Alta Via 1: Italian Dolomites Traverse

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Alta Via 1 Dolomites Availability

** AV1 places are selling FAST now for summer 2027

BOOK NOW to avoid disappointment **

The Alta Via 1 (AV1) is the ultimate multi-day hut-to-hut trek and the original and flagship high level route through the Dolomites. The Alta Via 1, described in the outdoor press as “one of the world’s premier treks”, is a north-south traverse of Italy’s spectacular Dolomites. Internationally renowned climber Reinhold Messner describes the Dolomites “The Most Beautiful Mountains in the World”.

This diverse route encompasses flower-filled alpine meadows underneath towering Dolomite peaks, crashing waterfalls, clear turquoise lakes, World War 1 heritage sites, and wild, remote sections. The highest point of the trek is 2752m at Rifugio Lagzazuoi. Staying high in the mountains in the excellent network of mountain refuges means you will be in the very best place to enjoy the spectacular sunrises and sunset of the Dolomites.

The route is not technical and is accessible to regular walkers. Typically you can expect around 6 hours of walking each day and ascents and descents of about 700m. Bedding and food are provided by the mountain huts along the way, so you just need to carry the things you would normally take with you for a day’s walking, a few basic toiletries, a change of clothes and a sheet sleeping bag liner.

You will have the chance to explore the fascinating history of the region and enjoy a well-earned glass of wine on a mountain hut balcony while watching the sunset turn the Dolomites to their famous pink colour. Why not make the most of Italy’s summer sunshine, great food, superb mountain accommodation and the chance to trek amongst the Dolomite peaks of this spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site? 


Trip Length:

Trip Length & Availability: 8, 10 or 12 days

The Alta Via 1 is very adaptable, with trek lengths to suit everyone:

  • Alta Via 1 Highlights 8 days: The best of the Alta Via 1 in a week. 
  • Alta Via 1 North 8 days in the most visited part of the Alta Via 1.
  • Alta Via 1 10-day to Passo Duran: From the North to 2/3 of the way down. Avoids the big descent at the very southern end of the Alta Via 1.
  • Alta Via 1 11-day to Agordo: Basically the full AV1 but with a knee-friendly finish
  • Alta Via 1 Full: 12 days. The traditional whole route.
  • Ask us for …
    • shorter trips
    • or for the Alta Via 1 South: 8 days: Explore the quieter and wilder section of the Alta Via 1.
  • Contact us now for the best accommodation options on the Alta Via 1 for 2027

For more details see the itinerary

Still have questions? Check out our Alta Via FAQs here:

Self-guided trekking holidays

  • We offer the Alta Via 1 walking holiday on a self-guided basis.
  • Our clients LOVE our trip notes! They are bespoke and cover everything for you.
  • We provide you with good quality walking maps with your route options highlighted.
  • We supply you with GPX files if you wish to follow your route on your phone or GPS.
  • We’ll also book your accommodation and help with transport.
  • The paths are well signed, and the route is not technical.
  • Our self-guided trips can be run for 1 person or more.

Dates and Availability

The Alta Via 1 can only be run between 8 June and 20 September. The mountain huts are not reliably open outside of these dates.

** AV1 places are selling fast now for summer 2027 – BOOK NOW to avoid disappointment **


Self-Guided Alta Via 1 Trek Prices

Our trips are tailor-made to suit your requirements, yet we remain very competitive on price:

OptionTrip TitlePrice per person in EUROS *Single person supplement
AAV1 Highlights€ 1395€ 40
BAV1 North€ 1515€ 40
CAV1 to Passo Duran (price includes taxi back to Cortina)€ 1730€ 200
DAV1 to Agordo
(knee-friendly ending)
€ 1655€ 40
EAV1 Full€ 1765€ 40
  • Please note that for bookings of 2 or more people, our prices include private rooms in all the rifugi wherever available, at no extra cost to you. (Single rooms are very rare in the rifugi).
  • * The invoice price is in euros, but you can pay in your local currency by bank transfer or card.
  • Cortina hotel high season supplement of €50 per person for each hotel night in Cortina. Applies only to trips with Cortina hotel nights in July and August
  • A deposit of €400 euros per person is due at the time of booking for our Dolomites trips to enable us to secure the accommodation for you.

Why trek the Alta Via 1 with trekMountains?

Here at trekMountains we pride ourselves on being Italian Dolomites specialists.

trekMountains has been organising and leading treks on the Alta Via 1 every year for the past 17 years.
To the best of our knowledge, we were the first people from the UK to put together hiking trips on the Alta Via 1.
We therefore know every step of the various routes intimately, and have spent time building up personal relationships with all the rifugi owners.
We will put together the best route for your needs – we listen to your requirements for the type of trail that you like to walk on – including if you have any fears or concerns, and we determine the type of rifugio that will suit you. Once we have done that we then tailor your trip to suit you best.

If you’re not sure if the Alta Via 1 is right for you, ask us for our advice – we’ve walked it many times and can help you decide.

** Additionally we will always reserve private rooms for you wherever possible at NO extra cost to you for all bookings of 2 or more people. **

Click on the links below for more information about the Alta Via 1 trek:


Alternative trips 

You may also be interested in:

  • Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage GeoTrail: a wonderful new trek which take you on a journey of discovery as it traverses through the various geological areas of the Dolomites. Similar in difficulty to the Alta Via 1.
  • Dolomites Alta Via della Val Gardena: We’ve combined the most interesting footpaths in the Val Gardena area and the best mountain accommodation to create what must be one of the very best high-level (Alta Via), 1-week circular trekking routes you’ll find anywhere. Similar in difficulty to the Alta Via 1.
  • Dolomites Val Gardena Day Walks: based from a friendly hotel in the delightful Gardena valley, let the cable car take the strain as you enjoy the network of cable cars to walk in the many varied areas which surround the Gardena Valley. These day walks can be adapted for all walking levels.
  • Dolomites Tre Cime: slightly easier than the Alta Via 1, this circuit takes you round the iconic peaks of the Tre Cime and lets you discover World War I sites.
  • Dolomites Alta Via 2: a harder north-south traverse of the Dolomites, west of the Alta Via 1 area.

lagazuoi thermal inversion - Alta Via 1 © Ann Foulkes trekMountains