Alta Via n. 2 delle Dolomiti - Dolomiten-Höhenweg Nr. 2

The Alta Via n. 2 delle Dolomiti is a 185-km point-to-point trail through the Italian Dolomites, gaining roughly 11,000 m of elevation over about 12 days. Rated moderate-to-difficult (E to EE, with one EEA via ferrata section), it links six mountain groups from Bressanone to Feltre and is nicknamed the \"Path of Legends.\"

About the Alta Via n. 2 delle Dolomiti - Dolomiten-Höhenweg Nr. 2

The Alta Via n. 2, known in German as the Dolomiten-Höhenweg Nr. 2, is the second of the classic numbered Dolomite high routes and widely regarded as the most demanding of the popular ones. Running roughly 185 km north to south, it starts at Sant'Andrea above Bressanone (Brixen) at about 961 m and finishes at Passo Croce d'Aune near Feltre at 1,011 m, in the Italian provinces of South Tyrol, Trentino and Belluno.

Italians call it the Via delle Leggende, the \"Path of Legends,\" because it threads beneath peaks tied to Ladin folklore such as the Odle and the Pale di San Martino. It is marked throughout with a blue triangle bearing the number 2, part of the Regional Walking Network (RWN) of waymarked Alpine routes maintained by the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI). The route crosses six distinct massifs: Plose-Putia, Puez-Odle, Sella, Marmolada, Pale di San Martino and the Vette Feltrine.

Over its 12 stages the trail accumulates around 11,000 m of ascent and reaches its high point at Passo delle Farangole, 2,932 m, on stage 8. Most of the path is graded E (escursionistico) or EE (escursionisti esperti), with a single via-ferrata section, the Sentiero delle Farangole, classed EEA where a cabled passage and a head for heights are required. A signed bypass exists for hikers who prefer to avoid the protected climbing. The route is the southern continuation of the Alta Via Europa and connects logically with the better-known Alta Via n. 1, though it sees noticeably fewer walkers.

The Alte Vie were formalised as numbered itineraries in the 1960s and 1970s as Dolomite tourism grew, stitching together pre-existing herders' paths, hunters' tracks and military supply routes from the First World War. The Alta Via n. 2 in particular reuses sections of the wartime network across the Vette Feltrine, where trenches and fortifications still scar the limestone. Walking it end to end is as much a journey through Ladin culture and 20th-century history as it is a physical traverse, which is part of why the \"Path of Legends\" name has stuck.

Route Overview & Stages

The 12 official stages below follow the standard CAI itinerary from Bressanone to Feltre. Daily figures are approximate; strong walkers often combine two of the shorter days, while those wanting summit detours add time.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Plose ridge (2,500 m): The opening climb above Bressanone delivers the route's first sweeping view across the Eisack valley to the Geisler-Odle peaks.
• Puez-Odle Nature Park: A UNESCO World Heritage zone of pale limestone spires and karst plateaus, crossed on stages 2 to 4 and prized for its geology and Ladin legends.
• Gruppo del Sella: The great fortress-like massif you skirt on stage 5, with the Marmolada glacier rising opposite across Passo Fedaia.
• Marmolada (3,343 m): The \"Queen of the Dolomites,\" the range's highest peak, dominates the views around Passo Fedaia and the Costabella traverse.
• Passo delle Farangole (2,932 m): The trail's high point and its sole true via-ferrata passage, cabled and exposed, with a marked bypass for those without climbing gear.
• Altopiano delle Pale di San Martino: A vast, lunar limestone plateau above 2,600 m crossed near Rifugio Pedrotti alla Rosetta, unlike anywhere else on the route.
• Vette Feltrine: The wild, lightly-travelled southern range with WWI-era military paths and the natural amphitheatre of the Piazza del Diavolo.
• Rifugio Bruno Boz: A remote hut on stage 11 that anchors the final two days through some of the quietest terrain in the Dolomites.

Best Time to Hike the Alta Via n. 2 delle Dolomiti - Dolomiten-Höhenweg Nr. 2

The viable window runs from late June to late September, dictated almost entirely by when the mountain refuges are open and when the high passes are clear of snow. Most huts on the route open around 20 June and close in the third week of September, so a thru-hike outside that span means closed doors and self-sufficiency.

Early season, late June and early July, can still hold old snow on north-facing couloirs near Passo delle Farangole and the Costabella ridge, which makes the EEA section more serious. July brings long daylight and reliable hut service but also the highest chance of afternoon thunderstorms, which build quickly over the Pale di San Martino. The single best month is September: snow has long melted, the thunderstorm frequency drops, the air is clearer for photography, and the crowds thin noticeably after the Italian holiday peak of mid-August. As of 2026, settled high-pressure spells in early-to-mid September remain the prime target, but huts begin closing from about the 20th, so book the back half of the route carefully and carry a contingency for an early closure. Always check refuge opening dates and the local meteo bulletin before committing to a date.

Practical Information

Accommodation

The Alta Via n. 2 is a classic hut-to-hut (rifugio) trek, and the staffed CAI and private refuges along the way make wild camping unnecessary and, in the protected parks, largely prohibited. A dormitory bed in 2026 typically costs €28–40 per night; CAI and Alpenverein members receive a discount of roughly €12–15. Half board, a bunk plus dinner and breakfast, generally runs €60–80 per person, which is the most practical option since shops are absent between trailheads. Budget around €65 a day all-in for food and lodging.

Booking ahead is essential in July, August and early September, as huts like Rifugio Puez, Rifugio Volpi al Mulaz and Rifugio Pedrotti alla Rosetta fill fast. Most refuges now take reservations by phone or email, and many request a deposit. Bring cash, as card payment is unreliable at altitude, and a sleeping-bag liner, which is mandatory in the dormitories.

Getting There & Back

The northern start at Bressanone (Brixen) sits on the Brennero railway line, with direct trains from Innsbruck (about 1 hour) and Verona (about 2 hours 15 minutes); from Bressanone station a local bus or taxi reaches the Sant'Andrea cable car. The nearest major airports are Innsbruck and Verona, both within roughly 2 to 2.5 hours by train. The southern finish at Passo Croce d'Aune connects by bus to Feltre, which has regular regional trains to Padua and Venice (about 1.5 to 2 hours). The closest airport to the finish is Venice Marco Polo, around 2 hours from Feltre by train and bus. Regional schedules are published by Trentino Trasporti and South Tyrol's public transport network.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to walk the Alta Via n. 2, and access to the Puez-Odle and Paneveggio-Pale di San Martino nature parks is free. Your only fixed costs are hut nights, meals, and optional cable cars at either end, such as the Plose lift above Bressanone. If you tackle the Sentiero delle Farangole via ferrata you should carry a harness, via-ferrata lanyard and helmet; there is no fee, but the gear is your responsibility. Annual CAI membership pays for itself in hut discounts over a 12-day trek. Note that the few road passes the route touches, such as Passo Fedaia, Passo San Pellegrino and Passo Cereda, offer escape options by bus if weather or fatigue forces an early exit, so you are never more than a stage or two from public transport.

Gear & Packing List

This is a long, steep, multi-week alpine route with one cabled section, so weight management matters as much as durability. A comfortable, well-suspended pack in the 45–55 litre range carries the layers, food and via-ferrata kit you need without forcing you into a heavy expedition bag. For ultralight hikers who keep their base weight low, the Arc Haul Ultra 60L offers a ventilated frame at minimal weight, while the 2400 Windrider handles a tidy hut-to-hut load. Hikers who prefer more structure and load support will appreciate the Atmos AG 50 or the Aircontact Lite 45+10. For pack-selection trade-offs, our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 compares seven tested models.

Essentials: sturdy B-grade hiking boots, three insulating layers plus a hardshell for fast-changing alpine weather, trekking poles for the 11,000 m of climbing, a via-ferrata set and helmet for stage 8, a 1.5–2 L water capacity, a headlamp, and a sleeping-bag liner for the dorms. Because resupply points are scarce between trailheads, plan your trail snacks and calorie load carefully; our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day helps you size daily rations for sustained 6–8 hour days.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the Alta Via n. 2 has you hungry for more Italian and alpine long-distance walking, several routes pair naturally with it, from short coastal classics to multi-hundred-kilometre traverses. For a contrasting alpine adventure abroad, see our guide on how to hike the Theth to Valbona trail in Albania.

• Sentiero degli Dei (Italy), 5 km — the famous Amalfi Coast \"Path of the Gods\"
• Selvaggio Blu - 1° Tappa (Italy), 12 km — Sardinia's wild, technical coastal route
• JK16 (Italy), 720 km — a long-distance regional traverse
• JK17 (Italy), 720 km — another major Italian long-distance link
• JK18 (Italy), 720 km — a continuation of the same network

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Alta Via n. 2?
The trail is walkable from late June to late September, when the refuges are staffed and the high passes are snow-free. September is the single best month: thunderstorm frequency drops, the air is clear, and crowds thin after mid-August. Be aware that most huts begin closing around 20 September, so plan the southern stages early in the month.

How difficult is the Alta Via n. 2?
It is the hardest of the popular Dolomite high routes, graded mostly E to EE with one EEA via-ferrata section, the Sentiero delle Farangole, on stage 8. Over 185 km it climbs about 11,000 m and reaches 2,932 m. You need good fitness, a head for heights, and via-ferrata gear, though a marked bypass avoids the cabled passage.

How many kilometres per day is the Alta Via n. 2?
Across the standard 12 stages you average roughly 15 km per day, but distance understates the effort: daily climbs of 500 to 1,450 m and 4.5 to 8 hours of walking define the pace. Strong hikers sometimes merge shorter stages to finish in 10 days, while others add a rest day for summits or weather.

What accommodation is available on the Alta Via n. 2?
The route is a hut-to-hut trek using staffed CAI and private refuges such as Rifugio Puez, Volpi al Mulaz and Pedrotti alla Rosetta. A dormitory bed runs €28–40 in 2026, with half board at €60–80. Booking ahead is essential in summer, and a sleeping-bag liner is mandatory. Wild camping is largely prohibited in the nature parks.

Do I need a permit to hike the Alta Via n. 2?
No permit is required, and entry to the Puez-Odle and Paneveggio-Pale di San Martino nature parks is free. Your only costs are hut nights, meals and optional cable cars at the trailheads. If you walk the Farangole via ferrata you must supply your own harness, lanyard and helmet, but there is no fee for the route itself.

For official route, refuge and park information, consult the Club Alpino Italiano and the Parco Naturale Paneveggio - Pale di San Martino.