A 7-Day Hut-to-Hut Adventure Through the Dolomites

Note: This trip follows the exact same itinerary as Trip 1.

The Alta Via 1 is one of the most iconic hiking routes in the Dolomites, stretching 125 km from Lake Braies in the north to Belluno in the south. On this trip, we’ll hike a 7-day section of the route, beginning at the turquoise waters of Lake Braies and finishing at Passo Duran.

Our adventure begins in Cortina d’Ampezzo, one of the most famous mountain towns in the Italian Alps and one of the host towns of the 2026 Olympics. This is where you’ll meet the rest of the group, your Travel Light host, and our local guide before heading into the mountains together.

Over the next seven days, we’ll hike through some of the most spectacular landscapes in the Dolomites, passing dramatic limestone peaks, alpine meadows, forests, historic World War I sites, and legendary landmarks like Cinque Torri, Monte Lagazuoi, Monte Pelmo, and the Civetta-Moiazza mountains.

Each night on the trail, we’ll stay in a traditional mountain hut, with most accommodations being dorm-style. It’s a unique part of the experience and such a fun way to soak up the magic of hut culture, sharing meals, stories, and mountain evenings with fellow hikers from around the world.

This is a true multi-day mountain adventure, combining challenging hiking with breathtaking scenery, Italian mountain culture, and the unforgettable experience of waking up each morning high in the Dolomites.

Age Requirement: 21+

Trip Host: Laura Lenington

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⭐ Experience true hut culture — Spend each night on trail in traditional mountain huts, mostly in dorm-style accommodations, sharing meals and mountain evenings with hikers from around the world

⭐ Family-style mountain meals — Gather around the table each evening for delicious, hearty meals shared with the group

⭐ Hike one of the Alps’ most iconic routes — Spend 7 days on the Alta Via 1 surrounded by dramatic limestone peaks, alpine meadows, and classic Dolomite scenery

⭐ Optional World War I tunnel descent — For those who want the extra adventure, descend through historic WWI tunnels carved into the mountains

⭐ Learn from an expert local guide — Hear the stories, history, and mountain knowledge that bring the trail to life

The Alta Via 1 is a challenging multi-day trek with significant elevation gain and loss over 7 days of hiking. Expect approximately 6 to 10 miles per day, with some days lasting up to 8 hours and elevation gain or descent reaching up to about 4,000 feet.

The terrain includes rocky, uneven trails, steep climbs and descents, and some narrow sections where sure footing is important. A few areas may also feel challenging if you’re uncomfortable with heights or exposure.

This trip is best for intermediate hikers and above. Prior hiking experience is required, and you should be comfortable with longer mountain days and repeated elevation gain and loss.

Signing up means committing to training and arriving physically prepared. We’ll provide a training guide and packing list to help you get ready.

This trip is for adventurous travelers who already enjoy hiking and are excited to challenge themselves on a multi-day trek through the Dolomites. You should have prior hiking experience, a good level of fitness, and be willing to train for the demands of the AV1.

This trip may be a great fit if you:

• Have a solid hiking foundation. You're comfortable with longer hikes, significant elevation gain and loss, and spending several hours at a time on mountain trails.

• Are ready for 7 days of hiking. You understand that the challenge isn't just one difficult day. You'll be hiking 7 consecutive days, and you're willing to train so your body is prepared for the cumulative mileage and elevation.

• Are excited about both the challenge and the experience. You're comfortable with varied mountain terrain, changing weather, and rifugio dorms, and you're excited to experience the Dolomites as part of a supportive group of travelers.

Make your way from Venice to Cortina d’Ampezzo, where our Alta Via 1 adventure begins. Getting to Cortina is easy, with direct bus options from Venice that typically take around 2.5 to 3 hours. After checking into the hotel, we’ll meet as a group, likely between 4:00 and 5:00 PM, to get to know one another, meet your local guide and Travel Light host, and go over important information for the trek ahead. After the meeting, the rest of the evening is yours to enjoy dinner, explore Cortina, and pick up any last minute snacks, gear, or supplies you may need before we hit the trail.

Meals included: None
Accommodation: Hotel Regina or similar

After breakfast, we’ll transfer to beautiful Lake Braies, one of the most iconic alpine lakes in the Dolomites and the official starting point of our Alta Via 1 trek. From the lake, we’ll begin hiking along the trail before gradually climbing through forests and open alpine terrain. As we gain elevation, the scenery opens into wide grassy plateaus surrounded by the pale limestone peaks that make the Dolomites so distinctive. Hiking time is approximately 5 hours.

Meals included: B, L, D
Hiking stats: 10 km (6.2 miles) | +960 m (+3,150 ft) elevation gain | -300 m (-985 ft) elevation loss
Accommodation: Sennes hut or similar

Today we’ll spend the day hiking through Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park, one of the largest protected areas in the Dolomites. The trail takes us through alpine meadows, rocky basins, high plateaus, and beneath towering Dolomite walls. It’s a beautiful mix of landscapes and one of those days where the scenery seems to change around every corner. Hiking time is approximately 5 hours.

Meals included: B, L, D
Hiking stats: 11 km (6.8 miles) | +550 m (+1,805 ft) elevation gain | -650 m (-2,130 ft) elevation loss
Accommodation: Fanes hut or similar

Today we leave the Fanes area behind and make our way toward the dramatic Lagazuoi Massif. The trail alternates between gentler stretches and steeper climbs as the terrain becomes increasingly rocky and alpine. This is the most demanding stage of the trek, with our biggest elevation gain and extended time at higher altitude, but the route remains on well marked hiking trails without technical climbing. Our destination is the Lagazuoi Massif, an area known for both its incredible scenery and fascinating history. From the mountain hut, we’ll be rewarded with one of the most spectacular panoramic views in the Dolomites. The surrounding mountains are also home to restored tunnels and fortifications from World War I.

Meals included: B, L, D
Hiking stats: 13 km (8.1 miles) | +1,120 m (+3,675 ft) elevation gain | -440 m (-1,445 ft) elevation loss
Accommodation: Rifugio Lagazuoi or similar

Today we make our way toward Cinque Torri, hiking through some of the most iconic scenery of the Dolomites. Along the way, we’ll pass Lake Limedes and continue toward Forcella Averau and Nuvolau, with sweeping views across the Ampezzo Dolomites.

One of the most unique parts of the day is that the group can split for the descent from Lagazuoi. Those who want the most adventurous option can put on a helmet and headlamp and descend through the historic World War I tunnels carved into the mountain. You can also choose to hike down on the regular trail, or take the gondola down for the easiest option.

We’ll then continue toward Cinque Torri, where five distinctive rock towers rise above the alpine meadows, creating one of the most recognizable landscapes in the Dolomites.

Meals included: B, L, D
Hiking stats: 15 km (9.3 miles) | +790 m (+2,590 ft) elevation gain | -1,470 m (-4,825 ft) elevation loss, or approximately -840 m (-2,755 ft) when using the lift
Accommodation: Croda da Lago or similar

Today we explore the beautiful Croda da Lago area, hiking through high alpine meadows with incredible views of the surrounding peaks. We’ll reach the Croda da Lago basin, where small alpine lakes sit beneath dramatic rock faces, before continuing toward Mount Pelmo, one of the most recognizable mountains in the Dolomites. Pelmo dominates the landscape for much of the day as we make our way across the mountains. Later, the trail gradually descends through open pastures and forested sections before reaching Passo Staulanza.

Meals included: B, L, D
Hiking stats: 13 km (8.1 miles) | +450 m (+1,475 ft) elevation gain | -930 m (-3,050 ft) elevation loss
Accommodation: Staulanza or similar

Today we head into a wilder and more remote section of the Alta Via 1. From Passo Staulanza, we’ll climb toward beautiful Lake Coldai and Forcella Coldai, with the landscape becoming increasingly rugged as we gain elevation. Along the way, we’ll have incredible views of the Civetta Massif, which rises dramatically between the Zoldo Valley and the Agordino region. Its massive northwest face stretches for several kilometers and rises more than 1,000 meters above the surrounding landscape, creating some of the most impressive scenery of the entire trek.

Meals included: B, L, D
Hiking stats: 11 km (6.8 miles) | +950 m (+3,115 ft) elevation gain | -470 m (-1,540 ft) elevation loss
Accommodation: Tissi or similar

For our final day on the trail, we’ll hike beneath the impressive walls of the Moiazza Massif, which together with Civetta forms one of the largest mountain groups in the Dolomites. After one last challenging stretch through the high mountains, the trail gradually begins to descend and the landscape changes around us. Rocky alpine terrain gives way to green pastures and conifer forests as we make our way toward the end of our Alta Via 1 adventure. Our 7-day trek ends at Passo Duran, where we'll meet our transfer and continue to Belluno for a well earned night of rest at a hotel and a celebratory dinner.

Meals included: B, L, D
Hiking stats: 14 km (8.7 miles) | +1,020 m (+3,345 ft) elevation gain | -1,450 m (-4,755 ft) elevation loss
Accommodation: Hotel in Belluno

After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to the Dolomites and our Alta Via 1 adventure. Check out of the hotel and continue onward with your travel plans. From Belluno, you can easily take a train to Venice for your flight home or to continue your travels in Italy.

Meals included: B
Accommodation: None

Travel Light trips are about so much more than the places we visit. They're about the people we meet, the conversations we share, and the way we show up for one another along the way. We pride ourselves on creating a connected, welcoming group experience, working with excellent local guides, sharing plenty of laughs and meaningful conversations, and supporting each other through every part of the journey.

Every trip, we're amazed and incredibly proud to see travelers step up for one another, make sure everyone is having a great time, and notice when someone needs a little extra support. Our travelers share meals, stories, encouragement, and the small moments that make an adventure unforgettable.

Deposit 

Your deposit is refundable for seven (7) calendar days from the date your booking is confirmed. If you cancel within seven (7) calendar days of booking, your deposit will be refunded less any non-recoverable credit card processing fees incurred by Travel Light. After the seven (7) day refund period has expired, your deposit is non-refundable. 

Travel Light’s Cancellation Policy 

91 days or more 

• If you cancel ninety-one (91) days or more before the scheduled trip departure date: 

• Your non-refundable deposit will be forfeited. 

• Any additional payments made toward your trip will be refunded to your original form of payment, less any non-refundable payments made to suppliers and credit card processing fees. 

90 days or less 

• If you cancel ninety (90) days or less before the scheduled trip departure date, all payments made are non-refundable and non-transferable.

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