Alta Via 2 (day 10): Rifugio Treviso to Passo Cereda + Via Ferrata Canalone

11 October 2022

Last Updated on 5 September 2026

Climbing gently out of the forest into a spectacular landscape of verdant foliage and misty Dolomite pillars, today marks yet another distinct change of scenery. Gone are the arid lunar-scapes and high-altitude peaks, but so are the crowds, leaving you to enjoy this beautiful corner of the mountains in complete solitude.

Before setting off on the gentle hike towards Passo Cereda, don’t miss the final via ferrata of Alta Via 2! Rising directly behind Rifugio Treviso, Via Ferrata Canalone packs an incredible adventure into less than an hour, offering some of the most challenging climbing of the entire trek despite its surprisingly short length.

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

Trail hours: 5hrs (4hrs without via ferrata)
Distance: 9km (8km without via ferrata)
Elevation gain & loss: 970m gain & 1210m loss (740m gain & 980m loss without via ferrata)
Side trips: Via Ferrata Canalone (loop; challenging)— refer to Tabacco Map 022 & Cicerone Vol.2 (route S.Mar 12)
Huts: Rifugio Cereda

*Trail times reflect the time we spent hiking, excluding extended breaks where we removed our backpacks to eat lunch, relax on the summit, or otherwise luxuriate along the trail. These figures are best used to understand realistic minimum hiking times between major waypoints, but we recommend factoring in 1-2hrs of additional time every day to properly enjoy the route!

Alta Via 2 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide — Via Ferrata Canalone

Via Ferrata Canalone (4A/challenging; 30min-1hr)

Rising directly above Rifugio Treviso, this extremely vertical via ferrata route follows an exposed arête to Punta Desperazione, rewarding confident scramblers with sweeping views across Val Canali and the Pale di San Martino.

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

Via Ferrata Canalone begins only moments from Rifugio Treviso, just across the rocky gully and up the opposite hillside.

The route climbs 180m on vertical cables, pegs, and iron rungs, with a handful of memorable features along the way, including a narrow log bridge and an airy down-climb that add plenty of excitement to this final via ferrata adventure!

A few metres before the cable terminates at the top of the via ferrata, turn left onto a second cable that descends back towards the base, returning you almost directly to your starting point.

This is one of the most physically demanding via ferrata on AV2, requiring sustained climbing on near-vertical terrain with several challenging moves, but it only takes about 30-60min to do a complete loop. It’s such a fun, compact route that I’d recommend going around twice, if time allows!

Be sure to pick up a hot sandwich with spicy veggie sauce for lunch before leaving Rifugio Treviso— the best sandwich in the Dolomites.

Rifugio Treviso to Forcella d’Oltro (1.5hrs)

Depart Rifugio Treviso on a gentle trail that winds through the forest for about 30min. The route then ascends for another hour, soon transitioning to rocky slopes as you approach Forcella d’Oltro.

If you’re following my custom AV2 adventure route, the best way to stay on track is with my custom-built AV2 GPS map— packed with detailed daily tracks, 168+ waypoints, all the side trips & via ferrata described in this guide, detours to avoid challenging sections, plus extensive trail notes to help you navigate AV2 like an expert. UPDATED SEPT 2026 BASED ON USER FEEDBACK!

Available in both JSON and GPX formats, the map works seamlessly with GPS apps like CalTopo, Gaia, and AllTrails, or with Garmin devices and watches. Head to my storefront to purchase the map!

Forcella d’Oltro to Passo Cereda (2.5hrs)

The route undulates pleasantly on a wide traverse of the hillside for the next hour, and most of the day’s elevation is gained and lost going gradually up and down with little net change in elevation. After yesterday’s challenging descent to Rifugio Treviso, it’s exactly what your knees ordered.

About mid-way through the descent to Passo Cereda

Although there are no towering mountain passes to ascend today, the scenery is nothing short of exceptional. Around an hour below Forcella d’Oltra, traverse through a remarkable landscape of limestone pinnacles and rocky buttresses rising directly from lush alpine meadows like a natural Dolomite garden.

Under the jagged ridgeline of Cima Feltrai, sweeping views extend across countless pillars towards Val Canali and the Belluno Dolomites. This was easily one of my favourite landscapes on AV2, and I don’t think I’ve EVER seen anything quite like it.

Shortly after the best of the scenery, the trail begins a steeper drop for the next hour, finally letting up onto a pleasantly declining, leaf-littered trail through the forest for another 30min.

Without any major agony, arrive to the roadside and walk right for about 15min on the pavement to reach Passo Cereda and the charming Rifugio Cereda.

Night 10: Rifugio Cereda

Overlooking the rolling pastures of Passo Cereda, Rifugio Cereda feels more like a charming alpine inn than a traditional mountain hut. Spacious rooms, unlimited hot showers, and an exceptional dinner and breakfast spread make this one of the most comfortable nights on AV2!

When you arrive, treat yourself to a €2.50 Aperol Spritz and soak up the afternoon sunshine from the picnic benches overlooking the surrounding meadows and their resident farm animals. After another wonderful day on the trail, it’s the perfect place to unwind. Reserve Rifugio Cereda online.

Rooms: 45€ (dorm; 160€ for 4pax room) OR 65€ half board (dorm)
Food: a la carte or half board, outstanding brekky + 2.5€ Aperol Spritz!
Showers: Unlimited and free!
Connectivity: Wifi & strong mobile signal

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 2 dolomites

brooke beyond

Hey, I'm Brooke and I'm obsessed with exploring unique destinations, remote landscapes, and high-elevation summits around the world! I left Australia 6 years ago after finishing a PhD in Biomechanics & have been travelling the world full-time ever since, now joined by my husband/climbing partner, James. Whether it’s road-tripping through Mexico, climbing alpine peaks in the Andes, scuba diving in the Red Sea, or tackling epic via ferrata in the Dolomites, I hope this blog will inspire your future adventures & help you find wonder in every corner of the globe. xx bb