Sold Out 2025, Early Bird 2026

Alta Via 1 Self-Guided Hike

10 days / 9 nights

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Explore the breathtaking Dolomites, Italy’s most captivating mountain range, on a self-guided hut-to-hut hike along the iconic Alta Via 1 alpine trail.

Starting point

Lago di Braies

Finish point

La Stanga

Season

From July to September

Technical level

3/5

Fitness level

3/5

Tour type

Hut-to-Hut

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  • Complete the famous Alta Via 1 hut-to-hut hiking trail in its entirety across nine days
  • Hike through the most picturesque places in the Dolomites
  • Visit two iconic mountain passes above Cortina d’Ampezzo – Passo Giau and Falzarego Pass
  • Sleep in authentic ‘rifugios’ and enjoy the traditional local cuisine
  • Discover World War I remnants

What’s included in the price?

Self-guided

9 nights in (mountain) huts with half-board
Digital guidebook with itinerary, route instructions, and practical information
GPS navigation with an easy-to-use app
Tour design and organization
Service and support during your hike

NOT INCLUDED

Tourist tax

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Additional transfers
Airport transfer
Airport transfer from Venice Airport to Cortina d'Ampezzo (1-3 pax)
Airport transfer from Venice Airport to Cortina d'Ampezzo (4-8 pax)
Extra nights
Private rooms
Transfer from Cortina d'Ampezzo to the starting point (1-3 pax)
Transfer from Cortina d'Ampezzo to the starting point (4-8 pax)

What to bring to the tour

  • Hiking shoes/boots
  • 25 to 45-liter backpack
  • Base layer
  • Sports T-shirts
  • Hiking shorts
  • Hiking water-repellent pants
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Midlayer
  • Sports socks and underwear
  • Leisurewear for evenings
  • Down jacket
  • Gloves
  • Shade hat/cap
  • Warm headwear
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Headlamp
  • Hiking poles
  • ID card or passport
  • Snacks
  • Cash
  • Water bottles or hydration pack
  • Sleeping liner
  • Toiletries
  • Toilet paper
  • Small first aid kit

The Alta Via 1 trail that passes through the Dolomites showcases Italy's most beautiful mountain scenery. The landscape is known for its abnormal natural beauty and somewhat dark history. Many scenic places, such as the Falzarego mountain pass, bear the scars of World War I battles.

Unlike its sister, Alta Via 2, it is appropriate for every regular hiker, overcoming 120 kilometers and 6700 meters of elevation across nine stages. From its beginning at Lago di Braies to its conclusion in La Stanga, Alta Via 1 feels like an experience that transcends everything you thought was possible.

From the scenic alpine meadows at Passo Giau to the redoubtable face of Monte Civetta and rock-formed towers of Cinque Torri, a hiker can be afraid to blink lest they miss something.

On Alta Via 1, hikers often walk well away from civilization, meaning your only chance of experiencing the trail as you should, is by sleeping in the mountain huts along the way. Or, as Italians call them, 'rifugios'.

An authentic mountain lodge high up in the Alps with homemade Italian dishes and enough comfort for a good night’s sleep – what more could a tired trekker seek? Our Alta Via 1 hut-to-hut tour includes all rifugio bookings, and we equip you with a precise GPS track of the planned route.

You will not miss any landmarks either, as our digital guidebook with the itinerary includes a highlights section for every day. If you feel like you would still prefer a guide by your side, you can check out out Alta Via 1 - Guided Hike.

Reinhold Messner once said that every mountain in the Dolomites is like a piece of art. And to say he saw many is an understatement. Is that really something you can afford to miss during your lifetime?

For those who find themselves a bit short on time, we've also created an Alta Via 1 Highlights tour to ensure you can walk the best of this iconic trail in only 4 days!

Frequently Asked Questions

The ideal time for hut-to-hut hiking across Europe generally falls between mid-June and late September. However, this can vary depending on the region and the specific trail you’re considering. Elevations and local climate conditions play a role, particularly for trails that cross higher mountain ranges. Always research the current conditions for your chosen route before setting out, and be aware that many mountain huts operate only within the main hiking season, limiting the feasibility of multi-day excursions outside this timeframe.

We’ve rated our tours on a difficulty scale from 1 to 5 — with 1 being the easiest and 5 the most difficult.

The difficulty level of a tour tells you how fit you need to be and how much hiking is involved. Most of our tours are appropriate for people who are regularly active and can hike for about five to seven hours per day.

Technical difficulty means how skilled you need to be to hike on the path. Level 1 means the trail is smooth and wide (like a gravel road), while 5 means the surface is uneven and exposed, and you have to use your hands to help yourself move forward. In practice, that means that the higher the level, the more surefooted and skilled in scrambling you need to be.

You should book your tour as soon as possible, as many accommodations along the trail fill up quickly. That way, you can ensure that you have a place to stay.

In case of an injury, it is best to call the local emergency services. You might find yourself in the wilderness, unable to continue without worsening your situation.

Do not worry too much, though. You will be hiking along popular trails, so you will not get stranded even if something happens.

On the other hand, if you feel too tired to continue hiking, you can always stop in any of the towns and villages along the way and use public transport to get to where you want to be.

Most huts along our hut-to-hut hikes are equipped with showers, but they might be a matter of whether there has been any rainfall lately. Do not expect too much, as mountain huts are not luxurious hotels.

No. The huts provide blankets and pillows for comfort. However, you should bring your sleeping liner so they will not have to wash their bed linen every day.

Cell reception is unreliable in the mountains. If you can see a town, you will likely have a reception. The same goes for mountain huts. If you cannot get it inside, try stepping outside. Wifi is available only at select lodges; most do not have it.

If you dress appropriately, most stages can be done even in light rain. However, if a storm is forecasted, do not hike. In that case, you should wait until the storm passes, even if that means spending a day at the hut.

Ratings & Reviews

Google Reviews

5.0 average rating

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Sienna Heath

Verified customer · 2 months ago

I could not recommend Hut to Hut enough. I am a young, solo female traveller and Hut to Hut made the whole experience so easy and comfortable. The instructions, guide and all provided applications are very straightforward and easy to follow, and if there are any issues their customer service is amazing. And the price is incredibly reasonable with my hike including accomodation and some food.

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All available guidance options

Self-guided

Those who like a good adventure and limitless flexibility should go on a self-guided tour. We prepare the itinerary and book your accommodations while you enjoy the journey without our guide, being fully in charge of all the daily decisions. While you’ll have the full support of our team in case of any emergencies or concerns, a certain level of self-reliance is required.

Hassle-Free

Hassle-Free

We handle itineraries, accommodations, and anything else you prefer not to deal with, so you can enjoy a carefree hike.

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Book with confidence

We are a financially protected company, fully bonded and insured, keeping your money safe and allowing you to travel with confidence.

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Tried & Tested Adventures

Only the best hut to hut hikes in Europe, cherry-picked by our local team with an in-depth knowledge of the region.

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