Which Direction Should I Walk the Alta Via 1?
The traditional direction is north-to-south, starting at the iconic Lago di Braies and finishing at La Pissa near Belluno. This is the most popular direction and the one most guidebooks describe. Walking north-to-south means you begin with one of the trail's most spectacular moments — the turquoise waters of Braies — and work your way south through increasingly wild and remote terrain.
South-to-north is less common but equally rewarding. Starting from La Pissa, you build towards the dramatic finale of Lago di Braies. Some hikers prefer this direction as it means you're walking towards the most famous landmark rather than away from it, and you'll encounter fewer people on the early stages.
Our planner supports both directions with accurate distances and elevation data adjusted for your chosen route. Simply select your preferred direction and we'll calculate everything accordingly, including rifugio stops and daily distances.
