Alta Via 1
Alta Via 1 (also known as the Dolomite High Route 1, or in German, Dolomiten Höhenweg) is a long-distance hiking trail through the Italian Dolomites, in the Trentino-Alto Adige and Veneto regions of northeastern Italy. Running approximately 120 km from Lago di Braies in the north to Belluno in the south, it is one the finest and most accessible of the eight Alta Via routes, passing through some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the Alps.
Understand"Alta Via" literally means "high route" in Italian — and the name is apt. Large stretches of the trail run above 2,000 m, with the highest point at Rifugio Lagazuoi (2,752 m).
PrepareNo permits are required to hike the Alta Via 1. However, advance booking of rifugios is essential — this is the single most important logistical task. The trail's popularity means that mountain huts fill up rapidly.
Get inThe northern terminus is at Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee), 1,494 m, in South Tyrol.
WalkThe AV1 is typically walked north to south in 10–11 stages.
Stay safeThe mountains don't care about your schedule. Storms can roll in within an hour of a clear morning, bringing lightning, near-zero visibility, and temperatures cold enough to cause real problems.
Go nextFrom Belluno, train and bus services connect to Venice (approximately 1.5–2 hours) and Treviso — both are natural endpoints for a Dolomites trip and excellent cities to spend a few days recovering.
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Alta Via 1" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0