Trekking the Best of
Alta Via 1&2

The Best of Alta Via #1 and #2 on the Dolomites is a program that – as the name implies – combines the most beautiful tracks of the Dolomites’ Alta Vias.

This hut-to- hut adventure involves trekking through the Dolomites’ legendary mountain groups and their natural parks, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

This 6-day hike covers 75 km and 5,000 m of gain.

Holimites will take care of all accommodation reservations; on the first evening, a local tour escort will brief the group, and provide all maps and necessary information to ensure an enjoyable experience on this fantastic hike.

Length 07 nights or 8 nights (*PLUS)

Level •••: Moderate

• Description: Moderate tour, considering its total length and difficulty, especially in the initial stages.
• Features: The route has moderate elevation changes and extended sections. The ascents and descents require endurance and a steady pace to navigate various types of terrain safely.
• Suitable for: Hikers with decent experience, accustomed to mountain trails, ready to tackle challenging sections and elevation gains. Requires good physical preparation.

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. 17 km (10 miles) with +1.650 m (5420 feet) elevation gain; -900 m (2950 feet) elevation loss.

Starting from Badia, we reach the Santa Croce sanctuary at the bottom of the impressive Sas dla Crusc Mountain. We continue our hike towards the Sant’Antonio Pass and end our first day in the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park.

2nd stage: approx. 12 km (7,5 miles) with +1.100 m (3600 feet) e. g.; -450 m (1480 feet) e. l.

We start in the heart of the nature park and ascend to the Forcella del Lago. From here, we can admire the beautiful Lake Lagazuoi. From the lake, the climb towards Lagazuoi begins, one of the most panoramic places, offering a unique viewing terrace over the Dolomites.

3rd stage: approx. 13,5 km (8,4 miles) with +650 m (2130 feet) e. g.; -1.250 m (4100 feet) e. l.

We leave the Lagazuoi area behind us and hike through tunnels and trenches built during the First World War marking the boundary of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The path continues over the Settsass to the Pralongià plateau, known as the "Amphitheater of the Dolomites" with its blooming meadows.

4th stage: approx. 14,5 km (9 miles) with +950 m (3120 feet) e. g.; -950 m (3120 feet) e. l.

From Pralongià, we head towards the renowned village of Corvara. After exploring the village, we ascend to the pass that separates the Badia Valley from the Gardena Valley, immersing ourselves in the magnificent alpine landscapes.

* Possibility to do this stage at different levels of difficulty

5th stage: approx. 11 km (6,8 miles) with +630 m (2070 feet) e. g.; -710 m (2330 feet) e. l.

From the Gardena Pass, we traverse the Puez-Geisler Nature Park, admiring the majestic Sassongher, until we reach the beautiful Gardenacia area.

* Possibility to do this stage at different levels of difficulty

6th stage: approx. 5 km (3 miles) with +10 m (35 feet) e. g.; -750 m (3460 feet) e. l.

The final stage leads back to Badia, the starting point of the trek. We start from Gardenacia and cross the plateau of the same name, offering a spectacular view of the Dolomites, until we reach Badia. Departure.

*PLUS:

1st day: approx. 9,5 km (5,9 miles) with +980 m (3220 feet) e. g.; -320 m (1050 feet) e. l.

Transfer to Braies Lake, the trailhead of the Alta Via 1. From here to Sennes Natural Park. 

2nd day: approx. 10,2 km (6,4 miles) with +560 m (1840 feet) e. g.; -650 m (2130 feet) e. l.

From Sennes Natural Park to Fanes. 

After the first two days, the *PLUS tour will join the group of the classic tour from their second day on (see 2nd stage from Fanes to Lagazuoi).

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, dinner and lunch are 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 2025

• from June 16th to June 23rd
• from July 21st to July 28th - SOLD OUT
• from September 03rd to September 10th - SOLD OUT
• from September 29th to October 05th

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.

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

• Bookings of all accommodations

• Overnight stay with breakfast
• 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"

• Full board during the stages (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
• Local tour escort at your disposal during the tour
• Luggage transfer form hut to hut 
• Maps and roadbooks are not included during the escorted tour
• Dinner not included during the last stage

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

• Beverages and anything not mentioned under the heading “Included in the price”.
• Cancellation insurance

SUPPLEMENTS

• Extra days: € 130.00 per person and night

• Single room: € 160.00 (available only in hotels, not in huts)
• High season (from the end of June to mid-September): € 150.00 per person
  
  

• *PLUS: 2 additional escorted days with start from the Braies Lake : price on request

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.
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 escorted tour.
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.

I have some issues with elevation, is that a problem?
The treks each day are between 1.500 and 2.300 meters of altitude (between 4,900 and 7,500 feet). In addition, the huts for the overnight stays are above 2100 meters (6,900 feet) If you have trouble with high elevations, please consult a doctor or medical professional for their expert opinion before booking this trip.

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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 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.

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 Holimites 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.