Day 1: Lago di Braies to Rifugio Sennes
Meet your Intrepid guide at Lago di Braies (1,494m). After a circuit of the Pearl of the Dolomites, begin the ascent through pine forests into the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park. The trail climbs steadily through dwarf pine and alpine meadows to the Sennes plateau. Arrive at Rifugio Sennes (2,126m) by late afternoon — a classic stone rifugio with dormitory rooms and a dining room serving Tyrolean classics. From the terrace: the Croda Rossa d’Ampezzo glows pink at sunset. Total: 12km, +650m, 5 hours. Overnight Rifugio Sennes.
Day 2: Sennes to Rifugio Fanes
Cross the Sennes plateau to Rifugio Pederu (1,548m) for a mid-morning strudel. Then climb into the Fanes valley — a wild, empty landscape of karst plateaus and grazing chamois, rich in Ladin legends of the mythical Fanes kingdom. Arrive at Rifugio Fanes (2,060m) or Rifugio Lavarella (2,042m), twin rifugi in an ancient basin surrounded by the Conturines peaks. Total: 14km, +500m, 5.5 hours. Overnight Rifugio Fanes.
Day 3: Fanes to Rifugio Lagazuoi
One of the trek’s most spectacular days. Climb to Forcella del Lago (2,486m) where Lago di Lagazuoi suddenly appears — a deep green lake in a barren limestone bowl. Cross the lunar landscape to Forcella Lagazuoi (2,573m), then ascend to Rifugio Lagazuoi (2,752m). This rifugio sits atop a mountain riddled with WWI tunnels — both Italian and Austro-Hungarian soldiers dug through the rock to plant mines beneath each other’s positions. Explore the open-air museum before sunset, when the Tofane, Marmolada, and Civetta turn first gold, then pink, then violet. Total: 12km, +700m, 5 hours. Overnight Rifugio Lagazuoi (highest rifugio on the AV1).
Day 4: Lagazuoi to Rifugio Cinque Torri
Morning explore the Lagazuoi tunnels — enter the Austro-Hungarian galleries, walk through the rock, and emerge at concealed gun positions facing the Italian lines. Then descend via the Kaiserjager Trail to Passo Falzarego (2,105m). Afternoon: hike to the Cinque Torri (Five Towers) area and Rifugio Scoiattoli (2,255m) or Rifugio Cinque Torri (2,137m). Visit the open-air WWI museum — reconstructed trenches and barracks at the base of the towers. Total: 10km, +200m/-800m descent, 4 hours. Overnight near Cinque Torri.
Day 5: Cinque Torri to Rifugio Citta di Fiume
Walk beneath the massive south face of the Tofana di Rozes (3,225m), one of the great walls of the Dolomites. The trail climbs to Forcella Ambrizzola (2,277m) with views back to the Cinque Torri, then descends through the Cernera valley to Rifugio Citta di Fiume (1,918m). This rifugio sits in a green bowl beneath Monte Pelmo (3,168m) — the Throne of the Gods. Late afternoon: optional walk to Lago di Coldai (2,143m), a small alpine lake reflecting the Civetta’s northwest face. Total: 14km, +450m, 5.5 hours. Overnight Rifugio Citta di Fiume.
Day 6: Pelmo Circuit to Rifugio Carestiato
Today bypasses Monte Pelmo on its northern flank via Forcella Staulanza (1,773m). The trail descends through the Val di Zoldo before climbing to Rifugio Sommariva al Pramperet (1,857m) or Rifugio Carestiato (1,834m). This section transitions from high Dolomites to the wilder, less-visited southern groups. The food changes too — from Tyrolean to Venetian influence as you approach Belluno. Total: 16km, +500m, 6 hours. Overnight Rifugio Carestiato/Sommariva.
Day 7: Carestiato to Rifugio Pramperet
Climb through fir forest to Forcella Pramper (2,078m), the highest point of the day. The view opens to the entire southern Dolomites: the Moiazza, the Tamer-San Sebastiano group, and on clear days the Venetian plain and the Adriatic Sea. Continue along the high traverse beneath Monte Pramperet. Total: 12km, +600m, 5 hours. Overnight Rifugio Pramperet (1,857m).
Day 8: Pramperet to Rifugio 7° Alpini
The wildest day of the trek. Climb to Forcella del Moschesin (1,943m) with views of the Schiara group (2,565m) — the dramatic final mountain of the Alta Via 1. The trail crosses scree slopes, passes an old bivouac hut, and climbs to Rifugio 7° Alpini (1,502m), named for the 7th Alpini Regiment. The rifugio is carved into the rock beneath the Schiara’s north face and is famous for its warm hospitality and spectacular location. Total: 14km, +800m, 6 hours. Overnight Rifugio 7° Alpini.
Day 9: Final Descent to Belluno
The final day descends from the Schiara massif to Belluno (389m). The trail follows the Ardo stream through a gorge, passing the imposing walls of the Gusela del Vescova. As you descend, chestnut forests replace pines, and the air turns warm and Mediterranean. Arrive in Belluno — a beautiful Renaissance city nicknamed the Gate to the Dolomites — by mid-afternoon. The view from Piazza del Duomo back toward the mountains you’ve just crossed is the perfect end to the AV1. Farewell dinner at a Belluno trattoria. Overnight Belluno.
Day 10: Departure
Breakfast in Belluno. Independent departure — Belluno has a train station with connections to Venice (1 hour), Treviso (40 minutes), and Milan (4 hours).
