You will hike through the lunar landscapes of the Parco Naturale Puez-Odle, relax on the soft meadows of the Alpe di Siusi, and, passing through Corvara and the World War I trenches along Passo Valparola, reach the renowned Cortina d'Ampezzo.
An intense and spectacular trekking tour that, over 8 stages covering 100 km with more than 6,000 meters of elevation gain, will lead you into the authentic heart of the Dolomites.
Arrival in Alta Badia
After arriving in Alta Badia and checking into the hotel, it's time to relax after the journey and enjoy the beautiful mountain atmosphere.
Acclimatization day
Today is dedicated to acclimatization. Relax, take a walk to stretch your legs, and get used to the altitude and the mountains. In the late afternoon/evening, there will be a general briefing about the route with a local expert from Holimites.
1st stage: approx. 14 km (8.7 miles) / +1.350 m (4430 feet) e.g.; -350 m (1150 feet) e.l.;
From Badia, the trail climbs towards Passo Juvel and reaches Longiarù, a characteristic mountain village. You then enter the Parco Naturale Puez-Odle, skirting the slopes of Monte Putia through green meadows and scenic alpine pastures up to the mountain hut.
2nd stage: approx. 10 km (6.2 miles) / +600 m (1970 feet) e.g.; -830 m (2725 feet) e.l.;
Heading south, we cross the Puez-Odle Nature Park, an area of great geological and botanical interest. The landscape changes several times: from flowering meadows to rocky ascents, until we reach the Col Raiser area in Val Gardena.
3rd stage: approx. 18 km (11.2 miles) / +510 m (1673 feet) e.g. ; -1.210 m (1970 feet) e.l.;
We cross the pastures of Seceda and Resciesa, which, with their view of the Odle mountains, are among the most famous places in the Dolomites. After taking an obligatory selfie, we continue our journey towards the romantic town of Ortisei. After some time to buy a souvenir, the journey continues towards the postcard-perfect landscapes of Alpe di Siusi. (Possibility to use the public bus or lifts).
4th stage: approx. 11 km (6.9 miles) with +520 m (1710 feet) e.g. -270 m (890 feet) e.l.;
With the view on the Sciliar, we cross the Alpe di Siusi, the largest plateau in Europe, until we reach Rifugio Sasso Piatto. In an exciting up and down, we pass at the foot of the namesake mountain until we reach Col Rodella/Passo Sella.
5th stage: approx. 13 km (8 miles) / +400 m (1315 feet) e.g.; -950 m (3120 feet) e.l.;
In the presence of the Sella Group and Sassolungo, we descend to Plan de Gralba, an area renowned for its panoramic beauty. From here, the ascent to Passo Gardena begins, a path that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks. Once at Passo Gardena, we take a moment to enjoy the spectacular view before starting the descent to the picturesque village of Colfosco.
6th stage: approx. 10,5 km (6.5 miles) / +990 m (3250 feet) e.g.; -550 m (1800 feet) e.l.;
From Colfosco, we climb to Lake Boè, a small alpine lake with clear and crystalline waters, nestled among the mountains. After a short stop to admire the landscape and refresh ourselves, we begin the descent to Campolongo Pass. From here, following the picturesque hunters' path, we cross forests and alpine meadows until we reach the Cherz area.
7th stage: approx. 16 km (10 miles) / +1.240 m (4070 feet) e.g.; -640 m (2100 feet) e.l.;
We cross the pastures of Pralongià and, skirting Monte Settsass, we reach Valparola Pass. From here, we start the ascent towards the Lagazuoi area, a region rich in history and famous for being a battleground during the First World War. Along the way, we can observe trenches and military posts that testify to the intense war activity of that period.
8th stage: approx. 14,5 km (9 miles) / +330 m (1085 feet) e.g.; -1.790 m (1875 feet) e.l.;
We leave the Lagazuoi area behind and begin the descent towards Rifugio Dibona, located at the foot of the imposing Tofane mountains. From there, we continue our journey until we reach the renowned town of Cortina d’Ampezzo, the venue for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
Departure
Upon request, Holimites can fully customize the itinerary: modify individual stages, shorten or extend the tour, add extra nights, or choose easier or more scenic variants.
Each participant is responsible for carefully evaluating the chosen package and ensuring that it matches their own physical fitness, technical ability, experience, and level of endurance.
By booking, participants confirm that they are in suitable physical and mental condition to safely undertake the activity and that they have understood the characteristics, duration, and difficulty level described in the programme.
Participants are also required to follow all instructions provided by Holimites staff at all times. For safety reasons, Holimites experts may modify, suspend, or interrupt activities.
Holimites cannot be held responsible for accidents, injuries, or damages resulting from failure to follow instructions, inaccurate personal declarations, or participation in activities beyond one’s own capabilities.
Price includes
Price does not include
*Included during the escorted tour
Note:
Supplements
Route Characteristics
The trekking includes medium-length daily stages with significant elevation gain and loss. The route follows well-marked alpine trails, including rocky sections and high mountain passes, and crosses protected natural parks as well as areas of historical interest related to World War I. Overnight stays are in traditional mountain huts, immersed in nature.
Who is it suitable for
This trekking is suitable for hikers with good physical fitness and previous mountain trekking experience. It is also ideal for first-time visitors to the Dolomites who wish to discover the region’s must-see landscapes, as well as for travelers looking for a moderately challenging hut-to-hut experience without technical difficulties.
No technical or mountaineering skills are required, but good physical condition is essential due to the length of the stages and overall elevation gain.
Arrival
Holimites supports you in planning your arrival and departure, helping you choose the simplest and most convenient travel solution to reach the Dolomites.
We can assist you with:
This way you can start your mountain holiday without worries, right from the very beginning.
Is some training necessary before participating in this trekking tour?
Yes, it is highly recommended. Sore legs, blisters, or other ailments related to walking after the first stage can possibly ruin the entire week for someone. The Alta Via is suited for people that are already strong walkers that can manage treks with fully packed backpacks.
Participating in a trekking group requires having to keep up a certain pace in order to finish the scheduled stages. If your legs are shutting down or your physical preparedness is constraining the rest of the group to slow down and making group compatibility problematic, your tour escort may decide you need to tone down, leaving the pack. Your alternatives in this case are:
a) to shuttle throughout the day on the service van, each day, to the next hut or
b) to take a shuttle 'bump up' to the last hotel, where you can finish your vacation doing some great day hikes.
Are there minimum skills requested?
It is absolutely necessary to have some trekking experience on mountain trails and exposed sections. A good ability to read maps and use a compass is a must. If a partecipant should have difficulty to be able to finish the stages, the guide can decide whether it makes sense to continue the tour (alternatives) or break of the tour.
What happens in the case of bad weather?
Sir Alan Flemming once stated: “There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing”. But, it’s surely possible that bad weather conditions may prohibit our planned tour in some cases. If this happens to
be the case, a phone call to our office from the hut you are staying at is all that’s needed. We will gladly reorganize all of the upcoming stages of your trekking tour so that you can arrive as planned at the end of the
Alta Via; even if you have to take a 1 day break to allow weather conditions to clear up.
I have some Issues with elevation, is that a problem?
The runs each day are between 1.500 and 2.300 meters altitude (between 4,900 and 7,500 feet). In addition, the huts for the overnight stays are above 2000 meters (6,600 feet) If you have trouble with high elevations,
please consult a doctor or medical professional for their expert opinion before booking this trip.
I want do to a self-guided trekking. Are the trails well marked?
Yes, the trails are well marked, but it‘s important to pay attention and be sure to stay on the correct path. During the briefing a local trail expert will explain you every stage exactly.
The programs on the catalog don‘t match my expectations. Are there alternative offers?
On request, Holimites can customize a program for you. Is the tour too long or the stages to challenging? Do you prefer a different itinerary? Would you like to book some extra days to relax in the hotel or on a mountain hut? Just send us a request and we will do our best to meet your needs.
Should I expect to climb a Via Ferrata?
Our standard programs don't include a Via Ferrata. But gladly we can organize one for you with a certified IFMGA-UIAGM Alpine Guide. There is the opportunity to do the Via Ferrata during a stage or you can add an extra day at the beginning or at the end of your tour.
Overnight stay on the mountain huts...
You will be surprised of how lovely our mountain huts are. However, they have to be considered a rifugio in the mountains and not a hotel. So you won’t find all the luxury features you find in the towns.
In the huts there are blankets and pillows. We suggest to bring sleeping bags inlay with you.
All hotels and huts are well informed about dietary restrictions, like gluten or lactose intolerance. Everywhere you will find a vegetarian or vegan alternative.
Not all huts accept credit cards. So we suggest to bring some cash with you, to pay drinks, snacks or extras which are not included in the offer.
Where can we have lunch during the trekking?
For lunch, you can stop at one of the mountain huts and try some local specialities. Alternatively, you can request a packed lunch from the hut where you stayed the previous night.
What about dinner?
All the mountain huts where you'll be staying offer dinner service, which you can decide to join on the same day.
When you'll stay in a hotel you have the option to dine at the hotel's restaurant or, if you prefer, explore the town to find a restaurant that suits your taste.
Dates
