Overview
A seven day, self-guided adventure, hiking Alta Via 1 in the heart of the Dolomites. The clue is in the name, as Alta Via translates as high route, and there are many of them in Italy. Alta Via 1 (AV1) is a world-famous landscape of jagged peaks, dramatic natural sculptures and spectacular alpine trekking. It’s 120km long with 11 stages, and, on this holiday, you cover the Alta Via route’s highlights. These include Cortina d’Ampezzo, which is enveloped by the peaks, hiking across Ritjoch saddle or through Fanes-Senes-Braies Natural Park, home to the famous beauty Braies Lake (Lago di Braies). Staying in three-star hotels throughout, in terms of difficulty, this walking holiday is categorised as moderate, with some strenuous days of up to eight hours of trekking. You don’t want to hurry through these colossal landscapes anyway.
- The Dolomites – UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee)
- Alta Via 1
- Cortina d’Ampezzo
- Dobbiaco
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Alta Pusteria
Arrive in Alta Pusteria also known as Hochpustertal, the German-speaking alpine region in South Tyrol that’s gateway to The Dolomites – UNESCO World Heritage Site. Accommodation for the night is in either Dobbiaco (Toblach) or Villabassa (Niederdorf) depending on availability, and we recommend just strolling around these traditional Tyrolean townsm with muralled buildings and mountain views.
- Accommodation: Hotel Rosengarten or similar in Dobbiaco/Toblach
Day 2: Pragser Wildsee – San Vigilio | 15.5km
Today’s trail starts at Pragser Wildsee (1,494m), and hike through Fanes-Senes-Braies, a nature park and one of the largest protected areas of South Tyrol. Continue along in the shade of Seekofel massif to reach the high alpine pasture Fojedöra. Continue on through the high valley, hiking past Hochalpensee as far as the highest point for the day. This is, not surprisingly, a great view point across the valley to the villages of the Gadertal. End the day in San Vigilio (St.Vigil), a mountain village forming part of Ladinia, where you can experience the ancient Ladin language, folklore and traditional cuisine.
- Walking for the day: 15.5km, 5-6h, ↑ 800m ↓1,100m
- Accommodation: Chalet Corso or similar in San Vigilio
Day 3: San Vigilio – San Cassiano | 16km
Start the day with a ride on Piz de Plaies, the gondola connecting San Vigilo to the starting point of today’s walk. Walk through woodland and meadows to Piz de Corn (1,893m) to take in views of Peitlerkofel (2,875m) on the opposite side. Hike onto Ritjoch Pass and cross the village of La Val, taking in views of Heiligkreuzkofel (2,907m) along the way. At the foot of the peaks Neuner and Zehnerspitze, you come to Heiligkreuz shelter and, after a short descent, take the cable car to Badia. Transfer to San Cassiano (St. Kassian), a traditional village in Alta Badia, with great mountain views.
- Walking for the day: 16km, 6h, ↑960m ↓700m
- Accommodation: Ciasa Ai Pini or similar in San Cassiano
Day 4: Circular walk to Piz Sorega | 12.5km
Today’s circular hike goes from San Cassiano (St. Kassian) up to Piz Sorega and onwards across alpine meadows. Along the way there are numerous places to stop for refreshments and local specialities. Continue towards Pralongià to return to San Cassiano (St. Kassian) for the evening.
- Walking for the day: 12.5km, 4-5h, ↑640m ↓630m
- Accommodation: Ciasa Ai Pini or similar in San Cassiano
Day 5: San Cassiano – Cortina d’Ampezzo | 14/20.5km
Begin along the valley floor to the Capanna Alpina, before the hike to Scottoni refuge in the shadow of two peaks, Fanes and Conturines. Continue on through the rocky gorge to Lake Lagazuoi, a small, crystal-clear mountain lake at the foot of the Mount (Cima) Scottoni where, on a clear day, you can see the reflection of the peaks all around. Next, hike along the Dolomite High Trail to Mount Lagazuoi (2,835m). From here, you can take the cable car directly from the summit to Falzarego Pass and continue by bus to Cortina (cable car and bus payable locally). Alternatively, below the Tofanen, hike to Pocol as far as Cortina by bus (Payable locally). Cortina d’Ampezzo, where the day comes to a close, is an iconic alpine resort nestled in Ampezzo Valley.
- Walking for the day: 14km, 5-6h ↑970m ↓600m or 20.5km, 7-8h, ↑1,050m ↓900m
- Accommodation: Hotel da Beppe Sello or similar in Cortina d’Ampezzo
Day 6: Cortina d’Ampezzo – Alta Pusteria | 15km
Leave Cortina d’Ampezzo and walk through more woodland and meadows, heading to Rifugio Mietres where you get some fantastic views for your last day of hiking. Continue downhill through Val Padeon to the end of the stage in Ospitale. Take the public bus (payable locally) to Alta Pusteria where the walking holiday on Alta Via 1 comes to an end.
- Walking for the day: 15km, 5-6h, ↑970m ↓720m
- Accommodation: Hotel Rosengarten or similar in Dobbiaco
Day 7: Departure
Departure after breakfast.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to natural adventures. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view default hotels
- Hotel Rosengarten (Dobbiaco)
- Chalet Corso (San Vigilio)
- Ciasa Ai Pini (San Cassiano)
- Hotel da Beppe Sello (Cortina d’Ampezzo)
Accommodation is subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel or guesthouse being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included on all days. When no restaurant location is available on the route, lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops, or packed lunch can be pre-ordered from your hotel the night before. Dinner is available either from the restaurant in your accommodation or in local restaurants.
Difficulty and terrain
This holiday is graded moderate and is appropriate for walkers with a good fitness level with daily distances ranging from 14-20km (read more about difficulty grades).
We strongly advise you only to follow marked trails and never try to shorten the path through unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed route notes and maps and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed information on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available in June, July and September, with departures on Monday, Wednesday and Sunday only. Departures on other days are possible for minimum of five people on request.
Please note that the Lavaredo Ultra Trail will take place in Cortina from June 23–26, 2027. During this period, hotel availability will be very limited and supplements will be applied.
This tour has a relatively short walking window, avoiding the last of the snow at higher altitudes, as well as the heat (and hordes) of August and summer storms. For more information, see Best time to go to Italy.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airports for this tour are Innsbruck Airport (INS) and Treviso Sant’ Angelo – Antonio Canova Airport (TSF).
By train or bus
- Arrival by air: from Innsbruck, take the train and connect in Brenner to reach Dobbiaco. From Venice airports there are frequent buses and trains. Alternatively airport transfers can be arranged.
- 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
- 6 nights accommodation
- 6 breakfasts
- Luggage transfers (one piece per person, max 20kg)
- Tickets for transfers according to the programme
- Videobriefing
- Detailed documents (route notes and maps – one per room)
- Access to a 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, bus ticket 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
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Private airport transfers
- Extra nights in Villabassa/Dobbiaco
