Hiking Alta Via N.1 of the Dolomites

Arrive in Cortina d’Ampezzo (1,224m / 4,016') on your own and check into your hotel (private transfer available on request).
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 Alpine town also caters to the high society crowd, offering many year-round social activities, shopping, and fine dining.

If you are taking a self guided trip, you will meet with a Dolomite Mountains representative In the afternoon. He or she will provide a trip briefing and orientation, as well as maps, and everything necessary for your self guided adventure.
If you are taking a guided trip, you will meet with your guide tomorrow morning.

In the morning, take a private transfer to a cozy hut-cum-dairy farm set in a valley lying between the Croda Rossa (northeast) and Lavinores (west) Dolomite groups, at the entrance of the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Reserve.

The Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Reserve comprises an area of approximately 25,453 hectares (62,069 acres). Clusters of old log-built farmsteads adorn the mountainsides called Viles and are a typical feature of the Ladin-speaking valleys. These tiny communities were once self-sustaining, with outbuildings and baking ovens shared communally. The Fanes high plateau is a popular walking and hiking area with a typical karstic limestone landscape characterized by caves, fissures, underground streams, and small lakes. Rugged rocks eroded by the action of wind and weather rise in all directions. Today you will hike in the Sennes section of the Nature Reserve along the Alta Via 1, at the end of your hike you'll reach your rifugio for the night.
(~5 hours hiking, 12 km / 7,4 miles, 920m / 3,018’ ascent, 630m /2,067’ descent.)

Departing your rifugio this morning, you’ll hike downhill on a steep dirt road until you'll reach a local rifugio, where you may wish to stop for a coffee. From here, you'll hike uphill in the direction of a small lake, through a charming landscape studded with little lakes and rounded mountain-tops. Continue toward your rifugio for tonight, with splendid views of the Tofane Mountains.
(~4 hours hiking, 8 km / 4,8 miles, 560 m / 1,840’ ascent, 460 m / 1,510’ descent.)

Today is a lovely hike through the Altopiano di Fanes to the Lagazuoi Massif. You'll enjoy beautiful panoramas of the Western Dolomites and the Marmolada Massif, the "Queen of the Dolomites.”
From your rifugio, Alta Via N.1 continues through the beautiful high meadow and karst formations, climbing to a narrow and dramatic gap in the mountain with a trail descent through steep talus on the south side. At the base of the slope is a small lake, whose green waters are framed by pines with a backdrop of the sheer walls of the Cima del Lago and the Cima Scotoni. From the lake, the path begins the long, steady climb to your rifugio. Entering open, rocky terrain, you'll come across ruins from the First World War. When you arrive at the Forcella Lagazuoi, a pass that separates Lagazuoi Piccolo from Lagazuoi Grande, you can opt for a short detour through these WWI tunnels and fortifications en route to your rifugio, one of the highest in all the Dolomites (2,752m / 9,029'), with incredible 360-degree vistas.
(~6 hours hiking, 12.4k m / 7,7 miles, 1,397m / 4,583’ ascent, 705m / 2,313’ 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.

From your rifugio, descend to the main road either by cable car (not included) or on foot. Hike a memorable traverse below the awesome Tofana di Rozes, ascend three Forks (2,573m / 8,442’), (2,507m / 8,225’), and (2,331m / 7,648’), and gradually descend along a line of trenches. Climb through forests to the fascinating, renowned Cinque Torri area (option to ascend by chairlift, not included) and stop at a lovely rifugio for lunch, with incredible vistas around.

After lunch, you may wish to circumnavigate the Cinque Torri. This area saw heavy fighting during WWI. Trenches and Italian army shelters have been restored, creating the Grande Guerra open-air museum of WWI, offering insights into the war and fighting through interpretive panels. After the “museum,” you will hike through the middle of the rock towers, where you will likely see climbers high up on the walls, finally arriving at a Pass where you will spend the night.
(~5-6 hours hiking, 11,6 km / 7 miles, 582m / 1,908’ ascent, 1,040m / 3,412’ descent.)

After breakfast, from your rifugio begin to hike uphill to the rear of grassy Col Piombin, which takes its name from past mining activity. The trail leads over the Forcella Giau (2,360m / 7,742’) with plenty of ups and downs; here, 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. Along the hike, you’ll have great views of the majestic Sorapiss, the unmistakable pyramid of Antelao, and far off the Cadore Dolomites. All of a sudden, the Pelmo (3,168m / 10,394') will be incredibly close, and at this range, it’s easy to understand why it was dubbed ‘Throne of the Gods.’ The last part of the day leads below Pelmo’s north face (which is 1,006m / 3,300' straight up to the top) to your comfortable rifugio (1,783m / 5,850'), your home for tonight.
(~6 hours hiking, 13 km / 7,8 miles, 410m / 1,345' ascent, 870m / 2,853' descent.)

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

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!
Ascend steeply through a dense forest to Forcella de l’Orso. Reach Forcella del Camp (1,933m / 6,341’) and you’ll get the breathtaking spectacle of the Moiazza Sud. Continue hiking on a clear white gravel lane across pasture clearings until you'll reach the main road, and your transfer back to Cortina. Celebrate the conclusion of your trek on Alta Via n.1!
(~8.5 hours hiking, 16,9 km / 10,5 miles, 650 m / 2,130’ ascent, 1,270 m / 4,170‘ descent.)