Overview
Known for its endless sceneries of high-mountain pastures surrounded by jagged peaks and vertical walls, the Dolomites will reveal one of Europe’s most unique landscapes. Once a battleground, the region is now one of the most visited and accessible hiking destinations, attracting adventure travellers worldwide. The Alta Via 1 route is known as the classical path revealing the best sceneries and iconic peaks of the region, as each of its stages reveals areas of exceptional natural beauty, history and genuine local culture.
- The Dolomites – UNESCO world natural heritage site
- Alpine sceneries
- Mountain Lakes
- Cortina d’Ampezzo, the pearl of the Dolomites
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Niederdorf/Villabassa or Toblach/ Dobbiaco
Individual arrival at the hotel in Alta Pusteria. In case you arrive with a car, there is an option for a free unguarded parking lot near the hotel.
- Overnight in Dobbiaco/Toblach or Villabassa/Niederdorf
Day 2: Lake Pragser Wildsee – San Vigilio/St. Vigil | 16km
Starting at the pearl of the Dolomite lakes, the lake Pragser Wildsee (1,494m), you hike through the romantic area of the nature park Fanes-Sennes-Prags, one of the largest protected areas of South Tyrol. In the shade of the impressive mountain massif Seekofel, you will reach the high alpine pasture Fojedöra. Stop and enjoy the homemade bread and the tasty alpine cheese. Through the lonely high valley, you hike past the lake Hochalpensee and finally reach the highest point. Far down in the valley, you can already see the villages of the Gadertal.
- Walking for the day: approx. 16km, 5-6h, ↑ 800m ↓1,100m
- Overnight in San Vigilio
Day 3: San Vigilio/St. Vigil – Badia/Abtei | 17km
The cable car Piz de Plaies takes you from San Vigilo to the starting point. The path leads through light woodland and meadows to Piz de Corn; the mountain Peitlerkofel is located on the opposite side. You hike onto the saddle Ritjoch and cross the mountaineering village of La Val. The mighty flanks of the mountain Heiligkreuzkofel are constantly in sight. At the foot of the peaks Neuner and Zehnerspitze, you reach the shelter Heiligkreuz. After a short descent, you take the cable car to Badia.
- Walking for the day: approx. 17km, 6h, ↑1,170m ↓770m
- Overnight in Badia
Day 4: Badia/Abtei – San Cassiano/St. Kassian | 8-10km
The cable car takes you up to the pretty alpine huts above Abtei. You will enjoy magnificent views of the Sella, Puez Group, Peitlerkofel and Kreuzkofel. You hike through larch and pine forests in the direction of St. Kassian. On the way, you will pass “viles”, as the original settlements of the Gadertal valley are called.
- Walking for the day: 8-10km, approx. 5-6h, ↑17 m ↓660m
- Overnight in San Cassiano
Day 5: San Cassiano/St. Kassian – Cortina d’Ampezzo | 17-21km
You start today’s hiking trip from the hotel. At first, the path continues along the valley floor to the Capanna Alpina. In the shade of the majestic Fanes and Conturines peaks, you hike to the Scottoni refuge. From here, the path goes through a rocky gorge that leads to one of the pearls of Alta Badia/Abtei: Lake Lagazuoi. It is a small, crystal-clear mountain lake at the foot of the Scottoni peak. You hike along the Dolomite High Trail to the saddle of the mountain massif Lagazuoi. You can take the cable car directly from the summit to the Falzarego Pass and continue by bus to Cortina. Below the Tofanen, you hike to Pocol, and from there, you reach Cortina by bus
- Walking for the day St. Kassian – Falzarego Pass: 17-21km, approx. 5-6h ↑1,150m ↓590m
- Walking for the day (longer option): approx. 7-8h, ↑1,100m ↓1,100m
- Overnight in Cortina d’Ampezzo
Day 6: Cortina d’Ampezzo – Son Forca – Ospitale – Hochpustertal | 17km
The last day of hiking starts in the centre of Cortina d’Ampezzo. Walk through woodland and meadows until you reach Rifugio Mietres. The trail becomes steeper and will take you to the Forcella Zumèles, where the wonderful panorama compensates for your efforts and forms a wonderful end to your hike. It is almost all downhill through the idyllic Val Padeon to the end of the stage in Ospitale. Continue by public bus to Alta Pusteria.
- Walking for the day: 17km, approx. 5-6h, ↑970m ↓720m
- Overnight in Dobbiaco/Toblach or Villabassa/Niederdorf
Day 7: Departure
Individual departure or possibility to extend your stay.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation in 3-star hotels. We have carefully hand-picked all places and regularly monitor their quality. We have tried to choose accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.
Meals
Breakfast is always included. No picnic lunches are included in the tour price, but these can be prepared for you by the accommodation owners, or products for picnics can be purchased in the villages where you will be staying. On some occasions, you have the option of having your lunch in a restaurant along the way.
Difficulty and terrain
This is a moderate tour suitable for those with some experience of walking in the mountains and a good general physical condition. Mostly moderate walks on well-maintained paths. You should be able to walk for up to 5-7h a day (read more about difficulty grades). The hiking route runs along marked mountain paths and hiking trails. The tour is suitable for anyone in good basic physical condition. Climbing experience is not necessary! This hiking tour is suitable for children from the age of 16. We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never try to shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available between 25 June – 23 July 2023 and 20 August – 10 September, with departures on Wednesday and Sunday only. Departures on other days are possible for min. 5 people on request.
Dolomites’ summers are mild, with average monthly maximum temperatures in July and August rarely much over 25C and averages of around 20C in June and September. The best time to walk in the Dolomites is between mid-June and mid-September as this is when it is most likely to be free of snow, the weather is at its best, the hotels, mountain refuges and restaurants are open, and the ski lifts and public transport services are running. Mid-June to early July is the best time for flower lovers, with the full range of Alpine flowers in bloom. August is a very busy month, and you will be more likely to find a lot of people on the footpaths and around the refugees. Late September is a particularly beautiful time in the Dolomites with the changing colours of the mountain forests and the footpaths all to yourselves. Please note that availability may be limited during big events such as the Dolomites Marathon in the first half of July.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airports for this tour are Innsbruck, Sant’ Angelo – Antonio Canova in Treviso and Marco Polo in Venice.
By train or bus
- By car: On the motorway Brenner/Brennero (A22) to Brixen/Bressanone – take the exit Vahrn/Varna, then along the valley Pustertal/Valle Pusteria (SS49) to Niederdorf/Villabassa or Toblach/Dobbiaco, depending on the location of your hotel. Another option would be to drive along the Felbertauernstraße to Lienz in Eastern Tyrol (Austria) and then further into Italy through the valley Pustertal/Valle Pusteria to Toblach/Dobbiaco or Niederdorf/Villabassa, depending on the location of your hotel. Free unattended parking facilities for the duration of the hiking tour at a nearby public parking area.
- By train: Take the train from Innsbruck over the Brenner/Brennero to Franzensfeste/Fortezza. Change trains for the Pustertal/Valle Pusteria – Lienz and get off either at Niederdorf/Villabassa or Toblach/Dobbiaco, depending on the location of your hotel. For more details, visit DB, ÖBB, Trenitalia or use the Omio planner above.
Inclusions
Included
- Accommodation in private ensuite rooms
- Breakfast
- Tickets for transfers according to the programme
- Luggage transfer when changing hotels
- Detailed documents (route notes and maps – 1 x per room) and Navigation app
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Cable car St. Kassian and Falzarego Pass, Busticket to Cortina and Toblach/Niederdorf
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
Options, extras and supplements
- A supplement applies to members of a group who require a single room
- This holiday is NOT available for solo travellers
- Private airport transfers
- Extra nights in Villabassa/Dobbiaco
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