Alta Via 1 Northern Trek: from Lake Braies to Monte Pelmo

Alta Via 1 is a self-guided hiking tour in the heart of the Dolomites. Nestled between the mountains, you find Lake Braies: here begins the itinerary that will take you to the foot of Cinque Torri crossing various landmarks of the Dolomites.

This is one of the most charming hiking itineraries of the Dolomites, many are the highlights you encounter along the way. You hike through the Fanes-Sennes-Braies National Park, one of the largest protected areas in South Tyrol, then meet the Lagazuoi, which is very important at an historical level. On the longer versions of the Alta Via 1 hiking tours, you will have the possibility to hike surrounded by new fantastic panoramas: from the Cinque Torri iconic profile to the massive Monte Pelmo, passing through the one-of-a-kind location of Croda da Lago.

The hiking tour starts and finishes in Cortina d’Ampezzo and requires three to six entire hiking days. You will sleep in comfortable mountain huts; some of them have been recently renovated.

This hiking trail in the Dolomites is also suitable for families with children with a good physical shape (a minimum age of 10 years is suggested).

Program details - 8 days:

• Day 1
  Arrival in Cortina d'Ampezzo and check-in in 3* hotel. 
   
• Day 2 - LAKE BRAIES
  Ascent: +960m. Descent: -300m. Altitude 1500 - 2300 m. Distance: 10km. Hiking time: 5h
  In the morning transfer to Lake Braies. Here a deep trail starts and leads you to the first hut. The walk is set to pass through the tree belt and then reach the alpine meadows at the altitude of 2.000-3.000 meters. Optional hikes: uphill hike to the Croda del Becco, where you can admire a 360-degree view of the Sennes plateau. Or alternatively, the hike to the Muntejela di Sennes. Dinner and overnight stay in hut. 
   
• Day 3 - FANES-SENNES-BRAIES NATURAL PARK 
  Ascent: +550m. Descent: -650m. Altitude 1500 - 2100 m. Distance: 11km. Hiking time: 5h
  This leg takes you through the 25.680 hectares of Fanes-Sennes-Braies National Park. You will be surrounded by various landscape: pastures, meadows full of flowers and herbs, colors, waterfalls and wildlife. From the hut the trail heads south crossing wide meadows until it reaches a small hut where a short break is possible. After admiring the surrounding mountains, the trail rises passing through the idyllic landscape known as Alpe di Fanes. Dinner and overnight stay in hut.
   
• Day 4 - LAGAZUOI
  Ascent: +1120m. Descent: -440m. Altitude 2000 - 2800 m. Distance: 13km. Hiking time: 6h
  Today’s itinerary is remarkable both from a natural and historical point of view. Leaving the hut in the hearth of the Natural Park you go up to Forcella del Lago, from where you have a beautiful glimpse on Lake Lagazuoi. The lake, born by the underground springs, is located at an altitude of 2.182 m. After a small rest, the trail rises again towards one of the most panoramic areas of the hike. During the First World War the Lagazuoi massif has been transformed into a fortress and still is a real rock castle. The hut offers a unique terrace overlooking the Dolomites. Dinner and overnight stay in hut.
   
• Day 5 - FIVE TOWERS
  Ascent: +790m. Descent: -1470m (with the lift 840 m).Altitude 2000 - 2600 m. Distance: 15km. Hiking time: 7h
  After enjoying a spectacular sunrise on top of the mountains is time to leave this landscape behind. The descent to Passo Falzarego can be done either by lift or foot (about 1h 15m). From the pass the trail rises gently until Lake Limides, a mass of water which collects rains in summer and snow and ice in winter. The climb continues passing through Forcella Averau and Nuvolau to then descent to Cinque Torri Massif. From this point you can admire a 360-degree view. Last stretch hiking to the hut. Dinner and overnight stay in hut.
   
• Day 6 - CRODA DA LAGO
  Ascent: +450m. Descent: -930m. Altitude 1800 - 2400 m. Distance: 13km. Hiking time: 5h
  The day begins discovering the fantastic location of Croda da Lago. From here you continue the hike towards Monte Pelmo, one of the most suggestive peaks of the Dolomites. The second part of today's hike goes downhill towards tonight's hut. Dinner and overnight stay in hut.
   
• Day 7 - AROUND MONTE PELMO
  Ascent: +300m. Descent: -1140m. Altitude 1700 - 2250 m. Distance: 14km. Hiking time: 6h
  The hike brings you to the discover of the southern side of Monte Pelmo. Doing so, you experience a series of different landscapes: from green meadows to alpine woods and the rocky mountain of higher altitudes. An optional visit to the dinosaur footprints on a dolomite boulder is possible taking a small deviation. Descent and private transfer to Cortina. Overnight stay in hotel.
   
• Day 8
  After breakfast, check-out and departure.

Program details - 5 days:

It is the shorter version of the hike and allows you to visit the top sights of Alta Via 1 Northern route in a short time. Lake Braies, Fanes-Sennes-Braies Natural Park and the Lagazuoi area are all included in this hike (3 hiking days, 2 nights in base camp hotel before and after the hike, 2 nights at huts).

Program details - 6 days:

This very popular version of the Alta Via 1 of the Dolomites includes Cinque Torri and Nuvolau groups too (4 hiking days, 2 nights in base camp hotel before and after the hike, 3 nights at huts).

Program details - 7 days:

On your last hiking day, you hike the northern side of Monte Pelmo to then descend to Borca di Cadore (5 hiking days, 2 nights in base camp hotel before and after the hike, 4 nights at huts).

Program details - Group departure: 

The group departure follows the same itinerary of the 7-day tour, starting from Lake Braies and heading south through the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park, Mount Lagazuoi, the Cinque Torri, and Nuvolau toward Mount Pelmo. Along the way, it is possible to explore the Lagazuoi tunnels. The program does not include hotel accommodations before and after the trek.  The meeting on the first hiking day is scheduled at 8:00 am in Cortina d'Ampezzo. 

Additional clarifications

The program could be changed at discretion of the Campo Base Team based on weather conditions and forecasts, mantaining however inalterate the basic structure and the aims of the proposal.

Discover our other hiking tours on the Alps