Dolomites, Italy · Medium grade
Alta Via 1
The Tour du Mont Blanc now needs refuge reservations locked in 6-9 months ahead for July/Aug and gets crowded with day-trip traffic; Alta Via 1 books the same way but sees far fewer hikers, and the Braies-to-Duran section alone (4-5 days) delivers the classic Dolomites skyline without a two-week commitment.
Photo: Er Tovaja, CC BY-SA 4.0
5 days (shorter section) / 10 days (full route), Medium grade, up to 2,752m. Best season: late June-September (rifugios open, trail snow-free). Base: Lago di Braies / Dobbiaco, trailhead start. Suits: Solo, Couple, Group.
How to reach it
Bus or taxi transfer from Dobbiaco or Cortina d'Ampezzo to the Lago di Braies trailhead; a popular shortened version runs Braies to Passo Duran or Rifugio Pian de Fontana over 4-5 days, exiting by local bus.
Permits
No permit required, but every rifugio bed must be booked directly with that hut (phone/email or via rifugi.it) — do this 6-9 months ahead for July-August, there's no single central booking system.
Gear
Sturdy boots and poles; a via ferrata harness+lanyard is recommended for a couple of short cabled sections and can be rented in Cortina.
What it costs
From ₹34,000 per person, all-in from Lago di Braies / Dobbiaco — transport, permits, a guide where required and food on the trail. Open the live planner to price it for your own dates and party size.
Open the live planner for Alta Via 1Adjust dates and party size →Costs are indicative ballparks and change with season and demand — always check live fares and current permit rules before you go. Photographs are sourced from Wikimedia Commons, credited above and in full at /credits/. Trip Under features underrated destinations only, is reader-planned, and takes no affiliate commission on any booking link.