Alta Via n. 1
From Lake Braies to Belluno
Drawing in part on the programme of Dolomite routes outlined by Mario Brovelli in an article published in «Lo Scarpone» on 1 September 1966, Piero Rossi proposed in 1969 this superb traverse which, from the beautiful valley of Braies in the Val Pusteria, leads through imposing and celebrated Dolomite peaks all the way to Belluno.
His valuable little guidebook, published that same year and, at the time, a genuine novelty, was titled “Alta Via delle Dolomiti”, carried the number 1, and was published by Tamari Editori in Bologna, going through several further editions in the years that followed. Like its celebrated sister routes, this Alta Via too has the distinguishing feature of a long trek that can be broken up into separate daily stages.
Staffed refuges and fixed bivouacs – though for those who wish to fully relive the old adventures, a small tent and a sleeping bag will do just as well – offer comfort at the resting points. The basic route runs on trails that are not especially demanding for a competent hiker, and is in any case always equipped at the more awkward or difficult passages.
Here and there, where the mountain has remained as it was in the days of the pioneers, and only chamois live undisturbed, greater difficulties arise – mostly of a psychological nature, brought on by the isolation, the considerable elevation changes, the harsh environment, the lack of water, the great silence…
…and the mists that often roll in swiftly to blanket the surroundings! Be that as it may, this Alta Via passes through truly extraordinary and unique places, in the wild heart of the Dolomites. For the more expert – and to meet their needs – a number of alternatives to the classic route are offered, variants consisting of more technical and rewarding excursions that follow exposed via ferratas or climb to the historic summits of the various groups.
This Alta Via runs through several famous Dolomite groups that have remained fairly untouched by the mixed, often disorderly crowds of more or less occasional tourists. At the heart of these groups… the car cannot reach, and so, with the regrettably necessary exceptions, there is no massive invasion of disturbance.
Here, it takes only a short distance from the valley floor to find peace and rediscover the mountains in their true, primitive and uncorrupted state. Words of Toni Sanmarchi (another “inventor of Alte Vie”) which, thirty years on, remain as relevant as ever. Credit for this work goes to the Tourism Department of the Provincial Administration of Belluno, which aims to promote these “home mountains” and, through this effort, to provide those who walk the route with the most up-to-date information possible.
For the sake of accuracy, we should note that some authors have altered the original sequence of the route to suit personal taste, the preferences of their readers, or tourism requirements, here and there reshaping the original Italian route and stretching it out to 18–20 days, with excessively short stages.
It is true that such a pace would make for an ideal, relaxing, indulgent holiday, but we have chosen to remain true to the tradition of the “old days”, keeping to around 12 days, even if a few stages may appear somewhat demanding in length.
Compared with Piero Rossi’s guide, published in several editions – it has now been thirty-five years, and the original is no longer to be found – some changes and minor updates have also been made here to the original route. Over the years, in fact, something has changed, both in the terrain itself and through the appropriate maintenance and equipping work carried out on various stretches of the route by the responsible bodies.
None of this has taken anything away from the originality of the work and the idea; if anything, there has been a wish to improve and further refine it, in respectful memory of Piero Rossi, for whom these mountains were a reason for living.
From the volume ALTA VIA n. 1 – 1st reprint 2007
Dolomiti Turismo srl
Via R. Psaro, 21 – 32100 Belluno, Tel. 0437.940084 – www.infodolomiti.it
Edition fully revised and updated by Italo Zandonella Callegher
When to go and what not to miss
Alta Via n. 1 is generally walked from late June to late September, when the refuges along the route are open and the passes are free of snow. Among its most striking sights are the Tre Cime di Lavaredo group, Lake Sorapis with its turquoise waters and the Cadini plateau, along with the long final ridge that descends towards the Piave valley and Belluno. It is a route well suited even to those tackling a multi-day traverse for the first time, thanks to a good network of refuges and escape routes down to the valley floor.
Those looking for a natural continuation of the walk can link Alta Via n. 1 with the nearby Alta Via n. 2 of the Legends, which runs a little further west between the Sella group and the Pale di San Martino. For a complete picture of all eight Dolomite routes, the Alte Vie of the Dolomites page brings together stages, difficulty levels and links to each route.
Fact box
- Stages: 12
- Length: about 125 km
- Elevation gain: about 7,300 m
- Difficulty: from E (hiking) to EEA (experienced hikers with equipment), increasing from north to south
- Start: Lake Braies (1,494 m)
- End: Belluno (694 m)
- Best season: June–September
- Main refuges: Biella, Fanes, Lagazuoi (the highest, 2,752 m), Nuvolau, Città di Fiume, Palafavera, Vazzoler, Carestiato
Did you know?
It is the oldest and most frequented of the Dolomite Alte Vie, so much so that it is nicknamed “the Classic”. It is marked with a blue triangle bearing the number 1, painted on rocks and tree trunks along the trail. Hikers who complete it can have their route booklet stamped at the refuges and register at the Belluno Tourist Information Office, receiving a commemorative pin.
All the Alte Vie of the Dolomites
Alta Via n. 1 (you are here)
Alta Via n. 2
Alta Via n. 3
Alta Via n. 4
Alta Via n. 5
Alta Via n. 6
Alta Via n. 7
Alta Via n. 8
