Alta Via 1

Expert Logistics: In 2026, the Braies valley was reachable from 09:00 to 16:00 only by public transport, on foot or by bike, from 1 July to 15 September. To reach the trailhead, the bus must be reserved and paid for online (details in the logistics box above).

The journey commences at the shores of Lago di Braies. This initial section follows the eastern bank of the lake before transitioning into a rigorous ascent toward the heart of the Braies Dolomites. The trail climbs steadily through thickets of mountain pine, eventually entering the rugged and stony terrain of the Nabige Loch.

A final, demanding stretch over steep scree slopes leads to the Forcella Sora Forno pass. At this vantage point, the scenery shifts dramatically from the lush valley below to the stark, expansive limestone plateau of Fanes-Sennes-Prags. An optional detour from the pass allows for a one-hour climb to the summit of Croda del Becco and offering panoramic views of the surrounding peaks. The stage concludes with a straightforward descent across the high alpine pastures to reach Rifugio Sennes

The V-Shaped Profile: This stage explores a region defined by sharp geological transitions, characterized by a massive drop and immediate climb.

The day opens on the broad, undulating pastures of the Sennes plateau, where the trail meanders toward the southern rim of this high-altitude basin. Here, the geography shifts abruptly as the path begins a plummeting descent into the Val de Mareo. Hikers navigate a historic military road, comprised of tightly woven switchbacks that carve a steep passage down the mountainside. This rigorous section drops all the way to Rifugio Pederü, a strategic stop located on the valley floor.

Leaving the valley behind, the trail immediately commences a steady climb back into the high country. The route weaves through thick forests of mountain pine and larch, offering cool, shaded paths before the trees give way to the stark beauty of the higher elevations. This upper reach is dominated by the Karst limestone formations that make the region famous. The rock here is fractured and weathered into a lunar-like pavement, creating a fractured grey landscape that stands in sharp relief against the surrounding summits.

The ascent eventually yields to the lush, rolling greenery of the Fanes plateau, a place deeply embedded in local Ladin mythology. Often described as a grand natural amphitheater, the plateau is traversed via the Vara valley, leading toward the day's conclusion. The path terminates at either the historic Rifugio Fanes or the neighboring Rifugio Lavarella. These refuges are nestled within a sheltered basin, flanked by the massive limestone walls of the Croda del Vallon Bianco and the Cime di Fanes. The stage ends in this tranquil high-altitude sanctuary.

The Vertical Challenge: Prepare yourself physically for this stage. It features the most grueling vertical ascent of the northern route, testing your endurance over a massive 1,350 m4,429 ft climb.

Rising from the tranquil meadows of the Fanes plateau, the route ventures into a landscape characterized by its raw, elemental beauty. The path climbs steadily toward the Passo Limo, passing its namesake lake before opening into the Pian de Gran Fanes. This vast, high-altitude basin serves as a wilderness of rock and sparse vegetation, where the trail follows the contours of a rugged terrain that feels increasingly remote. A long, sustained descent follows, leading hikers down through the Val di Fanes toward the trailhead at Capanna Alpina.

From the valley floor, the character of the day shifts toward a rigorous and steep ascent. The path climbs toward Rifugio Scotoni, a mountain hut nestled within a sheer-walled limestone amphitheater. Beyond this point, the terrain becomes increasingly vertical as the trail scales the headwall to reach the Lago di Lagacio, a striking turquoise alpine lake hidden beneath the peaks. The water provides a brief moment of serenity before the final, grueling push. Hikers must navigate a relentless series of switchbacks across a steep scree slope to reach the Forcella Lagazuoi, a narrow mountain pass that serves as the gateway to the summit ridge.

The stage culminates at Rifugio Lagazuoi, perched precariously at an elevation of 2,752 m9,029 ft. It offers a 360-degree panorama that encompasses the Tofane, the Marmolada glacier, and the Sella Group. The place also carries a profound historical weight. The surrounding cliffs are honeycombed with tunnels, turning the summit into an open-air museum where the stark beauty of the peaks meets the remnants of human history.

Descending from the high-altitude stronghold of Lagazuoi, the route immediately enters a realm of deep historical significance. Historic Detour: Hikers may choose between a panoramic descent over open slopes or an immersive passage through the Galleria del Lagazuoi, a complex system of tunnels carved into the mountain. For this subterranean path, a helmet and torch are recommended to navigate the steep, narrow galleries within the mountain's heart.

Upon reaching Passo Falzarego, the trail crosses the mountain pass and transitions into soft alpine meadows, beginning a steady climb toward the distinct geological formations of the Cinque Torri. The path weaves directly between these five limestone towers, providing an intimate perspective of the vertical rock faces and the nearby open-air war museum. This area showcases a stark contrast between the natural beauty of the stone and the remnants of military history.

The ascent continues toward the Forcella Nuvolau, passing Rifugio Averau, which sits nestled between the peaks of Averau and Nuvolau. This high-altitude refuge serves as a brief pause before the final climb of the day. The stage culminates with a trek along a narrow, rocky ridge to reach Rifugio Nuvolau. This historic hut is famously perched on the edge of a vertical precipice, resembling an eagle's nest. From this unparalleled vantage point, the horizon is dominated by the Marmolada, the Sella Group, and the Tofana di Rozes, offering one of the most expansive and iconic panoramas in the entire Dolomites region.

Knee Protection Warning: Prepare for a massive 1,200 m3,937 ft of descent today.

The Italian Alpine Club describes this part of the route via Rifugio Croda da Lago: a stage from Rifugio Cinque Torri to Rifugio Croda da Lago, then from Rifugio Croda da Lago to Rifugio Passo Staulanza. Distance, duration and ascent/descent for the day are those of the page's GPX track.

The day ends at Rifugio Passo Staulanza, in the saddle between Monte Pelmo and the Civetta.

Leaving Passo Staulanza, the trail climbs through larch woods and pastures beneath the western flank of the Civetta to Rifugio Sonino al Coldai. A short climb above the hut leads to Lago Coldai, a small alpine lake tucked under the ridge.

Beyond the lake, the path crosses the Forcella Coldai and traverses below the north-west face of the Civetta, one of the great walls of the Dolomites. Rifugio Tissi, a short detour above the trail on the Col Rean, looks straight at it.

The Italian Alpine Club ends the stage at Rifugio Tissi; the page's track continues through the Val Civetta to Rifugio Vazzoler, set in the woods beneath the Torre Venezia and the Torre Trieste.

Navigating the southern reaches of the Civetta massif, the trail transitions from the towering verticality of the central peaks toward the rugged complexity of the Moiazza group. The path winds through a series of jagged towers and deep gullies, characterized by an undulating course that demands constant attention. This section leads across the Masks of Moiazza, where vast fields of scree and shattered rock accumulate directly beneath the looming limestone cliffs. While the horizontal distance covered is relatively short, the technical nature of the uneven footing ensures a steady and engaging pace through this primitive environment.

The terrain eventually yields as the trail descends toward Passo Duran, where the section of the Alta Via 1 crossing the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park begins. The Italian Alpine Club does not list the pass among its stages: it goes from Rifugio Tissi to Rifugio Carestiato, which the page's track reaches beyond the pass. The refuge is located in a prime position at the base of the massive Moiazza Sud walls, providing a striking contrast between the vertical rock and the softening green slopes below.

The stage concludes with an expansive view toward the south, where the horizon is defined by the wild and jagged silhouettes of the Dolomiti Bellunesi. This transition marks a shift in the landscape, as the massive, isolated blocks of the central Dolomites give way to the more fractured and less-traveled ranges of the southern frontier. The refuge offers a peaceful vantage point to observe the changing light on the surrounding peaks, serving as a tranquil resting place before the final segments of the journey.

Crossing into the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park marks a definitive transition into a landscape that feels significantly wilder, greener, and more solitary than the northern reaches of the route. The journey begins with an extensive traverse around the southern flanks of the Moiazza, where the trail navigates through a rugged environment of weathered rock and expanding alpine flora. This path leads toward the base of the Cime de Zita, where the terrain shifts abruptly into a rigorous and technically demanding ascent. The trail climbs steeply toward the Forcella de Zita Sud, providing a high-mountain experience characterized by narrow, exposed sections of ridge walking. With precipitous drops on either side, this passage offers dramatic, unobstructed vistas of the surrounding wilderness and the deep, silent valleys below.

Upon cresting the ridge, the character of the trek shifts as the path plunges down a very steep, grassy incline into the heart of a spectacular glacial cirque. This natural amphitheater, known as the Van de Zita, is a place of profound stillness and natural beauty, where the sheer scale of the surrounding peaks creates a sense of total isolation. The descent continues through these ancient glacial features, following the natural contours of the basin before the terrain begins to level out. The day concludes at the remote and charming Rifugio Pian de Fontana. Perched amidst lush alpine slopes, the refuge serves as a peaceful sanctuary and offers a sense of deep immersion in the southern frontier of the Dolomites.

Winding away from the secluded meadows of Pian de Fontana, the route begins a long and steady descent that signals the transition from the high peaks back toward the valley floor. The trail drops steeply through ancient, shaded beech forests that characterize the lower elevations of the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park. This woodland section leads into the Val Vescovà, where the air becomes warmer and the landscape increasingly lush. After a sustained descent, the forest opens into a peaceful clearing to reveal Rifugio Bianchet. This mountain outpost serves as a final resting point before the conclusion of the journey, offering a traditional setting for a final taste of alpine hospitality.

From the refuge, the narrow mountain path broadens into a more consistent gravel track that tracks alongside a deep river gorge. The walk becomes meditative and straightforward, following the natural course of the water as it carves through the limestone walls toward the valley exit. The environment here is defined by the sound of the stream and the towering cliffs that flank the gorge, providing a grand architectural finish to the wilderness experience. This easier terrain allows for reflection on the route covered across the various groups of the Dolomites.

The journey eventually reaches its terminus at the La Pissa bus stop, situated along the main road in the Val Cordevole. From this point, the mountain wilderness is left behind as transportation leads into the historic center of Belluno. This ancient gateway city, with its distinctive Venetian-style architecture and bustling piazzas, provides the setting for a well-earned celebration. The transition from the rugged silence of the peaks to the vibrant life of the city marks the completion of the trek, concluding among the gelato shops and sun-drenched squares of the provincial capital.