TREKKING THE INTENSE "ALTA VIE"
Ready for a serious adventure?
If you’re an ambitious hiker who enjoys spending extended time in nature, you’re just the type to attempt one of the Dolomites’ challenging Alta Via (“high way”) treks.
About the Alta Vie:
There are ten Alta Vie crisscrossing the Dolomites that vary in duration and degree of technical difficulty.
While some itineraries can be completed in around a week, routes like the Alta Via n.2 and n.10 will take up to 18 days to traverse. But don’t let a shorter length fool you! Despite lasting just eight days, the Alta Via n.4 is much more challenging - requiring the use of fixed lines - and therefore should not be attempted by inexperienced hikers. The same can be said for the n.6, which is nearly 200km long and has extensive expanses without habitation.
Depending on the trek you choose, you’ll spend between 3 and 8 hours per day backpacking up-and-over steep rock faces or winding through gentle foothills, equipped with your boots, floppy hat and hiking poles.
Daunting as that may sound, once you’re on your way the sheer splendor of your surroundings will help keep spirits high. After all, the Dolomites have reputation for being one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world; not a bad backdrop to wake up to for a week or two!
Where to Stay:
Speaking of waking up, camping is not allowed on the Alta Vie, so at the end of each day you’ll hole up at one of a series of rifugios - mountain huts –dotted along the pathway.
In these homey havens you’ll experience true Italian alpine hospitality, refueling from your excursions with hearty dishes like frico (a crusty, heavenly fried-cheese-and-potato pancake), polenta, dried bresaola meats and rustic deer ragu. Not to mention beer, wine and other belly-warming Italian liqueurs! these huts are also a critical source of fresh water for your journey.
It’s a good idea to book the rifugios in advance as they do fill up in summer months, especially in July and august. Also, be advised that the wi-fi will likely be spotty, so be sure to share your itinerary and travel dates with loved ones prior to going off-the-grid.
When to Go:
The ideal time to tackle an Alta Via is June or July. Any earlier and you risk the remnants of winter snow/wet paths/run-off, and as we all know, August is “fiera” time for the Italians, so rifugios and hiking trails fill up with local vacationers.
Get Ready!
The importance of preparation for an adventure like this cannot be understated. Selecting the appropriate course based on your fitness level and mountaineering experience, packing and dressing appropriately, and pre-booking your accommodations are all vital steps to ensuring your safety and comfort.
Below is some additional detail about the three most popular routes, with Alta Via 1 being the easiest:
12 stages, 125 km.
Trailhead: Lago di Braies
End Point: Belluno.
Total Hours: ~60
13 stages, 180 km.
Trailhead: Bressanone
End Point: Feltre
Total Hours: ~80
4 stages, 65 km.
Trailhead: Feltre
End Point: Bassano del Grappa
Total Hours: ~25
You can learn more about each of the hikes at Dolomiti.it and InfoDolomiti.it.