Day 1: Cortina to Fodara Velda Hut

Distance: 10KM

Total hours: 7hrs

Elevation: +985m, -460m

Steps taken: 30,988
Pragser Wildsee/Lago di Braies –> Rifugio Biella/Seekofel Hutte –> Rifugio Sennes –> Rifugio Fodara Vedla Hutte

After a good breakfast (Hotel Regina Continental Breakfast + chocolate treat from Alverà), we were ready to go.

From Hotel Regina, we took a taxi service to Pragser Wildsee / Lago di Braies to start our hike. Cortina Car Service (info[at]taxicortina.it) got us there real efficiently. Something that surprised me was how fast we were going, especially on the narrow roads – I had to hold onto my hat at some turns. I mean, the average gnome can’t reach the gas pedal so it usually requires several gnomes to drive a car. We usually go slow because of all the banter.

We were dropped off in front of Pragser Wildsee. As we were approaching this area, we came across several hotels to stay at in the area.

The hike started to the left of the hotel, by the lake. We chose to start our hike here because the weather was slightly overcast but supposed to stay dry. If it was going to rain, we would have taken the shorter option starting at S. Uberto/Ra Stua, which was less exposed.

Most of the rifugios/huttes in the beginning of the Alta Via 1 have Italian and German names, given the proximity to that border, hence the name of the place we were staying at that night: Rifugio Fodara Velda Hutte.

This area reminded me of a mini Lake Louise.

Photo on left from The Luxury Holiday Company. Photo on right from yours truly.

At the trailhead, there was a sign showing the amount of time needed for different items to decompose. I was stunned! Plastic bottles ‘outlive’ most gnomes!

Good reminder to Leave No Trace.

We walked around the lake following trail blazers like the one pictured below, while on the lookout for ‘a sh*t ton of cairns’.

We followed these blazes like these throughout the entire trip.

We found them!

The hike started to gain elevation shortly after we saw these cairns. While there was some forested areas and eventually a meadow, most of the route to Rifugio Biella/Seekofelhutte was through exposed rocky areas.

It was really cool to be able to look back (after what felt like forever) to see Lago di Braies so small behind us. We had a short lunch break in the middle of the boulder field, before the scree slope. In hindsight, we should have taken a break earlier, behind some of the boulders and rested under some shade.

At the top of the big push, we saw this amazing view at Forcella Sora Forno (2388m). It took us around 4 hours to get to these part.

After enjoying the view, we headed down to Rifugio Biella.

Looking back towards Forcella Sora Forno – what an epic looking rock.

We ordered some drinks and learned that for certain days, we should just order food at rifugios on the way, instead of packing a picnic lunch. The menu looked so delicious. We felt serious fomo (there was a pumpkin + speck dish that was real tempting). And the stamp is the best looking stamp out of all the places we saw. The only thing is – squatty potty.

Side note: Hikers can collect an ink stamp at every stop – so bring something that you can stamp on if you’re into that sort of thing. We saw someone bring out an ‘official’ Dolomiti booklet but didn’t get a chance to ask them where they got it.

After looking longingly at the food at other peoples’ tables and finishing our sad picnic lunch and the amazing pastries from Alverà), we continued on, through meadows of grass and boulders.

After a quick bathroom break at the beautiful Rifugio Sennes Hutte (not at Rifugio Munt de Sennes, since that would have been the wrong way) and watching bunnies frolic, we continued on.

The trail becomes wider before becoming foresty and meanders downhill. After ~ 2.5 hours, we arrived at Rifugio Fodara Velda Hutte!

We stayed in a private room for this evening and all of our journey, due to covid concerns. Plus we figured we deserved some nice and quiet after long hard days! There were rustic cabin vibes combined with modern features. The rifugio staff were very attentive.

Boots are dropped off at the boot room first thing after check-in. Towels provided with hangers.

Private rooms have an ensuite washroom.

Rustic cabin vibes and attentive service.

Potable water, limited cell service (outside the building), credit card accepted.
RIFUGIO BETA