Following what may have been a large day yesterday, day 8 is short and undemanding as it journeys through the Pale di San Martino to charming Rifugio Mulaz. Aside from a few short trails you might wish to scamper up, there isn’t much in the way of extension or side-trips (and only a short, easy section of cable), so enjoy a relaxing day in anticipation of the via ferrata to come!
This comprehensive guide to Day 8 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 8 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: 5hrs
- Distance: 13km
- Elevation gain & loss: 1130m up & 470m down
- Huts: (Rifugio Valles), Rifugio Volpi al Mulaz
San Pellegrino to Passo Valles (1h45m)
Leaving San Pellegrino, it’s a touch tricky to connect with the trail— walk towards the Margherita cable car and pass through a plastic gate followed by a wooden turnstile to find a forested trail winding gradually up the hillside.
From this point, it’s no struggle at all to stay on the intended route. Follow cairns across the rocks above Lago di Cavia and through cow-filled pastures. Although the early sections of the route can be quite steep, it should only take about 45min to reach Pale di Gargol at 2,218m.
At the junction, follow signs towards Passo Valles and continue 30min further to Forcella di Pradazzo. The route descends on a wide road, but the most expedient way to reach the pass is to follow the GPS straight through the hills for about 30min, connecting with various trails and goat tracks to eventually reach Rifugio Valles.
Assuming you’ve had a long day yesterday, Rifugio Valles is an excellent spot to break for lunch.
Passo Valles to Rifugio Volpi al Mulaz (3h15m)
From Rifugio Valles, hike uphill about 25min to reach Forcella Venegia at 2,212 and then follow signs towards Rifugio Mulaz.
The next several hours of the walk alternate between uphill and downhill, offering beautiful views of the Pale di San Martino range and countless cow-covered pastures en route to Rifugio Volpi al Mulaz.
The final ascent has a few cable sections, but nothing that requires full via ferrata gear. With bronchitis, I moved a little slower than usual today and was beyond relieved to see the hut come into view at the top of an uphill push!
Night 8: Rifugio Volpi al Mulaz
Surrounded by the limestone peaks of Pale di San Martino and staffed by some of the loveliest people we met on the trek, Rifugio Volpi al Mulaz was among my favourite huts.
Warmed by a hot stove in the dining area, grab a hot wine (vin brûlée) on arrival and dig into a delicious 3-course dinner while admiring the many old-school mountaineering photos (and stuffed kitties) that adorn the interior of this cozy hut. Reserve Rifugio Mulaz by email.
- Rooms: 34€ (dorm room; privates only for half board) OR 74/69€ half board (private room/dorm)
- Food: half board with 3-course dinner; get the vin brûlée (hot wine)!
- Showers: closed indefinitely due to water shortage
- Connectivity: weak mobile signal outside the hut
- Alpine Club Discount: -17€ 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
- start here ->Detailed AV2 Route Guide
- ALTA VIA 2 (DAY 1): BRESSANONE TO RIFUGIO GENOVA + VIA FERRATA SASS D’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, 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 7): LAGO DI FEDAIA TO SAN PELLEGRINO + VIA FERRATA DELLE TRINCEE
- ALTA VIA 2 (DAY 8): PASSO SAN PELLEGRINO TO RIFUGIO VOLPI AL MULAZ
- ALTA VIA 2 (DAY 9): RIFUGIO MULAZ TO RIFUGIO PRADIDALI
- ALTA VIA 2 (DAY 10): RIFUGIO PRADIDALI TO RIFUGIO TREVISO + VIA FERRATA PORTON & NICO GUSELLA
- ALTA VIA 2 (DAY 11): RIFUGIO TREVISO TO PASSO CEREDA + VIA FERRATA CANALONE
- ALTA VIA 2 (DAY 12): PASSO CEREDA TO RIFUGIO BOZ
- ALTA VIA 2 (DAY 13): RIFUGIO BOZ TO CROCE D’AUNE
