Alta Via 1 (Dolomites)

The Alta Via 1 (The High Way 1) is the quintessential multi-day trek of the Italian Dolomites. Spanning 120km from the azure Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee) to Belluno, the trail traverses the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage site. It avoids the high-exposure via ferrata common in the region, focusing instead on rugged mountain paths that wind through the Fanes-Sennes-Prags, Tofane, and Civetta massifs. The route is defined by its jaggyed limestone peaks and the high-standard mountain hut system (rifugi), offering an immersive high-alpine experience without technical climbing equipment.

Standing as a natural balcony opposite the demandingly vertical walls of the Hochkönig (2,941m), the Hochkeil is an approachable peak that offers one of the best effort-to-view ratios in the Salzburger Land. Starting from the Arthurhaus alpine inn, the trail winds through lush high-alpine meadows and scattered pine trees to a broad, flat summit across from the 'Mandlwände'. Because the area is often overshadowed by the more famous Königssee or Zell am See, the Hochkeil remains remarkably quiet and popular with locals.