Your Dolomites Basecamp: Where to Stay Before & After Alta Via 1 and 2

Planning a hiking trip in the Dolomites isn’t just about choosing the right trail — where you stay can completely shape your experience. A good base means smooth logistics, easy transfers, relaxed arrival and departure days, and more time to enjoy the mountains instead of worrying about transport.

Whether you’re hiking Alta Via 1, Alta Via 2, or a shorter hut-to-hut adventure, this guide will help you pick the best places to stay before and after your hike — especially if you’re traveling independently.

Cortina is a beautiful alpine village tucked away in lush green valleys, with the stunning peaks of the Dolomite mountains towering above: more than worth to stay for a few days.

What Makes a Good Base in the Dolomites?

Before diving into specific locations, here’s what really matters when choosing your base town:

• Easy access to trailheads or public transport

• Good accommodation and guesthouse options

• Restaurants, shops, and luggage services

• Simple transfers at the end of your hike

• A pleasant place to relax before or after the tour

Not every village ticks all the boxes — but some are clearly better than others.

Talking about conveniency, we have some insider recommendations from a local's point of view:

• Opt for a farm stay instead of a hotel, it is usually cheaper. But above all, farms are always family-run, you usually can taste or buy farm produce and the hosts are really considerate. Find your farm holiday here.

• Look up for accommodation called “Garni”, which means B&B. They are smaller than hotels and always cheaper.

• Avoid using booking platforms, prices are always higher there because these platforms take commissions. Look up the local tourist offices - they always have a search engine for available accommodation, where you can book directly and thus, at a lower price.

Farm stays in South Tyrol are a popular and convenient accommodation, they are always family-run and offer a taste of local life and produce.

Best Bases for Alta Via 1

Start of Alta Via 1: Lago di Braies

The iconic emerald lake is the classic starting point of Alta Via 1, and staying nearby lets you get an early start and soak up the scenery right away.

Where to stay:

• Hotel Lago di Braies – Classic and only lakeside location, comfortable rooms, great views and breakfast.

• Hotel Erika – Highly rated cozy hotel near the lake with great hospitality.

• Hotel Edelweiss – Excellent mid-range choice with traditional Alpine charm.

• Guesthouse Steinerhof – simple, comfortable and practical

• B&B Residence Trenker – family-run, traditional and all-year-round open

Tip: Accommodation directly at the lake is limited — book early to secure your spot.

The serene Lago di Braies, surrounded by lush forested mountains, reflects the rugged landscape and fluffy clouds, creating a tranquil and picturesque scene. What better start into your hiking trip?

End of Alta Via 1: Cortina d'Ampezzo

While the classic Alta Via 1 continues south toward Belluno, many hikers choose to finish in Cortina d’Ampezzo — especially when hiking shorter or “Best of Alta Via 1” sections. Cortina is one of the most practical and comfortable end bases in the Dolomites, offering excellent transport connections, a wide range of accommodations, and everything you want after several days on the trail.

Why Cortina works perfectly as an AV1 endpoint:

• Easy bus connections from key AV1 exit points

• Large choice of hotels in all categories

• Great restaurants, cafés, and shops

• Ideal place to relax, celebrate, and recover

• Simple onward travel by bus or private transfer

A picturesque view of Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, showcasing the iconic church with its green-roofed tower amidst charming alpine architecture, set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Dolomite mountains. Photo credit: Federico Corvi

Well-rated places to stay in Cortina (TripAdvisor favorites):

• Hotel Tofana Cortina – High-end comfort and excellent service

• Camina Suite & Spa – Stylish, modern hotel with spa facilities

• Hotel Cortina – Classic hotel right in the town center

• Franceschi Park Hotel – Reliable, well-rated mid-range option

For many hikers, ending in Cortina strikes the perfect balance: mountain adventure completed, comfort restored — without complicated logistics at the end of the hike.

Best Bases for Alta Via 2

Start of Alta Via 2: Brixen (Bressanone)

Alta Via 2 usually starts near Brixen — a charming historic town with good transport links to mountain trailheads, plus plenty of accommodation options.

Where to stay:

• Hotel Torgglerhof bei Brixen – Excellent boutique hotel with top ratings

• My Arbor - Dolomites – Elegant, popular choice with outstanding reviews

• Haller Suites & AO Restaurant – Great mid-range option with modern comforts

• B&B Alter Schlachthof – Traditional vintage-though-modern and unique, very central

• Youth Hostel Brixen – Centrally located and comfy, excellent value for money

Brixen is perfect for combining cultural charm with convenient trail access.

End of Alta Via 2: Passo San Pellegrion/Moena

Our Alta Via 2 ends on Passo San Pellegrino — a beautiful, less touristy place at the southern edge of the Dolomites. Accommodation options here are limited but well-positioned, making it a smart, no-frills choice for hikers.

Where to stay at Passo San Pellegrino:

• Hotel Arnika Wellness – Simple, well-rated, great value for hikers

• Hotel San Pellegrino – Classic mountain hotel, reliable and convenient

• Hotel Monzoni – Comfortable alpine style with wellness facilities

Passo San Pellegrino is located at the end of Alta Via 2 North - a wonderful area to relax after a tiring, but rewarding hiking experience.

If you prefer more choice, services, and a village atmosphere, the nearby town of Moena is an excellent alternative. Known as the “Fairy of the Dolomites,” Moena offers a wide range of well-rated accommodations, good restaurants, and easy transport connections — perfect for a relaxed arrival or recovery day after your hike.

Where to stay in Moena:

• Hotel El Laresh – Friendly, affordable, and consistently well reviewed

• Hotel Faloria – Great location, solid comfort, popular with hikers

• Hotel Central Wellness – High-end comfort, spa area, and excellent reviews

The picturesque alpine village of Moena nestled in the verdant mountains of the Dolomites.

Both Passo San Pellegrino and Moena work extremely well depending on whether you prioritize trail proximity or village comfort — and can easily be integrated as a relaxing stay after Alta Via 2.

Short Hikes & Flexible Bases

If you’re not hiking the full Alta Via routes, a central hub with good connections can make your trip smoother:

• Cortina d’Ampezzo – best all-round hub for shorter hikes and transport

• Val Gardena – excellent infrastructure and public transport

• Alta Badia – great for modular hiking and local trails

These towns are perfect if you’re doing short hut-to-hut hikes or multiple day trips.

We Take Care of the Accommodation — If You Want

Not sure where to stay before or after your hike in the Dolomites? SelfGuided Dolomites can take care of finding a suitable accommodation on request. Based on your itinerary, arrival plans, hiking dates, and personal preferences, we recommend and organize well-located and well-rated hotels or guesthouses — close to trailheads, transport hubs, or transfer points.

This means:

• smoother arrival and departure days

• fewer logistics to think about

• and more energy for what really matters: hiking in the Dolomites

Just let us know when booking your self-guided hike — we’ll handle the rest.

Contact us