Hiking Alta Via N.1 - Getaway Part I group departure

At 2 pm private group transfer from Venice airport to Cortina d’Ampezzo (1,224m / 4,016'). Cortina d’Ampezzo is a charming alpine resort town surrounded by stunning peaks. Host to the 1956 Winter Olympics, and co-host of the 2026 Winter Olympics, Cortina enjoys a reputation for great skiing in winter, and in the summer attracts hikers and climbers who challenge the rocky faces of the nearby mountains. This chic town also caters to the high society crowd, offering many year-round social activities, shopping, and fine dining.

In the late afternoon you will meet your hiking guide who will provide a trip briefing. Dinner all together at the hotel.

In the morning, take a private transfer to Malga Ra Stua (1,688m / 5,538’), a cozy hut-dairy farm set in a valley lying between the Croda Rossa (northeast) and Lavinores (west) Dolomite groups at the entrance of the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Reserve.

The Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Reserve comprises an area of approximately 25,453 hectares (62,069 acres). Clusters of old log-built farmsteads adorn the mountainsides called Viles and are a typical feature of the Ladin-speaking valleys. These tiny communities were once self-sustaining, with outbuildings and baking ovens shared communally. The Fanes High Plateau is a popular walking and hiking area with a typical karstic limestone landscape characterized by caves, fissures, underground streams, and small lakes. Rugged rocks eroded by the action of wind and weather rise in all directions. Today, you will hike in the Sennes section of the Nature Reserve along the Alta Via 1.

(~5 hours hiking 12km / 7,4 miles, 920m / 3,018’ ascent, 630m /2,067’ descent.)

Departing your rifugio this morning, you’ll hike downhill towards Rifugio Pederù (1,548m / 5,079'). The trail travels on a steep dirt road for 1hr30 minutes (the last part of the road approaching the rifugio is a 20% slope). From Rifugio Pederù, hike uphill in the direction of Lago di Limo. When you reach Lake Lé Piciodel you’ll hike through a charming landscape studded with little lakes and rounded mountain-tops along the Ru d’Al Plan River. At the fork, continue toward your rifugio for tonight. Located just beneath the Limo Pass, you’ll have a splendid view of the Tofane Mountains.

(~4 hours hiking, 8.1 km / 5.1 miles, 530 m / 1,740’ ascent, 460 m / 1,510’ descent.)

Today is a lovely hike through the Altopiano di Fanes to the Lagazuoi Massif. You'll enjoy beautiful panoramas of the Western Dolomites and the Marmolada Massif, the "Queen of the Dolomites.”

From your rifugio, Alta Via N.1 continues through the beautiful high meadow and karst formations, climbing to the Forcella del Lago, a narrow and dramatic gap in the mountain with a trail descent through steep talus on the south side. At the base of the slope is the lake called Lago di Lagazuoi whose green waters are framed by pines with a backdrop of the sheer walls of the Cima del Lago and the Cima Scotoni. From the lake, the path begins the long, steady climb to your rifugio. Entering open, rocky terrain, you'll come across ruins from the First World War, en route to your rifugio, one of the highest in all the Dolomites (2,752m / 9,029'), with incredible 360-degree vistas. (~6-7 hours hiking, 12.7 km / 7.9 miles, 1,050 m / 3,445' ascent, 390m / 1,280' descent.)

This stage is of great interest for both the spectacular mountains around and the abundance of reminders of the terrible years of WWI due to the vicinity of the former border between the long-dismantled Hapsburg Empire and Italy.

From your Rifugio, descend to the main road either by cable car (not included) or on foot. Hike a memorable traverse below the awesome Tofana di Rozes, ascend three forks (2,573m / 8,442', 2,507m / 8,225', and 2,331m / 7,648'), and gradually descend along a line of trenches. Climb through forests to the fascinating, renowned Cinque Torri area (option to ascend by chairlift, not included) and stop at a lovely Rifugio for lunch, with incredible vistas around.

After lunch, you may wish to circumnavigate the Cinque Torri. This area saw heavy fighting during WWI. Trenches and Italian army shelters have been restored, creating the Grande Guerra open-air museum of WWI, offering insights into the war and fighting through interpretive panels. Here, you have the opportunity to walk through the open-air museum, through trenches, and visit military installments. After the “museum,” you will hike through the middle of the rock towers, where you will likely see climbers high up on the walls, finally arriving at a Pass, from where you will have a transfer back to Cortina. You may also choose to skip the museum and interior of the towers and follow the path directly to the Pass.  

(~5-6 hours hiking 11.6km / 7 miles, 582m / 1,908’ ascent, 1,040m / 3,412’ descent).

Breakfast and at 9 am private group transfer to Venice airport.