Included: Local English-speaking hiking guide 6-day Alta Via I hiking adventure Most meals, as listed in the itinerary 5 breakfasts 3 dinners Accommodation for 5 nights 2 nights at a 3-star hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo 3 nights at mountain huts (shared dormitories) Airport transfers (from/to Venice Marco Polo Airport), a circa 2-hour ride Arrival day: from Venice Marco Polo Airport to Cortina d’Ampezzo at 2pm Departure day: from Cortina d’Ampezzo to Venice airport at 9am Transfers on Day 2 and 5 to/from trailhead Local tourist tax Italian VAT tax A €15 donation to Wow Nature’s reforestation projects makes your trip carbon-neutral All logistics and a map of the area Add-ons (available to add at checkout): Single occupancy room, only for the 2 hotel nights Not included: Lunches, personal drinks, coffee and snacks Luggage transfers — clients must hike with a pack weighing roughly 15lbs (has to include a sleeping bag liner/sheet, but other than that, keep your pack light) Anything not indicated in the itinerary or under “Included” Any additional expenses Guide gratuities — optional Insurance — available to add at checkout Meals : Huts available en route serve delicious hearty meals at reasonable prices. A vegetarian option is always available but options for Celiacs and vegans are very limited. We suggest that you carry your own snacks and supplements, and let us know if you have any particular requests or allergies.

How fit do I need to be?

The Alta Via I hiking adventure can be completed by any normal fit hiker with previous experience with multi-day hikes, who are prepared to walk for between 4 and 8 hours per day for 4 days in a row. It will greatly help your enjoyment of the trek to arrive fit at the start, used to walks of similar distance and height gain to those that you are about to face. There are no via ferrata sections on this tour! Keep in mind you’ll be carrying your own pack from hut to hut, usually around 15 lbs —remarkably light compared to many similar treks, since the huts provide hot meals, drinks, and bedding (just bring a sleeping bag liner). All you’ll need are clothes, toiletries, and a few personal items.

What do I need to bring?

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring: Backpack with a load-bearing waist harness (30- 50L bag) Waterproof backpack cover Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity) Light pillow-case and silk or nylon sheets* Small towel for the shower Toiletries (hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.) Trekking poles — optional Sunglasses and SPF sunscreen Camera — optional (but recommended) *Sleeping sheets are often provided by the huts, but it’s always best to bring your own just in case. Here’s a list of clothes you need to bring: The summer months have warm temperatures and plenty of sun. While temperatures may reach 25°C (80°F) on the valley floors during the day, evenings can be as cool as 10°C (50°F). As you gain elevation, it will get colder. For every 1,000m you climb, the temperature will drop for 6.5°C (3.6°F for every 1,000 feet). What may be a 27°C (80°F) day in Alta Badia could be 15°C (60°F) on one of the summits during the day, and 0°C (30s°F) in the evening. Long hiking pants Thermal layers (long-sleeved top and long pants for the cold nights) Light shorts for warmer days or for lounging in the rifugio Lightweight down jacket Lightweight Gore-Tex, or equivalent, rain/wind parka and pant Lightweight T-shirts Lightweight hiking socks, liner socks, and athletic socks Sleepwear Baseball cap or sun hat with wide brim 3/4-finger leather glove for dexterity for Via Ferratas Sturdy hiking boots, and make sure they’re broken in before your trip Hiking boot or shoe that accepts crampons for AVII trips Lightweight shoes, slippers or flip flops (hiking boots are not allowed in most rifugios) Synthetic fabrics are the most effective barrier against the cold. They provide the best insulation, they are light in weight, wick away perspiration, and dry quickly if wet.

What is the accommodation like?

During your Alta Via adventure, you’ll spend 2 nights at a 3-star hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo and 3 nights at mountain huts with shared dormitories . The rifugios of the Dolomites are legendary, often considered the best in all of the Alps! Some are simple and cozy with dorm-style bunk beds, while others feel more like charming mountain guest houses, complete with private rooms and ensuite bathrooms. No matter where you stay, each rifugio has its own unique character, warm hospitality, and jaw-dropping views. Think: hot showers, hearty mountain meals served in lively dining rooms, and a comfy bed waiting for you after a big day on the trail. Staying in a rifugio is like experiencing a little slice of mountain magic. Single supplement is only available for the 2 nights at a hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo—you can add it at checkout.

What about bad weather?

There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad preparation! When the weather does not cooperate, your certified guide will know the correct course of action to take. Whether that’s shifting to a more favorable location or postponing until conditions approve, your guide will know just what to do. In the event of predictably bad weather, you will be contacted prior to the trip to discuss suitable alternatives.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes: The usual client-to-guide ratio for this hiking tour along Alta Via 1 is 6:1. It takes a minimum of 4-6 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 12 participants. If you’re traveling with a larger party, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements. Age requirements: Everybody over the age of 18 is welcome to book this hiking adventure. Minors may be permitted to join private tours on a case-by-case basis. If you plan to hike with anyone under the age of 18, please contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Is a single occupancy room available?

Single occupancy is available on Day 1 and 5 of the trip . The other 3 nights are spent in shared dormitories in huts. Solo travelers are welcome —they can either share a room with another same-gender solo traveler at no extra cost, or guarantee a private room by paying a single occupancy fee.

Deposits Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking. Cancellations Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking. Basic If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued. If cancelled 90 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued. If cancelled within 89 days of departure, no refund will be issued. Flexible If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued. If cancelled 90 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued. If cancelled 60-89 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued. If cancelled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued. Super Flexible If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued. If cancelled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued. If cancelled within 59 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued. Early Bird booking Want to be the first one to know when we publish new dates or secure your spot well in advance? Select a future month that suits you best and lock in your Early Bird spot in time with just a 10% deposit. As soon as our guides publish new tour dates, you’ll be the first one to know. We’ll hold your spot for 2 weeks until you choose the date that suits you best. More about how Early Bird bookings work below: Only a 10% non-refundable deposit must be paid upon booking, but this deposit can be transferred to any other 57hours adventure in case the dates don’t end up working for you. Once our guides publish new tour dates, we’ll reach out to you so you’ll be the first one to choose from newly released dates. When you pick your date, you’ll confirm your booking by paying another 20% of the total trip amount (amounting to the standard 30% deposit). Once the trip has been confirmed, the regular cancellation policy (found above) applies. The remaining balance is due 90 days before the trip.

Getting there and meeting location

To get to the Dolomites, most people fly into Venice International Airport Marco Polo (VCE) . Another options include Klagenfurt (2.5 hours), Trieste (2.5 hours), Verona (3 hours), and Innsbruck (3 hours) and a small regional Bolzano Airport in the province of South Tyrol in northern Italy. If you’re flying into Venice Marco Polo Airport, a group shuttle from there to Cortina d’Ampezzo is included in the price of the tour (and back as well). The group shuttle departs at 2pm on arrival day and at 9am on departure day. Apart from the organized shuttle that’s included in the price of the tour, you can take a shuttle service on your own or rent a car to reach Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Safety measures and insurance

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout. Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

Why should I book with 57hours?

With us, it’s all play and no work for you! 57hours is an open platform that connects you with trained and certified outdoor adventure professionals all over the world. Using our tech-savvy, we make it super easy to find and book adventures worth tackling, with guides worth booking, all gathered from the first-hand experiences of the locals who adventure in these amazing locations.

Hiking Alta Via 1: Guided Tour in the Dolomites

The Italian Dolomites are home to countless trails, but Alta Via I is the crown jewel. This legendary path—literally meaning high route—strings together dramatic scenery, rich Alpine culture, and views that stay with you long after the trek ends. Alta Via offers a slower, more immersive way to explore the Dolomites, without the usual crowds.

When summer arrives, the Dolomites trade snow for wildflower meadows, shimmering lakes, and peaks that carve a bold line across the sky. Over six days, we trek along the celebrated Alta Via I, allowing us to explore the very heart of the Dolomites, with enough time to ease into and out of the adventure.

Travelers hiking in breathtaking landscape of Dolomites mountains in summer in Italy.

In the heart of the Dolomites

Walking beneath pale sharp-toothed spires, through gentle green gorges, and past turquoise lakes is just an ordinary day in the Dolomites. The best part is that you don’t need to be an elite athlete—Alta Via I is perfect for any fit hiker looking to dip their toes into big mountain hiking.

And while the views might bring you here, the Italian rifugios are what make the Alta Via experience unforgettable. Far from rustic shelters, these are cozy huts serving steaming pasta, strudel, and local wine after a day on the trail.

Booking well in advance might secure you a small dorm or even a private room! The comforts here are exceptional, especially when you consider some of these rifugios are perched at 2,700 m (9,000 ft). You’ll wake up each morning to crisp mountain air, an espresso in hand, and a croissant on the terrace as the Dolomites unfold before you.

ALPINE MEADOWS
TOWERING PEAKS
COZY RIFUGIOS
UNESCO HERITAGE SITE
HIGH-ALTITUDE TERRAIN
DELICIOUS DISHES

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Experience the Dolomites’ remote corners on foot

AIRY SUMMITS WITH EXCEPTIONAL VIEWS

With a dizzying array of peaks—18 of them above 3,000 m (10,000 ft)—the Dolomites are one of the world’s most storied mountain ranges. The area is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its geomorphic significance and diversity of pinnacles, rock walls, steeples, karst systems and glacial landforms.

The most prominent peak is the Marmolada at 3,343 m (11,967 ft), affectionately called La Regina delle Dolomiti—the Queen of the Dolomites. Jagged spires and soaring peaks rise from verdant valleys, creating a landscape that feels almost unreal until you see it with your own eyes.

REGION STEEPED IN HISTORY

What most visitors don’t realize until they arrive is that the Dolomites are as rich in history as they are in scenery. These mountains were once a dramatic battleground between Italian and Austro-Hungarian forces during World War I, and traces of that past remain along the Alta Via 1.

Along the way, you may come across fortifications, via ferratas—originally built out of wartime necessity—and mountain huts that once linked front lines and strategic positions, where stunning landscapes meet tangible traces of history. If you’d like to try a via ferrata, let us know in advance and we can make it happen!

Step inside the enchanting world of the Italian Alps

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Living the mountains beyond the trail

AUTHENTIC & CHARMING RIFUGIOS

With wild camping prohibited, the Alta Via is dotted with an abundance of huts along the route. These welcoming rifugios offer a comfy shelter, stunning views, and hearty regional meals. No heavy packs needed—thanks to seamless logistics, most baggage stays in Cortina while we carry only the essentials from hut to hut.

While some rifugios are simple dormitory-style with bunk beds, many are surprisingly well-equipped, offering private rooms and en-suite bathrooms, even showers! Booking early is key here—the sooner you reserve with us, the better the chance of securing the best rooms.

CULTURAL CROSSROADS

Today, this border region is home to three distinct cultures living side by side: Tyrolean German, Italian, and Ladin, a minority group whose language and traditions are native to these valleys. Walking from village to village, you’ll hear local legends and savor cuisine shaped by each culture.

From sauerkraut, strudel, and speck dumplings to fresh pasta and golden fried pastries, the region offers a rich taste of the Dolomites’ unique heritage. Each meal tells a story of local traditions, passed down through generations and shaped by the valleys’ three distinct cultures.

Small photogenic stone catholic church in Italian village with dramatic fog.

Professional local guides

With years of experience exploring the Dolomites, your guides know every trail, peak, and rifugio like the back of their hand. They design active, memorable adventures across Northern Italy that are thoughtfully crafted, stylish, and rich in local insight, offering both quality and a true connection to the mountains.

Dolomite Mountains provided excellent service prior to and during the trip. The guides on my hiking trip were excellent, very knowledgeable, flexible and ready to meet the challenges of our diverse group (and the weather). The pre-trip information provided by Dolomite Mountains was very helpful and precise. Excellent job!!

The 2 guides we had were really knowledgable and shred great insights.

Our guide, Ivan was excellent. He managed a group of differing ages and fitness levels very well and was always interested and interesting.

They planned the perfect hike for us. We had no idea what to expect, but the team provided everything we’d ever need as well as answered our dozens of questions. The trip was perfect and seamless. The service of the team, the rifugios, the transportation, everything exceeded our expectations. Thank you so much for a wonderful adventure through the Dolomites!!

Expert professional guides who truly care about their clients.

I had an incredible time! Our guide Andy, was very knoweldgable and was terrific at making our trek suitable and comfortable for everyone in the group.

Christina was the perfect hike and I can’t thank her enough.

Our guide Andy was great . He was very informative, outgoing and chatty. He set a good pace for our hikes. I enjoyed the Dolomites very much .

Our guides Stefano and Margherita were fantastic and really made the experience even more memorable. They told us about the history, landscape and culture of the Dolomites. Just the right amount of challenges and enjoyment.

Both the guides were awesome. Margarita and Stephan were informative, helpful and understanding. One of the most exhilarating experience I have had.

Both Stefano and Margherita were fantastic guides. They both adapted to the group\’s abilities and were a pleasure to be around.

Hiking Alta Via 1: Guided Tour in the Dolomites

In the heart of the Dolomites