Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 13 hours ago
They said it would be easy. They said the views were behind us. They said the final day of the Alta Via 1 wasn’t worth doing.
They were wrong.
Day 8 might’ve been the most underrated – and unexpectedly emotional – day of the entire trail.
I left Rifugio Pramperet before sunrise, determined to beat the rain and catch the only bus out of the mountains. What followed was a 20km rollercoaster of rocky climbs, narrow ridges, mountain wildlife, solo reflections, and one final lunch stop with views that felt like a proper sendoff.
This was the day the Dolomites said goodbye.
And yes – there were moments of fear (one sketchy ridge in particular), but also beauty I hadn’t expected. Forests, cliffs, clouds swirling below… and a final descent that left me sweaty, exhausted, but also incredibly fulfilled.
Come along as I close out my 8-day journey on Italy’s most iconic trail — and share some final reflections from the edge of the Dolomites.
📌 Trail Stats
Distance: ~20.2km
Elevation Gain: ~860m
Duration: 9.5 hours
Route: Rifugio Pramperet → Rifugio Pian de Fontana → Rifugio Bianchet → La Pissa bus stop
🎬 Chapters
00:00:00 – Final Day Vibes
00:00:28 – Climbing Into the Wind
00:02:41 – Sketchy Ridge Crossing
00:03:45 – Above the Clouds
00:05:57 – Breakfast Stop with a View
00:06:53 – Rifugio Pian de Fontana
00:07:15 – Forest Trail Rollercoaster
00:08:39 – Arriving Rifugio Bianchet
00:11:02 – Final Descent to the Bus
00:12:16 – Reflections on the Alta Via 1
00:13:15 – Bonus: Exploring the Dolomites After the Hike
🟨 Trail Tip:
Don’t skip the final day. It’s long, but absolutely beautiful — especially if you start early. Bring enough water, snacks, and leave time to rest at Pian de Fontana and Bianchet.
📸 Gear I Use
(Lightweight, compact, and budget-conscious — ideal for multi-day treks)
🎥 iPhone 15 Pro Max - amzn.to/3SKEOPR
I have moved over to the iPhone for most of the ground footage - it actually takes amazing videos and my phone is always close by.
🚁 DJI Mini 4 Pro - amzn.to/3W8MVI5
I absolutely love this drone - it’s small, compact and provides amazing footage.
📷 GoPro - amzn.to/3W88ok9
I still use the GoPro for the ‘on the go’ shots. It has great stablization, battery life and video quality.
(Some links are affiliate links, which help support the channel at no extra cost to you.)
🧭 Full Alta Via 1 Guide:
hikingwithlee.com/alta-via-1-complete-guide
🎒 Packing List:
hikingwithlee.com/alta-via-1-packing-list
❤️ Like this video?
It really helps the channel if you hit that Like button, drop a comment, and subscribe to join more treks across Europe and beyond.
The trail might end here… but the journey? It’s just getting started.
#AltaVia1 #Dolomites #HikingItaly
They said it would be easy. They said the views were behind us. They said the final day of the Alta Via 1 wasn’t worth doing.
They were wrong.
Day 8 might’ve been the most underrated – and unexpectedly emotional – day of the entire trail.
I left Rifugio Pramperet before sunrise, determined to beat the rain and catch the only bus out of the mountains. What followed was a 20km rollercoaster of rocky climbs, narrow ridges, mountain wildlife, solo reflections, and one final lunch stop with views that felt like a proper sendoff.
This was the day the Dolomites said goodbye.
And yes – there were moments of fear (one sketchy ridge in particular), but also beauty I hadn’t expected. Forests, cliffs, clouds swirling below… and a final descent that left me sweaty, exhausted, but also incredibly fulfilled.
Come along as I close out my 8-day journey on Italy’s most iconic trail — and share some final reflections from the edge of the Dolomites.
📌 Trail Stats
Distance: ~20.2km
Elevation Gain: ~860m
Duration: 9.5 hours
Route: Rifugio Pramperet → Rifugio Pian de Fontana → Rifugio Bianchet → La Pissa bus stop
🎬 Chapters
00:00:00 – Final Day Vibes
00:00:28 – Climbing Into the Wind
00:02:41 – Sketchy Ridge Crossing
00:03:45 – Above the Clouds
00:05:57 – Breakfast Stop with a View
00:06:53 – Rifugio Pian de Fontana
00:07:15 – Forest Trail Rollercoaster
00:08:39 – Arriving Rifugio Bianchet
00:11:02 – Final Descent to the Bus
00:12:16 – Reflections on the Alta Via 1
00:13:15 – Bonus: Exploring the Dolomites After the Hike
🟨 Trail Tip:
Don’t skip the final day. It’s long, but absolutely beautiful — especially if you start early. Bring enough water, snacks, and leave time to rest at Pian de Fontana and Bianchet.
📸 Gear I Use
(Lightweight, compact, and budget-conscious — ideal for multi-day treks)
🎥 iPhone 15 Pro Max - amzn.to/3SKEOPR
I have moved over to the iPhone for most of the ground footage - it actually takes amazing videos and my phone is always close by.
🚁 DJI Mini 4 Pro - amzn.to/3W8MVI5
I absolutely love this drone - it’s small, compact and provides amazing footage.
📷 GoPro - amzn.to/3W88ok9
I still use the GoPro for the ‘on the go’ shots. It has great stablization, battery life and video quality.
(Some links are affiliate links, which help support the channel at no extra cost to you.)
🧭 Full Alta Via 1 Guide:
hikingwithlee.com/alta-via-1-complete-guide
🎒 Packing List:
hikingwithlee.com/alta-via-1-packing-list
❤️ Like this video?
It really helps the channel if you hit that Like button, drop a comment, and subscribe to join more treks across Europe and beyond.
The trail might end here… but the journey? It’s just getting started.
#AltaVia1 #Dolomites #HikingItaly
