Getting To Your Adventure: The Dolomites, Alta Via 1

Reaching the start requires taking three buses:

1. Venice to Cortina
2. Cortina to Dobbiaco
3. Dobbiaco to Lago di Braies

 

Venice – Cortina

Once in Venice you would need to get a bus,  that takes roughly 2-2.5 hours and runs 4 times a day. It costs around €15-25 for a single and during the summer reservations must be made in advance. All buses depart from both Mestre (mainland Venice) and the airport.

Tip if staying in Venice pre-trek: Venice Airport Water Bus – The water bus is the easiest and most affordable way to reach central Venice from the airport. It costs €18 one way (adult fare) and departs regularly from the airport dock, just a 10-minute walk from arrivals.

Bus options:

ATVO buses (Price €20.00 one way adult ticket – Linea 29 – Leaves from Place le Roma then stops at Mestre train station then stops at Marco Polo Airport)

Cortina Express

FlixBus

 

Cortina – Dobbiaco

Bus 445 to Dobbiaco (Toblach)

• Cost: €6.50 (2025 price)

• Timetable: See more info here – (pre-booking is not necessary).

• Payment: Buy your ticket directly on the bus — cards, contactless, and cash now accepted.

• Travel Time: Around 40 minutes.

• Guest Card: If you stayed overnight in Cortina, ask your hotel for a South Tyrol Guest Card — it gives you a free ride on the 445.

• Tips:

  • Make sure the bus displays “Dobbiaco” on the front.

  • If in doubt, confirm with the driver before boarding.

  • Cortina d’Ampezzo is a beautiful stop if you have time to explore before heading on.

 

Dobbiaco – Lago di Braies

Bus 442 to Lago di Braies

• Cost: €7 (cash only)
• Dates & Booking:
  • Mid-June – 9 July & from 11 Sept: Pay cash on the bus.
  • 10 July – 10 Sept: Road access is restricted — you must pre-book the bus on www.prags.bz/en.

Guest Card:
If you have a Südtirol Guest Card (from a local overnight stay), you can ride the 442 for free only during the shoulder season — not between 10 July and 10 September.

Booking Notes:
Summer bus tickets (10 July–10 Sept) are released online around mid-June. Booking can only be done via the Lago di Braies website above.

Route Info:

• The 442 bus departs from Dobbiaco Autostazione (Toblach, Busbahnhof) — the last stop on the timetable’s left column.
• If arriving from Cortina on the 445 bus, stay on until the final stop (Dobbiaco Autostazione), then transfer to the 442.
• Travel time to Lago di Braies: about 35–40 minutes.
• Tip: For the best seats; front right (for forward views) or left side (driver’s side) for the lake approach.

 

Bus options:

Dolomiti Bus

Cortina Express

SAD

Pragz.bz

 

Taxi options: Approximately €85 from Cortina – Dobbiaco

Taxi Cortina / +39 3384889793

Taxi Afo / +39 347 94 20 530

DC Tranfers / booking@dctransfers.it

Cab Unterhofer / +39 348 672 08 63

Cab Rizzo / +39 329 460 61 90

 

I know what you’re thinking and yes, it is worth all that!

 

Accommodation Before the Start of the Alta Via 1 Trek

Choosing where to stay before beginning the Alta Via 1 depends on your travel plans, budget, and the kind of experience you’re looking for. The two main options are Cortina d’Ampezzo, a vibrant alpine town, and Dobbiaco/Toblach, a quieter, more convenient location closer to the trailhead at Lago di Braies.

Cortina d’Ampezzo – Cortina is a well-known ski resort town in the Dolomites, offering a mix of luxury and tradition. It has a great selection of hotels, restaurants, and shops, making it a fantastic place to relax and acclimate before your trek.

Dobbiaco/Toblach – Dobbiaco (Toblach in German) is a smaller town closer to the AV1 starting point at Lago di Braies. It’s a great option for those wanting a more relaxed atmosphere while minimising early morning travel before the trek.

There are also a smattering of other accommodation near to the lake such as: 

Hotel Lago di Braies – The closest hotel to the trailhead an expensive but unbeatable location. (One-night stays can sometimes be booked by phone, even if unavailable online.)

Hotel Trenker a 200 year old hotel run by the same family in St Viet which just a 30 minute walk to the lake or one stop on the bus. 

Hotel Hanslerhof on the road up to the lake before St Viet. 

Hotel Erika is on the bus route up to the lake also with the bus stop right outside. 

 

Getting Back After the Trek

The AV1 trek wraps up at the legendary… roadside bus stop of La Pissa. Not the most glamorous finish, but after several days of mountains, it’s practically a red carpet.

1. Finish the hike at La Pissa Bus Stop – bus to Belluno.
2. Catch a train to Belluno – the nearest town with major transport links.
3. From Belluno, catch a train or long-distance bus to Venice.
4. From Venice, continue to onward destinations.

Important: Bus service from La Pissa is limited on Sundays. Plan accordingly.

• You cannot purchase bus tickets at Rifugio Bianchet (despite what older guidebooks may say).

 

Going straight to Venice?

It’s possible to return to Venice the same day if everything aligns:

• 20 min bus to Belluno
• 2-hour train or bus to Venice

However, any delay could cause a knock-on effect. If unsure, consider staying overnight in Belluno and continuing your journey the next day.

 

Bonus: Visit the tourist office in Belluno with your stamped AV1 passport to receive a free AV1 badge pin.

 

EU Entry/Exit System (EES) and ETIAS: Important Travel Updates

Europe is introducing two new border systems that will affect non-EU travellers. The Entry/Exit System (EES) will replace manual passport stamping from October 2025, while the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), expected in 2026, will work like a pre-travel authorisation. It’s worth knowing about these changes before your trip. Read more here.