Planning a Hut-to-Hut Hike in the Dolomites

Planning a hut-to-hut hike in the Dolomites can seem like a daunting task, but it’s also one of the most rewarding experiences you can have in these incredible mountains. With no centralized booking system and limited hut availability, it’s easy to see why some might feel overwhelmed. But with a bit of preparation and flexibility, you can make your dream trek a reality!

If you're just beginning to explore hut-to-hut hiking, be sure to check out my detailed guide: Everything You Need to Know About Hiking the Alta Via 1 in the Dolomites. It's the perfect resource to help you get started!

In this post, I’ll walk you through the key challenges of booking a hut-to-hut hike on the Alta Via 1 (AV1) and provide some practical solutions to help make the process as smooth as possible.

Why Planning a Hut-to-Hut Hike Can Be Challenging

1. No Centralized Booking System
   Each hut manages its own booking system, whether by email, phone, or online form, so you’ll need to reach out to each one individually.

2. Different Operational Seasons
   Not all huts operate year-round. Most rifugios in the Dolomites only open during the summer months, typically from late June to early September, while others stay open longer or even year-round. This can affect when you can start and finish your trek, so you’ll need to plan around the huts' availability.

3. Varying Booking Windows
   Some huts open their booking windows as early as October for the following year, but the majority start accepting reservations around January. The popular huts fill up quickly, so it’s crucial to know when booking opens and to reserve your spot as early as possible.

4. Limited Bed Space
   Rifugios have limited capacity, and spaces fill up quickly during the peak season. You’ll need to act fast to secure your preferred dates.

5. Flexible Trek Durations
   The Alta Via 1 trek can take anywhere from 6 to 12 days to complete, and depending on your availability, you might want to hike just part of the route.

While these challenges can make planning feel complicated, don’t worry! There are ways to work around these issues and still enjoy an amazing hut-to-hut experience.

Rifugio Sennes

Tips to Simplify Your Hut-to-Hut Booking

To help you overcome the challenges of booking huts for the Alta Via 1, here are a few strategies that can make the process easier:

1. Adjust Your Daily Hiking Distances
   Be flexible with your itinerary. If your preferred huts are booked, adjust the distances you hike each day. This might mean lengthening or shortening your planned route to stay at available huts.

2. Consider Splitting Up Your Group
   If you’re traveling with a group, you can book different nearby huts if one is fully booked. While it’s not ideal to split up, this option ensures everyone still gets a bed without drastically changing the itinerary.

3. Pick Alternative Start or End Points
   The Alta Via 1 has several access points and nearby towns. If a hut is unavailable, consider starting or ending at different points along the trail. For example, instead of starting at Lago di Braies, you could start further along the route, depending on hut availability.

4. Book As Early As Possible
   Timing is everything. Mark your calendar and start researching early. Most huts are open for reservations in January (some even earlier!), but it’s worth checking individual huts to ensure you don’t miss the opening window.

With these strategies, you’ll have much more flexibility and a greater chance of securing accommodation for your trek.

A Step-by-Step Guide on how to Book Your Alta Via 1 Rifugios

Step 1: Choose Your Alta Via 1 Route

The first step in planning your hut-to-hut hike on the Alta Via 1 is selecting your route using AllTrails Map and my AV1 Rifugio Map. You can tailor your adventure to your time and fitness level, with options ranging from shorter 2-3 day itineraries to the full 10-12 day trek. There are several exit points along the trail, making it easy to customize your hike (See my Dolomites Huts Booking guide for detailed exit points).

The main factor when booking is rifugio availability, especially during peak season (July to September), so check this early. Also, consider the distance between huts, terrain, and the pace you prefer to maintain.

Step 2: Book Your Rifugios

Rifugios along the Alta Via 1 fill up quickly, so if you're planning a summer trek, aim to start your bookings as early as Janurary when most huts open for reservations. Refer to my Hut Booking Guide for a summary of booking links and whether each hut should be reserved through their online form or via email, and the specific dates when reservations open.

Be flexible with your options: prepare backup dates and alternative rifugios in case your first choices are fully booked. For more guidance on alternate huts, refer to my Hut Booking Guide. If you plan to extend your hike to reach a more distant rifugio, be sure to account for the extra distance and time in your itinerary. Ensure you allow enough time to reach your rifugio before check-in closes; otherwise, they may give your bed to another hiker in need, as these huts also serve as emergency shelters.

Most rifugios require a deposit of 20%-50%, with the remaining balance payable in cash or by credit card upon arrival.

Step 3: Triple-Check Your Bookings

Once you've secured your rifugio reservations, carefully review all the details against your planned itinerary. Make sure the dates and locations match your route, and that your travel schedule is feasible. Small errors can leave you without accommodation, so it’s important to be thorough at this stage.

Step 4: Print or Download Your Confirmations

Before setting out on your Alta Via 1 trek, print or download your reservation confirmations. Since connectivity in the mountains is limited, having offline or physical copies is crucial if any issues arise. Keep these documents easily accessible throughout your hike to avoid any complications.

2025 Hut Booking Guide for Alta Via 1

To simplify your planning, I’ve put together a comprehensive 2025 Dolomites Hut Booking Guide for the Alta Via 1. This guide includes everything you need to efficiently plan your trek, taking the hassle out of organizing your accommodations. Here’s what you’ll find in the guide:

• A List of All Huts Along the AV1 Route: A full list of rifugios on the Alta Via 1 trail, allowing you to map out your trek in detail.

• Booking Method: Details on how to book each hut, whether by email, phone, or an online booking form or system (you can find contact information on each hut’s official website).

• Estimated Cost Per Night: Approximate nightly rates to help you budget for your trek.

• Closest Town: The closest town to each hut, making it easier to plan alternative start or end points if needed, or access the trail from nearby towns.

• Meals Included: Information on whether each hut provides breakfast only or offers a half-board option (which includes both breakfast and dinner).

• When Reservation Opens: Information on when booking becomes available for most huts — typically around January, though some open as early as October of the previous year.

I’ve spent hours compiling this guide to help you save time and make your 2025 Alta Via 1 trek as smooth as possible. And the best part? I’m offering it to you for FREE!

All you need to do is to follow our instagram page (@vivchowvals) or subscribe to our newsletter below and drop us a message and we will give you the password to this guide.

Conclusion

Planning a hut-to-hut hike on the Alta Via 1 might require some extra effort, but trust me, it’s worth it. The Dolomites are a hiker’s paradise, and by following these tips, you can create an itinerary that suits your pace, preferences, and available huts.

If you’re planning your Dolomites trip for 2025, make sure you stay organized, flexible, and proactive about booking. And don’t forget to check out the 2025 Dolomites Hut Booking Guide I’ve put together to help you on your journey!

Feel free to reach out with any questions, and happy hiking!