Alta Via 2 (day 4): Rifugio Pisciadú to Piz Boè + Cima Pisciadú

Last Updated on 5 September 2026

Following the traditional AV2 route, Day 4 is very short and not terribly remarkable, but there’s a wonderful addition that might just change that: Piz Boè. 

Rather than stopping in the barren, lunar landscape of Rifugio Boè, ascend further to the summit of Piz Boè and sleep among the stars at 3,152m. This is the highest point of the entire route, boasting uninterrupted 360° views across the Dolomites and a rustic, sure-favourite hut!

This comprehensive guide to Day 4 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 4 overview

• Trail hours: 3.25hrs (2.5hrs without summit)
• Distance: 6km (5km without summit)
• Elevation gain & loss: 930m gain & 370m loss (770m gain & 210m loss without summit)
• Side trips: Cima Pisciadú (moderate summit)
• Huts: (Rifugio Boè), Campanna Piz Fassa

*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!

Rifugio Pisciadú to Val di Tita (30min)

After a quick drop to the lake shore just below Rifugio Pisciadú, ascend steeply up a rocky trail and connect within about 10min to an easy cable section (this is not an EEA route, so it’s up to you whether you’d like to gear up or not). 

Within 30min, reach the flat plateau of Val di Tita and drop your pack for a quick side trip!

Side trip: Cima Pisciadú (45min)

Follow red/white paint to the summit of Cima Pisciadú for views onto Piz Boè, tonight’s final destination and the highest point of my AV2 adventure route!

It takes about 20min to ascend to the summit and a similar amount of time to return, given the loose terrain. Although my notes showed this as a via ferrata, there was no identifiable cable on the entire route and it would be suitable for anyone comfortable with scree.

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!

Looking across the valley at the little Campana Fassa hut perched improbably on the rounded summit of Piz Boè, it seems unlikely that you should arrive there within just a couple hours, but indeed you will!

Val di Tita To Rifugio Boè (1h15min)

Walking across the flat expanse of white rock and ascending the trail visible on the opposite mountainside, this next section is a pleasant mix of climbing and gentle downhill. 

In just over an hour, arrive at Rifugio Boè and stop for lunch at this scenic hut in the shadow of Piz Boè. This is a new and very spacious mountain hut that makes a perfect lunch stop, as well as a reasonable accommodation option if tiny Campana Fassa is fully booked!

Rifugio Boè to Piz Boè (40min)

From Rifugio Boè, ascend a steep hill for about 15min to reach a signed junction. With cables on either side of you, make sure to take the right path (noted as the “up route”) towards Piz Boè. 

This route isn’t a true via ferrata and you’ll be off the cable within 5min, from which point you have a steep uphill climb on rocky terrain (about 15min) to the summit. In clear weather, tantalising views of The Queen of the Dolomites greet you across the moonscape, the iconic glaciated massif of Marmolada dominating for the next several days of AV2.

*Via Ferrata Vallon (2B): there is also a via ferrata route accesible from Piz Boè, but due to a sudden afternoon hail storm, we were relegated to the dining area, so I can’t comment on it personally. If any readers manage it, please let me know what you think and I’ll add some info here!

Night 4: Campanna Piz Fassa 

Perched at 3,152m atop the summit of Piz Boè,  it’s unquestionably worth detouring off the main AV2 route to sleep at Campanna Piz Fassa, one of the highest huts in the entire Dolomites!

At this altitude, it’s no surprise that some comforts are sacrificed. Capanna Piz Fassa is small and delightfully rustic, but what it lacks in amenities it more than makes up for with extraordinary views, especially towards Marmolada and her sprawling glacier. Sunset and sunrise aren’t to be missed! Reserve Campanna Piz Fassa with a 20€ deposit.

• Rooms: 70€ half board (rustic shared rooms, smallest 3ppl) OR 30€ room + brekky
• Food: A la carte or half board (super large 3-course, could share between 2 people)
• Showers: none
• Connectivity: Weak mobile signal
• Alpine club discount: no

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

• start here ->Detailed AV2 Route Guide
• Alta Via 2 (day 1): Bressanone to Rifugio Genova + Via Ferrata Sass di Putia
• Alta Via 2 (day 2): Rifugio Genova to Rifugio Puez + Via Ferrata Piz Duleda
• Alta Via 2 (day 3): Rifugio Puez to Rifugio Pisciadú + Via Ferrata Gran Cir, Piz da Cir V, Brigata Tridentina
• Alta Via 2 (day 4): Rifugio Pisciadú to Piz Boè + Cima Pisciadú
• Alta Via 2 (day 5): Piz Boè to Rifugio Castiglioni Marmolada 
• Alta Via 2 (day 6): Lago di Fedaia to San Pellegrino + Via Ferrata delle Trincee
• Alta Via 2 (day 7): Passo San Pellegrino to Rifugio Volpi al Mulaz
• Alta Via 2 (day 8): Rifugio Mulaz to Rifugio Pradidali
• Alta Via 2 (day 9): Rifugio Pradidali to Rifugio Treviso + Via Ferrata Porton & Nico Gusella
• Alta Via 2 (day 10): Rifugio Treviso to Passo Cereda + Via Ferrata Canalone
• Alta Via 2 (day 11): Passo Cereda to Rifugio Boz
• Alta Via 2 (day 12): Rifugio Boz to Croce d’Aune
• navigate confidently on & off the trail ->AV2 adventure route GPS map! (updated Sept 2026)