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brooke beyond

Alta Via 2 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide
Europe / Italy

Alta Via 2 (day 9): Rifugio Mulaz to Rifugio Pradidali

October 3, 2022

From the lunar landscapes of Cima Rosetta to the striking tower of Cima Canali, the Palo di San Martino are on full show today as you journey towards Rifugio Pradidali. There are several sections of cable along the standard AV2 route, as well as a quick side summit to enjoy, making this another excellent day on the trail!

This comprehensive guide to Day 9 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!

For a complete Alta Via 2 planning guide, check out this post: COMING SOON

Alta Via 2: Day 9 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: 7hrs (6.5hrs standard AV2)
  • Distance: 16.4km (12.2km standard AV2)
  • Elevation gain & loss: 1225m up & 1525m down (990m up & 1280m down standard AV2)
  • Side trips: Cima Rosetta 
  • Huts: Rifugio Rosetta, Rifugio Pradidali 
Alta Via 2 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide

Rifugio Volpi al Mulaz to Passo della Farangole (1hr)

From the hut, ascend steep switchbacks up a rocky trail to Forcella Margherita, following red and white-painted rocks through the scree. 

The final 10-15min to Passo della Farangole is on cable— if you’re not super confident on rough terrain, put on your via ferrata gear here, otherwise you can suit up at the pass for the steep cable-protected descent (even with experience, you may want to be clipped in here). 

Alta Via 2 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide
Climbing to Passo della Farangole

Passo della Farangole to Pian de Cantoni (3hrs)

From the high pass, down-climb steeply for about 10min on cable before continuing the descent via a series of switchbacks through the scree. 

Alta Via 2 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide
Alta Via 2 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide

The next several hours are spent alternating between ascents and descents with intermittent cable protection. You likely won’t need your via ferrata gear again, but the day necessitates careful footwork through loose rocks and steep slopes. In clear weather, the views of the Pale di San Martino are wonderful!

Alta Via 2 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide

Pian de Cantoni to Rifugio Rosetta (30min)

From the flowered flatland of Pian de Cantoni, climb under 30min through an endless sea of bright-white Dolomite to reach Rifugio Rosetta, perched on a hill in this strikingly lunar landscape. 

Alta Via 2 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide
Alta Via 2 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide
Alta Via 2 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide
The final stretch of trail to Rifugio Rosetta

Side trip: Cima Rosetta (30min)

As a worthwhile addition to the day, follow the incredibly well-laid path up to the summit of Cima Rosetta for mind-blowing views of the surrounding mountains and a great vantage point back onto the hut. 

I actually stayed at Rifugio Rosetta and completed this small climb as a sunset trip, but I’d highly recommend pushing onwards to Rifugio Pradidali if you want to tackle the via ferrata tomorrow, as this makes for a much more comfortable day.

Alta Via 2 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide
Alta Via 2 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide
Alta Via 2 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide
View from Cima Rosetta
Alta Via 2 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide
Rifugio Rosetta in a sea of white Dolomite

Rifugio Rosetta to Rifugio Pradidali (2hrs)

Descending from Rifugio Rosetta on a long series of steep switchbacks for about 45min, the trail becomes blissfully flat for the next 10min and then gradually begins ascending again. 

Alta Via 2 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide
Departing Rifugio Rosetta

There are some cable protected sections as you climb towards Passo Ball, and it’s up to you whether you want to fully gear up for this fairly easy section.

The cables lead you uphill for about 10min on an exposed trail with good footing, and then the route ascends a further 10min on a rocky trail to reach Passo di Ball. 

From the pass, drop 10min on another rocky trail and reach a signed junction just a few minutes above the hut— this is where you’ll return for tomorrow’s via ferrata!

Alta Via 2 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide
Ascending to Passo Ball

Night 9: Rifugio Pradidali 

In the shadow of Cima Canali, Pradidali is one of the most spectacularly located huts on AV2 and conveniently perched right at the junction for a large side trip that connects 2 via ferrata. Reserve Rifugio Pradidali by email.

*This is one of only a few occasions where my recommended itinerary deviates from what I actually did, but for good reason. I spent this night at Rifugio Rosetta, which meant that day 10 included the 2hrs to Rifugio Pradidali, 5hrs of via ferrata, and 5hrs of brutal hiking to Rifugio Treviso. I spent almost 12hrs on the trail without sitting down once, and I although I don’t regret doing it, I would never suggest that someone else structure their itinerary this way on purpose! Even if you’re not climbing tomorrow, the downhill to Rifugio Treviso is truly torturous and you’ll want to be as fresh as possible. Do yourself a favour and stay at Rifugio Pradidali!

  • Rooms: 38€
  • Food: half board 69€
  • Connectivity: None
  • Alpine club discount: -17€ half board, -19€ room only

RIFUGIO GUIDE COMING SOON

Alta Via 2 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide
Rifugio Pradidali

Read more about Alta Via 2

  • 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
  • MORE COMING SOON
TAGS:alta viaalta via 2dolomites
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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

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hi, I’m brooke!

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. 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

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