Highlights of the Alta Via 1 in Comfort

Are you an experienced walker who would like to try some mountain trails, but would prefer to stay in a comfortable hotel (and not a mountain hut)? Then this is the tour for you. This trip is rated moderate and you should be sure-footed, have a head for heights, and not suffer from vertigo to fully enjoy this trip. The walks are perfect for people with experience of walking in the mountains with elevation gains and losses. You will also have plenty of time to explore this region of the Italian Dolomites since the walks on some days generally only take half a day to complete, and where some of the days with loop walks are optional. If you’d like to experience walking in the Dolomites (and sections of the Alta Via 1) with some easier walking days, then this tour is a great alternative.

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Multi Centre Walking | With a mix of loop and point-to-point walks stay 2 or 3 nights in one place which offers the chance to slow down and really explore a destination.

Groups > 10

The minimum age for this tour is: 16 Years

This tour is graded as moderate. The level of difficulty is determined on the basis of the entire trip, so individual days may be slightly more difficult or easier than the overall level of difficulty. For example some of the optional walks are graded easy to moderate and on Day 8, the walk is graded moderate to strenuous. The routes are mainly on footpaths and narrow mountain tracks at altitudes of up to 2700 metres and occasionally you will be following minor paved roads. On some walks there are cliff edges and sheer drops close by which would not be appropriate for people with vertigo! You should also be sure-footed to get the most out of this trip.

Some alpine experience is required for the days you walk on the Alta Via 1. The walking times of 4-7 hours require a good level of fitness. The length of the hikes varies between 8-19 km, the daily difference in elevation gains and losses is between +480/+1100 and -380/-1600 metres. You must be sure-footed and have a head for heights as some sections can be steep and exposed.

You will spend 8 nights in comfortable, family-run hotels. The hotels have been hand-picked and all offer a warm welcome to hikers. The accommodation we normally use is indicated in the itinerary, however is subject to availability and therefore alternatives of an equal standard may be offered (hotel facilities may change if only alternative properties are available—should you have any specific requirements, please let us know). You can add on extra nights in any of the overnight locations on this tour.

Single Rooms and Solo Walkers

This trip is not available to solo walkers due to the nature of the terrain. Single rooms are available, however a single room supplement is payable. 

Meals

8 Breakfasts are included and are usually a buffet selection with lots of sweet treats like pastries, homemade jams fruit and cereals. Savoury tastes are also catered for with a selection of bread, cheese, ham and eggs available.

The Alta Via 1 is well waymarked and on the days where you explore the region on other walks there are also signposts. In general navigation is straightforward as you can use the Macs Adventure app which has maps, GPS tracks, and daily route information. Simply download the GPS tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone with the assurance that navigation will be simple.

Our walks usually begin and end at a central point in town (such as a church, bus stop, etc.). Access routes to your accommodation are not included in our km daily figures. However, the Macs app will guide you to your accommodation. You just need to go to the ‘Itinerary’ on the applicable day, open the section about your accommodation, and click on the ‘Get Directions’ button.

This tour is available to start any day of the week from end of June to early September. August is the most popular month (with the locals too!) and so busier in the hotels and on the trails. The 15th of August is Ferragosto, a popular holiday in Italy, where people like to travel and take some additional time off. If you'd like to travel during that time, we recommend booking early.

It’s not unheard of for snow to fall on higher ground during the summer, and some patches may still be present into July. These are usually compacted and manageable - while they might be a bit challenging in places, with good walking boots and poles they shouldn't pose a problem. July and August are the hottest months and carry the greatest risk of thunderstorms, which can be torrential and usually occur in the afternoon - being well-prepared and equipped for all these eventualities is essential.

*** July and August are busy on the Alta Via 1 and surroundings. If you cannot find the availability for your dates, we can highly recommend one of our other tours in the Italian Alps or one of our tours in the Tyrol.

When travelling in the mountains, you are often walking through completely different climates and the weather in the Dolomites can change very quickly. You should be prepared for all weather conditions, even snow can fall in the mountains at any time of the year. Even if the weather in the mountains is supposed to be fine in the morning, you should always be prepared for sudden changes in weather and temperature.

By Air: Venice Marco Polo Airport is the most convenient airport, with various international airlines operating here. The smaller Venice Treviso Airport is serviced by low-cost carrier Ryanair (London Stansted, Bristol, East Midlands, Leeds Bradford).

Private Transfers: We are able to arrange taxi transfers for you in Italy (bookable in advance at a supplement) from Venice Airports. Please get in touch to enquire about how we can help with these transfer arrangements.

From Venice Marco Polo airport (or Venice Mestre bus station): It is possible to take the Cortina Express to Cortina (approx. 2h20); there are 4 to 5 departures daily, usually every 3 to 4 hours between 7am and 8pm, so please ensure you check their website for timetables.

From Venice Treviso Airport: From the airport take a bus (approx.12 mins) to Treviso, then from Treviso Sud there is an ATVO bus once a day to Cortina (approx. 2 hrs) or you can take a train from Treviso to Vittorio Veneto and change to Cortina (approx 2:40 hrs). Or you can take a bus from Treviso airport to Venice Mestre or Marco Polo Airport for onward connections with the Cortina Express (see above). Check the timetable on the ATVO website.

From Cortina, use one of the methods mentioned above to return to Venice.

At Macs Adventure, we work in partnership with many luggage transfer providers who set a limit on how many bags/suitcases they will transfer per person, and also the weight of the bag/suitcase. Your booking includes transfer of 1 bag per person. It is very important that you read the luggage information specific to your tour before departure. If you do not adhere to these limits, there is a great possibility that you will be charged locally both for extra bags or if they are too heavy. This limitation can be a challenge, especially as airlines generally have limits that are higher. However, our luggage providers have reasons for these limits (usually due to the Health and Safety of their employees), which we must respect.

Bag transfer is included in this trip; your bags will be moved between hotels. We ask that you limit your baggage to one bag per person with a maximum weight of 20kg per person. 

Transfers during your trip

In support of sustainability and resource conservation, transfers may be shared with other Macs Adventure customers in a larger vehicle.