Alta Via 4 (day 2): Rifugio Locatelli Tre Cime to Rifugio Fonda Savio + Via Ferrata Merlone

Last Updated on 22 April 2025

Today is the most visually spectacular day of AV4 (not including the via ferrata side trips yesterday), with a meandering path that parades around Tre Cime, leading to the serrated peaks of Cadini di Misurina and finally taking in the dramatic beauty of Torre Wundt from above. 

It’s not a terribly long or difficult day, but with the requisite excursion up Via Ferrata Merlone (and the hundreds of photo opportunities from start to finish), expect another full day on the trail!

This comprehensive guide to Day 2 of Alta Via 4 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 AV4 knowledge in one place: Alta Via 4: complete hiking + via ferrata route guide

Alta Via 4: Day 2 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 AV4 route with no additions). 

• Trail hours: 6hrs (3.5hrs without via ferrata)
• Distance: 11km (9.5km without via ferrata)
• Elevation gain & loss: 960m up & 1020m down (580m up & 640m without via ferrata)
• Via Ferrata en route: Sentiero Attrezzato Alberto Bonacossa (one-way; 1B)— refer to Tabacco Map 010 & Cicerone Vol.1 (route 62)
• Side trips: Via Ferrata Merlone (up & back; 3B)— refer to Tabacco Map 010 & Cicerone Vol.1 (route 61)
• Huts: (Rifugio Auronzo), Rifugio Fonda Savio

Rifugio Locatelli Tre Cime to Rifugio Auronzo (1.5hrs)

Departing Rifugio Locatelli, start the morning by dropping along a rocky path into a cow-filled meadow under Tre Cime and then ascending steeply back up via another rocky trail. The route eventually wraps around the far side of the three peaks, meandering past a few little tarns that make for a beautiful photo opportunity of their northwestern faces.

From Forcella del Col de Mèdo at 2,315m, continue on a flat and very busy path for 15min to reach Rifugio Auronzo and its tour-bus-filled carpark. From here, AV4 follows an incredibly popular trail through the Cadini di Misurina range, and gone are the peaceful moments of the morning when it was just you (and the cows) admiring the splendour of the peaks around you.

Rifugio Auronzo to Cadini di Misurina viewpoint (30min)

From Rifugio Auronzo, follow a well-marked path for a little over 20min before catching your first unobstructed views of the Cadini di Misurina range, undoubtedly one of the most spectacular views on AV4— and in all of the Dolomites!

The Flying Banana viewpoint, pictured below, is an iconic photography location, but there are dozens of unnamed grass patches or rocky outcroppings along the trail from which to admire the Cadini di Misurina. Stick to the farthest right path (there are several branching trails here) and plan to stop often to gawk at the dramatic peaks looming 2,839m over the valley floor.

If you’re following my custom AV4 adventure route, the best way to stay on track is with my custom-built AV4 GPS map— packed with detailed daily tracks, 98+ waypoints, all the side trips & via ferrata described in this guide, plus extensive trail notes to help you navigate AV4 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!

I spent well over an hour running around taking photos in this area and that’s obviously not factored into the hiking time I’ve quoted, so if you’re a keen photographer, be sure to build in plenty of extra time this morning!

Cadini di Misurina viewpoint to Rifugio Fonda Savio via Sentiero Bonacossa (1.5hrs)

Leaving the day-trippers behind at the popular Flying Banana, AV4 continues along rocky ledges and occasionally exposed trails, passing a few small tunnels (seen below) that you can explore before finally connecting with Sentiero Bonacossa, an easy via ferrata that will carry you all the way to Rifugio Fonda Savio tonight and onwards to Rifugio Col de Varda tomorrow morning.

The via ferrata begins in earnest about 15min after leaving the viewpoint, descending down switchbacks and finally a vertical drop through a wet overhang. I didn’t put gear on here, but you may want to— at least gloves for the slick cable. 

Hop on and off cable for about 30min, finally reaching Valon del Nevaio an hour after leaving the viewpoint. From here, begin a steep climb through the rocks up to Rifugio Fonda Savio— the ascent takes less than 30min and features a mix of cables and unprotected scrambling, and even a few cleverly placed wooden bridges.

This section of trail is incredibly quiet and features plenty of dramatic scenery to keep you entertained on the final stretch of today’s hike as you near Rifugio Fonda Savio, a charming family-owned hut in a truly spectacular location that somehow manages to rival even Rifugio Locatelli.

Via Ferrata Merlone (2.5hrs)

This afternoon’s excursion is one of the best via ferrata in the Dolomites! I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again: AV4 delivers non-stop magic and Via Ferrata Merlone is absolutely no exception— the exposure is constant, the views are superb, and after ascending a great height on ladders up the steep western face of Cima Cadin, the route relies heavily on natural hand and footholds in the rock for more of a true scrambling experience. 

Departing from Rifugio Fonda Savio, hike up the boulder field for about 15min to reach a signed trail junction, continuing left a further 5min to connect with cables opposite the snowfield. 

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

Via Ferrata Merlone begins gradually, and where there are lapses in cable, blue flags mark the scramble route upwards until you reach the ladders that will carry you a majority of the way up to the lofty summit of Cima del Cadin. From here, it’s a direct vertical ascent of several hundred metres that yields ever-improving views of the Cadini group and its imposing fingers, cradling the little red roof of Rifugio Fonda Savio far below.

The final stretch of the route necessitates frequent contact with the rock, eventually delivering you to the summit of Cima Cadin NE at 2,788m (just over an hour from the hut) for sweeping views of the serrated peaks that make up one of the most photographed mountain groups in the Dolomites, as well as the sharp spires of Torre Wundt and the southern faces of the iconic Tre Cime.

Climbing in the afternoon, I found myself entirely alone on the summit and could hardly contain my excitement at the route and the resultant panorama. It was with great reluctance that I managed to tear myself away for the descent, following the ascent route back to the hut in slightly less than an hour. 

Night 2: Rifugio Fonda Savio

Named for three brothers who fought in the war and operated for the last 55 years by a lovely local family, Rifugio Fonda Savio is an absolute gem. It’s located in one of the most photogenic ranges of the Dolomites, but manages to be a world away from the crowds at Rifugio Locatelli or Rifugio Auronzo. The hut is fairly small, very welcoming, and serves some incredible food!

I’m especially fond of this hut because the owner fixed my malfunctioning camera clip AND gave me two servings of desert— what more can you ask for?! Reserve Rifugio Fonda Savio by emailing florian.poernbacher@rolmail.net.

• Rooms: 26/30€ (dorm/small room) OR 68/71€ half board (dorm/small room)
• Food: A la carte for lunch (meals from 10€, beer 5€, great food); only half board for dinner
• Showers: none, but there is a large sink for washing
• Connectivity: none
• Alpine club discount: -12€ room only OR -9€ 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 4

• start here ->Detailed AV4 Route Guide
• ALTA VIA 4 (DAY 0): SAN CANDIDO TO RIFUGIO TRE SCARPERI
• ALTA VIA 4 (DAY 1): RIFUGIO TRE SCARPERI TO LOCATELLI TRE CIME + VIA FERRATA TORRE DI TOBLIN & INNERKOFLER
• ALTA VIA 4 (DAY 2): RIFUGIO LOCATELLI TRE CIME TO RIFUGIO FONDA SAVIO + VIA FERRATA MERLONE
• ALTA VIA 4 (DAY 3): RIFUGIO FONDA SAVIO TO RIFUGIO VANDELLI
• ALTA VIA 4 (DAY 4): RIFUGIO VANDELLI TO RIFUGIO SAN MARCO + VIA FERRATA GIRO DE SORAPIS
• ALTA VIA 4 (DAYS 5 & 6): RIFUGIO SAN MARCO TO RIFUGIO ANTELAO TO PIEVE DI CADORE
• navigate confidently on & off the trail ->AV4 adventure route GPS map!