Meet at the group hotel in Cortina d' Ampezzo in Italy, known as the jewel of the Dolomites. The beauty of the Ampezzo Valley along with it's 1000 year history attracts visitors all year round. Surrounded by majestic peaks Cortina, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, can't fail to impress any mountain lover. Our hotel for this trip is within easy walking distance to the bustling pedestrian town centre and numerous musems and galleries. Proud of it's heritage, learn about the local traditions, history and environment at the Ethnograhic Museum or visit the "Rinaldo Zardini" Palaeontological Museum which houses one of the most significant collections of fossils that exists anywhere today. Your guide will meet you at the hotel before the evening meal, to answer any questions and discuss the days ahead.

We start with a short taxi ride to the famous beauty spot of Lago di Braies and true start of the Alta Via trail. The lake is spectacular filled with turquoise waters surrounded by towering cliffs. After running along the lake shore we begin to climb steadily under the striated cliffs of Monte Muro to our first pass at Porta Sora il Forn, at 2388m, to be rewarded with immense views, and with the glacier of the Marmolada glittering to the south west. the glacier is the only major ice field in the Dolomites. After taking in the views its a short trot down to the Rifugio Biella for a a morning coffee, or whatever else takes your fancy. We then have a lovely descent through flower meadows and farms, until a final steep jeep road takes us down to our overnight at the Rifugio Pederu.

This morning we take the wild and rocky Vallone di Rudo to Lago Piciodil to reach Rifugio Fanes and a potential coffee stop! The Rifugio, which was built in 1928 has a long history and tradition and is a great spot for a rest. Stunning views en route to Passo di Limo, at 2172m, and its lake of the same name. High peaks surround this pastoral amphitheatre strewn with cows and its curious limestone slabs. We then traverse a rugged mountainside and a final climb to arrive at the Forcetta del Lago an impressive notch on the skyline sitting at 2486m. You will probably think it looks like an impossible descent down the other side, but the path does exist and you have stunning views all the way down towards Lago di Lagazuoi at 2182m. There is a 200m climb to finish the day to our Rifugio as we hike along what was a front line in WW1, and where you can explore the gun emplacements and tunnels carved in the ridgeline. The Rifugio Lagazuoi is in a truly amazing location perched high in the mountains, and there is even a wood fired sauna where you can ease your muscles. It’s a day with a big climb, but the descent is minimal and our knees will appreciate that! In the afternoon there will be time to explore the Lagazuoi museum then climb a little higher to the stunning view point of the Piccolo Lagazoui for a sunset to remember.

Today we go from WW1 galleries hewn into the Lagazuoi and Casteletto mountains, to a close up of the wonderful summits of Le Tofana. We begin by dropping down to a pass and then over the Forcella Travenanzes at 2507m before descending past a WW1 memorial. This is a sobering reminder of the bitter fighting which took place during this period of history. Then it's over the Forcella Col dei Bos while enjoying fabulous views to Cinque Torri, the Five Towers. A beautiful traversing trail brings us to the rustic Rifugio Dibona were we can enjoy a cappucino on the terrace, then it's a steep descent through the larch forests before climbing all the way back up the other side. On route there will be time to explore the 'sentiere de trenci' the open air WW1 trench museum around the base of the towers before setting off on our final short climb of the day to the pass at Averau. However, there is the reward of lunch at the top at another lovely Italian Rifugio. You will notice a theme developing - run, coffee, run, cake, run, lunch! We end this rather unique day with a rocky traversing trail under impressive cliffs that takes us to the pass and our accommodation at the famous pass of Passo Giau, at 2236m and the 3* Berg Hotel where we spend the night. The pass offer superbs sunsets with impressive views north towards Cortina and south further into Veneto. We are now well on our way along the fabulous Alta Via 1 trail.

Leaving Passo Giau, we begin the crossing of 3 passes where we notice a distinct change of trail as we link leave the hash rocky paths for lush green meadows. Our route climbs up and down through flower meadows where we descend into the next valley. This really is a gorgeous start to our day which often takes us past the herds of horses, donkeys and cattle grazing on the mountainside. After descending into the next valley we climb back up to the next mountain pass as we follow Monte Formin’s impressive south cliffs leading to the Forcella Ambrizzola at 2277m and our third pass of the day. From here we have views of the mighty Civetta mountain range and a neolitic site. A gentle descent over pastures and through dairy herds brings us to the Rifugio Citta de Fiume where we can enjoy a lunch break. Our final stretch for today is another traversing trail under the impressive peaks and spires of the wild and rugged Monte Pelmo, one of the famous landmark mountains of the Dolomites. Finally, it's down through the larch forests and if there's time to spare we can detour off in search of some dinosaur foot prints in the foot hills of the mighty Pelmo. A bit further down the mountain side brings us to another Rifugio Staulanza where we spend the night.

An early start today as we commence the start of two longer days on the trail. A steady climb this morning as we leave the larch trees. We climb up a well graded mule track to the shoulder of Cima Coldai, an outlier of the Civetta, until we arrive at the Rifugio Sonino Al Coldai for refreshments then it's west to the turquoise waters of Lago Coldai. This really is a very beautiful situation, and is to be enjoyed as we drop to the lake and over the Forcella Col Negro at 2203m before losing height and entering Val Civetta. With its slabs, peaks and pinnacles the 7km long west face of Monte Civetta towers 1200m overhead. A hanging icefield, the Cristallo, is suspended below the highest top. This face is known as the ‘wall of walls’ and is unique in the Alps for it's rock climbing routes. We now head over the Forcella di Col Rean, to reach the Rifugio Vazzoler for a well earned lunch surrounded by an amphitheatre of the rock spires including the Torre Trieste, at 2458m, and Cima della Busazza, at 2894m. In the afternoon in the shade of the trees we traverse around the mountain side to gain the steep little pass of Forcella Col Dell’Orso at 1823m. Then it's a short section with a few chains as a handrail along a flowered rock face. The remainder of our Alta Via is through woodland where we cross an ancient Austrian-Hungarian border then meadows to reach idyllic setting of Rifugio Carestiato where we can stop for resfeshments. A final quick descent brings us down to the Passo Duran and our accommodation at Rifugio Sebastiano by mid afternoon.

Another prompt start to complete our final day on the Alta Via trail. Today we enter the Parco Nazionale delle Dolomiti Bellunesi, the wildest of the national parks on the Alta Via 1 trail and where there is a good chance of spotting chamois and marmots. From the Passo Duran our trail first leads us around the southern slopes of the Tamer Grande. Immediately we experience the wildness of this mountainside with its cliff faces and towering summits. After passing through the forest we have another climb to the remains of Moschesin garrison to reach the Forcella del Moschesin at 1940m. The trail continues on and down slighty to a point near the Rifugio Pramparet which sits in a wonderful remote setting with views along the Costa dei Nass valley where we can break for refreshments. Our path continues on and up to reach the Portela dei Pezedei where the terrain becomes more open and rockier under foot. As we reach the western slopes of the Cima de Zita the trail then narrows to a ridge path, which can feel exposed for a very short section, to reach the day’s highest pass at 2451m. It's here if time and the weather allows we can reach the summit. Enjoy glimpses of the Venetian plain as we descend sharply down the grassy mountainside where edelweiss are to be found growing by the trail to Rifugio Pian de Fontana perched on a shelf at 1632m where we will stop for our lunch. Leaving the peace and tranquil location of the Rifugio Fontana our path soon descends into the pine forests to pick up the 'Alta Via Bellunesi' trail which we follow down to the road head where we meet a private taxi to take us back to Cortina d'Ampezzo. The drive is approximately 2 hours. There will be time in the afternoon for a spa and aperos before a celebratory final group meal.

Today is departure day and the trip finishes after breakfast.