Alta Via no. 1

(Designed by Toni Sanmarchi)

From Braies Lake to Belluno

Also inspired by the program of dolomitic itineraries proposed by Mario Brovelli in the article appeared on “Lo Scarpone” on 1 September 1966, Piero Rossi proposed in 1969 this superb crossing which, from the beautiful valley of Bràies in Pusteria, through imposing and cathedral celebrations Dolomites, leads to Belluno.

His precious volume released in the same year, then a true primacy, was titled “Alta Via delle Dolomiti”, number 1 and was published by Tamari Editori in Bologna, with several editions in the following years. Even this Alta Via, like the other celebrated sisters, features the peculiar features of a long-distance hike in different stages of the day.

Shelters and fixed bivouacs (but for those who want to live a great deal of the old things go well with a curtain and a hairdryer) offer comfort in the parking lots. The basic route takes place on not particularly demanding trails for a good hiker, but always equipped with passageways or shaggy trails.

Here and where the mountain has remained firm at the pioneers’ time, and only the chamois live undisturbed, there are major difficulties, mostly psychological, given by isolation, by considerable altitudes, by the harsh environment, Water, great silence …

And from fogs that often fall fast to swallow the environment! However, this Highway passes for truly unique and unique places, in the wild heart of the Dolomites. For the more experienced – and for their needs – are offered some alternatives to the classical route, with variations that consist of more technical and profitable excursions because they ride aerial routes or climb to touch the historical peaks of the various groups.

This High Way runs through some of the famous Dolomites groups left sufficiently immersed by the often heterogeneous crowds of so-called, more or less casual tourists. In the heart of these groups … the car does not arrive and therefore, unfortunately, exceptions, there is no massive invasion of disruptors.

Here is just enough to get away from the valley bottom to be in peace and find yourself in the true, primitive and uncorrupted mountains. Toni Sanmarchi’s words (another “inventor of Alte Vie”) that at thirty years away remain topical. The Province of Belluno Provincial Tourism Tourism, to which this merit is based, tends to valorise the “mountains of the home” and seeks – through this work – to provide the most up-to-date information to the riders.

We remind ourselves that some Authors have modified the original sequence of the route, adapting it to the personal or the taste of their users or to the tourist needs, here and there, modifying the original Italian route and bringing the journey to 18-20 days, short.

It is true that these would be ideal holidays, relaxing, enjoyable, but we preferred to stay in the tradition of “old times”, so in the 12 days, although some stages may appear a bit stern in length.

Also in our case compared to Piero Rossi’s guide, released in several editions – now thirty five years and the original is unrecognizable – some minor modifications and slight updates were made to the primitive track. In recent years, something has changed, both morphologically and appropriately, for the maintenance and equipment organs of the various sections of the path.

This has taken nothing away from the originality of work and ideas; But there was a desire to improve it and to further qualify it, in the respectful memory of Piero Rossi that of these mountains had made its own reason for life.

From the volume ALTA VIA no. 1 – 1 ° RISTAMPA 2007

Dolomiti Turismo srl

Via R. Psaro, 21 – 32100 Belluno Tel. 0437.940084 www.infodolomiti.it

Edition completely revised and updated by Italo Zandonella Callegher