The Alta Via 2 is one of the 6 famous Alta Via treks in the Italian Dolomites. If you are looking for your next challenge, the Alta Via 2 is the perfect match. This trek is full of adrenaline and only suitable for experienced trekkers with surefootedness, experience in the mountains, and a head for heights. The Alta Via 2 includes sharp ridges, Via Ferratas, and steep slopes. Are you brave enough to face it?
The entire Alta Via 2 can be completed in 11 to 14 days. We have prepared a 12-day itinerary in which you complete the entire trek, from Brixen / Bressanone to Croce d'Aune. Challenging trails, the possibility of conquering Via Ferratas, staying in cozy Italian mountain huts and delicious Northern Italian food. And don't forget to enjoy the fantastic views in the Italian Dolomites.
From the Rifugio Genova-Schlüterhütte, at 2297 m, take path n. 3 which, after a stretch to the east, turns to the south along the eastern side of the Bronsoi with a splendid panorama of Odle and Puez. This is an area of great geological and floristic interest. At the altitude of 2421 m, the path turns to the southwest, passes above Munt de Medalges in the Natural Park Puez-Odle, and reaches the Fùrcia de Medalges (Kreuzjoch), at 2293 meters. Path no. 3 then runs east of the Campillerturm and Sass da l'Ega (Sasso dell'Acqua-Wasserkofele) and then crosses the long Longiarù Ridge. Go over the ridge until you reach a junction at an altitude of 2389 meters.
Then climb up to reach the Fùrcia dla Róa (Forcella della Rova-Roascharte), at 2617 meters. This saddle divides the Odle Group in the west from the Pùez Group in the east. Attention: at the beginning of the season it is possible to find hard snow in the gully and an ice axe or at least half crampons would be useful. Continuing along the route you descend southwards to a junction at an altitude of about 2500 m in a large debris basin. Here you leave path n. 3, which descends to the right (south-west) and join path n. 2. Path n. 2 will take you east to Fórces de Siëles, at 2505 meters.
After crossing the fork, you will find yourself in front of thin pastures. The Sassonghér appears in the distance, to the east. Now, path no. 2 turns to the north-east and becomes a thin path carved into the rock. The trail is not difficult and there are some metal ropes to help you. Then, after a flat stretch, the path descends eastwards through the wide grassy plain of Munt de Pùez, makes a wide Z, and heads eastwards once more up to the nearby Pùez Hut, at 2475 meters.
From Rifugio Puez (Puezhütte, 2475 m), follow path n° 2 southeast and cross the vast plateau of the Puez where, in case of fog, you must look out for the signs. After the crossroads at an altitude of 2104 m, continue southwards to reach the Forcella de Ciampëi (or Somafùrcia, 2366 m). From here to Passo Gardena, path no. 2 will always go in a southwest direction. From the fork, you go up a little bit, until you reach Lech de Crespëina (Lake Crespèina-Crespeina See). From the small lake, with a steep ascent, you reach the Forcella de Crespëina, at 2528 meters. You then descend steeply and finally make a final climb through loose rock to the Forcella Cir (or Dantes les Pizes-Cirjoch, 2469 m).
From here on it's all a succession of gentle ups and downs, forks, boulders, small towers, and pastures until you reach the wide Dolomite saddle of Passo Gardena (Grödner Joch, 2121 m). It is best to leave the traffic and noise at Passo Gardena and trek on to the peaceful Rifugio Pisciadù. From the pass, follow path no. 666. After a while, path n. 666 climbs a narrow and rocky valley until it widens. Here you take the left and climb up through debris and loose rock. There may be some snow in this section of the trail (section equipped with fixed ropes). The trail then turns to the south-east and after a short descent, you reach the "Franco Cavazza" Rifugio at Pisciadù, 2585 meters.
From Pisciadù Hut take path n. 666 southwards, along the eastern shore of the lake. Above the Val de Tita, there are two possibilities: an easier path, or a section equipped with fixed ropes. The path then continues on gravel and sometimes on patches of snow up to a saddle. The trail then goes up to Dante's Altipiano del Sella where, in case of fog, you must follow the signs very carefully. You then turn southwards, cross the plateau, and descend to Forcella d'Antersass, at 2861 m, where path n. 666 ends. You now start walking on path no. 647.
Continue south to the top of the Antersass (Zwischenkofel, 2907 m). You can circumvent the summit through the path on the right, but if the weather is nice it is worth taking a look from the top. You will then descend to Boè Hut (Bambergerhütte, 2871 m). From Boè Rifugio take path n. 627 up to Forcella Pordòi Rifugio (2829 m) from where you can enjoy a splendid panorama. At the rifugio, a wide and steep scree slope begins; you can follow the numerous switchbacks, or let yourself "slide" on the soft gravel. Finally, the path leads down to Passo Pordòi, at 2239 meters. From Passo Pordòi, take path 601 southwards, towards a chapel. Following the eastern slope of Sass Beccè, the trail leads to Rifugio Baita Fredarola, 2370 m. From Fredarola Rifugio, the path bends eastwards to enter the Vièl dal Pan (Path of Bread), an ancient path between the Val di Fassa and the Agordino. The path is wide and panoramic, especially on the Marmolada that stands out gigantic in front of it. At about halfway along the path there is the Rifugio Vièl dal Pan, 2432 m. From Rifugio Viel Dal Pan follow the path up to the junction with path n. 698. Follow path n. 601 to the south, then turn west along the steep meadows, until you reach the nearby Rifugio Castiglioni Marmolada (2044 m).
Behind the Rifugio Contrin, at 2.016 m, take path n. 607 on the right. After passing a stream, cross the Lasté de Contrin until you reach a plateau. Here you go left, going up to a back of mountain rocks that divides two small valleys. Follow the trail until you reach a large sign that marks the fork with path n. 612. Continue along the steps that take you to the Cime Ciadine. Finally, you reach the saddle of the Cirelle Pass at 2,682 m. Descend the opposite slope towards Val da la Tas-cia. On the military road, cross the plateau of the Busc da la Tas-cia and then descend through switchbacks towards the valley where you will find Rifugio Fuciade, at 1,972 m.
From Rifugio Fuciade, a dirt road leads along the Fuciade valley. After 20 minutes you will reach the main road, which will lead you to Passo San Pellegrino. From San Pellegrino Pass, take path n. 658 in front of the ski lifts of Cima Uomo. Continuing the climb southeast through grassy ground, you will reach a ski slope and then you will see, at about 2300 m, the thin pastures of the High Gypsies (locally Zìnghen). Be careful not to lose track in case of fog!
From the saddle at an altitude of about 2300 m, you descend to the south with a fantastic view of the Civetta, the Pelmo, the Tofàne, and the Pale di San Martino. Follow the path up to Forcella Pradazzo, at 2220 meters. Still on path no. 658, you will reach Pradazzo Hut and then the nearby Vallès Pass, at 2031 meters. Here you will find RIfugio Capanna Passo Valles.
From Rifugio Rosetta, follow path no. 702 which descends into the wide Val di Roda surrounded on the left by the Cime di Roda, Pala di San Martino, and Immink, and on the right by the Cima Val di Roda with its numerous pinnacles. The path the descend to Col delle Fede. From here you reach the junction with path no. 715, which you will follow with the help of ladders and ropes up to the base of the saddle of Passo di Ball. Once you reach the saddle, the path descends towards Val Pradidali and the homonymous rifugio.
From Rifugio Pradidali, take path num. 709 to the north-east up to the fork with path num. 711, which you will follow on the right. Shortly after the fork, the ascent with fixed ropes requires the use of via Ferrata equipment. The path then continues on some rocky slopes to Passo delle Lede. From the pass, a steep descent takes you to Valon delle Lede. From the bivouac, continue the descent towards the bottom of Canali valley (at the crossroads it is better to take the left branch), and then follow a series of switchbacks on path 707 until Rifugio Canali-Treviso.
From the Cereda Pass, 1361 m, go east along the State Road 347 for about one kilometer to the village of Padreterno, 1302 m, where a small road branches off to the south and then turns east to the small village of Matiùz, at 1201 meters. A sign in Matiùz indicates to the south the continuation of the Alta Via delle Dolomiti n. 2. Once you reach the camping area, go uphill towards the southeast following the signs on the huts. After crossing the little white road, continue towards the south and enter a gorge. At the end of the climb, you will reach the Comedón Pass, 2067 m. After the pass, you enter the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park.
Now you descend to the west, past a saddle, until you reach Piano della Regina. After crossing the green oasis, you trek uphill and reach the Feltre Bivouac "Walter Bodo", at 1930 m. From the bivouac you continue south on path 801, soon meeting the junction with path n° 806. Remain on path no. 801. Follow the path to Col dei Béchi, at 1960 meters.
Here begins the Trói dei Caserìn (trói = narrow path) that goes west under the walls of Sass de Mura. At an altitude of about 1830 m, the path takes to the south-west, passes through the pastures of Casèrin, and reaches the Pass de Mura, 1867 m. Following the signs to the southwest, you soon reach the Rifugio "Bruno Boz", at 1718 meters.
We will take care of arranging accommodation on the Alta Via 2 for you. We will also provide you with a detailed itinerary for every stage and instructions on how to get to the trailhead.
We will send you on your way with a digital travel guide that includes a route description for the Alta Via 2, interactive hiking maps, and the most important information applicable to your trek
During your Alta Via 2, you will spend your nights in mountain huts. In the mountain huts we normally only book dormitories, but we can look into private rooms on request. If the private rooms are fully booked or not available in the hut, we automatically book a bed in dormitories for you. Please note that private rooms are more expensive and there will be an additional charge for this.
This offer includes the latest edition of the Cicerone hiking guide for the Alta Via 2.
Accommodation in the huts includes dinner and breakfast, unless otherwise indicated in the exclusive list. This allows you to travel lighter and not have to worry about an extra meal. Please note, however, that lunch is not included, but can be purchased at the huts.
You have to make your own way to the starting point. The total amount does not include personal transport.
Should you need any form of (public) transport on location, this is not part of the trekking package. This includes the use of taxi, bus, cable cars, gondolas, ferries, etc.
Half-board is included in the price of this trek. Lunch, however, is not. You can get something to eat at the mountain huts along the way.
Your international travel insurance is your own responsibility. Discuss your itinerary with the insurance company before your trek.
Personal expenses on such as souvenirs, drinks, and other similar expenses are for your own account.
Whenever possible, we book accommodations on a half-board basis but at Rifugio Genova only breakfast is included. In the evening you can dine à la carte in the hut without any problem and pay for it in cash on the spot. So make sure you take enough cash with you on trek.
Via Ferrata equipment (helmet, harness, via ferrata set) are not included in the price, but will be available for rent in the town(s) close to the starting point.