Solo Hiking the Alta Via 1: My Experience + Tips

The Alta Via 1 is an ideal hut-to-hut hike in the Dolomites for solo hikers, because it’s well-trafficked, well-signed, safe, and extremely social. 

Years ago, Kati and I hiked the northern stages together, but I recently returned to tackle the south stages of the Alta Via 1 solo, and I was amazed by how much I loved the experience.

Here’s how I prepared for the trek so I felt confident and ready to hike alone. I’ve also shared my personal experience to give you a better idea of what to expect.

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Personal Experience

In the days leading up to the Alta Via 1, I packed and repacked my bag several times. I made sure my Kindle was fully charged and loaded with several books. 

Since I was hiking alone, I expected to have plenty of time to myself, and imagined spending my evenings reading through one book after another. In the end, I only read a handful of pages.

Instead, I met some of the most wonderful people, people I would give anything to cross paths with again.

As an introvert, I hadn’t expected how easy it would be to connect with so many fellow hikers. But one of the beautiful things about hiking the Alta Via 1 is that you automatically have something in common with everyone you meet. You’re all there because you love nature, hiking, adventure, and new experiences. That shared foundation makes conversations effortless.

You can simply ask, “Where are you headed today?” Or strike up a conversation about the stage you’ve just completed. Before you know it, you’re chatting as though you’ve known each other for much longer. Nothing feels forced or awkward.

The Dolomites are, of course, spectacular. I’ve written about them extensively across more than 150 guides, and there are plenty of ways to experience their majesty, from road trips and car-free journeys to skiing and day hiking. 

But the Alta Via 1 showed me that the magic of a hut-to-hut hiking trail in the Dolomites isn’t just in the mountains. It’s also in the people you meet along the way.

As a solo hiker, I was constantly welcomed into the fold. People invited me to join them for meals and conversations. I never once felt awkward, or out of place. In fact, one of the biggest surprises of the Alta Via 1 was realizing that being a solo hiker doesn’t necessarily mean being alone.

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Navigation & Safety for Solo Hikers

Overall, the Alta Via 1 is well-signed and well-marked. However, not all junctions are clear. 

I recommend using an offline navigation app alongside a paper trail map, which can be purchased in the huts as you go. 

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Navigation App

I booked my self-guided Alta Via 1 South Route with Adventure Base. They provide a navigation app with pre-loaded gpx tracks, available offline, which reflected the stages of my specific itinerary. As I progressed through each stage, I could see my trip progress (%) and remaining distance. 

Another cool feature of the app is its SOS Emergency function, which lets you send your location via SMS and call the local emergency number. Your GPS coordinates are also displayed directly on the SOS page, making it easy to share your exact location in an emergency.

The navigation app worked seamlessly.

Since I like having a backup option for peace of mind, I also used Mapy (Mapy.cz / Mapy.com), an offline topographic navigation app. This is my favorite outdoor navigation app because it has beautifully rendered topo maps with official trails already mapped out.

With the Premium version, a modest 18 EUR per year, you can download multiple maps for offline use. Before setting off, I downloaded the Trentino-South Tyrol and Veneto maps. I didn’t upload any GPX tracks to Mapy. Instead, I checked it periodically whenever I wanted to see how much distance and elevation gain or loss remained to my next destination, or to get a better sense of the immediate geography around me. 

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Paper Trail Map

I also always carry a paper trail map. I like to study the route in the hut the night before, so I have a rough idea of where I’m headed the following day. It’s easy to go off trail if you haven’t familiarized yourself with the route in advance.

For example, hikers often lose the trail at Passo Staulanza by following inaccurate AllTrails maps, unaware that they need to stay on the paved road for about 850 meters before rejoining the trail.

Paper trail maps are also invaluable if you need to reroute or plan an alternative exit.

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Location Tracking 

Before I set off, I made sure Kati could track my live location through Apple’s Find My app. I also gave her my itinerary. 

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WhatsApp Support Channel for Solo Trekkers

Adventure Base has a WhatsApp support line for solo hikers, which is set up 7 days in advance of the trek start date.

This came in really handy for me, because I decided to combine my final two stages and move my Taxi pick-up date and time. They assisted me very promptly and graciously. 

Solo hikers have used the WhatsApp support line to:

• Skip a stage by taking public or private transport
• Ask about shortcuts or alternative routes
• Get help adapting the itinerary due to an injury, or illness 

In addition to the WhatsApp support line, all hikers have access to the Adventure Base emergency number 24/7. Calls, WhatsApp messages, and texts are covered by the French office from 8 am to 8 pm. Outside these hours, the same number remains available, and the voicemail message provides the emergency contact number for our North American-based team member, who handles overnight emergencies.

Adventure Base is offering our readers a special perk. Book any guided or self-guided trek, then claim your reward by completing this inquiry form or using the coupon code MOONANDHONEY.

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On the Trail: Remoteness & Crowds 

Due to centuries of alpine farming and the development of ski tourism, the Dolomites are not “wild” in the traditional sense. There is considerable infrastructure–mountain huts, cableways, and access roads–which makes it clear that civilization is never far away. However, unlike the Tour du Mont Blanc or Haute Route, the Alta Via 1 does not pass through villages.

The trail is well-trafficked overall, but it never felt overly busy. Sections accessible to day hikers are naturally more congested, particularly around the more popular huts and viewpoints.

The only stretch that felt distinctly more remote was the final leg through Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park (Passo Duran – Rifugio Pramperet – Rifugio Fontana – Rifugio Bianchet – La Pissa). I encountered only a handful of other people over the final two stages.

At no point did I feel unsafe, uneasy, or unsure of where I was.

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How I Prepared for the Alta Via 1 

Physical Prep

The Alta Via 1 is a moderate hike overall with very little technical difficulty. That being said, it’s still a mountain hike in a rugged dolomite-limestone environment, characterized by loose and uneven terrain.

To prepare for the trek, I spent the two months beforehand doing plenty of challenging day hikes. I also made a point of carrying a slightly heavier-than-usual daypack, so I could get accustomed to hiking with more weight. 

Before that, I stayed active through the winter and spring with skiing, cycling, and some strength training. 

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Packing 

This is where I made a critical mistake: I overpacked. When I looked at my fellow hikers, whose packs were half the size of mine, I was mortified. My biggest mistake was bringing two merino zip-up sweaters, four shirts, and climbing gloves. One sweater and two hiking shirts would have been more than enough. And, while I usually use my climbing gloves for high-alpine hikes in the Dolomites, there were no sections along the AV1 that required them. 

Err on the side of less rather than more. Of course, bring a puffer jacket, rain jacket, sun protection, hiking poles, something comfortable to sleep in, microfiber towel, basic toiletries, and a sleeping bag liner. But beyond that, be ruthless about what you pack.

I also recommend bringing some vitamins/supplements to bolster your immune system. I didn’t sleep well during the hike and ended up getting a cold. Other hikers generously supplied me with some medicine, but I wish I had packed some Aspirn C tablets, lozenges, and Wellness Formula. 

Learn More: Hut to Hut Hiking Packing List

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Food and Water

You do not need to pack food for this trek, although I do recommend carrying a few trail snacks. 

Breakfast and dinner are available at each Rifugio. For lunch, you can either order a packed lunch from your Rifugio (usually the night before) or stop for a meal at a mountain hut along the way. Depending on how your itinerary is structured, the latter isn’t always an option on every stage. 

If you have a food allergy or intolerance (e.g. Gluten-free), make sure to communicate it to the hut in advance. It’s also worth mentioning it again when you check in, just to make sure the staff are aware.

Breakfast and dinner are served at set times, typically around 7 am and 7 pm, respectively. Seating is generally assigned, and as a solo hiker, I was never seated alone.

In terms of water, some huts have potable water while others do not. When there’s no potable water available, you can purchase bottled water. 

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Booking

You can book this trek independently, provided that you start the process early (e.g. October-November the year before), or with a self-guided hiking company. I’ve explained how to do this in detail in my guide to Booking Alta Via 1 Rifugios.

Adventure Base is offering a special perk just for our readers. Book any of their self-guided or guided treks and claim your reward by filling out this inquiry form or using the coupon code MOONANDHONEY at checkout.

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Dolomites Travel Guides

Hut-to-Hut Hiking:

• Hut to Hut Hiking in the Dolomites
• 3-Day Tre Cime di Lavaredo Trek
• 3-Day Rosengarten Dolomites Traverse

Day Hiking:

• Best Day Hikes in the Dolomites
• Easy Walks in the Dolomites

Self-Guided Hiking:

• Self-Guided Hiking Tours in the Dolomites

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