Alta Via 2 North Self Guided Hiking Tour

✅ Hike through dramatic limestone landscapes and high alpine terrain of the Dolomites
✅ Sleep in classic mountain huts and enjoy authentic South Tyrolean and Italian cuisine
✅ Best suited for experienced hikers — expect long days, steep ascents, and exposed sections
✅ Discover the wild northern section of the Alta Via 2, far from mass tourism
✅ Experience one of the most challenging and rewarding hut-to-hut treks in the Dolomites

Detailed Program – Alta Via 2 North (6 Days):

🗓️ Day 1: Bressanone → Rifugio Genova
↑ 950 m – ↓ 700 m – 16 km – ≈ 7 hrs
Starting from S. Andrea above Bressanone, take the cable car to Valcroce and hike via Rifugio Plose. A demanding ascent leads to Forcella della Pùtia before descending to Rifugio Genova.

🗓️ Day 2: Rifugio Genova → Rifugio Puez
↑ 950 m – ↓ 750 m – 12 km – ≈ 6 hrs
A high alpine stage through the Puez–Odle Nature Park. Cross panoramic ridges, scree basins, and high passes linking the Odle group with the Puez plateau. Snowfields are possible early in the season.

🗓️ Day 3: Rifugio Puez → Rifugio Pisciadù
↑ 760 m – ↓ 660 m – 10 km – ≈ 5.5 hrs
Traverse the vast Puez plateau, passing alpine lakes and limestone saddles. After crossing several cols, descend toward Passo Gardena and continue on exposed but secured trails beneath the Sella massif.

🗓️ Day 4: Rifugio Pisciadù → Rifugio Castiglioni (Marmolada Area)
↑ 750 m – ↓ 1300 m – 16 km – ≈ 7.5 hrs
A long and demanding day across high plateaus and exposed terrain, with optional via ferrata sections. Pass Boè and Passo Pordoi before following the scenic Viel dal Pan toward the Marmolada.

🗓️ Day 5: Rifugio Castiglioni → Rifugio Contrin
↑ 520 m – ↓ 560 m – 12 km – ≈ 5 hrs
Descend on historic mule tracks through forests toward Penia, then climb gently into Val Contrin. A quieter stage with wide views of the Marmolada and a relaxed approach to Rifugio Contrin.

🗓️ Day 6: Rifugio Contrin → Passo San Pellegrino
↑ 700 m – ↓ 810 m – 11 km – ≈ 5.5 hrs
Climb through wild alpine terrain to Passo delle Cirelle, one of the highest points of the trek. A long descent across open plateaus leads via Rifugio Fuciade to Passo San Pellegrino.