Alta Via 1

Expert Logistics: During peak summer, the road to Lago di Braies is closed to private vehicles from 09:30 to 16:00. You must book the public shuttle bus from Dobbiaco/Villabassa well in advance to reach the trailhead.

The journey commences at the shores of Lago di Braies, situated at an altitude of 1,496 m4,908 ft. 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 2,388 m7,835 ft. 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, reaching 2,810 m9,219 ft and offering panoramic views of the surrounding peaks. The stage concludes with a straightforward descent across the high alpine pastures to reach Rifugio Sennes at 2,126 m6,975 ft

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 nearly 600 m1,969 ft before leveling out at Rifugio Pederü, a strategic stop located on the valley floor at 1,548 m5,079 ft.

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 at 2,060 m6,759 ft or the neighboring Rifugio Lavarella at 2,042 m6,699 ft. 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, where the silence is broken only by the calls of local marmot colonies.

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 at 2,172 m7,126 ft, 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, situated at 1,729 m5,673 ft.

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 at 1,985 m6,512 ft. 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. As one of the highest mountain huts in the region, it offers a 360-degree panorama that encompasses the Tofane, the Marmolada glacier, and the Sella Group. This location is celebrated for providing the most spectacular sunset views in the Dolomites and for its profound historical weight. The surrounding cliffs are honeycombed with tunnels and trenches from the First World War, 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 engineered during the Great War. This subterranean path requires a helmet and headlamp to navigate the steep, narrow galleries that once sheltered soldiers within the mountain's heart.

Upon reaching Passo Falzarego at 2,105 m6,906 ft, 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 at 2,413 m7,917 ft, 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 at 2,575 m8,448 ft. Originally built in 1883, 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.

Departing from the narrow, windswept ridge of Nuvolau, the route immediately tackles a steep and rugged descent toward the valley below. This initial section includes a series of steps and fixed cables to assist hikers through the more precipitous rock faces, although a less demanding bypass is available for those preferring a steady walk down to Passo Giau. At 2,236 m7,336 ft, this prominent mountain pass marks a temporary return to civilization before the trail strikes out into the isolated wilderness surrounding the colossal Monte Pelmo. The transition from the bustling road pass to the silent, rocky slopes of the massif is swift and dramatic.

The path continues by contouring along the base of this limestone giant, weaving through the Città di Sassi, a remarkable field of boulders that creates a natural stone labyrinth across the mountainside. As the journey progresses toward the Forcella Ambrizzola at 2,277 m7,470 ft, the starkness of the high peaks begins to fade, replaced by the softening features of the alpine landscape. From the pass, the vista opens to reveal the rolling green pastures and deep valleys that characterize the southern approaches to the Pelmo group, offering a sense of scale and serenity.

The final descent leads away from the high scree and into the cooling shelter of ancient larch forests. The trail meanders through these fragrant woodlands and open meadows, descending steadily until it reaches the mountain pass at Passo Staulanza. The day concludes at Rifugio Passo Staulanza, a welcoming outpost located at 1,766 m5,794 ft. Situated in the saddle between the shadows of Monte Pelmo and the distant towers of the Civetta, the refuge offers a tranquil setting amidst the trees, providing a perfect contrast to the jagged heights navigated earlier in the day.

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, situated at 1,601 m5,253 ft. This mountain pass serves as a primary link between the Val di Zoldo and the Agordino region, acting as a convenient exit point for those on a more condensed schedule. Beyond the pass, the route maintains its elevation to reach Rifugio Carestiato, which sits at 1,834 m6,017 ft on the Col dei 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 at 2,395 m7,858 ft, 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, situated at 1,632 m5,354 ft. 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 at 1,250 m4,101 ft. 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 hundreds of kilometers traversed 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.