A guide to walking the Alta Via 1 and Alta Via 2, the finest long-distance treks through the Italian Dolomites, in southern Europe. Situated towards the eastern end of the Alps' great curve from the Mediterranean coast through central Europe to the Balkans, the Dolomites occupy an area of northern Italy as large as Wales. Although the area's reputation as a playground for ?hard men' is fully justified, these mountains are by no means the domain of the rock climber alone. A dense network of footpaths offers endless scope for exhilarating high-level walks; the renowned via ferratas (rock routes aided by fixed metal ladders and cables) lead up into many sensational situations; while in winter the region becomes a premier skiing destination for thousands of Europeans. The authors hope that these treks through the Dolomites will yield rewarding experiences and enduring memories for readers able to visit this most extraordinary region.