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 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: 7hrs (6.5hrs without via ferrata)
- Distance: 16.4km (12.2km without via ferrata)
- Elevation gain & loss: 1225m up & 1525m down (990m up & 1280m down without via ferrata)
- Side trips: Cima Rosetta
- Huts: (Rifugio Rosetta), Rifugio Pradidali
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).
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
Night 8: 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: 75€ half board
- Food: Half board
- Connectivity: None
- 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 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!
The Comments
B
Hi, thank you for the great description!
For the Rifugio Volpi al Mulaz to Passo della Farangole section, would it be safe to do without via ferrata gear?
I am doing a different 4 day hike that passes through this section, and it appears to be the only place that needs via ferrata gear. And carrying (and paying for rental) for 4 days just for two 10 minute sections seems silly. I found some youtube videos of the two hairy sections and it appears to be manageable as long as the weather conditions are good.
brooke brisbine
BHey B,
I totally hear you, it doesn’t make sense to carry so much additional weight just for one small area. In my opinion, this section of cable isn’t overly challenging or exposed, and if you’re confident on terrain, you can do this without gear. I only put gear on for the second segment of via ferrata not knowing what to expect, but it would have been ok without as long as you’re cautious.
Hope that helps!
xx bb
Christian
Hi Brooke! Would it make more sense to do the via ferrata this day instead of the next day since you’re back tracking? Or would it be too long a day?
I guess it depends which is longer/tougher? Volpi Al Mulaz to Pradidali or Pradidali to Treviso?
brooke brisbine
ChristianHi Christian,
I would be rather surprised if you had time to do Mulaz to Pradidali (6.5hrs) + Via Ferrata Porton/Nico Gusella (4.5hrs) in one day, and this puts you on the VF descent route in the evening, which could be a little sketchy at the end of a VERY long day when you’re already tired. That’s 11hrs not counting breaks– of course you could be faster than me, but unless you’re running this, it is still a huge day for anyone.
That’s why I recommend doing Via Ferrata Porton/Nico Gusella in the morning on day 10 so you can be fresh for the climb, then continue onwards to Treviso (+4.25hrs) for a total day of ~9hrs. I personally came from Rosetta so it WAS an 11hr day for me, and I simply could not recommend this to anyone.
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The backtracking you’re talking about is ~5min, so I wouldn’t worry about it!
xx bb