Alta Via 2 (day 10): Rifugio Pradidali to Rifugio Treviso + Via Ferrata Porton & Nico Gusella

October 3, 2022

Today is an interesting contrast, with truly spectacular views from both the trail and via ferrata routes (which are among the best on AV2, yet woefully underrated and very quiet!), followed by an absolutely miserable 1,300m descent that will traumatise even keen hikers. Enjoy the highs and power through the lows— by all accounts, it’s a memorable section of AV2!

This comprehensive guide to Day 10 of Alta Via 2 contains detailed section times, route recommendations, adventurous side trips, via ferrata, and heaps of insider tips— use it to plan your hike & then refer back on the trail so you always know what to expect!

All my AV2 knowledge in one place: Alta Via 2: complete hiking + via ferrata route guide

Alta Via 2: Day 10 overview

Stats quoted here are for my recommended “adventure route” that incorporates side trips, summits & via ferrata whenever possible (in brackets, see stats for the standard AV2 route with no additions).

Trail hours: 8.75hrs (4.25hrs standard AV2)
Distance: 9.8km (7km standard AV2)
Elevation gain & loss: 880m up & 1525m down (490m up & 1130m down standard AV2)
Side trips: Via Ferrata Porton (upper loop; 3C), Via Ferrata Nico Gusella (lower loop; 2B)— refer to Tabacco Map 022 & Cicerone Vol.2 (routes S.Mar 3 & 4)
Huts: Rifugio Treviso

Alta Via 2 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide — Looking back at Rifugio Pradidali

Via Ferrata Porton (3B; 1.25hrs)

From Rifugio Pradidali, climb about 5min to the signed junction that you passed yesterday and then begin a 15min downhill approach through loose scree. This will eventually bring you across to the opposite side of the gully, where you can see cables and rungs leading up the vertical rock and out of sight.

New to via ferrata? Read this post: Introduction to via ferrata + complete via ferrata gear list

The route officially begins just above a painted red star— hop on the cable and start climbing!

This is the absolute best part of Via Ferrata Porton, with a long line of uninterrupted vertical climbing, spectacular views of Cima Canali, and beautiful morning sun. I was also delighted to have the entire route to myself, as this is one of the less busy via ferrata along AV2!

Spend just under 1hr on Via Ferrata Porton: about 45min of excellent climbing with the occasional horizontal traverse and then 5-10min down-climbing into a dirty gully.

Once off the cable, follow red markers up the right side of the gully until you’re approximately halfway to the Forcella and then shift left— keep your eyes peeled for the markers, because they can be easy to miss and it’s an absolute nightmare trying to cross the gully at a higher point!

A short section of cable assists the crossing (see left photo above) and then the final climb out of the gully offers a ladder and some cables to Forcella Porton. In total, it takes about 20min to ascend the gully; great care should be taken in navigating the loose scree/talus, particularly if other climbers are below.

Connecting the Via Ferrata: Forcella Porton to Forcella Stephan (1.5hrs)

From Forcella Porton at 2,460m, drop a few metres to connect with path 714 on the right side (Via Ferrata Velo takes off on the left, so make sure to stick right) and then ascend for about 30min to reach Forcella delle Fede. I highly recommend getting your poles back out at Forcella Porton, you’ll want them for the next 1.5hrs!

Off the other side of the pass, drop for only a few moments to reach a short cable section on the right side of the rock. Continue descending on trail, drop down a steep cable, and then follow another path across the large gully, clipping on and off intermittent cables. Allow about 45min to reach Forcellla Stephen.

Side trip: Cima di Val di Roda (30min)

From Forcella Stephen, you can tuck in a quick summit by hiking leftwards up the well-formed rocky trail to Cima di Val di Roda, which won’t take more than 10-15min.

Via Ferrata Nico Gusella (2B; 1.25hrs)

Back at Forcella Stephen, connect to Via Ferrata Gusella for the steep descent (the cables are to your left as you return from the summit, plummeting right off the ridge and down towards the rocky gully below).

Descend on cable and occasional rungs for about 40min before dropping onto a steep, rocky path that will bring you back to Passo di Ball and the signed junction in about 20min. From here, it’s a further 5min to Rifugio Pradidali for about 1hr of total descent time.

Rifugio Pradidali to Passo della Lede (1.25hr)

Back at Rifugio Pradidali, the route leads behind the hut and through the rocks, climbing towards a pass that seems always just out of sight. The trail is rough, rocky, and after a long day of via ferrata (much of which was spent ascending and descending gullies) somewhat unending.

Be sure to keep a close eye on the GPS here, as a second set of markers lead straight back all the way to a different high pass, when the route to Passo della Lede actually curves right for the final ascent— I had to backtrack about 10min, but my friend walked a full hour over the wrong pass before realising the error, which would be easy to do!

Passo della Lede to Rifugio Treviso (3hrs)

What follows the tricky ascent of Passo della Lede is far worse: more than 2.5hrs of relentless downhill on a rocky, uneven trail. If you have issues with your knees, just know that this will be the worst section of AV2 for you and the best thing to do is just power through (but at a reasonable pace, since I know several people who managed bad falls).

After about 1hr of steep descent, arrive at Bivacco Minazio, which is just over a third of the way downhill. Although the worst of the scree is past, the trail doesn’t really let up from here.

Since I did this descent after hiking from Rifugio Rosetta AND both via ferrata described above, I thought I might cry when I looked across the valley and saw Rifugio Treviso perched impossibly far away on the opposite hillside. Even as the descent continued through the forest, the hut seemed always too far away to reach!

But somehow, you will eventually come to the river, and from here it’s an easy 20min ascent to Rifugio Treviso. The torture is over!

Night 10: Rifugio Treviso

Thankfully, what awaits at the end of this brutal descent is one of the best huts on AV2! Rifugio Treviso is surrounded by dark pine trees, providing a very unexpected change of scenery from all the bright limestone of previous nights, and the atmosphere is instantly homey. The food is delicious, the staff are so friendly, and I slept like a rock in the comfortable rooms. Reserve Rifugio Treviso by email.

If you fancy a late start the following day, I also highly recommend their hot sausage, grilled cheese, and onion sandwich with spicy veg sauce— hands down the best sandwich I’ve had in the Dolomites!

Rooms: 36€ (only shared rooms, but as small as 4ppl) OR 65€ half board
Food: half board, great lunch options (10-15€; try the spicy veg sandwich!)
Showers: 6€ for 30L of water (no time limit!)
Connectivity: Wifi, weak mobile signal outside the hut
Alpine club discount: -18€ room only OR -15€ half board

For more information on what to expect in a mountain hut & how to prepare for your stay: Everything you need to know about mountain huts (rifugi) in the Italian Dolomites

Read more about Alta Via 2

TAGS:alta via alta via 2 dolomites

brooke brisbine

I've spent the last decade exploring the world— everything from solo trekking in the Andes to overlanding in Zambia, all while completing a PhD in Biomechanics, teaching at a university & securing permanent residency in Australia. In 2020, I finally fulfilled my dream of becoming a full-time nomad! Whether it’s vanlife in Mexico, scuba diving in the Galápagos, ticking off incredible US National Parks, or climbing in the Dolomites, I hope this blog will inspire your future adventures & help you find wonder in every corner of the globe. xx bb