Alta Via 2
{{Short description | High altitude footpath, Dolomites}}
{{Infobox hiking trail
| name = Alta Via 2
| photo = Dolomites - Alta Via 2, Stage 02-11 Rifugio Genova to Rifugio Puez - panoramio (5).jpg
| caption = from Rifugio Genova to Rifugio Puez
| length = {{convert|180|km|mi|-1}} approximately
| trailheads = Brixen/Croce d'Aune
| use = Hiking
| highest_m = 2885
| highest_name = Forcella Marmolada
| difficulty = Moderate to challenging
| elev_gain_and_loss = approximately {{convert|11300|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} gain
{{convert|11200|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} loss
| season = Summer to early autumn
| months = Late June to mid September
}}
Alta via 2 is a high route located in the Italian Dolomites between Brixen (Bressanone) in the north and Croce d'Aune near Feltre in the south.
The route is nicknamed "The High Route of the legends"{{Cite web |title=Dolomites High Route n. 2 |url=https://www.altabadia.org/en/summer-holidays/trekking-hiking/high-route-2.html |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=www.altabadia.org}} and indeed with the exception of its initial and final segments, it maintains an altitude of at least 1300 meters.
The trail passes through various mountain ranges including Plose-Putia, Puez-Odle, Sella, Marmolada, Pale di San Martino and Vette Feltrine, and crosses 30 mountain passes.{{Cite book |last=Stedman |first=Henry |title=Dolomites Trekking - Alta Via 1 & Alta Via 2 |publisher=Trailblazer Publication |year=2006 |isbn=1873756836 |language=en}}
Features
The Alta Via 2 is a physically demanding trail. It is approximately 180 km long, with a total combined altitude gain of and loss of approximately 23,000 meters. Some sections of the route are exposed or steep. Although no specific mountaineering skills are required, hikers must have a good head for heights and good physical fitness.
The route has extended sections of via ferrata. Via ferrata equipment is recommended in these sections.{{cite book |author=Ardito |first=Stefano |title=Walking and climbing in the Alps |publisher=Swan Hill Press |year=1994 |isbn=1-85310-579-1 |location=England |language=en}} Some of these via ferrata sections can be bypassed if desired. Experience of walking in mountain country is vital and, because mountain weather can change very rapidly, and hikers should be suitably prepared.
The most demanding part is crossing the Marmolada mountain.{{Citation needed|date=September 2024}} This section of the hike goes through via ferrata and a small glacier. The risk of falling into crevasse is minimal on this glacier, however crampons may be needed as the glacier is quite steep. Hikers who are not prepared or not willing to take along the needed equipment can take the alternative route which bypasses Marmolada and leads from Pian di Fedaia Rifugio Marmolada to Malga Ciapela and then to Rifugio Fuciade, where it connects with the original path. Hikers who chose this alternative route often take the bus from Pian di Fedaia Rifugio Marmolada to Malga Ciapela as this part consists of asphalt road.
The trail is well marked with red and white paint splashes, cairns, and occasional dark blue triangular symbols containing the number '2'.
The entire journey usually takes between 12-15 days.{{Cite book |last=Price |first=Gillian |url=https://www.cicerone.co.uk/alta-via-2-trekking-in-the-dolomites |title=Guide to trekking Italy's Alta Via 2, with AV3–6 in brief |publisher=Cicerone |year=2022 |isbn=9781786310972 |edition=5th |language=en}} Most hikers walk the trail from north to south, which is the way the route is described in the most guidebooks.
Accommodation
Alta Via 2 is a hut to hut trail, so that each section ends with a hut or rifugi, that offers food and accommodation. Most rifugi are owned and managed by Club Alpino Italiano (CAI) which are usually somewhat cheaper than private rifugi.{{Citation needed|date=September 2024}}
Sections
The trail can be partitioned into sections in many ways, depending on fitness and the route variants chosen. The following is a popular 13-day itinerary.{{Cite web |last=Zandonella Callegher |first=Italo |year=2005 |title=The Dolomites “Alta Via” n.2 Or the Way of Legends |url=https://www.infodolomiti.it/media/infodolomiti/Documenti/Vacanza-Attiva/Alte-Via-Dolomiti/AV-02-UK.pdf}} All distances and hiking times are approximate.
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right" | |||||||
| Section# | Start | Destination | Distance | Hours | Ascent Meters | Descent Meters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1
| style="text-align:left" | Brixen (Cable car S. Andrea) | style="text-align:left" | Rifugio Ploss | 27 km | 1:15 | 380 m | +380 m | |||
| 2
| style="text-align:left" | Rifugio Ploss | style="text-align:left" | Rifugion Schlüter | 15 km | 5:00 | 500 m | 650 m | -150 m | ||
| 3
| style="text-align:left" | Rifugion Schlüter | style="text-align:left" | Rifugio Puez | 15 km | 6:00 | 850 m | 670 m | +180 m | ||
| 4
| style="text-align:left" | Rifugio Puez | style="text-align:left" | Rifugio Pisciadù | 10km | 5:00 | 570 m | 460 m | +90 m | ||
| 5
| style="text-align:left" | Rifugio Pisciadù | style="text-align:left" | Rifugio Castiglioni Marmolada | 19 km | 6:30-7:00 | 750 m | 1,280 m | -530 m | ||
| 6
| style="text-align:left" | Rifugio Castiglioni Marmolada | style="text-align:left" | Passo di San Pellegrino | 9+16 km | 2:00+5:00 | 1,100 m | 1,200 m | -100 m | ||
| 7
| style="text-align:left" | Passo di San Pellegrino | style="text-align:left" | Rifugio Volpi al Mulaz | 14 km | 7:00 | 1,100 m | 500 m | +600 m | ||
| 8
| style="text-align:left" | Rifugio Volpi al Mulaz | style="text-align:left" | Rifugio Pedrotti | 8 km | 5:00 | 760 m | 750 m | +10 m | ||
| 9
| style="text-align:left" | Rifugio Pedrotti | style="text-align:left" | Rifugio Treviso | 14 km | 7:00 | 720 m | 1,600 m | -880 m | ||
| 10
| style="text-align:left" | Rifugio Treviso | style="text-align:left" | Passo Ceréda | 10 km | 4:30 | 1,150 m | 900 m | +250 m | ||
| 11
| style="text-align:left" | Passo Ceréda | style="text-align:left" | Rifugio Boz | 14 km | 6:30 | 1,200 m | 600 m | +600 m | ||
| 12
| style="text-align:left" | Rifugio Boz | style="text-align:left" | Rifugio Dai Piaz | 15 km | 7:00 | 900 m | 650 m | +250 m | ||
| 13
| style="text-align:left" | Rifugio Dai Piaz | style="text-align:left" | Croce d’Aune and Feltre | 19 km | 6:00 | 1,670 m | -1,670 m |
See also
Photographs
{{Gallery
| title = Some Alta Via 2 sections
| align = center
| footer =
| style =
| state =
| height =
| width = 250
| perrow = 2
| mode =
| whitebg =
| noborder =
| captionstyle =
| File:Dolomites - Alta Via 2, Stage 03-11 Rifugio Puez to Rifugio Boè - panoramio (6).jpg
| Rifugio Puez to Rifugio Boè
| alt1=
| File:Dolomites - Alta Via 2, Stage 02-11 Rifugio Genova to Rifugio Puez - panoramio (11).jpg
| Rifugio Genova to Rifugio Puez
| alt2=
| File:Dolomites - Alta Via 2, Stage 08-11 Rifugio Rosetta to Rifugio Treviso - panoramio (1).jpg
| Rifugio Rosetta to Rifugio Treviso
| alt3=
| File:Dolomites - Alta Via 2, Stage 10-11 Rifugio Passo Cereda to Rifugio Bòz - panoramio (4).jpg
| Rifugio Passo Cereda to Rifugio Bòz
| alt4=
}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/404914 Trail on openstreetmap]
- [https://www.infodolomiti.it/media/infodolomiti/Documenti/Vacanza-Attiva/Alte-Via-Dolomiti/AV-02-UK.pdf Tourist guide]
- [http://www.omnimap.com/catalog/hiking/tabacco.htm Tabacco Hiking Maps from Omnimap]
- [http://www.dolomiti.org/dengl/welcome.html Dolomiti.org]
- [https://www.traildino.com/trace/continents-Europe/countries-Italy/trails-Alta_Via_Dolomiti_2 GPS Data]
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