
Hut-to-Hut Trekking on the Dolomites' Alta Via 1
- Italy
- 5 nights
Trek the quieter southern section of Italy's iconic Alta Via 1, among towering peaks, alpine lakes and traditional mountain rifugios
What's Included?
- Activities & Certified GuidesAll hikes led by a UIAGM-qualified, local, English-speaking mountain guide
- Mountain huts & hotel4 nights in traditional mountain huts and 1 night comfortable hotel
- MealsAll breakfasts and dinners
- TransfersGroup transfers to and from the airport, plus a transfer to Belluno after your trek
- Luggage transferLuggage transfer for excess luggage not needed on the trek
- Maximum group size: 10Join small n’ sociable groups of like-minded, active and outdoorsy people – designed to be solo-friendly
From…excluding flights
Highlights
Hike the spectacular southern section of the Alta Via 1, taking in the Cinque Torri, Monte Pelmo, Lake Coldai and the towering cliffs of Civetta and Moiazza
Join a small group led by a local UIAGM-Certified Mountain Guide, bringing regional expertise, safety and insight to every step of the trek
Stay in traditional, family-run mountain huts, sharing hearty dinners and unforgettable sunsets high in the heart of the Dolomites
Want to get further off the beaten track? Explore our hut-to-hut trek in the Brenta Dolomites (opens in new tab) for a wilder, quieter Dolomites experience
Itinerary
Day 1
Settle in as the Dolomites work their magic
Driving2.5hrsMountain hutTwin or triple shareDinner includedShow Day 1 detailHide detail
Meet your driver at Venice Airport and take the group transfer up to Passo Valparola, right in the heart of Italy's iconic Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Check in to your mountain hut, perched at 2168m directly on the pass beside Lake Valparola, with the Fanes-Sennes-Braies group rising around you from the doorstep. Before dinner with the group, you'll have time for a final repack. Everything you need for the next four days of hut-to-hut hiking has to go in your pack now, as your bag won't be accessible again until you reach Belluno on Day 5. A welcome meal at the hut is arranged this evening, your first chance to get to know your fellow hikers before the trek begins. Your mountain guide will meet the group before breakfast tomorrow morning to run a welcome briefing and cover the route details before you set off. Get an early night: from tomorrow, the only way is up!
Day 2
Trek past Lake Limedes to the iconic Cinque Torri
Hiking6hrs · 15km · 820m up · 940m downMountain hutMulti shareBreakfast and dinner includedShow Day 2 detailHide detail
Meet your mountain guide before breakfast for a welcome briefing, then set off straight from the hut's doorstep for your first full day on the trail. The climb starts through sparse mid-mountain vegetation, a steady ascent that sets the tone for the morning, before you reach Lake Limedes, its still water ringed by peaks on every side. From here the trail keeps rising to the Averau and Nuvolau forks, where you get your first proper sight of one of the most photographed rock formations in the Dolomites: the Cinque Torri, five weathered towers standing apart from the ridgeline around them. Beyond the towers, the route turns downhill, dropping through alpine meadows before arriving at Croda da Lago, where Lake Federa sits cupped in the surrounding rock. You'll bed down in a local hut for the night, and enjoy a hearty dinner with your group before a good night's sleep.
Day 3
Walk beneath the sheer walls of Monte Pelmo
Hiking4hrs · 10km · 440m up · 710m downMountain hutMulti shareBreakfast and dinner includedShow Day 3 detailHide detail
Leave the rifugio after breakfast and set off toward one of the most recognisable landmarks in the Dolomites: Monte Pelmo. Seen from this side, its trapezoidal profile stands apart from the peaks around it, and no hiking trail reaches the summit – that's territory for experienced mountaineers only. Alta Via 1 instead threads beneath its rock walls, climbing steadily at first before the trail turns downhill for the rest of the day, working its way around the mountain's base. Keep an eye on the ground as you go: fossilised dinosaur footprints from the Triassic period, laid down some 200 to 250 million years ago, are visible in the rock along the way. The descent continues into the edge of the Civetta group, where your hut looks out over sunset views of Monte Pelmo and the peaks around it. This is a shorter day compared to the rest of the trip, but it's also the night where you'll stay at the most comfortable hut, which comes with a sauna and spa – you'll have time to make use of it during the afternoon before dinner. Alternatively, simply sit down with a book or drink and soak in this stunning corner of the mountains.
Day 4
Lake Coldai and the Civetta Face
Hiking6hrs · 11km · 950m up · 470m downMountain hutMulti shareBreakfast and dinner includedShow Day 4 detailHide detail
Leave Monte Pelmo behind and climb into the Civetta group, home to two of the trip's most striking sights. Today's ascent is the biggest of the trek so far, a steady climb so pace yourself early on. At the top you reach Lake Coldai, which turns a vivid turquoise on a clear day, sitting right beneath the northern edge of Civetta. From here the trail runs along the base of Civetta's west face, four kilometres long and over a kilometre high, coming within 300m of the rock at its closest point. Many consider this the single most memorable stretch of the entire Alta Via 1. Tonight is spent at a local hut, usually the popular Rifugio Tissi, where a hot shower and dinner await.
Day 5
Cross the Moiazza massif and end in Belluno
Hiking7hrs · 16km · 880m up · 1543m downHotelTwin or triple shareBreakfast and dinner includedShow Day 5 detailHide detail
Civetta and Moiazza together form one of the largest mountain groups in the Dolomites, and today's route follows the Moiazza side of it on your final day on foot. The morning brings the biggest climb of the trip, a sustained ascent across highland meadows and woodland, with views opening up east across Civetta towards the unmistakable vertical south face of the Marmolada group. From the top, the trail turns downhill for good, and it's a long one: over 1400m of descent through forest and along the base of Moiazza's pale cliffs, more height lost in a single day than any other stage of the trek. At Passo Durian, a private transfer collects the group and takes you down to Belluno, where your bag is waiting for you at the final hotel in the city centre. Next, wave goodbye to your guide and celebrate with a farewell dinner alongside the fellow trekkers you've shared the trail with all week.
Day 6
Goodbye mountains!
Driving1.5hrs · 160kmBreakfast includedShow Day 6 detailHide detail
After breakfast, your Dolomites adventure comes to an end. Your driver will meet you at the hotel and drive you back to Venice Airport in time for your onward flight.
Practical Stuff
Getting There
- Nearest airport
- Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE)
- Pick up
- Venice Marco Polo Airport
14:30 on Day 1 - Drop off
- Venice Marco Polo Airport
12:00 on Day 6
This Trip is Graded Level 5
What is and isn't Included?
What's included
- Guided hike along the Alta Via 1 past Cinque Torri to Rifugio Croda da Lago
- Guided hike beneath Monte Pelmo to Rifugio Staulanza
- Guided hike through the Civetta group, past Lake Coldai, to Rifugio Tissi
- Guided hike through the Moiazza range to Belluno
- One expert, local, English-speaking, UIAGM-qualified mountain guide from Day 2 to Day 5
- 4 nights in traditional Italian mountain huts
- 1 night in a 4-star hotel in Belluno
- 5 tasty breakfasts
- 5 hearty local dinners
- Group arrival transfer from Venice Marco Polo Airport on Day 1
- Group departure transfer to Venice Marco Polo Airport on Day 6
- Group transfer to Belluno on Day 5
- Luggage transfer from Rifugio Valparola to Belluno
What's not included
Our trips do not include flights, trains or other travel to the start point and back from the end point.
Lunches are not included, but you can buy your own as you'll stop each day at great mountain huts, which serve a choice of sandwiches or hot meals. You should budget around €30-40 per day in total to cover your lunches, snacks, drinks and showers.
In total, your host recommends having €200 with you in cash for this trip – whilst staying up in the mountain huts, it is not always possible to pay for items by card.
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip for good service. Your host can help with advice; however, we suggest the below as a guideline:
- €35 per person, per trip
Of course, you are free to tip more or less, and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality – a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
You know your own spending habits best, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals and drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures, and you'll need to provide your policy details before departure. Your insurance should offer adequate cover for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment, and the specific activities involved in your adventure. We also recommend ensuring your policy includes cancellation and curtailment cover, in case you're unable to join your trip due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness.
Standard travel insurance may not cover all the activities included in your adventure, so it's essential to check the details carefully. There are adventure-specific providers that many travellers have used in the past, such as True Traveller (opens in new tab) (for those based in the UK or Europe), or Rise + Shield (opens in new tab), both of which offer cover for a wide range of adventurous activities.
Please make sure your chosen policy meets your individual needs and covers all aspects of your trip.
Visa requirements often change, and you are responsible for obtaining any required visas for this trip. Please check with your nearest embassy or consulate for up-to-date advice.
Where You'll Stay
Looking for a private room? See Optional Extras for details and pricing.
What You'll Eat
All breakfasts and evening meals are included on this trip. Typically, breakfast includes an unlimited quantity of coffee and tea, bread, butter, jam, honey and chocolate spread. In addition, some huts offer ham, cheese and muesli. A typical dinner i…
Optional Extras
Upgrades
- Optional Private Room Upgrade (1 night)
- …
Due to the style and limited capacity of the accommodation used on this trip, a private room upgrade is only available for the final night of the trip. Availability is limited, so please request this from your host at the time of booking.
To request any extras, message your host via your Much Better Adventures account once you have booked your trip.
All extras must be paid before your trip starts.
Ratings & Reviews
This trip is brand new!
So new, in fact, that it's not got any reviews yet. But rest assured, it's been designed with the same care, quality and attention to detail as all of our highly rated adventures.
Before You Travel
What to Pack

Know before you go! Some stuff we'll provide, other things you'll need to bring.
FAQs
Can my dietary requirements be catered for on this adventure?
At Much Better Adventures, we work hard to accommodate dietary requirements and allergies so your trip is safe, inclusive and enjoyable. That said, options can vary by country, location and accommodation, and in some places options may be limited or unavailable. The information below has been provided by your host so you’re fully informed about what will be possible on your trip depending on your individual requirements. This information should be read carefully prior to your trip to ensure that you are adequately prepared for the situation ‘on the ground’.
Once you have booked on your trip, please fill out your passenger information form ASAP with any dietary requirements. Once you complete your passenger information, your dietary needs and any allergies are automatically shared with your host and, in turn, your guide. Please submit this as early as possible so they can plan accordingly and deliver the best experience. Please also remind your guide about your dietary requirements upon arrival, as mentioning these in person allows your guide to comprehend individual preferences and limitations as soon as you arrive.
SPECIAL DIETS
Vegetarian
Vegetarian diets can usually be accommodated provided your host is informed in advance. Please note that choice in the mountain huts is limited and meals may be simpler and less varied than at lower-altitude accommodation.
Vegan
Vegan diets can often be accommodated if your host is informed well in advance, although options in the mountain huts are likely to be limited. Meals may be repetitive and lower in protein, as traditional Dolomite cuisine relies heavily on meat, cheese and dairy products. We strongly recommend bringing protein bars and other suitable snacks to supplement your diet.
Kosher
Fully certified Kosher kitchens and supervision are rare and usually cannot be guaranteed unless expressly confirmed in advance by your host. Vegetarian options can often be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.
Halal
Certified Halal supply will not be possible during the trip. Vegetarian options can often be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.
INTOLERANCES
Gluten-free
Gluten-free diets can usually be accommodated provided your host is informed well in advance. However, choice in the mountain huts may be limited, and gluten-free alternatives may not always be available for every meal. If you have Coeliac disease or rely on specific gluten-free products, we recommend bringing some supplementary products from home: meals are prepared in small shared kitchens within remote mountain huts, where cross-contamination cannot be completely eliminated.
Lactose-free
Lactose-free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance.
ALLERGIES
Our host has confirmed that they are able to accommodate mild allergies to the 14 allergens (opens in new tab) identified by the UK Food Standards Agency, where these are disclosed in advance. However, if you have a severe or life-threatening food allergy, please get in touch with our Customer Experience team prior to booking, to discuss whether your requirements can be accommodated safely on this trip. This will allow us to carefully consider the sensitivity and severity of your allergy, the available provision on the trip and the accessibility of medical care should a reaction occur. Your safety is always our top priority. Please note that when travelling overseas, local ingredients, food preparation methods and labelling standards may vary, particularly in remote areas. It is also worth noting that any allergies may result in more limited options and repetitive provision in some areas. Whilst your guide will help communicate dietary requirements where possible, customers remain responsible for managing their own allergies during the trip. Please note that meals are prepared in small shared kitchens within remote mountain huts, where cross-contamination cannot be completely eliminated.
What do I do about drinking water?
The local tap water is generally safe to drink. Please bring along your own reusable water bottles or bladders (at least 2L) to fill up at the mountain huts to avoid buying single-use plastic bottles. Please note that during periods of extreme water shortage at the mountain huts, due to extended hot weather, it may be necessary to purchase bottled water rather than refilling from a tap.
Can I leave my excess luggage somewhere during the trip?
As this is a hut-to-hut trek, you'll need to carry everything you'll need for the duration of the trip from Day 2 to Day 5. We recommend packing as light as possible and bringing only the essentials you'll need for hiking and your overnight stays in the mountain huts. If you're travelling with additional luggage that you won't need on the trek, your host will transfer it to your final hotel in Belluno where it will be waiting for you once you check in on Day 5. Your host will provide a luggage tag for each participant, which is usually pre-completed with your booking reference, the lead guest's name and the destination hotel. Before handing over your luggage, simply write the bag number on the tag (for example: 1 of 2, 2 of 2) and attach it securely to your bag. If you need additional luggage tags, the hotel staff will be able to provide them.
Please leave your luggage at reception or in the designated luggage storage area, as directed by the hotel staff, before you set off. Do not leave your luggage in your room or anywhere else without first checking with reception, as this may delay collection. Your host can transport suitcases, backpacks and duffel bags; however, please ensure your luggage is securely packed, as they cannot transport unpackaged items or luggage packed in plastic shopping bags, bin bags or other unsuitable packaging.
Which Alta Via route does this trip cover?
This trip follows the spectacular southern section of the Alta Via 1 (AV1), one of the Dolomites' most iconic long-distance hiking trails. Rather than tackling the entire 120km+ route from Lago di Braies to Belluno, you'll experience its most dramatic final stages, hiking from the Falzarego Pass area through the wild Civetta and Moiazza massifs to Passo Duran near Belluno. This southern stretch is widely regarded as the quieter, more rugged half of the Alta Via 1, offering a greater sense of wilderness and generally fewer crowds than the popular northern sections.
Along the way, you'll trek beneath the towering limestone walls of Monte Pelmo, Civetta and Moiazza, crossing remote mountain passes, flower-filled alpine meadows and staying in traditional rifugios. While this section is generally much quieter – particularly in June and September – the Dolomites have become increasingly popular in recent years, so you should still expect to encounter other hikers along the trail.
Unlike many self-guided Alta Via 1 itineraries, this trip also includes:
- An IFMGA/UIAGM-certified local mountain guide, who leads the group throughout the trek, taking care of navigation while sharing insights into the region's geology and mountain culture.
- A small group of no more than 10 trekkers, creating a more personal experience both on the trail and in the mountain huts.
- Seamless logistics, with transfers before and after the trek included, so you can focus entirely on the hiking rather than arranging transport between remote trailheads.
- A carefully designed itinerary showcasing the finest scenery of the southern Alta Via 1, allowing you to experience the route's highlights without committing to the full 8-10 day traverse.
If you're looking for an even wilder adventure, consider our alternative hut-to-hut trek in the lesser-visited Brenta Dolomites (opens in new tab).
How many guides and support crew will there be on my trip?
Your trip is fully supported by an experienced local team, so you can focus on enjoying the trek while all the logistics are taken care of.
On Day 1, an experienced driver will meet the group at the airport and provide the transfer to the first hut. From the morning of Day 2 until Day 5, you'll be accompanied on the trails by a UIAGM-certified Mountain Guide, who will lead your group throughout the trek, stay with the group in the mountain huts on Days 2–4, and accompany you to Belluno at the end of the hike.
Behind the scenes, your local host has decades of experience operating hut-to-hut adventures in the Dolomites and will coordinate all trip logistics, including luggage transfers, accommodation and reservations. Your first evening meal and farewell dinner will be pre-arranged, and the accommodation providers will already have your rooming details and booking information.
If you need any assistance during the trek, your mountain guide will be your main point of contact. You'll also be provided with the contact details of a local trip coordinator, who can be reached by phone or WhatsApp should any additional support be required.
At the end of the trip on Day 6, a driver will provide the return transfer to Venice Airport.
How much money should I bring to the Dolomites?
Whilst staying in the mountain huts, it is not always possible to pay for items by card, so it is recommended to have cash with you. Lunches are not included, but you can buy your own as you'll stop each day at great mountain huts serving a choice of sandwiches or hot meals or you will pre order a packed lunch before setting off on thehike. You should budget around €30 per day to cover your lunches, snacks, drinks and showers. In total, your host recommends having €200 with you in cash for this trip.
What is the highest altitude reached during the trek?
The highest point on the trek is Forcella di Forca Rossa (2490m), reached on Day 5. The route spends much of its time between 1500m and 2300m, crossing several spectacular mountain passes beneath the towering limestone peaks of Pelmo, Civetta and Moiazza. As this is a trekking route rather than a summit climb, no technical mountaineering or high-altitude acclimatisation is required. However, please ensure you purchase adequate travel insurance with coverage for this activity and altitude.
What's Plan B in case of bad weather?
In the event of poor weather, (such as storms, heavy rain and reduced visibility), your host will consider the conditions and depending on the stage of the trek, may plot an alternative route or arrange to sit out any extreme weather in one of the huts. This is an unlikely event in the summer months, but your hosts are experienced mountain guides with a lot of successful treks in this part of the world under their belt, so you are in the best of hands.
Can I book on my own?
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Who is running the trip?
Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with (opens in new tab). You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.
What is the official travel advice?
Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website (opens in new tab), where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).
For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.
What vaccinations do I need?
We recommend checking out the country-specific information (opens in new tab) and also talking to a travel nurse.
How are the trips priced?
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
Why are your adventures only for adults?
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.
Who else will be on my trip?
You're always in good company on one of our adventures.
Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.
Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way. Check out our Community Values (opens in new tab) – a shared code to make sure that everyone's experience is safe, inclusive and brilliantly unforgettable.
It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.
Don't just take our word for it:
- 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
- 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
- 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends
See here (opens in new tab) for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.
What's the weather like?
The trip runs from mid-June to mid-September, spanning the shoulder and peak of the Dolomites' summer season. In June, expect daytime temperatures of around 12-25°C (54-68°F) at altitude, with cold nights and occasional lingering snow patches on higher ground. By July and August, the warmest months, daytime temperatures on the trails typically reach 15-25°C (59-68°F), rising to around 25-30°C (77-86°F) on the valley floor, though it turns noticeably cooler in wind or shade higher up. These two months also bring the greatest risk of thunderstorms, usually rolling in during the afternoon and sometimes heavy. September tends to settle down again, with daytime temperatures of around 10-20°C (50-59°F) at altitude and nights dropping close to freezing. Given these swings between warm days and cold nights, having the right kit for both temperatures is essential. Your expert mountain guide will be with you throughout, helping you read the conditions and there to make the right call on routes and timings each day.
What's the carbon footprint for this trip?
We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 91kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000 miles/1609km would be approximately 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person, if there were two of you in it).
- A return economy class flight between London and New York would be approximately 1619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approximately 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust (opens in new tab) to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre (opens in new tab) programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here (opens in new tab).
Want to Know More?
Ask our AI Assistant
Get instant answers about this adventure
Departure dates
Secure your spot
10% deposit to book (limited exceptions)
Pay in instalments, no interest or fees
Sunday 20th June 2027
to Friday 25th June 2027
…
Tuesday 29th June 2027
to Sunday 4th July 2027
…
Don’t see a date you like?
Get an email alert when new dates are added for this trip
Subscribe to alertsWe've Got Your Back
Book with confidence and peace of mind.

Got a Group of 6 or More?
Still Undecided?
A few other trips to tickle your fancy
















