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Alta Via 9
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 Südtirol region and the gateway to the Dolomites. Spend the night in the enchanting old town and enjoy your first taste of regional dishes like speck and knödel, paired with local wines.
Hotel in Bolzano (breakfast)
Purple 4 (grade) 11.4km, 1560m ascent, 260m descent
Take a morning bus to San Cipriano (St Zyprian) where our route 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. For a shorter day, and an easier introduction to the AV9, travel to Compatsch instead of San Cipriano and hike through the famous Alpe di Siusi to Forcella Denti di Terrarossa. The two routes meet at Rifugio Alpe di Tires - home for the night.
Mountain hut (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 reach Rifugio Sasso Piatto. From here we describe two options; our main route follows the official Alta Via 9, which takes a balcony path with views to the Marmolada, the highest peak in the Dolomites. For a harder option on this otherwise short day, we also describe a higher route climbing to the dramatic Forcella Sassolungo. Both routes end with a night at Passo Sella.
Hotel at Passo Sella (dinner and breakfast)
Purple 3 (grade) 8.6km, 1000m ascent, 300m descent
Today's stage is solidly uphill, striking out from Passo Sella for a sustained climb up through the Val Lasties, the valley which splits the almost lunar 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, a feasible but demanding extension (at our Black grade) in good weather.
Mountain hut (dinner and 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. Take a bus (or the cable car) to accommodation in nearby Corvara, a popular resort.
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)
Red 2 (grade) 12km, 700m ascent, 390m descent
Return to the trail by bus or cable car for another easier stage, crossing the high meadows of the Pralongià plateau. The trail follows gentler undulating paths, and the going is easy underfoot, allowing you to enjoy the uninterrupted views over a wide area of the central Dolomites. Ahead is the Sennes-Fanes Nature Park with Monte Lagazuoi visible, revealing the route to come. The day ends with a more rocky descent to Passo Valparola and a roadside hut (or take a bus to hotels in nearby San Cassiano.)
Hut (dinner and breakfast) or Hotel in San Cassiano (breakfast)
Red 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 reaching Forecella Travenanzes. From here an optional detour to Rifugio Lagazuoi, a stunning spot for lunch, and the summit of Lagazuoi Piccolo is recommended. From Forcella Travenanzes, traverse 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)
Red 2 (grade) 10.7km, 240m ascent, 1060m descent
We continue our route around the base of the Tofane, heading uphill to Rifugio Pomedes and skirting the bottom of the cliffs. 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) 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. Before the descent there is the option to climb higher to Rifugio Son Forca - a good lunch option. Descend on good paths, across gullies and through trees. At Passo Tre Croci we book a roadside hotel.
Hotel at Passo Tre Croci (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, a popular spot for day trippers with views over the Cadini di Misurina.
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. We describe a few options to reach Rifugio Pian di Cengia, from where the route descends to another overnight in the mountains at Rifugio Comici (Zsigmondyhütte) in the shadow of the Zwölferscharte.
Mountain hut (dinner and 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 Dolomiti peaks. Ahead, the Karnische Alps can be seen (with Austria behind) 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 San Candido or Dobbiaco (depending on availability) and enjoy the afternoon in one of these historic towns.
Hotel in San Candido or Dobbiaco (breakfast)
After a last breakfast we depart from the Dolomites. Trains make it easy to reach Austria and Munich. In the other direction, take buses to Venice airport, changing in Cortina. We love to advise on onward travel - please ask us for suggestions on places to visit after your Alta Via 9 trip.
Our 11 stage trip splits the days well, making the most of accommodation on the route, and without any unduly long stages. We add 1 rest day in Corvara as standard, which gives 13 nights accommodation. The abundance of accommodation along the way allows for many flexible itineraries, and we can tailor the route to suit your preferences. We provide details of common options below, and please ask if you'd like more details!
Add a rest day
If time allows, we recommend adding a second rest day in Cortina to explore more of the area. Cortina - known as the "Queen of the Dolomites" - is the biggest town in the region. Browse the shops along the high street, and enjoy the lively evening atmosphere.
Alta Via 9 West
For a shorter trip, the hike from Bolzano to Cortina works well, giving 7 stages and 8 nights accommodation. This section includes some of the comfier hotels, and some of the hardest walking stages, including the highest portion of the route (around Rifugio Boè). This is a great option for a trip crossing the Dolomites in just over a week.
Alta Via 9 East
The 4 stages after Cortina make a good trip in its own right. Arrive in bustling Cortina in the heart of the mountains, explore the southern slopes of the Monte Cristallo range, and include the epic finale around the Tre Cime. This trip is graded Red 3 - avoiding the hardest sections of the full Alta Via 9. (See our page on walking grades). Enjoy a mix of accommodations, with 2 mountain huts and 3 hotels. Please see more details on our holiday page.
Combine with the Alta Via 2
A popular option to make your trip longer is to add on 4 stages of our Alta Via 2: North trip to the start of your hike (instead of the first 2 stages of the Alta Via 9). This trip starts in Brixen and rejoins the Alta Via 9 at the Sella Pass. A good option for a longer trip in the Dolomites, giving 13 stages in total, with the possibility of adding rest days in Corvara or Cortina. Please get in touch if you'd like more information about combining our trips.
Circuit in the Dolomites
We combine the Alta Via 1: North trip with the east section of our Alta Via 9 to create an 8 stage loop of the Dolomites. The circuit includes Lago di Braies, Lagazuoi, Lake Misurina and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. We suggest a first and last night in Dobbiaco and you can add a rest day in Cortina to make the trip longer. Please email us for details!
Hike with a guide
Hike with confidence in the company of our fully qualified International Mountain Leaders (IMLs), with the navigation, accommodation and all 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.
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Alta Via 9 Early bird price for 2027 |
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| Classic | Comfy | ||
| Self-guided | |||
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11 stages 1 rest day (13 nights) |
GBP 2,550 Singles 440 Main Trip |
GBP 2,860 Singles 780 |
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11 stages 2 rest day (14 nights) |
GBP 2,720 Singles 560 |
GBP 3,030 Singles 900 |
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| Shorter Trips | |||
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7 stages (8 nights) AV9 West |
GBP 1,470 Singles 220 |
GBP 1,710 Singles 480 |
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4 stages (5 nights) AV9 East |
GBP 1,210 Singles 220 |
GBP 1,280 Singles 300 |
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| Options | |||
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Baggage transfer |
Please ask us |
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Where we stay
The accommodation on our Alta Via 9 is of a high standard, with delicious buffet breakfasts included every morning. Using our 'classic' accommodation option, we'll book 6 hut nights and 7 hotel nights. At the huts we'll try for private rooms where possible, but it depends on availability, and some of the huts offer accommodation in shared rooms only. Please ask us for more details.
Comfy
On our 'comfy' trip we make the most of hotels with spa facilities. We upgrade your accommodation on your rest day in Corvara, and at your final hotel in San Candido or Dobbiaco. We'd also book a hotel off-route in San Cassiano, instead of the hut at Passo Valparola, as standard.
Stay in more huts
On the western side of the trip it's possible to break up the daily distances differently, to include more stays up high in the mountains. We use Rifugio Kostner, Rifugio Pralongia and Rifugio Lagazuoi, instead of staying in Corvara, Passo Valparola and Rifugio Dibona. This changes the distances on stages 4 to 7, ask us for details! We use our classic price for this option and we'll try for private rooms in the huts. Since you'd no longer stay in Corvara, we'll book your rest day in Cortina d'Ampezzo instead.
Hotels every night
If you want to spend every night in comfy hotels, we recommend our week long Dolomites Highlights trip. This includes some of the best sections of the Alta Via 9 (as well as some bits of the Alta Via 1) and avoids staying in any dormitories.
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 7 nights on our normal 13-night itinerary. The West trip has 4 nights where single rooms are possible, and the East 3.
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.
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 describe 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 stages 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, with limited waymarking. 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, being long in length and including one harder section of cable, to aid in a section of descent. The 2 stages leading in to Cortina, which traverse the Tofana group also include some harder rockier stages. In other sections, particularly stages 2 and 5, the route follows well made paths through alpine meadows and the going is easier.
Walking Guide to the AV9 - our detailed read
We book your last night in San Candido or Dobbiaco, pretty resort towns 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).
- Bespoke accommodation itinerary - tailored to suit your particular requirements
- Breakfast every morning
- Dinner at the huts and at your hotel at Passo Sella (this 7 nights for our usual itinerary)
- Detailed Routecards AVN1-11 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)
- Travel to and from your trip
- Local transport or taxis to reach off route accommodation (unless otherwise specified)
- Travel insurance
- Lunches, snacks, drinks and evening meals in the towns (this would be 6 nights on our usual itinerary)
- Baggage transfers (available as an extra)
Baggage transfer
We offer baggage transfers as an extra. Bags can't be delivered to the huts in the mountains, but can be delivered to the stops in towns or on the road. Due the high cost of transferring luggage by road, we generally recommend that you carry everything you need for the trip on your back; there is not too much you need during your trek. If you would like more information about our baggage transfer service, please ask.
 
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.
Looking to the Alpe di Tires hut in the Rosengarten group on stage 1
Alpine Exploratory
