The Alta Via 1 is one of the most popular long-distance treks in the Italian Dolomites, known for traversing some of the most dramatic limestone peaks in the Alps. Along its roughly 120 kilometers, hikers are treated to sweeping alpine panoramas, rugged cliffs, serene mountain lakes, and flower-strewn meadows, with overnight stays typically in the many remote alpine rifugi (mountain huts) perched on ridgelines or nestled in valleys. Did you know that parts of the Alta Via 1 pass through terrain once fought over during World War I, and you can still spot tunnels and fortifications carved into the rock?

The Alta Via 1 was a mighty experience for me. While I was at the Alta Via 2 about a week earlier, hiking at 3000 meters in T-shirt, the weather shifted into snowfall on the first night we were there. This made the landscapes even more magical than they normally are. In combination with zero crowds (we were there at the end of September), even having an entire mountain hut for ourselves twice, it made the experience unforgettable. Depending on how you manage the stages, I also found it a rather leisury hike compared to some other alpine trails.