Alta Via 2

Alta Via 2
from Rifugio Genova to Rifugio Puez
Length	180 kilometres (110 mi) approximately
Location	Dolomites, Italy
Trailheads	Brixen/Croce d'Aune
Use	Hiking
Elevation gain/loss	approximately 11,300 m (37,073 ft) gain 11,200 m (36,745 ft) loss
Highest point	Forcella Marmolada, 2,885 m (9,465 ft)
Difficulty	Moderate to challenging
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"^[1] 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.^[2]

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.^[3] 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]} 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.^[4] Most hikers walk the trail from north to south, which is the way the route is described in the most guidebooks.

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]}

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.^[5] All distances and hiking times are approximate.

• Dolomites
• Via Ferrata
• Alta Via 1
• Alta Via 3
• Alta Via 4

• Trail on openstreetmap
• Tourist guide
• Tabacco Hiking Maps from Omnimap
• Dolomiti.org
• GPS Data