The Alta Via 1 (High Route 1) is THE classic multi-day trek in the Dolomites: 150km from Lago di Braies (the turquoise lake in South Tyrol) to La Pissa (near Belluno), passing beneath the Fanes, Lagazuoi, Cinque Torri, Nuvolau, Civetta, and Moiazza groups. The route takes 10-12 days, sleeping in mountain rifugi (huts) that serve hot meals, cold beer, and the particular satisfaction of arriving somewhere by foot that a car cannot reach. The scenery is, by broad consensus, the most spectacular mountain landscape in Europe: vertical rock towers, alpine meadows, glacial lakes, World War I trenches (the Dolomites were a frontline), and the particular Dolomite quality of rock that changes from grey to gold to pink to crimson as the sun moves. Dolomites guide →
Plan my Dolomites trek →Stage 1-3: Lago di Braies → Rifugio Biella (Fanes): Start at the iconic turquoise lake. Enter the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Natural Park — high plateaus, alpine meadows, the Fanes legend (the Dolomite Atlantis). Stage 4-5: Fanes → Rifugio Lagazuoi (2,752m): The WWI section — the Lagazuoi tunnel system (Austrian-Italian frontline) is a haunting underground network of galleries, now visitable. The rifugio terrace view is one of the most famous in the Dolomites. Stage 6-7: Lagazuoi → Nuvolau → Rifugio Città di Fiume: Cinque Torri (five rock towers), the Nuvolau summit (2,575m — 360° panorama of the entire Dolomite range), descent past the Pelmo. Stage 8-10: Civetta → Moiazza → Rifugio Pramperet: The most demanding section — exposed scrambling beneath the massive Civetta north wall (3,220m). Stage 11-12: Descent to Belluno.
Distance: ~150km. Duration: 10-12 days. Difficulty: demanding — some sections require scrambling (Grade I-II), short aided sections (via ferrata equipment recommended for Civetta section). Good fitness and mountain experience required. Season: late June to mid-September (rifugi open, snow cleared). July-August: busiest. September: quieter, cooler, autumn colors. Rifugi: Book ahead in July-August (€45-70 half-board — dinner + breakfast + bed in shared dorm). Gear: hiking boots (broken in), layers, rain gear, headlamp, basic via ferrata set (harness + helmet for the Civetta section), 30L pack. Luggage: NO luggage transfer on this route — carry everything. Getting to Lago di Braies: Bus from Villabassa station (Val Pusteria/Puster Valley line). Getting from Belluno: Train to Venice (2h) or Padova. Guidebook: Cicerone "Trekking in the Dolomites: Alta Via 1" (essential). Maps: Tabacco 1:25,000 sheets 03, 015, 025.