Alta Via 1 delle Dolomiti is the most famous multiday trek through the Italian Dolomites—a 140 km trail you can spread over 7 to 12 days according to fitness and preference. The route connects one of the region's most photogenic locations, Lake Lago di Braies, with La Pissa near the Belluno basin. Along the way you traverse the full geological and visual spectrum of the Dolomites—from limestone towers to broader grassy ridges.
The route difficulty is rated moderate. The trek requires no via ferrata kit or rope work—it is straightforward high alpine hiking on marked trails and hut-to-hut transitions, not technical climbing. That said, stages involve significant elevation changes and days spent at altitude, so solid fitness and multiday mountain experience are assumed.
The route links ten mountain huts that create a natural rhythm of stages. Day one climbs steeply from Lago di Braies to Rifugio Biella. Day two continues across alpine meadows and rocky terrain to Rifugio Fanes. Day three climbs to the route's highest point near Rifugio Lagazuoi with panoramic views of surrounding Dolomite peaks. Next comes descent over a mountain pass to Rifugio Averau, followed by wider mountain terrain to the popular Rifugio Città di Fiume below Passo Giau. The route continues along the ridge to Rifugio Coldai, then deeper into the mountains over another pass to Rifugio Vazzoler, from which terrain gradually descends to Rifugio Carestiato. The penultimate stage leads to Rifugio Pramperet with more elevation changes, and the final leg descends from high peaks to foothills, ending at Rifugio Pian de Fontana before reaching Belluno.
Alta Via 1 suits experienced hikers who can walk multiple consecutive days with a pack and significant elevation change but do not need or want technical climbing—the absence of via ferrata makes it more accessible than other Dolomite high routes. For exactly this reason, it ranks among the Dolomites' most popular multiday treks.
The best period is typically summer and early autumn when huts operate and trails are snowfree—though opening dates vary by hut and year, so confirm directly. Hut reservations proceed through the official Alpenverein system, where you select your preferred daily layout (7 to 12 days), plan specific huts accordingly, and book them in advance—given the route's popularity, advance reservations are wise.
Pick a start date — for every night on the route you instantly see the free beds and book directly through the official Alpenverein system.
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