v2.webp){kind=logo}
- Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee) — That mirror-smooth, turquoise lake at the trailhead is as photogenic as it gets; early morning light turns the limestone peaks into perfect reflections. It’s an easy, jaw-dropping intro to the Dolomites and a reminder of why people travel here in the first place (arrive before the buses).
- Fanes Plateau (Altopiano di Fanes) — Wide, grassy high meadows ringed by sheer dolomite walls and dotted with old shepherd huts; you’ll see marmots thunking at the rocks and raptors circling the thermals. The scale and solitude here are special — my personal favorite for quiet evenings and real alpine atmosphere.
- Rifugi and the hut-to-hut circuit — The string of mountain huts along Alta Via 1 is a defining part of the route: simple beds, homecooked polenta, local cheese,
- Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee) — That mirror-smooth, turquoise lake at the trailhead is as photogenic as it gets; early morning light turns the limestone peaks into perfect reflections. It’s an easy, jaw-dropping intro to the Dolomites and a reminder of why people travel here in the first place (arrive before the buses).
- Fanes Plateau (Altopiano di Fanes) — Wide, grassy high meadows ringed by sheer dolomite walls and dotted with old shepherd huts; you’ll see marmots thunking at the rocks and raptors circling the thermals. The scale and solitude here are special — my personal favorite for quiet evenings and real alpine atmosphere.
- Rifugi and the hut-to-hut circuit — The string of mountain huts along Alta Via 1 is a defining part of the route: simple beds, homecooked polenta, local cheese, and a warm stove after a long day. That overnight rhythm (and the social mix of thru-hikers and locals) turns a long walk into a cultural experience you won’t get on a day hike.
- Tre Cime di Lavaredo — Those three sheer towers are the Dolomites’ signature skyline: dramatic, vertical, and photogenic from every angle. Many AV1 itineraries either pass nearby or include a short detour — sunrise or sunset on those ridges is cinematic and unlike most other mountain silhouettes in Europe.
- Cinque Torri and WWI open-air museums — A cluster of limestone “towers” perfect for scrambling or a via ferrata, paired with preserved trenches and tunnels from World War I. The mix of raw geology, accessible climbing, and tangible history makes this section feel like two hikes in one.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.
Best Backpacking
.jpg)
Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.