Borgar's trip with friends - Alta Via in the Dolomites – September 2026

Day 1Arrival Day Cortina

Arrival in Venice by flight from Oslo. From there, you make your own way by rental car or the Dolomitexpress bus to Cortina d’Ampezzo, where you check in at the Royal Hotel

Dinner on your own (not included). Cortina has many restaurants to choose from. We will gladly help you with suggestions for where you can have dinner.

Packing of backpacks for the next few days of hiking. You will leave the rest of your luggage in the hotel's luggage room.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on your own (not included).

Day 2Lago di Braies - Rifugio Biella - Rifugio Sennes

After a good breakfast at the hotel, you take the local bus to Dobbiaco / Toblach and from there another bus to Lago di Braies / Pragser Wildsee (Lago di Braies / Pragser Wildsee / Lake Braies / Lake Prags – a beloved child has many names. These are four names for the same thing: the most beautiful lake in the Dolomites).
This is where the first stage of your hike along the Alta Via 1 begins, at the iconic and perhaps most photographed green mountain lake in the Dolomites, at 1494 m above sea level.
The first part goes steeply uphill through pine forest and later open landscape through stones and scree with a nice view of the lake behind you.

After a while, the trail winds further upwards in hairpin turns. The landscape becomes a bit more alpine and barren. Rifugio Biella is a good option for a little rest after the uphill climbs, and perhaps also a lunch with a nice drink (not included). This is a classic stop on the Alta Via 1. The mountain hut is located at 2327 m above sea level.

The hike onwards towards Rifugio Sennes is relatively easy compared to today's steep start. You will sleep here tonight.
Sharing a double room with private bathroom and breakfast. Dinner and lunch not included.

Day 3Rifugio Sennes - Rifugio Lagazuoi

This is the longest and most demanding stage of the trip. We recommend starting early after breakfast.
The first hour is a steady descent through beautiful alpine meadows and forest to Rifugio Fodara Vedla. Here, a somewhat more demanding descent on gravel begins down to the Pederu hut at 1540 m above sea level.
Then there is a steady and long climb up the Fanes Valley, a very beautiful, green valley with rushing streams and wild mountains. We recommend a break / lunch at Rifugio Fanes, 2060 m above sea level, before the final climb.

Furthermore, you will walk towards Forcella del Lago (the pass), with dramatic mountain formations on all sides. The final climb towards today's accommodation is steep and tough, but so worth it! Perhaps an hour in the sauna at the top, 2752 m above sea level, is tempting (approx. 25–30 euros, not included). The sunset here is fantastic!

Bed in dormitory and breakfast included in the price. Dinner and lunch not included.

Day 4Lagazuoi - Passo Falzarego - Rifugio Averau

A slightly calmer day than yesterday, especially if you choose to take the cable car down from the hut to Passo Falzarego. From the pass which lies at 2105 m above sea level, there will be a climb on well-built hairpin turns.
It is stony terrain at times, but with a fantastic view of yesterday's long stage – the Tofane group. You will pass quite a few old fortifications and remnants from the First World War in this area. This is one of the most dramatic front sectors in the Dolomites.
Rifugio Averau is located on a plateau at 2413 m above sea level, between the mountains Novolau and Lagazuoi. The mountain hut is known for its excellent food and not least the spectacular view of the Dolomites.

Allow a little extra time if you walk the 600 vertical meters and 4 km down from Lagazuoi (approx. 2 hours).

Bed in dormitory – breakfast included in the price. Lunch and dinner not included.

Day 5Rifugio Averau - Cinque Torri - Passo Giau - Croda da Lago - Cortina

After a breakfast in the heights, we recommend taking the trip down to Cinque Torri (the five towers), known for its five distinct rock formations rising dramatically into the landscape.
Take a walk down to the open-air museum from World War I and be impressed. It is well worth witnessing. Historical.

Then follow the path towards Passo Giau. The landscape is open and rocky, but with wonderful views. At Passo Giau you cross the road and continue towards Forcella Giau, 2360 m above sea level. Now the terrain becomes softer, offering beautiful views towards the green-clad Monte Mondeval mountain.
The trail is wider and you walk between small mountain passes, flowering meadows, dramatic limestone ridges, and small lakes. At the lunch hut Croda da Lago, there are opportunities for a quick dip in Lago Federa, 2038 m above sea level.
The hike onwards from there is a classic and wonderful finish to this magical high mountain trip. Great views, a comfortable descent, and good variation in the landscape.

Lunch and dinner on your own (not included).

Day 6Departure Day

Departure day. You will arrange your own transport to the airport.
If you wish to extend your stay, we will gladly help you with good suggestions for more trips in the area!
Lunch and dinner on your own (not included).