accommodation itinerary, staying in a mixture of friendly hotels and 5 welcoming mountain huts.
Dormitories at the huts
Dormitory accommodation is the norm at huts across the Alps, and we book shared rooms with other members of your guided group as standard on our Alta Via 9 trips. We'll always book the smallest shared rooms available on your dates.
Single Room Supplement
If you would like to stay in single occupancy rooms in the hotels we add our single room supplement. This covers the additional cost of booking rooms for 1 person (rather than sharing twin, double or triple rooms). This is possible on 8 nights on our normal 13-night itinerary.
Route
Our Alta Via 9 trip gives a complete journey on foot across the Dolomites, from West to East. In the West, enter the Dolomites through the scenic Tschamin Valley, climbing up to reach the famous rocky plateaus. On the final day descend through Val Fiscalina on the Eastern edge of the Dolomites, with the mountains ahead looking significantly different. We follow the main Alta Via 9 trail throughout the majority of our trip, with a couple of minor changes to avoid sections of Via Ferrata.
The first change comes in the Sella group after Rifugio Boè. Here the official Alta Via 9 takes a Via Ferrata route over the summit of Piz Boè (3,152m); we instead take a variant which descends to traverse around the South face of Piz Boè on an easier path, albeit still one of the most difficult stages of our route. We rejoin the official trail near Rifugio Kostner.
Towards the end of the route, after Lago di Misurina, we follow a lower route to Rifugio Auronzo ascending to the hut on a good walking path to avoid the Alberto Bonacossa Via Ferrata.
The most significant change is the ending to the trip. The official Alta Via 9 finishes in Santo Stefano di Cadore and includes an extra stage around the eastern edge of the Dolomites, before descending through popular ski areas, less suited to hiking. Instead we've chosen to finish through Val Fiscalina, a scenic valley with pretty woodland pasture. You'll really feel you've completed the trek across the Dolomites on the last stage, and it mirrors the first stage's ascent through a scenic wooded valley. We think this works well and is the best way to finish the trip.
The Terrain
The Alta Via 9's terrain comprises the full range of Alpine walking. Typically the route follows well made mountain paths, which in many cases traverse the hillside. Zig-zagging paths acrross scree are typical on steep ascents and in the valleys follow sections of tracks and two short sections along the road. On the higher sections good balance is needed on rocky paths with drops to one side. The hardest section, the traverse around the Sella Massif on stage 4, involves loose paths over scree and boulders. Our Alta Via 9 route doesn't follow any sections of via ferrata.
Is it for me?
The Alta Via 9 is likely to satisfy stronger trekkers who like a good day out in the hills. You'll know it if you've had one! The distances are modest, but the terrain followed makes the going slower. Expect to be walking for around 5 to 7 hours on a typical day. The first day in particular is tough, with lots of ascent, but the remaining days are quite even in terms of distance.
Difficulty
The Alta Via 9 includes stages of mixed difficulty. The hardest sections come around Rifugio Boe as we traverse around the Sella Massif. This is graded black - at the highest end of our offering. The first day is also on the harder end, with a significant amount of ascent and one harder section of rocky descent, with a metal cable to hold. The two stages leading in to Cortina, which traverse the cliffs below the Tofana group, also include some harder sections which can be loose underfoot. At other points, particularly stages 2 and 5, the route follows well made paths through alpine meadows and the going is easier.
Walking Guide to the Alta Via 9 - our detailed read
How to get there
Your holiday starts in Bolzano, a small city on the main train line between Venice and Munich. Venice, Verona, Innsbruck and Munich all lie on this train line, and flying to one of these airports gives convenient onward travel to Bolzano.
We book your last night in Dobbiaco, a pretty resort town on the train line between Fortezza (Italy) and Lienz in Osttirol (Austria). Flights from Munich or Innsbruck work best. The journey back to Venice involves a few bus journeys (via Cortina).
Included
- 13 nights of accommodation
- Breakfast every morning
- Dinner at the huts and at your hotels at Passo Sella and Passo Tre Croci (this 7 nights for our usual itinerary)
- Baggage transfers (1 bag per person as standard, to the hotels)
- An Alpine Exploratory International Mountain leader
- Expert advice and local information
- 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 and drinks
- Dinner on any nights other than those specified above
Baggage transfer
We include a partial baggage transfer service on our Alta Via 9 guided trips. Your bag will be delivered to all the hotels on the trip. Unfortunately baggage transfer is not possible to the mountain huts along the route as these are not accessible to vehicles. On hut nights, your transfer bags will be taken to your next hotel, and will be waiting there for you when you arrive. If you would like more information about our baggage transfer service, please ask.
Questions about our Guided Alta Via 9?
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
|
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.
The Marmolada and its glacier from Forcella Pordoi, on stage 4 of the Alta Via 9
Alpine Exploratory
