Alta Via 2 at a glance
- Distance: approx. 180 km
- Time needed: 12–14 days
- Total ascent: over 10,000 m total ascent
- Start / finish: Bressanone/Brixen to Feltre
- Season: Early July to mid-September, while the rifugi are open
- Accommodation: Dolomite rifugi — half board, book ahead
- Difficulty: Strenuous, with exposed cabled and via ferrata sections
Stage by stage
- Bressanone to the Plose — Long climb (or cable car) onto the Plose ridge.
- Plose to the Puez group — Past the Odle/Geisler peaks onto the Puez plateau.
- Puez to the Sella group — Over Passo Gardena and up into the Sella massif — the first cabled ground.
- Sella to the Marmolada — Down to Passo Pordoi and along the Viel del Pan with the Marmolada glacier opposite.
- Marmolada to Passo San Pellegrino — Quieter, greener stages south of the Marmolada.
- Pale di San Martino — The high, rocky heart of the route, with cabled passages between rifugi.
- Vette Feltrine to Feltre — Remote final stages over the Vette Feltrine and down to Feltre.
How it differs from Alta Via 1
Alta Via 2 is longer, higher and more technical than Alta Via 1. Several sections use fixed cables, ladders and short via ferrata, and the main line in places has no easy walking alternative. Most walkers who choose AV2 have already done AV1 or a similar hut-to-hut route.
The reward is variety: the route links five distinct Dolomite groups and is noticeably quieter than AV1 once you are south of the Marmolada.
Equipment and exposure
Carry a harness, via ferrata lanyard and helmet, and know how to use them. Snow lingers on north-facing passages into July, which is the main reason to start no earlier than early July.
Booking the rifugi
Rifugi open from late June or early July to mid or late September, and the popular ones fill early for July and August. Build the stage plan around confirmed beds; several stages can be split or shortened with a lift or a valley night.
Do you need a certified guide on the Alta Via 2?
Experienced hut-to-hut walkers with via ferrata skills can walk AV2 independently in good conditions. For anyone new to cables and exposure, or walking at the start of the season, a certified guide is strongly recommended — and protected via ferrata sections are guide terrain for an IFMGA mountain guide rather than a hiking leader.
Alta Via 2 questions
Is Alta Via 2 harder than Alta Via 1?
Yes. AV2 is longer, higher and has more cabled and via ferrata sections, several without an easy walking alternative. AV1 is the usual first Dolomites hut-to-hut route.
Do you need via ferrata gear on Alta Via 2?
Yes — carry a harness, via ferrata lanyard and helmet. Several sections of the main line are protected with cables and ladders.
How many days does Alta Via 2 take?
Most walkers take 12 to 14 days for the full route. Many split it into a northern and southern half over two trips.