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Trek Dolomites — South Tyrol to Belluno, Italy

Alta Via 1 — The Classic Dolomites High Route

A six-day rifugio-to-rifugio highlights traverse of the Dolomites, from the emerald water of Lago di Braies over WWI passes and beneath the great walls of Civetta and Pelmo down towards Belluno.

Alta Via 1 — The Classic Dolomites High Route
Photo: Clemens Stockner · Public domain
Duration
6 days
Distance
120 km
Ascent
6500 m
Difficulty
Hard
Best season
Late June–September, once the rifugios open and the high passes are clear of snow

The Alta Via 1 is the most famous of the Dolomites high routes — a north-to-south traverse that links a chain of mountain refuges (rifugios) across some of the most dramatic limestone scenery in the Alps. The full trail runs about 120 km from Lago di Braies to the edge of Belluno; this itinerary compresses it into a six-day highlights version for strong walkers, stringing together its signature passes, plateaus and rock walls.

Unlike the Inca Trail or a wilderness trek, the Alta Via 1 needs no tent: each night is spent in a staffed rifugio with a bunk and a hot meal. That makes it approachable, but the daily distances here are long and the terrain is genuinely alpine — steep ascents, exposed traverses and rocky descents.

Getting there. The northern trailhead at Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee) is reached by bus from Dobbiaco/Toblach, itself served from Bolzano and Cortina d’Ampezzo. The route finishes near Belluno, from where trains and buses run to Venice.

Rifugios & booking. Rifugios are open roughly late June to late September and must be booked in advance in high season — half board (dinner, bed, breakfast) is the norm. Carry cash, earplugs and a sleeping-bag liner.

Good to know:

Tips & Insights for this route Planning this route? Read our practical tips before you go — 7 tips. Read the tips
Day 1

Lago di Braies to Rifugio Fanes

Lago di Braies (1,494 m) → Rifugio Fanes 18 km 1150 m
Navigate this day

The route’s gentle-looking start belies a steep first climb; once on the plateau it eases into rolling alpine pasture dotted with rifugios.

Segments

  1. The lake and the climb to Sennes 8 km 850 m Map

    Lago di Braies → Rifugio Biella (2,327 m)

    Lakeshore then steep switchbacks

    Skirt the emerald shore of Lago di Braies, then climb steeply on zig-zags to the Sennes plateau and Rifugio Biella, the first hut of the route. About 3.5 hours.

  2. Across the Sennes and Fanes plateaus 10 km 300 m Map

    Rifugio Biella → Rifugio Fanes

    High karst pasture

    Cross the broad, gently rolling grasslands of the Fanes-Sennes-Prags nature park, past grazing cattle and karst pools, to the welcoming Rifugio Fanes. About 3 hours.

Day 2

Rifugio Fanes to Rifugio Lagazuoi

Rifugio Fanes → Rifugio Lagazuoi (2,752 m) 14 km 950 m
Navigate this day

A scenic day that climbs steadily to one of the great viewpoints of the Dolomites, riddled with First World War tunnels.

Segments

  1. Fanes valley to Passo di Limo 6 km 200 m Map

    Rifugio Fanes → Lago di Limo / Passo di Limo

    Valley path

    Follow the trail past the small lake at Passo di Limo and the alpine meadows of the upper Fanes, ringed by pale peaks. About 2 hours.

  2. Climb to the Lagazuoi terrace 8 km 750 m Map

    Passo di Limo → Rifugio Lagazuoi (2,752 m)

    Steep mountain trail, WWI tunnels nearby

    A long, steady climb gains the ridge and Rifugio Lagazuoi, perched on its dizzying terrace above the Falzarego pass with one of the widest panoramas on the whole route. The mountain is honeycombed with First World War tunnels. About 3.5 hours.

Day 3

Rifugio Lagazuoi to Rifugio Nuvolau

Rifugio Lagazuoi → Rifugio Nuvolau (2,575 m) 12 km 700 m
Navigate this day

A short but spectacular day linking two open-air WWI museums with the airy summit rifugio of Nuvolau.

Segments

  1. Descent to Cinque Torri 6 km 150 m Map

    Rifugio Lagazuoi → Cinque Torri

    Rocky descent, restored trenches

    Descend from Lagazuoi towards the striking rock towers of Cinque Torri, an open-air museum of restored First World War trenches and gun positions. About 2.5 hours.

  2. Up to Nuvolau by way of Averau
    Up to Nuvolau by way of Averau 6 km 550 m Map

    Cinque Torri → Rifugio Nuvolau (2,575 m)

    Steep rocky climb

    Climb past Rifugio Averau to the little Rifugio Nuvolau, perched on its summit — the oldest hut in the Dolomites and, at sunset, one of the finest grandstands in the range. About 2.5 hours.

    About this place

    Averau (2,649m) is the highest mountain of the Nuvolau Group in the Dolomites, located in the Province of Belluno, northern Italy. It lies between the Falzarego Pass and the Giau Pass. The mountain is usually climbed from its northern face, which is less steep than its other faces, by the Averau ferrata. The view from the summit takes in many of the Dolomitic giants, including Monte Civetta, Monte Pelmo, Antelao and Sorapiss.

    Read more on Wikipedia
Day 4

Rifugio Nuvolau to Rifugio Coldai

Rifugio Nuvolau → Rifugio Sonino al Coldai 21 km 1150 m
Navigate this day

A long, varied day crossing a famous pass and rounding one of the Dolomites’ most imposing mountains.

Segments

  1. Descent to the Giau Pass 7 km 150 m Map

    Rifugio Nuvolau → Giau Pass (2,236 m)

    Meadow descent

    Drop down flower meadows to the Giau Pass, a high road col with sweeping views back to Averau and Nuvolau. About 2.5 hours.

  2. Around Monte Pelmo to Coldai 14 km 1000 m Map

    Giau Pass → Rifugio Sonino al Coldai

    Traversing paths beneath cliffs

    Traverse via Rifugio Città di Fiume and the forcelle beneath the great tabletop bulk of Monte Pelmo, then climb to Rifugio Sonino al Coldai below the Civetta wall. About 5 hours.

Day 5

Rifugio Coldai to Rifugio Carestiato

Rifugio Sonino al Coldai → Rifugio Carestiato 18 km 950 m
Navigate this day

The signature day of the southern route, walking the length of one of the highest rock faces in the Alps.

Segments

  1. Lago Coldai and the Civetta wall 8 km 350 m Map

    Rifugio Sonino al Coldai → Rifugio Tissi

    High traverse

    Cross a saddle to the jewel-like Lago Coldai, then traverse beneath the vast northwest wall of Monte Civetta to Rifugio Tissi, famous for its face-on view of the mountain. About 3 hours.

  2. Vazzoler to Carestiato 10 km 600 m Map

    Rifugio Tissi → Rifugio Carestiato

    Forest and rock traverse

    Descend through larch woods to Rifugio Vazzoler beneath the Moiazza towers, then traverse to Rifugio Carestiato for the night. About 3.5 hours.

Day 6

Rifugio Carestiato to Belluno

Rifugio Carestiato → La Pissa bus stop (for Belluno) 25 km 1000 m
Navigate this day

The longest and most remote day, crossing the untamed Schiara massif before the long descent off the mountains.

Segments

  1. Across to Rifugio Pramperet 11 km 600 m Map

    Rifugio Carestiato → Rifugio Pramperet

    Remote high traverse

    A quiet, wild traverse over forcelle and through the Van de Zità basins into the heart of the Dolomiti Bellunesi to Rifugio Pramperet. About 4 hours.

  2. Under Schiara down to Belluno 14 km 400 m Map

    Rifugio Pramperet → La Pissa bus stop

    Rocky pass then long forest descent

    Cross the high ground beneath Monte Schiara, past Rifugio Pian de Fontana, then descend steeply through forest to the La Pissa bus stop, where the road runs down to Belluno and the journey's end. About 4 hours.

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