Alta Via di Forni: the wildest side of the Dolomites

Alta Via di Forni is an off-the-beaten-tracks hut-to-hut adventure that connects some of the wildest and most authentic corners of the Dolomites - the Friuli Dolomites, located in northeastern Italy.

This area is little known and less visited, offering a unique experience. It still preserves ancient traditions, a genuine sense of hospitality, and authentic mountain flavors.

The Alta Via di Forni connects some of the most spectacular trails of the Wild Friuli Dolomites, unfolding through constantly changing landscapes — from lush forests and gentle meadows to dramatic rocky peaks.

Starting from the Forni di Sopra basin, the path leads you immediately into the raw and jagged beauty of the Dolomites mountains. Along the way, you can admire the mountain groups of Pramaggiore, Monfalconi, Cridola, and Clap Savon — a wild, dramatic world that reveals the true essence of the Dolomites.
As the route progresses, the scenery changes dramatically. The dramatic shape of the Dolomites gives way to green meadows. The route continues through lush forests and gentle hills. During summer, the alpine pastures are home to cows, horses, and sheep, recalling the rhythm of traditional alpine life.
What makes the Alta Via di Forni so unique is the duality between calm alpine meadows and rocky terrain.

The itinerary starts and ends in Forni di Sopra, a charming alpine village with fewer than one thousand inhabitants. The trailhead is located right in the town center.

This loop hike offers multiple options varying in difficulty and length. The tour that we propose is designed for hikers with an average level of fitness and previous hiking experience. You will be hiking for about 5-6 hours on less trodden trails with a daily elevation gain of about 1.000 meters.

Along the route, you will sleep in mountain refuges and “casere”. A casera is a traditional shelter which was once used by shepherds and farmers for storing livestock or as a place to rest during seasonal grazing in the highlands. Nowadays, they are welcoming mountain huts that offer comfortable beds, a hot shower, breakfast and dinner.

Program details:

• Day 1
  Arrival in Forni di Sopra and check-in in 3* hotel.
   
• Day 2 - VAL DI SUOLA
  Ascent: +710m. Descent: -20m. Distance: 6km. Hiking time: 3-3h30.
  Your adventure begins right from Piazza del Comun in Forni di Sopra. Today’s journey can be split into three distinct sections: a gentle paved section through the enchanting Val di Suola, a forest trail shaded by conifers, and a final ascent across a dramatic scree slope leading to the mountain hut. From the very start, the trail presents breathtaking views of the surrounding majestic Dolomites. As you progress, the path becomes steeper and enters the forest, passing through areas of dense conifer trees and occasional scenic clearings that open up to valleys and ridges. The landscape changes, shifting from lower vegetation to a rugged, rocky terrain that feels wild. The trail eventually leaves the forest and makes its way along the edges of an imposing scree slope, which will accompany you almost all the way to the hut. Even though the scree can be challenging, the path remains accessible, offering uninterrupted, breath-taking views of the Friulian Dolomites. Dinner and overnight stay in hut. 
   
• Day 3 - TRUOI DEI SCLOPS / GENTIANA TRAIL
  Ascent: +950m. Descent: -1120m. Distance: 10km. Hiking time: 5h30.
  Your route for today carries the name of Truoi dai sclops. It is one of the most beautiful and wild hikes in the Dolomites, taking you to discover the lesser-known and authentic corners of the Friulian Dolomites. The name Truoi dai Sclops, which in the Forni dialect means "Path of the Gentianelles," derives from Gentiana Froelichii (Blue Gentian), a beautiful and rare flower that is abundant along the route. The route develops on mountain trails featuring the various natural aspects of the Friulian Dolomites: from the vertical cliffs of the Pramaggiore group and the Monfalcon di Forni to the tranquil alpine meadows, from the vegetation of the valley-floor forests to the rare-endemic flowers of the high altitudes. The ascent is moderate, but some sections require caution, especially when crossing the rocky areas of the mountain passes. Along the route, if you're lucky, you might spot some typical wildlife of the area, such as chamois, marmots, and golden eagles. Dinner and overnight stay in hut.
   
• Day 4 - PASSO DELLA MAURIA
  Ascent: +910m. Descent: -620m. Distance: 17km. Hiking time: 6h.
  Today, you will hike a long section of Alta Via No. 6 of the Dolomites, also known as the "Alta Via of Silence". The name perfectly describes the spirit of this route — a journey through remote, quiet, and untouched landscapes, where solitude and nature still prevail.
  Leaving the hut, you leave behind the rugged Dolomitic environment to enter the idyllic yet equally wild southern side of the Carnic Alps. With gentle ups and downs, you cross the gravel slopes of Monte Cridola, immersed in a wild and silent mountain setting, surrounded by forests of firs and larches. After crossing the road to Passo della Mauria, the path runs across a more forested environment. As you approach casera Lavazeit, the scenery opens dramatically. This natural balcony offers view of Tagliamento valley and the Carnic Alps. In clear days, you can also spot in the distance the famous “Tre Cime di Lavaredo” from the trail. The path now crosses wide mountain meadows characterized by pastures and clearings. Walking through forests and alpine meadows, you can enjoy beautiful views of the Dolomitic peaks. Dinner and overnight stay in hut.
   
• Day 5 - MONTE TIARFIN
  Ascent: +610m. Descent: -1410m. Distance: 11km. Hiking time: 5h30.
  The last hiking day follows a section of the historic Via delle Malghe, known in the local Fornese dialect as Truoi da las mons — the "Mountain Farm Route”. This scenic loop develops over 20 km and connects the main alpine farms scattered along the slopes of Forni di Sopra. It was once used by local shepherds and farmers, who would bring their herds to the high-altitude pastures during the warmer months. From Casera Tartoi, the ascent begins through the Agons di Tiarfin, a fascinating area of rocky spurs and pinnacles, leading up to Forcella Rossa at 2.300 meters. Here, you are greeted by a 360-degree panorama: the Belluno Dolomites, the Carnic Alps, the Austrian glaciers, and even the Julian Alps stretching toward nearby Slovenia. After admiring the view, the trail continues with a steep descent to Casera Tragonia, then continues toward the valley. The forest is so thick that the sky is barely visible but every often opens and you can see the Dolomites in front of you. The descend develops entirely through the wood until it brings you to the small village of Forni di Sopra where your hike ends. Overnight stay in hotel.
   
• Day 6
  After breakfast, check-out and departure.

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.

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