Hiking Alta Via n.1 - Part II

Arrive in Cortina d’Ampezzo (1,224m / 4,016') with a group transfer at 02:00 am from VENICE AIRPORT (included) and check into your hotel.

Cortina d’Ampezzo is a charming alpine resort town surrounded by stunning peaks. Host to the 1956 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 Venetian town also caters to the high society crowd, offering many year-round social activities, shopping, and fine dining.

In the afternoon meet your Guide for trip briefing and orientation, as well as maps, and everything necessary for your guided adventure.

After breakfast, take a private transfer to the start of your hike. Today you will travel under the Tofana di Rozes massif to the summit of Mount Lagazuoi (2,778m / 9,114'), a veritable castle of rock, with lots of spires, turrets and hidden military forts to explore. Here you will reach one of the highest rifugios in the Dolomites. Spend the afternoon exploring World War I tunnels built into the hillside or relaxing on its patios, where you’ll feel as though you're sitting at the edge of the world – its spacious deck offers 360° view of the Dolomites!

(~4 hours hiking, 6,7 km / 4,1 miles, 720 m / 2,360' ascent, 5 0m / 165' 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. Hike a memorable traverse below the awesome Tofana di Rozes, gradually descend along the line of trenches.

Climb through grassy fields looking over the green pastures of Passo Giau. From here the incredible vistas around, including the Pale di San Martino, Civetta, Monti del Sole and the Marmolada with its shrinking glacier. Take some time to relax and continue your hike below the impressive rocks of Mount Averau, where you can enjoy a delicious lunch with spectacular views. Depending on availability, you may sleep in a hut, or descend to the south to Passo Giau and reach your rifugio for the night (2,236m / 7,336').

(To Passo Giau: ~5 hours hiking, 10,1km / 6,3 miles, 340m / 1,145’ ascent, 800m / 2,625’ descent.)

Option for a shorter hike, using the Lagazuoi cable car (not included).

Today is a long but beautiful day!

The trail entails plenty of ups and downs at first, followed by a 45min ascent on a scree slope. The views of the Tofana and Monte Cavallo are inspiring, not to mention the mountains on display to the south: Monte Fromin, Cernera, Pelmo, and the upswept flank of Monte Mondeval. You'll hike over lush alpine meadows, perhaps spotting some wild edelweiss. An uphill stretch goes through light wood leading to a rifugio, a lovely spot for snacks and refreshments. Then all of a sudden, the Pelmo (3,168m / 10,394') is incredibly close, and at this range, easy to understand why it was dubbed - Throne of the Gods. - The last part of the day leads below the Pelmo's north face to your comfortable mountain rifugio (1,783m / 5,850') for tonight.(~6 hours hiking, 13 km / 7,8 miles, 410m / 1,345' ascent, 870m / 2,853' descent.)

Today you hike by several farms, join a popular trail and climb to the shoulder of Monte Coldai. Shaped like an enormous trident and linkened to a set of organ pipes, it rises majestically between the deep-cut Cordevole river valley and the smiling pasture of Val Zoldana. After stopping for lunch near the beautiful Lago Coldai, you continue along your trail that looks over at the towering west face of Monte Civetta. This “wall of walls” extends for over 6 km / 4 miles! About midway past this wall you climb steeply to your rifugio for tonight (2,250m / 7,382’). This overnight stop is memorable.

(~5-6 hours hiking, 10,8km / 6,7 miles, 1,130m / 3,707’ ascent, 644m / 2,113’ descent.)

From your rifugio, descend through beautiful, open, green meadows to the narrow valley of Val Corpassa. The route takes you right below the sheer rock faces of the Torre Venezia (2,337m / 7,667') and the Torre Trieste (2,458m / 8,064'), both rising some 600 meters (2,000') vertically from the valley floor. You may even get to see some climbers ascending these impressive towers!

Pass by a rifugio and ascend steeply through a dense forest, alongside Monte Moiazza’s southern flank. Continue to a rifugio, following a clear white gravel lane across pasture clearings and light wood. At the end of the hike, you’ll have your private transfer back to Cortina d'Ampezzo. Celebrate the conclusion of your trek along the Alta Via 1!

Though a strenuous day over rugged terrain, this may be one of the prettiest and most varied hikes of your trip.

(~8.5 hours hiking, 16,9 km / 10,5 miles, 650 m / 2,130’ ascent, 1,270 m / 4,170‘ descent.)