Alta Via 1 (Dolomites)

Alta Via 1 is a primary long-distance mountain trail in the Italian Dolomites, extending from Lago di Braies in the north to Belluno in the south. The trek traverses significant limestone massifs including the Fanes-Sennes-Prags Nature Park, the Tofane, Pelmo, and Civetta. Far from the more technical via ferrata-heavy routes in the range, the standard Alta Via 1 (High Route 1) is an established high-altitude hiking path accessible to fit hikers without technical climbing equipment. The route stays predominantly on high-alpine balconies and plateaus, offering a comprehensive transect of the Central Dolomites.

This is Stage 1 of the world-famous Alpe-Adria-Trail. Starting at the dramatic high-alpine amphitheater of the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe (2,369m), the trail drops roughly 1,000 meters of descent into the legendary mountaineering village of Heiligenblut. You traverse the moraines of the Pasterze glacier, cross the dramatic turquoise Sandersee and Margaritzen reservoirs, and follow the Briccius trail past ancient chapels. The scenery transitions from raw, glacial desolation to the lush, flower-filled meadows of the Möll valley.