Alta Via 2 – Hut-to-Hut Walking Holiday

Need to Knows

Trusted Local Partner – please note that this holiday has been organised by us in association with a trusted local partner based in the Italian Dolomites.

Via Ferrata Kit – Please note that for safety reasons, this route requires that you carry (and know how to use) a harness, via ferrata kit (two connected energy-absorbing lanyards with two carabiners) and a helmet.

Minimum Number – This holiday requires a minimum of 2 people.

Alta Via 2 Difficulty – Our challenging hut-to-hut hikes are designed for experienced and very fit hikers. To enjoy a challenging hut-to-hut holiday, you must be physically prepared for long crossings between huts with continuous and steep ascents of up to 1000m. These routes feature challenging terrain including loose talus, rugged trails, lightly maintained trails, insufficiently marked trails, and sections of secured trail, which by-passes proper via ferrata. Secured trail is typically a trail with fixed metal cable serving to facilitate and make safe any dangerous and exposed section of a normal hiking trail. In normal weather conditions, these trails are not hard, but sections of secured trail require the use of via ferrata gear, and it is a requirement that you bring your own gear with you.

Rifugios – Except for your first and last nights, you will stay overnight in mountain lodges, known locally as ‘rifugios.’ These generally offer the following facilities: a bed in a shared room or in a private room (these must be booked in advance and cost £20pp/ night extra, subject to availability), showers with hot water, toilets, meals, and a water supply for refilling water bottles. Snacks, such as sandwiches and chocolate, are usually available to buy. Shared rooms are equipped with bunk beds with mattresses, pillows and blankets. Bed linen is not provided in shared bedrooms: you must have a sleeping bag liner (typically, this is simply a light cotton bag). A warm sleeping bag is generally unnecessary, since there are always blankets in the rooms. If you have pre-booked a private room, you are often offered bed linen, thus a sleeping bag liner is not required, but this will be confirmed when you book. Finally, you will need clean footwear for the huts: light sliders are an ideal solution.

Breakfast & Dinner – Normally, breakfast is served from 7am to 9am. It usually includes unlimited tea and coffee, bread, butter, jam, honey, and chocolate spread. In addition, some mountain huts also offer ham, cheese, and muesli. You can also fill up your flask/thermos free of charge with hot water or tea at breakfast; simply ask a member of staff. Dinner is usually served at 7pm or 7:30pm for all guests. A typical dinner in a mountain hut is hearty and includes a starter, a first course (such as pasta, risotto, dumplings), a second course (meat with a side dish), and a dessert. Any drinks at dinner (water, wine, beer, tea, coffee) are not included and should be ordered and paid for separately.

Lunch – It is often possible to stop for lunch in the mountain huts you pass on the route, but this option is not always available. In such cases, we recommend you buy some light snack (sandwiches, yoghurt, chocolate, water) from the hut where you have stayed the previous night. Lunch options in mountain huts are often similar to those served at dinner. The cost of a typical hot dish (e.g. pasta or risotto) will vary from €10 to €14.

Safety – It is your responsibility to wear appropriate outdoor clothing, follow good practice, and mountain safety procedures. Be realistic when calculating how long each route will take you, considering your fitness, experience, and ability. These self-guided hut-to-hut walking holidays are planned so that specific skills or gear are not required, unless it is clearly specified in the itinerary. You can expect well-maintained trails with waymarking. Exposed sections of the trail are secured on the self-guided routes: it makes them safe, provided that you follow the basic safety rules for hiking in the mountains.

Weather – The weather in the Dolomites is generally at its most stable from July through to mid/late September, a period characterised by warmer temperatures and less rainfall, although mid/late afternoon thunderstorms can emerge on warmer days. Earlier in June, the weather is normally favourable, but it is less reliable, whilst winter’s residual snow might also compromise an itinerary. In June, routes might be subject to adjustment, depending on the snow situation at the passes. Late September in the Dolomites can be fabulous weather-wise, but generally we see it as less predictable: rain can be on the increase, and with cooler temperatures, snow above 2000m is not altogether uncommon.

Above 2000m,  it is rarely hot in the Dolomites, where most hiking routes unfold. In August sunshine, the temperature might exceed 20° C during the warmest hours of the day. It is comfortable for hiking. On a cold, cloudy day, the temperature can average 10° C all day. It is always chilly at night and early in the morning. Thunderstorms, often with hail, are a feature of certain days in July and August. In the Dolomites, valleys at 1000m – 1500m can reach 30° C. It is fresh in the valleys in the morning and evening, and it is not generally stuffy at night, even in the hottest weeks of the summer.

ETIAS – The European Travel Information and Authorisation System is not due to be introduced until mid-2025. Currently there is not an exact date as to when it will come into force. This means you do not need to have a ETIAS for travel to Europe at the moment. For more information read our blog article here

Booking Conditions – be sure to read our full terms and conditions here before booking.

At Your Own Risk – please read the important notes here.

Travel Advice – check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice here.

Passport & Visa –  any questions should be directed to the relevant embassy of your destination country; find out more here. It is your responsibility to be in possession of a full passport, valid for your chosen destination.

Travel Insurance – having adequate and valid travel insurance is a condition of booking with us. Details of our insurance partner, Campbell Irvine, are here.

Health Information – You should carry either an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)  Neither is an alternative to adequate travel insurance. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice and https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/

ABTA – Independent travel advice and help is always available from ABTA by calling 020 3117 0599 or visiting www.abta.com.