Alta Via 4

Welcome Package

You’re going to The Dolomites

Get stoked!

We’re stoked to be embarking on this journey together. To help you prepare for the adventure of a lifetime (no hyperbole!) we’ve put together this digital welcome package. It’s got everything you’ll need to know, arranged chronologically as it relates to preparation for your Alta Via trek in the Dolomites.

Once you’ve explored the welcome kit, we’ll set up a video consultation so that you can ask questions, get clarity, and discover even more to stoke your fire.

Things to Do, Now

Now that your trek is booked, there are a few things that are better done now, rather than later.

Complete your personal profile

Let’s get to know each other! Submitting this form will help us to best accommodate your preferences and needs while in Italy.

Check your passport’s expiration date

Covid was a time vortex! If your passport will expire within six months of our trip (or if you don’t currently have an active passport,) go ahead and sort out a new one now—just to be safe. The more of a buffer that you have to do this before the trip, the easier, less stressful, and less expensive the process will be.

Book your flights

To get the best price, book your flights to-and-from Italy ASAP. You should arrive by Aug. 31st (ideally, early AM,) and depart on the evening of Sept. 7th or later. You’ll want to fly into Venice Marco Polo (VCE.)

You’ll be crossing lots of time zones as you travel, so be sure to pay close attention to the landing dates. You’ll want to account for roughly a day of travel en route to Italy; and one day for the return journey home.

The Dolomites are only a couple of hours away from Venezia, so if you’d like to check out The Floating City, this is a great opportunity to do so either before our trip begins or after it ends.

Book your Airport Transfer

You’ll need to arrange personal transportation between Venice Marco Polo International Airport and Cortina d'Ampezzo. The easiest and cheapest way to get between the two is via FlixBus. It’s a two-hour long journey each way; the bus tickets should be about $30 round trip.

Condition your body to move

We’ll be doing a lot of walking on the Alta Via 4; and a lot of it will be uphill. Sixteen weeks out from the trek, Transcendent will provide you with the option to download and follow a detailed training plan that’s tailored to our goal, but it’s a good idea to start conditioning your body right now.

Do some sit ups after you roll out of bed. Get your 10,000 steps in. Take the stairs. Walk the dog—twice. These easy-to-integrate practices will pay dividends down the line.

summer Checklist

Getting warmer.

Start training

If you’re looking for that extra accountability and fitness edge that comes from dedicated training, we’ll send you a specialized training plan, created by Summation Athletics, to start around May 12th. It’s not mandatory to follow the training plan, but it will provide some fantastic structure and a gradual path towards fitness in the months leading up to the trek. It’ll get you moving, it’ll get you outside. And it’ll make the consecutive big elevation days infinitely easier.

Get your gear

If you’ve already done some hiking and backpacking, chances are, you’ll own a lot of the gear that you need for your Alta Via trek. For anything else you might require, consider shopping during Memorial Day, 4th of July, or Labor Day to get the best deals and discounts.

Transcendent has partnered with Craghoppers—Britain’s Outdoor Outfitter, which specializes in apparel with built-in bug and sun protection—to offer a 20% discount on your first order. Their kit is a great fit for AV4.

Complete your balance payment

The remainder of your trip balance payment is due on July 3rd, via electronic transfer. We’ll send an email reminder as well as payment instructions three weeks before it’s due.

When August ends, it’s time to send.

Last month before go-time!

Aquire travel insuranCE

We recommend World Nomads’s Standard Plan coverage for the entire duration of your trip.

This is not required for the Alta Via Trek, but in the event that you want to rent a car or motorcycle during a personal extended stay, the IDP is inexpensive and easy to acquire from your local AAA.

Consider Getting an International Driving Permit

The Week Before

So. Damn. Soon.

Share your travel info with Transcendent

Use this form so that we can coordinate your hotel transfer and initial rendezvous.

Complete your packing list

We’ve made a Google Sheet template to make it easy. Just make a copy of it as a new Sheet and fill in your deets.

Pack!

Use the packing list to ensure that everything makes it into your bags. Don’t forget to take one of those fun layout pics!

The Big Day

Here weeee go!!!

Money Stuff

It’s always good to travel with some of your national currency, in case of emergencies. We recommend bringing a couple hundred bucks; keeping it tucked away somewhere safe; only to be used if absolutely necessary.

Be sure to set your banking card up for international travel.

Finally, pull out some Euros from an ATM upon arrival for snacks, souvenirs, and customary guide gratuities at the end of the trek.

Arrival

You’ve made it to Italy. Almost there!

  1. If you booked a transfer from Venice Marco Polo to Cortina d’Ampezzo via FlixBus, the coach will depart from outside the airport terminal. Follow the directions specified on your coach ticket.

  2. Arrive in Cortina d’Ampezzo.

  3. Check into Jägerhaus Agriturismo. Confirmation details will have been sent closer to arrival.

  4. Meet Chris.

  5. Do a gear check and pack.

  6. Explore Cortina—it’s incredibly walkable and charming.

  7. Enjoy a team welcome dinner in town or at the hotel.

  8. Sleep!

Where the f*ck Are the Dolomites?

The Dolomites

Geology

The Dolomites are a mountain range in northeastern Italy, formed of light-coloured dolomitic limestone, which is a carbonate rock that contains magnesium. The name dolomite comes from the French mineralogist Déodat Gratet de Dolomieu, who first studied the rock in the 18th century. The Dolomites are part of the Southern Limestone Alps and extend from the River Adige in the west to the Piave Valley in the east. They are composed of many mountain groups, such as the Sella Group, the Marmolada, and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. The Dolomites are known for their spectacular shapes and colours, which result from erosion, glaciation, and the presence of iron and other minerals. The Dolomites were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009, for their outstanding natural beauty and their geological significance as a record of the evolution of the Earth’s crust.

History

The history of the Dolomites is rich and diverse, reflecting the cultural and linguistic diversity of the region. The Dolomites have been inhabited since prehistoric times, as evidenced by archaeological findings of Bronze Age settlements and rock carvings. The Dolomites were part of the Roman Empire, and later of the Lombard and Frankish kingdoms. In the Middle Ages, the Dolomites were divided among various feudal lords, such as the bishops of Trento and Bressanone, the counts of Tyrol, and the Venetian Republic. The Dolomites became part of Austria in the 16th century, and remained so until the end of World War I, when they were annexed by Italy. The Dolomites were the scene of fierce battles between the Italian and Austro-Hungarian armies during the war, and many traces of the conflict can still be seen today, such as trenches, bunkers, and memorials. The Dolomites are now part of three Italian regions: Veneto, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, and Friuli Venezia Giulia. The main languages spoken in the Dolomites are Italian, German, and Ladin, a Romance language derived from Latin.

Recreation

The Dolomites are a paradise for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, offering a wide range of recreational opportunities throughout the year. In the summer, the Dolomites are a popular destination for hiking, climbing, cycling, and paragliding. There are hundreds of trails and routes to suit all levels of difficulty and experience, from easy walks in the valleys and meadows, to challenging ascents of the highest peaks. Some of the most famous and scenic hikes in the Dolomites are the Alta Via (High Routes), the Tre Cime di Lavaredo Circuit, the Alpe di Siusi Loop, and the Puez-Odle Traverse. Many hikers choose to stay overnight in rifugios, which are mountain huts that provide accommodation, food, and drinks.

Cortina d’Ampezzo

Cortina d’Ampezzo is a town and comune in the heart of the southern Alps in the province of Belluno, in the Veneto region of Northern Italy. It is a popular summer and winter sport resort, known for its skiing and hiking trails, scenery, shops, and catering for the Italian aristocratic crowd.

As a regional intersection between modern-day Italy and Austria, Cortina d’Ampezzo has a rich cultural heritage, with several museums, churches, and art exhibitions. It also hosted the Winter Olympics in 1956 and will co-host them again in 2026 with Milan.

Cortina d’Ampezzo is located in a majestic alpine valley, in the heart of the magnificent peaks of the Dolomites, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. More than 400 kilometers of signposted footpaths and hiking trails wind through this region’s meadows, forests, mountain passes, and Alpine farms; from the trails, you can admire the stunning views of rocky mountains, alpine lakes, waterfalls, and historical sites from the World Wars.

The town of Cortina itself offers a variety of activities for visitors, such as hiking, biking, climbing, golfing, ice skating, and snowshoeing. The commune is also famous for its delectable cuisine, which combines local ingredients with influences from Venetian, Tyrolean, and Ladin traditions. Cortina d’Ampezzo is a destination for those who love outdoor recreation, culture, and the finer things.

Alta Via 4 Trek

100 km / 60 mi

+5,285 m / +17,340’

-5,415 m / - 17,765’

The Alta Via 4 is a high-alpine trek that stretches from San Candido in the north to Pozzale (a tiny hamlet just outside of Pieve di Cadore) in the south. It passes by some of the most iconic landmarks in the Dolomites, such as the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, the Cristallo group, Lago di Sorapiss, and Antelao peak. The trek also involves several via ferrata sections, which add excitement and variety to the hiking experience.

Trails

The pathways of Alta Via 4 are, for the most part, well-groomed trails which have been used for thousands of years by goats, ancient indigenous, medieval peoples, World War soldiers, and now recreationalists. Many of them are improbably carved across dramatic landscapes; and while there are certainly some steep, loose sections, most are generally in great shape with switch backing grades and little un-necessary up-and-down.

Via FeRrata

What sets Alta Via 4 apart from many other high routes is the mandatory integration of via ferrata routes (as well as some optional via ferrata side quests.) Italian for “iron way,” via ferrata incorporates steel cables, ladders, and foot and hand holds to facilitate protected travel through steep, exposed terrain—which would normally necessitate technical rock climbing—using minimal equipment: helmet, harness, and special lanyards.

These sections are a ton of fun and elevate mere hiking to incredible heights without requiring any special skills or experience.

Rifugios

Rifugios are mountain huts in the Dolomites that provide accommodation, food, and services to hikers and climbers. They are usually located along the hiking trails, offering convenient access to the stunning scenery and challenging terrain of the region. Rifugios vary in size, comfort, and facilities, but they all share a common feature: a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Rifugios are essential for multi-day treks like Alta Via 4, enabling us to enjoy the beauty and diversity of the Dolomites without the need to carry heavy backpacks laden with camping equipment and food. The rifugios also offer a rich cultural experience, as they reflect the local traditions and cuisine of the Dolomites.

Weather

This is a late-summer alpine trek. Chances are, a lot of the time, it will be shorts and t-shirt weather during the day—but alpine passes can be breezy and cool. There’s also a possibility that it could rain. Or snow. These are the mountains, afterall.

As such, ensure that you’re prepared for a variety of conditions—both from the perspective of clothing and equipment, but also with regards to mentality. As weather shifts, we’ll adapt our plans accordingly, so be prepared for any itinerary changes that may be necessary for both safety and enjoyment.

FAQs

  • We won’t need to carry much! Mainly mountain clothing layers; via feratta equipment; personal toiletries; a few essential items like headlamps, phone chargers, and water filters; and a few snacks each day.

    All of this should fit into a 25 L pack.

  • The rifugios all have bathrooms with running water and flush toilets. We’ll start and end our days at rifugios; and on most days, we’ll stop at intermediary rifugios for lunch.

  • Each rifugio provides hikers with blankets for sleeping—so there’s no need to pack a sleeping bag!

    Instead, we’ll pack sleeping bag liners, which are lightweight and facilitate better hygiene.

  • Tips for our IFMGA mountain guide are not expected—but they’re certainly appreciated!

    €100 per person for the trip would be a recommended amount.

Still Have Questions?

We’ve got answers. Make some notes; we’ll fill in any gaps during your pre-trip video consultation.

Contact

Chris Brinlee, Jr. // Founder, Leader - Transcendent Expeditions

+1 503.660.8707