I managed to hike the Alta Via 1 trail over the last holidays. Given that Bagi or Emil described it in such detail, including photos, I will only add some logistical information related to June 2026.
I parked in Toblach at the free parking lot, where I left the car for 4 days, as long as I needed to hike the trail. Here:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/7roNiz8dTcZFbKVa9. The bus ticket Toblach - Lago di Braes can be purchased on the bus with cash or card, but only outside the main season, which starts on July 1st and supposedly lasts until the end of August. At that time, it can only be purchased online, which is understandable, as otherwise the bus stops at stations for up to five minutes if passengers boarding pay on the spot.
The journey from the end of the trail on the Agordo - Belluno road is an odyssey that requires coordinating the schedule of three buses and a train.
I did not reserve accommodation in advance and also did not carry a tent with me, so my backpack weighed less than 4kg. In the morning or the evening before, I called the hut to see if they had a free bed and always got one. However, it is true that sometimes I had to call four huts, as most beds are sold out at least half a year in advance.
Water is available on the way, but not in abundance. Food is also a challenge during the day, as the huts usually don't offer much more than some dessert. Breakfasts and dinners are typical for the Dolomites, at a certain time and plentiful.
As for the trail itself, for an average hiker it is not demanding or exposed, but if it is on some section, there is always a bypass. Well, at least that's how I experienced it.
In any case, the trail is an extraordinary experience that offers views of different dimensions than we know at home.