July 16: For our first day on the AV1, we'll head out from Lago di Braies and up towards the Parco Naturale delle Dolomiti d'Ampezzo with panoramic views of the Sass de Putia to the Tofane pyramids. We'll cover 12 miles on the trail at with options to stop for photo breaks, lunch, and cappuccinos at rifugios along the way. Our home base for the evening will be a modernized rifugio level offering typical South Tyrolean dishes and beverages. Located at 2,060 meters above sea level, it's a place to sleep "a few steps from the sky."

July 17: Today we enter the Cortina Dolomites, starting our day with Passo di Limo. Along the way we'll have the chance to stop at a malga, or dairy farm, with beverages and simple meals. We'll be rewarded for the day's climbing with truly spectacular vistas from our rifugio at 2500m, which also boasts the home of the highest sauna in the Dolomites. At a total of 12 hilly miles, today will be our highest elevation gain at almost 6,000 feet, but we'll still arrive with plenty of time to take advantage of the many side hikes and activities from our scenic rifugio.

July 18: Today we pass through an important area in Dolomite history dating back to World War One. We will start off the run dropping down the trail before climbing up to the impressive Cinque Torri area. An optional side route includes exploring an extensive tunnel system through the mountain. On our shortest day of 8 miles up and down the trails today, we will arrive at our rifugio in the afternoon with plenty of time to rest for the days to come with one of most scenic vistas. Our rifugio for the evening provides some of the best food in the Dolomites, and views of the changing colors on nearby mountains can't be beat.

July 19: After getting an early start, today will be one of our longest and most spectacular days on the trail as we cover 15 miles featuring peaks and passes of both smooth singletrack and technical trails. We'll be greeted with a warm welcome at our remote rifugio that serves excellent meals, apple strudels, and sunset views of that special Dolomiti light on the Pelmo.

July 20: For our final full day on the trail, we'll enjoy our last high alpine vistas at the start of the trail before descending in altitude as vegetation turns to forest and we get a view of the impressive mountain walls from below. Most of the high elevation gains and losses are completed and there's long, yet moderate running to enjoy en route our final rifugio.

July 21: For our final morning, we'll enjoy an early breakfast and coffee at our rifugio before descending a couple of easy miles down to the town of Agordo. We'll then head back to Venice, reaching it by evening where we say our goodbyes with new friends and tons of memories.