Hiking in Europe
Read all about the hikes I did in Switzerland, France, Italy and others
Lago di Braies Day Hikes
Lago di Braies (also known as Pragser Wildsee in German) is the famous starting point for the Alta Via 1 thru hike across the Italian Dolomites. But there are also various shorter trails starting at the azure blue lake. Here are three day hikes that I hiked at Lago di Braies.
GR5 stage 4: Modane to Briançon
Stage 4 of the GR5 was the last stage of this thru-hike that I would walk this year. It marked the transition to the Mediterranean Alps, where the weather was hotter and drier. The landscape turned more and more empty until I reached the city of Briançon where my journey ended.
GR5 Stage 3: Landry to Modane
Stage 3 of the GR5: the Vanoise. A part of the Grande Traversée des Alpes/GR5 where all the different routes can make your head dizzy – if you’re not already dizzy from the high mountains all around you. This stage takes hikers from freezing cold mountain passes to the sweltering city of Modane close to the border with Italy.
GR 5 stage 2: Les Houches to Landry
The second stage of the GR5 shares about 40 km trail with the Tour du Mont Blanc. I skipped a crowded part on an alternative, higher trail above Les Contamines. After two days I left the TMB, turning South into the breathtaking Beaufortin. There I crossed the Col du Bresson, another highlight of the GR5.
GR 5 stage 1: Lac Léman to Les Houches
The first 5 days of the GR5 involved a long and steep initial ascent into the Alps and unexpected and extraordinary scenery. I also met a number of other solo hikers. Within a few days a we formed a more or less loose group, hiking and camping together most of the time. Getting to know these wonderful people has enriched my experience on the GR5 tremendously.
Planning the GR5 – Grande Traverse des Alpes
In the summer of 2023 I hiked 14 days on the GR5 (Grande Randonnée 5). While the complete GR5 starts in my home country (the Netherlands), I hiked the part that crosses the French Alps from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean Sea. As two weeks are not enough to hike the complete route to the sea, I hiked halfway to the city of Briançon.
Alta Via 1 part 3: Città di Fiume – Belluno
During our final section of the Alta Via 1 we saw the most amazing sunset at Coldai and walked below the impressive ‘Wall of Walls’ of Civetta. After Rifugio Vazzoler we exited the trail to Listolade where a bus drove us to Belluno.
Alta Via 1 part 2: Scotoni – Città di Fiume
Day 4 and 5 of the Alta Via 1 held high passes and spectacular rocks in store for us. Sometimes steep and challenging, we were always rewarded with dramatic views. Due to impending storms we changed our plans in order to arrive at the rifugio’s before thunder and lightning began.
Alta via 1 part 1: Biella–Scotoni
The first three days of the Alta Via 1 started with a steep climb up to Rifugio Biella and continued along various mountain huts offering stunning views of the Dolomites. On the third night we slept at Rifugio Scotoni, just off the official Alta Via trail, avoiding the the defiantly high Lagazuoi hut.
Alta Via 1 Prologue: Lago di Braies
The Alta Via 1 is a 120 km (75 miles) hike through the South Tyrolean Dolomites. The trailhead to this hike happens to sit at one of the most beautiful lakes of Europe: the Lago di Braies. Before Christine and I started the Alta Via 1 we stayed in the magnificent Hotel at the lake. The 3 days at the trailhead became a fantastic holiday in itself.