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Alta Via 1 Dolomites Availability Update 25 Jan 2026
Alta Via 1 Highlights trek still has some availability for summer 2026.
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 & Availability:
- Alta Via 1 Highlights 8 days: The best of the Alta Via 1 in a week. Still some availability for 2026
- Shorter trip lengths are also possible.
- Alta Via 1 Full: 12 days. The whole route. Fully booked for 2026 ** see note below ** (ask us for great alternative options if you want to do a walk which is longer than the AV1 Highlights)
** AVAILABILITY: Please note that there are several key rifugi in the northern part of the AV1 which are now fully booked for the whole of 2026. This means that the ONLY workaround for anyone wanting to trek the entire Alta Via 1 or the northern section from Lago di Braies to Lagazuoi is to go down to the valley by bus or taxi to stay in hotels. ALTA VIA means HIGH LEVEL ROUTE, and the true Alta Via 1 route stays high in the mountains. We won’t send our clients off on tiring bus journeys down to the valley after a full day of walking, only to have to return back up the next day. That’s not the experience of the Alta Via 1 that we want to give you – we believe that you should be enjoying a well-earned drink and watching the sunset from your high altitude rifugio.
Our Alta Via 1 Highlights trek stays true to the real AV1, and enables you to experience the middle section of this wonderful route – a mix of the busier northern section and the quieter southern section.
If you really want to do the full Alta Via 1 route, contact us now to reserve your place in the best accommodation for 2027, and ask us for our suggestions for an equally interesting trek of similar length which you could do in the Dolomites this year.
For more details see the itinerary
Self-guided trekking holidays
We offer the Alta Via 1 walking holiday on a self-guided basis. The paths are well signed, and the route is not technical. We will provide you with detailed trip notes, maps with your route highlighted, GPX files if you wish. We’ll also book your accommodation and help with transport. Our self-guided trips can be run for 1 person or more.
Dates
The Alta Via 1 can be run between 8 June and 20 September. The mountain huts are not reliably open outside of these dates.
Self-Guided Alta Via 1 Trek Prices
Our trips are tailor-made to suit your requirements, yet we remain very competitive on price:
| Option | Trip Title | £ GBP * | € Euros | USD $ * |
| A | AV1 Highlights | £ 1182 | € 1355 | USD 1590 |
| Prices are per person for trips in 2026. * The invoice price is in euros, but we have included the GBP and USD prices as a guide based on the exchange rates at the time of writing. Exchange rates may vary. We offer you the chance to pay in your local currency by bank transfer or card. |
| Please note that our prices include private or non-dormitory rooms in all the rifugi wherever available at no extra cost to you |
| High season supplement due to Cortina hotel prices: Applies to trips in July and August €50 per person for each hotel night in Cortina. |
| A single person supplement for bookings requiring single rooms will apply. |
Contact us with your group size and preferred dates for an exact quote.
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 16 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.
