Dolomites AV1: Top 5 Views
The Dolomites AV1 is an exceptional trek. We all know that. Every day, it yields consistently incredible sights and that is why so many people have it on their bucket lists. With so much beauty on offer, it is very difficult to pick a mere handful of the best. However, we are constantly asked our opinion on this subject so here is our AV1 bucket list of views. Pray for good weather because these are some of the very finest mountain viewpoints in the world. Mountain scenery that most people dream of seeing. Mountain scenery that you will never forget.
There is of course no right or wrong answer to such an impossibly tough question of world-shaking import. Many of you who have already conquered the AV1 will disagree with our choices. But what finer argument could you hope to have than one involving favourite mountain vistas!
And so, braving your inevitable differences of opinion, here is our pronouncement of the finest of the finest: the Top 5 Views on the Dolomites AV1 (in reverse order). The stage numbers referred to are the ones that are used in our AV1 guidebook.
5. Sunset at Rifugio Coldai (Stage 6b)
Stage 6b is the link route between the Pelmo and the Civetta. As you proceed, the views of the Pelmo get better and better, culminating with the incredible viewpoint at Rifugio Coldai. The sunset at the rifugio is legendary: the soft, low light hits the Pelmo’s SW face, painting it a glorious shade of orange. Coldai is not the most comfortable rifugio on the AV1 but the outlook is unforgettable. The food is excellent too and the helpings are famously enormous. Book ahead though as this is one of the most sought after locations on the whole route.
4. Lago di Braies (Stage 1a)
Rarely does a trek start with a highlight but the AV1 offers an incredible introduction. In fact, it has perhaps the finest opening 20 minutes of any trek in the world, beginning with a heavenly walk around the exquisite Lago di Braies. It is only a small taste of the delights to come over the next 120km.
One stop info source for AV1 planning
Don't waste precious hours trawling the internet
ドロミテAV1トレッキング
3. Rifugio Tissi (Stage 7a)
From this intimate rifugio, there are sublime views of the Civetta. However, the star of the show is 5min above the rifugio where there is an epic 360° panorama. In fact, Rifugio Tissi is not actually on the official route of the AV1, however, the views are so incredible that in our book we decided to incorporate it into our main route: on a fine day, it would be a travesty to miss it.
2. The Stage 5b Traverse
This epic balcony climbs a series of beautiful high passes, each offering views of the highest quality. However, the third one (Forcella Giau) is the highlight: here you enter a Dolomite wonderland of green pastures and limestone where the unusual angles of the mountains are unforgettable. Even for the Dolomites, this place is very special indeed.
Dolomites Discount Bundle: SAVE 20%
Buy both books to save 20%
1. Forcella de Zita (Stage 10)
This is the wildest stage of the AV1 with some of the finest mountain scenery in Europe. For many, it will be the highlight of the whole trek. However, these delights are hard-earned: the climb starts straight out of the blocks and is very steep. The crux of the stage is an exhilarating climb up a knife-edge ridge, leading to the sublime Forcella de Zita: there the views will take your breath away and all the effort will be forgotten.
Why are our guidebooks better?
What you really need to know is how to plan a trek: itineraries, accommodation, food, water, etc. However, for our competitors, trek planning is a mere afterthought and they fill their books with step by step directions for navigating the trail. Yet these days, most people navigate trails using GPX tracks and over-complicated directions are unnecessary. Accordingly, we focus in much greater detail on trek planning so that you can snag the best accommodation bookings. We still provide directions but they are more concise and user-friendly.
When planning a trek, the first step is to design an itinerary that matches your ability and experience. There is little point in booking trail accommodation until this is finalised. Our itinerary planners are far more comprehensive than anybody else's. We include up to 20 different itineraries and provide daily statitics for each of them. This enables you to quickly choose one that suits, saving you hours of work. You will not find these in any other books or on the web.
Unlike other books which contain useless sketch maps, ours contain real maps. In most cases, we produce our own mapping which is more up to date than many other traditional maps. Because we make our own, we can mark on them all accommodation, food and shops along the trail. This helps you to understand exactly where you can stay and where you will resupply. Other books do not provide this level of detail.
Our designs are more modern and exciting. Our professionally captured images help you visualise what you will see along the trail. There is nothing wrong with salivating over spectaular scenes even though your trek might be a year away!
Tour du Mont Blanc
Walker's Haute Route: Chamonix to Zermatt
Dolomites Alta Via 1 (AV1)
Corsica GR20
Tour of the Ecrins (GR54)
Tour des Combins
The Great Treks of the Alps
The ultimate planning guides for the best alpine treks
