- Challenge Information
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Details
Italian Dolomites Expedition 2027
Trip dates
Scheduled trip - 30th July – 7th August 2027 fixed dates but limited places are available
The expedition offers you the challenge of trekking the Alta Via 1 route through the Italian Dolomites.
The Alta Via 1 (AV1) is quickly becoming Italy’s most famous hike, and completing the route is a physical, once in a life-time achievement. By joining a guided Alta Via 1 group, you’ll share the experience with like-minded hikers and a local guide. Group members often stay in touch, and go on to hike new routes together year after year. Hiking the AV1, you’ll get up close to the unique wildlife and landscapes of the Dolomites. Our AV1 trail is a real adventure; many others skip the latter stages of the route. We stick to the rugged trails that weave between impossibly sheer cliffs and high rock spires. Get lost in this landscape of unusual rock formations, grassy plateaus and magical lakes. Herds of chamois graze in the meadows, and edelweiss flowers grow close to the paths. Look up, and you might see a golden eagle soaring overhead!The mountain culture of the South Tyrol is distinct and by staying in cosy mountain refuges along the route we will be absorbed into this way of life. Friendly refuge guardians will take care of us, and we will meet plenty of other hikers whilst taking a drink on the terrace after a long day on the trail. Of course, when in Italy you can’t forget about the food! Italian cuisine is world-renowned, but the mountain food of the Dolomites is a little- known secret. Hearty soups; distinct, local cheeses; rich sauces with mushrooms, beans, pumpkins... We love these simple, wholesome mountain meals, and we think you will too.Flights depart from Heathrow Airport and arrive in Venice Marco Polo Airport followed by a 2-hour transfer to Cortina d’Ampezzo. We use a very comfortable hotel in Cortina and on arrival you’ll meet our guide for a briefing ready for the trek tomorrow. The following 8 days cover the most amazing trekking in the Dolomites reaching altitudes of 2,750m and covering around 68 miles in total (around 10miles each day). You’ll stay in beautiful mountain huts throughout and will only carry personal kit.On the final day of the trek you’ll be transferred to Venice Marco Polo Airport ready for an evening flight back to London Heathrow. The trekking route is a ‘challenge’ and a good level of fitness is needed but you will be walking at a steady pace carrying a rucksack with clothing, a thin sleeping bag liner, lunch and water.The group is led by a fully qualified International Mountain Guide (IMG). Throughout the entire trip you will be very well looked after from the moment that you land in Venice to your final day and departure.Costs and payment structure
The cost of the trip is £3,195. There is a £250 trip deposit (non-refundable) to book your place and the remaining balance is paid in instalments.Trip deposit (at time of booking) £250
1st December 2026 £1,200
1st February 2027 £600
1st April 2027 £500
1st June 2027 £645
Extra hotel night at the end of the trip = £75 - £100 per person depending on the hotel
Outline Itinerary
Day 1
Fly from Manchester or London Heathrow Airport to Venice Marco Polo airport (flight duration approximately 2hrs 15mins). Transfer to Cortina d’Ampezzo and check in to our hotel. In the evening there is a meeting with our guide to run through the trek and ensure everyone is prepared. Bed and breakfast accommodation provided.
Day 2
The day will start with a short taxi ride from your hotel to the starting point of the hike, the famous Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee). After a quick photo or two you’ll escape the crowds and start the first climb of the day, on the opposite side of the lake. The path is steady but never too steep, with great views of the lake below. A short exposed section will lead to a pass at 2,400m, just above Rifugio Biella, a nice location for a quick lunch break. The rest of the stage continues easily along wide and smooth tracks across open terrain. You will pass Rifugio Sennes, a great opportunity to stop for a cup of coffee and a slice of cake. It’s all downhill from here, and after one last steep section you’ll reach Rifugio Pederü. You will spend the night here or take a short shuttle to the quaint resort of st Viglio for the night. Today you have hiked 14,8km with 1,029m of climbing.
Day 3
Start the day by climbing up through the forest and on good paths all the way to Rifugio Fanes, a great spot for a morning coffee. From here you will continue on forest roads and paths all the way to the main Fanes plateau, you will pass Lago di Limo and continue to climb gradually to the Forcella del Lago (2,486m), a very narrow mountain pass. The descent from here is not to be underestimated, the path is very good but also very steep and the terrain loose, so concentration is required. Once at the base of the descent you’ll have some time to relax by the shores of Lago Lagazuoi. From here take a short hike to the refuge for the night, the cosy Rifugio Scotoni or continue to Rifugio Lagazuoi. Today you have hiked 15,1km with 1,103m of climbing.Day 4
From the hut you will ascend to the stunning Lagazuoi, a view point for the whole Dolomites! From the hut you’ll traverse the high balconies of rocky cliffs to the Rifugio Dibona before descending to cross the valley and climb up to Cinque Torri mountain peaks. There is an open-air Great War museum here with a restored Italian military base with its trenches, machine gun posts and bunkers. Take a break to explore the history and look for climbers on the famous five towers before heading on to your refuge for the night. Today you have hiked 11 km with 1100m of climbing.
Day 5
After a mandatory sunrise on the terrace (if the weather allows) and a good breakfast, we’ll start descending all the way to Passo Giau, another busy mountain pass with lots of cars, motorbikes and bicycles. After crossing the road all this will disappear once again and you’ll start walking on a beautiful but slightly more technical section of the route. After tackling a few rocky steps and a steep but short uphill section you’ll get to Forcella Giau, quickly followed by Forcella Ambrizzola and Forcella Col Duro. You’ll then descend to the other side on a wide gentle track to reach Rifugio Città di Fiume, a lovely spot for a cup of coffee and a break before the last section of the day. To reach our final destination at Passo Staulanza we have one last traverse at the foot of Monte Pelmo, one of the most impressive mountains in the Dolomites and the first to be climbed by Irish mountaineer John Ball. After a few rocky steps and a descent in the woods you’ll reach your hut for the night. Today you have hiked 17km with 600m of climbing
Day 6
Today is a beautiful but also challenging day, not to be underestimated. From Passo Staulanza you’ll walk along a short road section followed by a wide forest road. The path will quickly get steeper, though, and lead you to the very scenic Rifugio Coldai, just above 2200 metres. After a mandatory coffee and a break you will continue to the beautiful Lago Coldai and along one of the most famous mountains in the Dolomites: Monte Civetta. Its north-west face, that you will follow in its entirety, is one of the most iconic faces in the whole region, an outstanding sheer limestone cliff rich in mountaineering history. For this reason it’s otherwise known as “the wall of all walls”. Try not to look too much at it, though, as the path requires attention. It’s quite rocky in places, which might slow you down a little, but I promise you won’t be in a rush to get away from this place! Once you reach the end of the north-west face of Civetta you’ll join a wider track that will lead you quickly to Rifugio Vazzoler, your home for the night. Here the best atmosphere on the AV1 is guaranteed! Today you have hiked 15km with 950m of climbing.Day 7
Leaving Rifugio Vazzoler is always hard, but another beautiful day awaits. You’ll start by losing some height, walking on a 4×4 track leading towards the valley. Before too long, though, you’ll take a side path underneath the cliffs of the Moiazza mountain range, the continuation of the Civetta range. This section goes from steep paths to boulder fields and scree slopes, and it definitely requires some care, attention and patience. After one last exposed section between Forcella Col d’Ors and Forcella del Camp (not ideal for those who feel uncomfortable with heights), the path eases off and traverses over to Rifugio Carestiato. Enjoy a break here before the last easy section to Passo Duran and Rifugio Tomé, our very cosy overnight stop. Today you have hiked 10km with 675m of climbing
Day 8
Today we enter the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park and we’ll notice a change of scenery. Although the big limestone walls are still there, this side of the Dolomites is much wilder and feels more remote than what we’ve just crossed. After a short road section you’ll enter the woods and walk through beech trees, before reaching the tree line and hiking across the open slope to Rifugio Pramperet. This is a beautiful place and a great spot for a break and admire the views over the Belluno National Park mountain peaks.
From here you’ll start the main climb of the day to Forcella de Zita Sud, where a beautiful wild valley will open in front of you. Keep your eyes open here, it’s wildlife territory! From the pass you’ll start your descent down to the hut. Normally we will stay at this tiny refuge but occasionally we will continue along the trail to Rifugio Bianchet. Today you have hiked 16km with 1,150m of climbing.
Day 9
From Pian de Fontana you’ll have a short descent followed by one last climb to a col, which will warm you up on the last morning. From here you’ll start the long descent down to the valley which will take you past Rifugio Bianchet, one last chance for a mountain coffee. After this the path becomes wider and will lead you down to the main valley road, where a transfer will be waiting (with any bags you stored during the hike). From here you can head back to Venice Marco Polo Airport for your flight home in the evening or if the group prefers a night in a hotel prior to the flights on the next day. Today you have hiked 11km with 400m of climbing.Day 10
You may choose to stay the night and depart today.
Fitness
The trails on the Alta Via 1 are never too technical. Because of this, the AV1 is the perfect hike for anyone wanting to experience longer-distance hiking in the Dolomites for the first time. That said, there are some steep, exposed sections on rocky paths and the days are challenging (as they should be!). You should only hike the Alta Via 1 if you have a decent level of fitness, and you should have some experience hiking in the mountains. You’ll trek around 10miles each day so sensible training prior to the trip is necessary. Training for this can be running, swimming and gym work but please also do a few local day treks to prepare.
Accommodation
On the first day of this tour, you’ll stay in a comfortable 3* hotel in Cortina. The rooms are twin rooms, so if you plan to travel alone, you’ll share with another hiker from the group. For the rest of your time on the AV1, you’ll stay in mountain refuges. Here the accommodation is in small dormitories, which are comfortable but not luxurious. Staying in a mountain refuge is part of the real hiking experience. The views and scenery are spectacular, and you’ll have the opportunity to meet lots of other hikers. You’ll stay in bunk beds with pillows and blankets but please bring a thin, light sleeping bag liner.
Food
During the hotel stay breakfast is included. During the trek we provide breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food is excellent, plentiful and varied and prepared to a very high standard. We cater very well for vegetarians and for all special dietary requirements. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to try a variety of local specialities. All the refuges offer breakfast and a three-course dinner. The breakfast contains coffee and tea, bread, butter and jam. Some of the less-remote refuges also serve orange juice, cereal, yoghurt, fresh fruits, cheese and meat. The three-course dinner is hearty and the portion sizes are quite big. A typical menu would be:
• a pasta or a vegetable and pulses soup for starter
• a main course of meat, vegetables and a carbohydrate-rich side dish (e.g. potatoes. or
polenta)
• a simple dessert, such as vanilla pudding or a fruit salad
Tap water is offered free of charge, and you can buy supplementary drinks (e.g. coke, wine, beer).
You can pay for the supplementary drinks in the evening before going to bed. We will provide you with a lunch pack for each day. A typical lunch pack will consist of a sandwich, some fresh fruit, and some snacks (e.g. nuts, muesli bars).If you have any food restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, gluten intolerance etc.) please let us know as soon as possible. We can cater for most dietary requirements, but please note that some villages have very small shops, so the choice is often limited. Mountain refuges can also cater for most standard allergies / intolerances, but again the choice may be slightly limited.
Clothing and Equipment
Having the right kit is vital as you only want to carry what is needed. The list below covers the kit required. Nothing is specialised and everything is standard trekking kit. On the trek you will carry your personal clothing, a lightweight sleeping bag liner, lunch and water throughout. Ant non trekking items that you arrive with in Cortina can be transferred to the end of the trek for you.
Equipment• A 35 to 40 litre backpack with a waterproof cover
• Durable, waterproof hiking boots or trail shoes with good tread
• Lightweight footwear for the evenings (e.g. sandals, trainers, crocs)
• Water bottles or a water bladder, with a minimum capacity of 2 litres
• A sleeping bag liner, made from silk or cotton
• Hiking poles
Clothing
• Thermal, long-sleeve top
• Two technical t-shirts, plus one comfortable top that you can wear in the evenings and sleep in
• Two to three pairs of hiking socks
• One or two pairs of hiking trousers
• Comfortable trousers or leggings that you can wear in the evenings and sleep in
• Fleece or warm sweater + Insulated coat, such as a light down jacket or a PrimaLoft.
• Water and windproof jacket with a hood + Waterproof trousers
• A warm hat or buff, Light-weight gloves, Sunglasses and a cap
Toiletries
• Toothbrush and toothpaste, Soap and Deodorant
• A small, quick-drying towel
• Ear plugs to wear in the shared dormitories of refuges + An eye mask
• A full pack of blister plasters, such as Compeed
• Sunscreen (SPF +50)
Miscellaneous
• Your mobile phone, a charger, and (if necessary) the correct plug adaptor
• A small first-aid kit, which includes bandages, antiseptic cream / spray / wipes, and tweezers
• Cash to buy food / snacks / drinks / souvenirs, as some refuges and small shops won’t accept card payment
• Any specific snacking items that you particularly like
Insurance
It is vital that you have a comprehensive travel insurance policy that covers you when in Italy. Please ensure that this covers trekking to altitude on a recognised route. It is best to arrange your travel insurance once the flights are arranged as the trip details will then be fixed.
Baggage
We advise you wear/to keep in your hand luggage your essential kit so that in the unlikely event of the airline misplacing your bags you will have enough kit to carry on. Also it is highly recommended that you wear your boots onto the plane.
What’s included
All our expeditions are as ‘all inclusive’ as practically possible; this means that the cost covers all the accommodation, flights, flight tax, airport transfers, guides, + all food throughout your expedition. The only costs not included are travel insurance, tips and dinner pre/post trek + drinks. Flights prices from Manchester Airport and London Heathrow are very similar - so either airport is included in the trip cost shown above. For London Heathrow our preferred airline is British Airways
and from Manchester Airport we will use Ryan Air as both offer direct flights to Corina d’Ampezzo.How to reserve your place on the trip
To book a place on the trip, simply pay deposit online.
When your deposit is received, a trip booklet is sent out detailing every element of the trip. This includes information on VISA’s, insurance, fundraising ideas, and kit information.
On advancement of deposit for a booking on any of our trips or expeditions, the deposit acknowledges that he/she has read and understands the below booking conditions and agrees to be bound by them.
On advancement of deposit for a booking on any of our trips or expeditions, the deposit acknowledges that he/she has read and understands the below booking conditions and agrees to be bound by them. The deposit is non-refundable and that the instalments are also 100% non-refundable or transferable. The booking is confirmed once a reservation form (sent after booking online) has been completed and returned.
- What's Included
-
All our expeditions are as ‘all inclusive’ as practically possible; this means that the cost covers all the accommodation, flights, flight tax, airport transfers, guides, + all food throughout your expedition. The only costs not included are travel insurance, tips and dinner pre/post trek + drinks. Flights prices from Manchester Airport and London Heathrow are very similar - so either airport is included in the trip cost shown above. For London Heathrow our preferred airline is British Airways
and from Manchester Airport we will use Ryan Air as both offer direct flights to Corina d’Ampezzo.
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