Dolomites WW1 & Alta via 1 I 7 days I AUG
fromJoin us in the fabulous and spectacular Dolomites! Dolomites WW1 and Alta via 1, exploring open-air museums of Lagazuoi and Cinque Torre. Experience history come alive among rock spires “on the front!” In the Great War, this area of the Alps echoed with gunfire and would become the most surreal battlefield in history. You will marvel at the positions taken by both sides and see the tunnels and via ferrate used at this time as part of the defence and to move more easily amongst the spectacular scenery. We will visit open air museums en route and hear from experts. Thousands died in futile battles on what Italians called “il fronte verticale”. The peasant soldiers from the south who executed Rome’s first orders to attack were bewildered by being asked to sacrifice their lives for mountains bereft of agricultural value, the only currency they understood. After they died in the opening clashes, year after year rival forces of alpine troops – native mountain men – strove to dispossess each other of neighbouring pinnacles, to tunnel the peaks, to mine and counter-mine in unspeakable conditions.
This trip includes five days of trekking on the 7 day trip in total. We offer programme flexibility for groups so if you would like to request a long weekend, for example, we can design it to your needs. We also offer a 5 day version for £695. GROUP DISCOUNTS FOR 4+ PEOPLE AVAILABLE 🙂
For 2022 we are offering the following dates:
5-11 August 22
13-19 August 22
We can offer however offer this trip in End July, August and September on dates to suit you if you are coming with a group.
Contact us for any 2023 dates.
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Vacation Style Holiday Type
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Activity Level Challenging - Trip grade 2
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Group Size Medium Group
Join us in the fabulous and spectacular Dolomites! Dolomites WW1 and Alta via 1, exploring open-air museums of Lagazuoi and Cinque Torre. Experience history come alive among rock spires “on the front!” In the Great War, this area of the Alps echoed with gunfire and would become the most surreal battlefield in history. You will marvel at the positions taken by both sides and see the tunnels and via ferrate used at this time as part of the defence and to move more easily amongst the spectacular scenery. We will visit open air museums en route. Italian forces dug much of the tunnel network to place mines under the Austrian positions, and while the biggest known explosion did not achieve its aim because the Austrians heard the Italian drilling and deserting their positions, the effects of the mines can still be seen today in the form of damage to the rock faces. Between 1915 and 1917, at the peak of the conflict, there were 300 Italian soldiers stationed in the Lagazuoi tunnels. Those who were lucky enough to survive endured every form of fear and suffering for no discernible military gain over two years of fighting.
This trip includes five days of trekking on the 7 day trip in total. We offer programme flexibility for groups so if you would like to request a long weekend, for example, we can design it to your needs. GROUP DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE 🙂
If you would like to travel on different dates to advertised please contact us to enquire about alternative dates.
- Half board accommodation in a 3* hotel or similar for 2 nights based on a twin or triple room in Cortina
- Half board accommodation for 4 nights in mountain ‘rifugios’ based on shared rooms (twin, triple or quadruple) or dorms, all with showers.
- The services of a fully qualified International Mountain Leader
- Transport to the start of the route at Lago di Braies from Cortina
- Taxi transfer back to Cortina d’Ampezza from Cinque Torres parking
- No Luggage transfers though your spare luggage not needed for the trek will be stored
- Lunches
- Flights
- Insurance
- Drinks and snacks
- Luggage transfers on 3 nights
- Transfers to/from the meeting point in Cortina
- Day 1 Arrivals in Cortina
- Day 2 Tre Cime di Laveredo or Dri Zinnen- The Three Peaks – Ascent and fantastic circular walk
- Day 3 Lago di Braies - Rifugio Pederu
- Day 4 Rifugio Pederu - Rifugio Lagazuoi
- Day 5 Exploring the open-air museums of Lagazuoi and the Cinque Torre
- Day 6 Rifugio Lagazuoi to the Cinque Torri and Rifugio Averau – Cortina d'Ampezza
- Day 7 Departures
Cortina where we start our journey is a stylish mountain town with an excellent selection of bars, shops and exudes character. All the hotels we use have en suite facilities, and are welcoming and comfortable.
On this trip the first and last nights we will be hotel based and the rest of the trip we will stay in rifugios. A rifugio is the Italian name given to a mountain lodge/hut. The Dolomite rifugios are lovely, and our guests have said they are more like hotels than huts. We try to reserve rooms or dorms exclusive to our group but this cannot be guaranteed. In te refugios you may be accommodated in private bedrooms with en suite facilities or in larger dormitories with shared showers and toilets. The sooner we receive your booking the better chance we have of securing the best accommodation and rooms/ in the refugio.
- Half board accommodation in a 3* hotel or similar for 2 nights based on a twin or triple room in Cortina d’Ampezza
- Half board accommodation for 4 nights in mountain ‘rifugios’ based on shared rooms (twin, triple or quadruple) or dorms, all with showers. including Rifugio Lagazuoi, Rifugio Pederu and the Auronzo.
- Half board accommodation in a 3* hotel or similar for 2 nights based on a twin or triple room in Cortina
- Half board accommodation for 4 nights in mountain ‘rifugios’ based on shared rooms (twin, triple or quadruple) or dorms, all with showers.
- The services of a fully qualified International Mountain Leader
- Transport to the start of the route at Lago di Braies from Cortina
- Taxi transfer back to Cortina d’Ampezza from Cinque Torres parking
- No Luggage transfers though your spare luggage not needed for the trek will be stored
- Flights
- Personal Insurance
- Meals and transport not specified in the programme
- Drinks
No, due to the fine facilities in the refuges you only need to carry a day bag of up to 6kg with your wash kit. You will be given a kit list which will help make clothing choices but of course usually the lighter the better with outdoor clothing items.
We are lucky with this programme in that there is the flexibility to make sections harder or easier depending on the group in certain places and of course sometimes the route needs to be adapted slightly due to snow. There will be tunnels to go through but these can be optional and also some sections of path will have cable to use. On your itinerary you will find an indication of the amount of ascent and descent you can expect each day. This offers a guideline to how much effort might be expended each day and allows you to decide, based on previous experience, if your fitness and stamina are correct for the trip.
A via ferrate means the ‘iron way’ and is a rock or mountain route with fixed ‘protection’ such as metal ladders, handles and chain that you remain attached to using a climbing harness. This allows access to isolated trail systems, rocky cliff lines and summits normally reserved for climbers but is now a popular sport. Let us know if you would like to try this activity before or after your trip.
Refugios: At the end of every day you will experience 3 course Italian meal, warm hospitality and amazing views out from your refuge. Expect your own duvet and hot showers in the evening.All refuges have their own character and facilities which you can see more of in the accommodation section.
Electric sockets may be in short supply and for that night you may not be able to charge any items. Although the accommodation will have electricity this will often be supplied by solar panels or a generator and limited to use by the staff. We advise carrying a small slimline and lightweight ‘battery pack’ can be very useful for recharging.
Food:
If you have a ‘special’ diet because of an allergy or intolerance to a certain food type which will make you ill the accommodation will cater for this as best they can, eg gluten free and we need to know at the time of booking. Vegetarian diets are no problem but vegan food in remote refuges in the mountains this is more difficult. We may ask you to bring some special snacks to boost your meal but we will contact the accommodation for you to ensure we will be catered for. Gluten-free diets will be possible with regard to the evening meals, but we would advise that you bring along some gluten-free snacks for your breakfasts and lunches.
We do not include picnic lunches in this trip fee for various reasons. We have found our guests have particular tastes and requirements for ‘hill’ food and it is better you choose and buy what you require but we will help you with any shopping. If there is the possibility of lunch being taken at a restaurant or cafe beside the trail, you will be advised.