Trekking Dolomites
Alta Via 1

Trekking Alta Via #1 on the Dolomites begins at the idyllic Braies Lake and, after 9 days of hiking, ends in the city of Belluno in the Veneto region. It covers 120 km of terrain and 7,500 m of elevation gain.

Holimites organize all the logistics, which includes booking all mountain huts and hotels, as well as various transfers.
On the first evening, a local trail expert will brief the group, and provide all necessary maps and plenty of useful information to complete the hike in the best way.

Length 10 nights

Level °°°°

Arrival in Alta Badia: meet and greet in Badia and briefing with one of our local trail experts. Dinner and overnight stay in hotel.

1st day: approx. 9,5 km (5,9 miles) with +980 m (3220 feet) elevation gain.; -320 m (1050 feet) elevation loss

Transfer to the start of AltaVia. Starting from the idyllic Braies lake, you walk along a panoramic path that leads you to the Fanes - Sennes - Braies Natural Park. Dinner and overnight stay in hut.

2nd day: approx. 10,2 km (6,4 miles) with +560 m (1800 feet) e. g.; -650 m (2100 feet) e. l.

From Sennes hut descend, through large pastures, to the plateau where the Pederù hut is located, and then climb into the realm of marmots, the Fanes. Dinner and overnight stay in hut.

3rd day: approx. 15 km (9,5 miles) with +1.250 m (4100 feet) e. g.;

-570 m (1900 feet) e. l.

Starting from the heart of the Natural Park, go up to the Forcella del Lago from where you can admire a beautiful view of the Lagazuoi lake. From the lake we start again the climb towards the Lagazuoi, one of the most panoramic places, which offers a unique terrace on the Dolomites. Dinner and overnight stay in hut.

4th day: approx. 11,5 km (7,2 miles) with +550 m (1800 feet) e. g.; -1.100 m (3600 feet) e. l.

Leaving the Lagazuoi behind, cross the area of the 5 Torri, one of the most beautiful and characteristic of Cortina D'Ampezzo, to reach the Giau pass. Dinner and overnight stay in hut.

5th day: approx. 13 km (8 miles) with +450 m (1500 feet) e. g.; -1.000 m (3300 feet) e. l.

From Giau pass, crossing the imposing vertical walls of Lastoi di Formin and Becco di Mezzodì, to Passo Staulanza. Dinner and overnight stay in hut.

6th day: approx. 11 km (7 miles) with +950 m (3100 feet) e. g.; -500 m (1600 feet) e. l.

From Staulanza hut you remain at the foot of the Civetta group passing through the beautiful Coldai lake. The day ends at the Tissi hut. Dinner and overnight stay in hut.

7th day: approx. 16,5 km (10,3 miles) with +1.050 m (3400 feet) e. g.; -1.700 m (5600 feet) e. l.

Start from the Tissi hut, with a beautiful view of Alleghe lake, through the Zoldo Dolomites until Passo Duran. Dinner and overnight stay in hut.

8th day: approx. 16 km (10 miles) with +1.200 m (3900 feet) e. g.; -1.100 m (3600 feet) e. l.

Starting from San Sebastiano hut, through the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park, we reach the Pian de Fontana hut. Dinner and overnight stay in hut.

9th day: approx. 12 km (7,5 miles) with +550 m (1800 feet) e. g.; -1.700 m (5600 feet) e. l.

On the last day of trekking we arrive at the main street to Belluno where a public transfer will take you to Belluno. Overnight stay in hotel.

10th day: Departure.

*During the escorted tour you will return back to Badia by car with overnight stay in hotel with halfboard and final greetings.

Upon request, we will organize your transfer from Belluno to Alta Badia, any city or airport.

The program can be personalized! We can modify the single stages or shorten and/or extend the duration of the tour.

You have the possibility to do this tour with one of our local tour experts, or, if you prefer, a self-guided tour.

What are the advantages of an escorted tour with a local expert?

• The local expert knows the trails like the back of his hand, and is also well informed about mountains, fauna and flora, and the many traditions of the Dolomites world. Are you already fascinated by the Dolomite legends?
• The tour is enriched with so much knowledge and information.
  ales, stories, and high quantity of tips from locals - from people who grew up here and have much more to tell than the best book.
• Luggage transport from hut to hut is also a big plus.
  You can hike with a small backpack, because your luggage is already waiting for you in the next hut.
• In addition to breakfast and dinner, lunch is also included. Of course, the local expert knows where you get the best dumplings, the most delicious pasta, and the most fluffy cake.
• The weather, or more specifically, bad weather, is not to be underestimated in the mountains, and our local experts have years of experience with it. In case of thunderstorms, rain or even snowfall (yes, even in August it can snow sometimes), they know exactly what to do.
• The correct estimation of the hiking pace is a skill learned over time. When hiking alone, it’s difficult to keep the same pace. This can result in a serious miscalculation of walking time. The guide know exactly when it’s time to take a break, or to push the group with a chocolate bar.
• The community: during our guided tours, people meet who already have something in common from the beginning: the love for nature and being active. The popularity of our guides with the various hut owners can also turn out to be a great benefit (we just say: Grappa!).

ESCORTED TOURS 2024

• June 20th - June 30th
• July 22nd - August 01st
• September 03rd - September 13th

KEEP IT PRIVATE:

Do you want to reserve one of our guided tours exclusively for you and your group of friends? Choose any tour that you like, contact us and remember to tell us how many people are in your group. We will send you a personalized quote based on the number of participants.

SELF-GUIDED TOUR:

from mid June to the beginning of October

If you opt for the self-guided tour, you can choose your preferred travel time.
Send us you estimated dates of arrival/departure and we will send you a detailed offer.

ARRIVAL:

Holimites is keen to help you plan and organize your arrival and departure. Together we will find the best travel solution, and we will help you to book bus or train tickets, arrange the car rental, or book a private transfer service.

Here you will find more information about travel to the Dolomites.

We recommend arriving in the Dolomites one/two days prior to your tour departure to acclimatize and adjust to the time change.

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

• Bookings of all accommodations
• 9 nights accommodation with Half Board (breakfast + dinner)
• 1 night accommodation with breakfast in Belluno
• Transfer to Lago di Braies

• Detailed hiking map and roadbook

• Briefing with one of our local trail experts
• All taxes
• Holimites souvenir

*INCLUDED DURING THE ESCORTED TOUR

• All services mentioned under "included in the price"

• 10 nights accommodation with Half Board (breakfast + dinner)

• Local tour escort at your disposal during the tour
• Lunch in mountain huts (starter or main dish)
• Luggage transfer form hut to hut 
• Transfer from the end of the trekking back to Badia
• Maps and roadbooks are not included during the escorted tour

THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

• Beverages and anything not mentioned under “Included in the price”

• Cancellation insurance

EXTRAS

• Extra days: € 115,00 per person and night

• Single room: € 120,00 (available only in hotels, not in huts)
• Mid season (End of August until mid of September): € 80,00 per person
• High season (July and August): € 120,00 per person

I have some Issues with elevation, is that a problem?
The runs each day are between 1.500 and 2.300 meters altitude (between 4900 and 7500 feet). In addition, the huts for the overnight stays are above 2.100 meters (6900 feet). If you have trouble with high elevations, please consult a doctor or medical professional for their expert opinion before booking this trip.

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 you don’t feel confident with this minimum skills you can learn this on the guided trekking during the special week.
 
Is some training necessary before partecipating 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.

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.

What specific clothing do you recommend?
We suggest you always carry a light hydration pack with a few layers such as a light insulation jacket, gloves and a hat. Also, keep in mind that the weather in the mountains can quickly change. If your offer includes baggage transfer, we suggest you to pack some warmer and comfortable clothing, which can be left in your bag that we will transfer for you from hut to hut.

Is the Alta Via #1 easier as the program of "The Best of AV #1 & #2"?
Do not be fooled from the total of km (miles) of each stage. The AV #1 is quite more challenging because of the difference in altitude and the number of trekking days. If you have never been into the Dolomites, we recommend to start with our "The Best of AV #1 & #2" trekking program. This program combines the most beautiful spots of the two Alta Via.
 
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.

What about having lunch in the mountains?
For lunch you can stop in one of the huts to taste some traditional food or you have the possibility to buy a lunch package in the hut where you overnight.