High Adventure on Alta Via 1: Experience the Dolomites & Venice (UNESCO) June 12th - 26th, 2023

Join us for a truly remarkable 12-day hiking adventure along the Alta Via 1 route in the breathtaking Dolomites, followed by a day exploring the enchanting city of Venice. This event takes place from the 12th to the 26th of June 2023.

Our journey begins in Dobbiaco, from where we embark on the Alta Via 1, one of the most famous and spectacular treks in the Italian Dolomites. We'll traverse towering peaks, serene alpine meadows, and charming mountain refuges over the course of 12 unforgettable days. Our path will be marked with splendid panoramas, unforgettable sunrises, and sunsets, presenting you with picture-perfect moments at every step.

Expect a challenging yet rewarding experience, as the Alta Via 1 is a serious trek that requires good physical condition. With heights reaching well over 2000 metres, it's an adventure that will literally and figuratively take your breath away. Each night, we will rest in welcoming mountain huts, enjoying hearty meals and the unique camaraderie that only a shared adventure can bring.

After our grand traverse of the Dolomites, we'll descend back into the vibrant city of Venice on the 25th of June. Known for its labyrinthine canals, historic architecture, and lively culture, Venice offers a contrasting experience to our mountain journey. We'll have a full day to soak in the sights, sounds, and flavours of this remarkable city before our adventure concludes on the 26th of June.

Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the awe-inspiring beauty of the Dolomites and the charm of Venice. Come, trek the Alta Via 1 with us!"

Please note: The description assumes that the group will return to Venice on the 25th of June and spend one full day there on the 26th. You may need to adjust the dates according to your actual schedule.

• Day 1: Departure from Dobbiaco, start of the Alta Via 1 trek. Overnight in a mountain hut.
• Day 2 - Day 11: Continue the trek through the Dolomites, experiencing different stages of the Alta Via 1. Overnight stays in mountain huts along the way.
• Day 12: Completion of the Alta Via 1 trek. Celebratory dinner and overnight in Belluno.
• Day 13: Rest day in Belluno, with options to explore the town or simply relax.
• Day 14: Travel from Belluno to Venice. Explore the historic city of Venice, enjoying its unique culture and architecture.
• Day 15: Conclude the adventure and depart from Venice.

Please note:This itinerary serves as a guideline and may need adjustments based on weather conditions, the group's pace, and other factors. I will always ensure to prioritize safety and respect for nature during our trek

Accommodation Information

We carefully select your rifugi (mountain huts) to provide a warm taste of Italian hospitality and foster camaraderie among fellow trekkers. You will begin and end your tour in a friendly 3-star hotel on a bed and breakfast basis. At Refugio Fanes, only breakfast is included, but dinner is available for purchase locally. For the remaining six nights, you will stay on a half-board basis in 'rifugi', providing comfortable accommodation and quality local food and drink. These refuges vary in comfort levels, being a mix of properties managed by the Italian Alpine Club (CAI) and private operators.

The huts' accommodation is usually booked in mixed-sex dormitories with alpine-style communal sleeping areas or bunk beds. We can often arrange for private rooms in the huts, some with shared facilities and others with private en suite bathrooms. Where this room type is available, it is noted against each accommodation; opting for this 'room upgrade' will incur an additional cost. Private rooms are in high demand and hence subject to availability. Please note that private rooms in the mountain huts are extremely scarce. If you're interested in a private room, it's important to BOOK EARLY. While we will always endeavour to meet your request, it might not always be possible to reserve private rooms in the mountain huts.

Single Rooms & Solo Walkers

This trip is not suitable for solo walkers due to the remote terrain, and single rooms are only available on the first and last nights (in hotel accommodation). A supplement will apply for these.

Meals

Breakfast is included each morning. Dinner is not provided in Cortina or Belluno, given the wide range of restaurants available for you to explore. During your stay in the rifugi, dinner is included (drinks are extra). At Rifugio Fanes, dinner is not included, but it can be purchased locally from an à la carte menu. The meals at the mountain huts are always simple, hearty, and delicious.

Included:

• Accommodation: 2 nights in a comfortable 3* hotel (en-suite room), and 8 nights in mountain huts (mixed-sex dormitory accommodation).
• Meals: 10 breakfasts and 7 dinners (served in the mountain huts/Rifugios, excluding Rifugio San Sebastiano).
• Route Guides: Descriptions, guidebook, Tabacco maps, and a pre-departure information pack.
• Assistance: 24-hour phone assistance.
• Baggage Transfer: From Cortina to Belluno.

Exclusions

• Travel to Cortina and from Belluno
• Travel Insurance
• Lunches, dinners in Rifugio San Sebastiano, Cortina, and Belluno, drinks & snacks
• Public transportation, including buses, trains, and cable cars
• Personal expenses such as drinks, phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc.
• Any items not specifically mentioned in the program
• Day to Day Baggage Transfers

Extras

• Additional nights during the trip
• Private room supplement for the rifugios (subject to availability, rooms with either shared or en suite facilities)
• Baggage transfers
• Transfer to and from Venice Airport

By Air: Venice Marco Polo Airport is the most convenient airport, serving various international airlines. The smaller Venice Treviso Airport, serviced by the low-cost carrier Ryanair, offers flights from London Stansted, Bristol, East Midlands, and Leeds Bradford.

Grade and Terrain

This hike is classified as strenuous, and each day you'll need to carry your own backpack, though difficulty ratings can often be subjective. It includes daily walks ranging between 9 and 16.5 km with ascents of up to 900m and descents of up to 1300m. You will be following zigzag paths, country lanes, narrow and broad trails, and rough mountain roads. You should be prepared for rocky, loose terrains and inevitably narrow trails through scree slopes. We have deliberately avoided routes that involve Via Ferratas.

Some of the ascents and descents are notably steep and some may be exposed, so a good head for heights and sure-footedness is required in some places. It's possible to split some of the longer days in the itinerary, please see the detailed itinerary for more information. You should have a good level of physical fitness for walking to make the most out of this trip and be an experienced mountain walker.

Navigation

As this is a hike guided by an experienced high-mountain guide, the guide will be responsible for navigation, decision-making, and safety during your trip. This hike is strenuous, traversing high mountain passes and the weather can change rapidly. We provide route notes for the routes, as well as an app along with GPX tracks to know where you are at all times, so you will have no trouble following the route each day.

Potos by Unsplash and J Thomas Salas