Mountain Adventure Holidays
This stunning hike takes in the highlights of the Alta Via 2, big sister of the Alta Via 1 in the Italian Dolomites. Our itinerary links the very best sections of this challenging route to make it accessible to seasoned walkers. We trek through one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world: A UNESCO World Heritage Site with spectacular rock formations and geology.
The exceptional geological beauty of the Dolomites is world famous, along with its Austrian-Italian distinctiveness. The area is known as the Sud Tirol in German, and as the Alto Adige in Italian, and presents an eclectic fusion of Austrian and Italian tradition, cuisine and folklore.
Optional Extra: Try Via Ferrata?
A via ferrata, which in Italian means the 'iron way', is a mountain route with fixed ‘protection’ such as metal ladders, handles and chain that you remain attached to using a climbing harness. This allows access to isolated trail systems, rocky cliff lines and summits normally reserved for climbers. The technique was initially developed by soldiers in the First World War, but has become an established, safe and popular sport. If you would like to try this activity before or after your trip then please ask us for more details. NB: Please note, we only use qualified IFMGA Guides for this activity and it is in addition to the proposed itinerary.
The meeting with your guide will be at approximately 1800hrs in Brixen, in Italy. Brixen is also known as Bressanone, in Italian. The Sud Tirol is predominantly German speaking, with Italian the second language. If arriving by bus/train check both names, Brixen and Bressanone. Brixen is easily accessible by train and bus from Munich, Verona or Innsbruck airport. It’s a beautiful city, and well worth arriving early to allow time to explore the cobbled streets.
Our walking trip on the stunning Alta Via 2 begins with a bus ride to San Andreas above Brixen and then we take a cable car ride up to the high pastures of Valcroce. It is wonderful to start a hike high-up, but we are about to get even higher as we head for coffee and cake at the Rifugio Plose, the official AV2 starting point. Leaving the Rifugio we remain mostly in open mountainside with views to the Austrian Tyrol, and to the south-east the dramatic rock spires of the Puez-Odle ridge line. Lunch is usually in the lovely private Schätzerhütte. Today is a reasonably gentle introduction to the beauty of the Dolomites, with our high point at 2357m (7730ft) when we cross our first high pass at Forcella di Putia. We will spend the night at the Rifugio Genova: a lively and popular hut with good facilities, including showers. As with many of the refuges on this trip it will have a German and Italian name, it can get rather confusing, but all adds to the feeling we are somewhere 'different'.
Ascent: 1024m (3358ft) Descent: 747m (2450ft) Distance 20km (12.4 miles) Duration: 6h00-7h00
No access to luggage
A short walk takes us back up to the Passo Poma through the wild flower meadows. Then it’s a rising traverse across steep, stony hillsides on a balcony path, which rewards with a view of the impressive rock towers and snow streaked screes of Punte del Puez. We then head for the conspicuous notch on the skyline, the Forcella della Roa at 2617m (8585ft)), from where we tackle rocky ridge terrain before dropping into the valley above our destination. The isolated Rifugio Puez situated at an altitude of 2475m (8118ft) is right in the heart of the extraordinary Puez group of mountains, a vast limestone wilderness. It is a clean and efficient rifugio with delicious apple strudel. The evening views down the stunning gorge to the valley below are well worth the effort of getting here. We love it!
Ascent: 600m (1968ft) Descent: 800m (2624ft) Distance: 10km (6.3 miles) Duration: 05h30
No access to luggage
We head into the wild rocky Puez range this morning, sometimes described as a ‘desolate and primitive landscape’ with fossil remains visible in the rock pavements. Our path takes us over the Forcella di Ciampac at 2366m (7760ft), and then climbs gently south-west over a vast stony plateau down to the vivid green waters of the Lago di Crespeina. At Passo Crespeina at 2528m (8291ft) the 'Sella' massif dominates with its high buttresses and snowfields. We eventually pass below the Pizzes da Cir cliffs and down to the fabulous restaurant known as 'Jimmy's' for lunch (the food is too good to pass!) It's then down to the famous Passo Gardena with its stunning mountain road with its many tight bends, used in many a 'road movie'. From here we climb into the wild Sella mountains: a stunning landscape of rocky spires, vertical cliffs and gorges. We have a climb of over two hours to our overnight at the Rifugio Pisciadu. Our hike ends with a rocky scramble, aided by a solid cable and spikes. There is some exposure on this final climb, but it should not be any problem for those used to the high mountains.
Ascent: 862m (2827ft) Descent 765m (2509ft) Distance: 12km (7.5 miles) Duration: 5h00-6h00
No access to luggage
This is a spectacular day as we head around Lago di Pisciadu. Rugged mountainside trails wind over rock and scree, with cables assisting the first rocky, but easy section. A steeper climb follows up to the Altopiano del Meisules: a barren lunar landscape rich in ammonite fossils. Our next goal is to cross the l’Antersass before a descent over rough, stony ground guided by cairns and poles until we arrive at the Rifugio Boe where we can enjoy an Italian coffee! We continue across the rocky mountainside before a gentle climb to the conspicuous Rifugio Maria. There is sometimes a pig wandering around the Rifugio! Yes, a pig! We then take the cable car to Passo Pordoi which allows more time for a leisurely lunch and saves our knees on what can be a punishing descent. Passo Pordoi has bars, restaurants and various other facilities if you wish to pick up any snacks etc. We wont be resting here too long, because we are about to enter the Marmolada group and the volcanic Padon chain. Leaving the Passo we take the celebrated 'Viel dal Pan', this footpath was once used by flour merchants from the Belluno area as a route to the valley. Flour, an essential ingredient, represented an excellent bargaining product and was bartered in the Ladin valleys for handcrafted goods, as well as for other products. We contour grassy hillsides below volcanic formations akin to Easter Island statues, to reach the stunningly situated Rifugio Viel dal Pan where we will spend the night enjoying views of the Marmolada, the highest mountain in the Dolomites at 3334m (10,965ft).
Ascent: 1108m (3634ft) Descent: 1298m (4257ft) Distance: 13km (8 miles) Duration: 7h00
No access to luggage
After seeing the stunning sunrise over the Marmolada, we head down to the lovely Lago di Fedaia where we will aim to take a short transfer along the lakeside, which also saves our knees on the descent to Malga Ciapela. The mighty Marmolada, a landmark of the Dolomites, is a major presence during today’s trek. Steep, 1000m (3280ft) cliffs along the 5km (3 miles) of its south face are capped by the largest glacier in the Eastern Alps. The Marmolada summit was first attempted in 1830 by Italian climbers, with the first ascent to Punta Penia, the highest point, in 1864 by Austrian, Paul Grohmann with Italian guides. During spring of 1916, and again in summer 1917 the Marmolada witnessed fierce hand-to-hand fighting between Austrian and Italian troops. To escape enemy fire, the Austrians excavated a complex of galleries some 12km (7.5 miles) in total within the glacier itself, dubbed the ‘City of Ice’. This is our longest day in terms of distance and by the time we climb our final pass at Forca Rossa at 2490m (8167ft) we are already anticipating our lovely hotel at the pass.
Ascent: 1200m (3936ft) Descent: 1760m (5772ft) Distance 32km (20 miles) Duration: 10h00
The distance given includes the bus journey which is approximately 10km therefore the walking day is 22km.
No access to luggage
We set of this morning up the mountain as we being our hike to the Passo di Valles which is at 2031m (6661ft) and the Rifugio Passa Valles, a privately run refuge where no doubt a morning coffee will be required. Our first pass will be the Forcella Venegia at 2217m (7271ft), with views to the red-sandstone striated cliffs of Cima Caladora. We follow the panoramic crest with an impressive line up ahead of Monte Mulaz, Cima di Val Grande, and the majestic Cimon della Pala at 3038m (9964ft). The Cimon is known as the Matterhorn of the Dolomites! We then cross the north-east slopes of Monte Mulaz to the small Passo dei Fochette di Focobon amid stunning rock spires and breathtaking scenery. Our final section before the rifugio involves a straightforward scramble with cables up rock ledges and slabs, but with no major difficulties. We spend the night at the stunningly located Rifugio Mulaz, named after the Venetian entrepreneur who launched the city’s mainland industrial development in the 1920’s. The sunsets from the terrace can be truly stunning, framing the peaks and spires of the Dolomites.
Ascent: 1176m (3857ft) Descent: 548m (1797ft) Distance: 11km (6.8 miles) Duration: 7h00
No access to luggage
We leave the Rifugio Mulaz to climb steeply over the nearby pass named after the rifugio. This is a wild barren landscape, and a lovely start to our final day of hiking. Once over the pass we return to a greener landscape as we traverse down the mountain side, making our way to the Castellaz: a spectacular rocky plateau. We aim to complete the loop up to the summit cross of Cristo Pensante and enjoy our final views of the Dolomites before heading down to our pick-up point near Passo Rolle, at the Rifugio Capanna Cervino. The rifugio is a great place to enjoy a coffee and cake to celebrate our journey. Here we meet our taxi transfer back to your hotel in Brixen. The drive will be approximately 2h00 back to our hotel. This allows easy return travel from Brixen/Bressanone to your airport on your departure day.
Ascent: 400m (1312ft) Descent: 851m (2791ft) Distance: 8km (5 miles) Duration: 5h00
No access to luggage
It is always our aim to complete the proposed itinerary outlined above, however, it may be necessary for our guides/instructors to adjust the daily itinerary based on the weather conditions, group safety and enjoyment.
We always aim to accommodate our guests in well-situated, clean, characterful, family run accommodation. In many cases we have known the management for years, and it’s like visiting friends. Our suggested accommodation, listed below, is subject to availability at the time of booking. We have given details of our favoured venues and those we intend to use. If unavailable we will book alternative accommodation of a similar standard.
All of our trips are based on two people sharing a bedroom, what we call a 'twin' means two single beds in one bedroom. If you are booking as a single traveller you will share with someone of the same gender. On this trip accommodation will be in a twin room in a hotel in Brixen/Bressanone. You will also have a twin room in the hotel at Passo San Pellegrino.
The Dolomite Rifugios are definitely a 'cut above' normal mountain huts, and offer very comfortable accommodation. As stated in What's included, early booking means we can try to obtain dormitories for our group's sole use. We also try and secure small dorms or bedrooms to keep friends and couples together, but this is not guaranteed. If you are prepared to hike the Alta Via 2 then we assume you are of an adventurous nature and used to sharing 'space' in high mountain rifugios when necessary. It can be a great way to make new friends! Read our Blog on what it is like to stay in a mountain Rifugio.
Single rooms may be available in Brixen/Bressanone and at Passo San Pellegrino for a supplementary fee. These are normally limited in number and require early booking. Note that it is very rare to have air conditioning in European mountain areas, and most bedrooms do not have this facility. Please contact us for details.
The Hotel Krone in Brixen/Bressanone is in a great location for our base in this lovely city. It is right in the centre of the old town with its cobbled streets, yet only a 10 minute walk to the bus station. The hotel provides high quality Tyrolean accommodation and facilities. The hotel also has a great restaurant serving tasty local dishes made from local products.
Patrizio is very welcoming, and is a great source of local information. There is a lovely terrace where you can enjoy an evening drink. There is also a roof-top spa for easing any aching muscles when we return from our epic journey on the Alta Via 2.
The rifugio sits at the junction of several trails in the Dolomites, including the major European path from Munich to Venice. It has a comfortable restaurant serving traditional meals with great views down to the valley. The rifugio which is also know as the Schlüterhütte was built in 1898.
The rifugio has accommodation mostly in dormitories. There are showers and toilets on each floor.
For over 70 years the Costa family has welcomed climbers, hikers, families and groups to their Rifugio Puez in the heart of the Puez-Odle Nature Park. There is a dining room with bar, a sunny terrace to enjoy the panoramic views and delicious food. Dormitories are the norm here, but sometimes there are bedrooms free. Showers are available.
The Rifugio Pisciadu is in a spectacular location high in the mountains with rock faces towering above. The rifugio, to give it its full title, is actually the Rifugio Franco Cavazza al Pisciadù! The club is owned by the Alpine Club of Bologna. It has simple accommodation in dormitories, a cosy bar and restaurant serving with traditional Ladin cuisine. There are showers available.
The Rifugio Viel dal Pan takes its name from the 'Viel dal Pan' Route used by the flour merchants, and literally means the 'bread way'. The Rifugio is perched high above the valley with a spectacular view of the Marmalade, the highest summit in the Dolomites. The dorms are furnished in Tyrolean style, with double, triple and four-person bedrooms available. There are also showers.
The Hotel San Marco is situated on the San Pellegrino Pass. Our night here is quite different to previous accommodation where we have been in mountain refuges. This 3* hotel sits at 1918m (6291ft) on this beautiful pass and offers very comfortable accommodation. It also has a wellness centre, with a heated indoor swimming pool and various other spa features, such as a sauna, and jacuzzi.
This is a stunning location to spend the night and the sunsets can be outstanding! The rifugio lies on the Dolomite limestone rocks at 2571m (8432ft), the rifugio offers a warm welcome and cosy accommodation. It is a traditional alpine hut, with a stove in the dining area to keep us warm. There is a terrace on which to enjoy an evening drink.
The Italian Dolomites are easily reached from European and Worldwide destinations by road, rail, coach or plane. For more information on travelling by public transport, please refer to our travel blog.
Train
If travelling from the UK, you can take the train all the way to Brixen/Bressanone, you can use RailEurope to view timetables and book tickets. You can also use RailEurope or Flixbus if travelling from other European cities.
Flights
If choosing to travel by air, the closest airports are Munich in Germany, Innsbruck in Austria or Verona, Milan and Venice in Italy. Upon arrival we then suggest taking the bus or train to reach Brixen/Bressanone.
For Münich, Innsbruck or in Italy Verona, Bergamo e Milano - Malpensa we recommend transferring to the start of your hike with Alto Adige Dolomites Airport Shuttle. This is run by Sudtirol Bus. When buying tickets in advance we recommend selecting the arrival stop as: Bressanone Hotel Goldene Krone.
Verona: Is the closest airport to Bressanone (Brixen), just 2 hours by road. Alto Adige Dolomites Airport Shuttle run a transfer to Brixen/Bressanone every 4 hours.
Venice: Venice has two airports. The main airport is Venice Marco Polo but some airlines such as Ryanair fly to Venice ‘Treviso'. There is a 15 minute drive between these two airports. The easiest transfer from Venice to Bressanone (Brixen) is by train. Tickets can be bought in advance. From either airport you must first transfer by bus to Venice Mestre main rail way station (15 minutes approximately), and then take the train 3 - 3.5 hours north to reach Bressanone (Brixen). Train times can be sourced here either with: Deutsche Bahn or Trenitalia. Ticket prices vary depending on sales and the time of the day expect to pay 20-40 Euros one way.
A useful link which gives other options, such as the buses from Verona or Venice is Rome2Rio which gives a map and overall picture taking 3h30-5h50 respectively.
Innsbruck: From Innsbruck airport use the airport free shuttle bus from the airport to Innsbruck central railway station: it takes 15 mins and leaves every 10 minutes. Then take the train to Brixen/Bressanone, taking about 1h35. The train from Innsbruck departs hourly, in the direction of Brennero/Brenner: change here for a train in the direction of Merano.
The best website for train/bus links across the Sud Tirol/Dolomites region is the SudTirol Mobil website. Searching: Innsbruck, Hauptbahnhof to Bressanone, Stazione. It also provides 'Google' maps of the exact station location.
Munich: From Munich airport to Brixen/Bressanone there is the Alto Adige Dolomites Airport Shuttle. This is run by Sudtirol Bus. The bus picks up at Terminals 1 and 2 at Munich Airport, but also at Innsbruck Airport.
Other bus options are Deutsche Bahn and OEBB and Flixbus. You can try both Munich Airport to/from Bressanone and Munich Hauptbahnhof to/from Bressanone. Using Hauptbahnhof often results in a far cheaper price and it is easy to connect to/from the train at Munich Ost. Buy a ticket from/to the airport at a machine - line 1 or 8, and remember to stamp the ticket before getting on the train.
Trenitalia - it is also worth checking the Italian train network for Brixen/Bressanone to Innsbruck (or vice versa) and then the cost of Innsbruck to/from Munich Flughafen or Munich Hauptbahnhof on Deutsche Bahn & OEBB.
RailEurope is also helpful for finding other train times from Munich airport (3h20), Verona (2h15) or Venice (3h50).
Please contact us if you need further advice on your specific travel requirements.
Activity, Injury and Mountain Rescue
It is a condition of booking that you are insured against medical expenses, injury, illness, death, cost of repatriation and personal accident risks. For all of our trips your insurance must also cover mountain rescue. The exception to this is if the trip is being held in the United Kingdom or Norway where mountain rescue is free of charge. Please ensure that your insurance covers you to the maximum altitude given on your trip itinerary. The maximum altitude for any trip can be checked on the 'At A Glance' box on each trip page.
Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Insurance
You should also have insurance to cover trip cancellation and curtailment. Insurance should be booked as soon as we have confirmed that your trip is going ahead. Note that your deposit and balance payments are non-refundable unless it is Tracks and Trails who cancel the trip due to a failure to reach the required minimum numbers. In this case we will offer you a refund or the option of transferring to another trip if one is available. We also advise that you should have insurance which covers baggage loss/equipment damage as Tracks and Trails will not be held responsible for loss/damage to baggage/equipment.
All of the above insurances are detailed in our Terms and Conditions. For further details, please read the Insurance section on our website.
Summer mountain weather in the European Alps can vary considerably, and in this respect it is no different to any mountain environment where the terrain influences the weather and it can change from valley to valley.
However, in the summer months it is generally good in the Alps, but it can deliver everything from glorious sunshine, to rain, fog, high winds and even snow. Temperatures can reach over 30°Celsius (86°F) in July and August, but can drop to 5°Celsius (41°F) on the high passes, or 'Cols' as they are known in the Alps. Essentially, as with all mountain journeys, you should be prepared for any eventuality. The average temperatures range from 15-25°Celsius (59-77°F) in the valleys and 5-15°Celsius (41-59°F) on the passes.
Even in mid-summer we can be faced with overnight snow especially when we have spent the night in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut at higher altitude.
When packing for a trip in the mountains it is important to have appropriate equipment and clothing. This kit list features items we believe are necessary for the weather you might encounter and accommodation you will be staying in. If you have any questions with regards to what to bring, do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
Drinking Water - on this trip we stay in a number of mountain huts where the only safe source of drinking water is to buy bottled water. As well as being environmentally unsustainable this can also be very expensive. For this reason you may wish to consider a water filtration system. We avoid recommending any specific product and ask that you do your own research into the safest and most efficient system.
Equipment
Clothing
Comfort
Documentation
Personal First Aid
Items for the nights in mountain huts/rifugios
Additional Items
**Supplementary snacks if you follow a gluten free or coeliac diet**
Leaders are all first aid trained and will carry their own first aid kit
On many of our trips there will be an element of 'group kit' which will be shared amongst our guests. As mountain people you will be used to team work and working together to the mutual benefit and safety of the group.
The 'group kit' will be minimal and usually just a case of sharing a few lightweight 'survival shelters'. For example on a week-long trip you may carry a small shelter for just one day before passing it on to the next person.
If you are booking a trip in winter there will be a few additional safety items. These will be distributed in such a way that no one is over burdened.
Other group items necessary for safety and comfort will be carried by your guide/instructor.
For each of our trips a minimum number of guests is required before we can confirm that your trip will go-ahead. The minimum and maximum number of guests on your trip is displayed in the 'At a Glance' box on the righthand side of the trip page.
We strongly advise you do not book travel until we have confirmed your trip is 'guaranteed' to run. If you book travel before we have confirmed it is 'guaranteed' we cannot be held responsible for any financial loss if the trip does not go ahead.
When booking a holiday as a solo traveller a twin bedded room comprising of two single beds, is booked as standard. This will be with someone of the same gender unless you request to pay extra for your own room. Single rooms are often limited in supply so if you would like to pay a supplement for a single room we urge you to get in touch as soon as possible. As many of the overnights on this trip are in rifugios a single room will only be possible on certain nights. This trip has a single supplement of £180, available for the three nights in Bressanone and at Passo San Pellegrino.
Tracks and Trails go to great lengths to work with first class guides and instructors who are passionate about their work. They are all fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation for the countries that they work in.
Note your guide has complete discretion to make a daily decision on whether or not to take the advertised route based on the weather and the ability of the members of the group. They have our authority to make any route changes they believe are necessary in the interests of safety and enjoyment.
Your hiking guide will be a fully qualified and experienced International Mountain Leader. International Mountain Leaders are not only qualified to ensure the safe management of the group, but are also a source of knowledge about the local flora and fauna, and traditions of the area which you are visiting. You can learn more about our guides and instructors on the About Us page.
On this particular trip, due to the inaccessible nature of the Rifugio’s there will not be any luggage support. In other words when we leave Brixen/Bressanone you will carry what you need for the entire trip in your rucksack. In reality this is not much more than what you would carry each day, just a few additional items. This type of trip is usually a very satisfying and rewarding experience allowing you to ‘cast aside’ unrequired material possessions for the duration of the trip. We are happy to discuss this with you if you wish to be reassured with regard to which items you need to carry.
We do not include lunches in your trip fee for various reasons, the most important of which is food waste. In general our guests have particular tastes and requirements for 'trail' or 'hill' food and it is better you purchase your own snacks rather than throw away items from the picnic lunch which we would supply.
Lunches on our trips are 'picnic' style lunches, in other words you take a packed lunch with sufficient snacks, food and fluid to sustain you throughout the day. Buying snacks and trying local specialities is a great way to inter-act with local people and to practise your language skills.
If there is the possibility of lunch being taken at a restaurant/farm/cafe beside the trail, your guide/instructor will advise you of this. Each evening you can order a picnic or a sandwich from the hotel, or your guide/instructor will advise you of other options such as a local shop or market. In all cases we would ask you to settle any 'bill' for lunch or drinks the evening before you depart, and not in the morning when there may be a queue.
On your itinerary you will find an indication of the amount of ascent and descent you can expect each day. This offers a guideline to how much effort might be expended each day and allows you to decide, based on previous experience, if your fitness and stamina are correct for the trip.
We make every attempt to ensure these statistics are as accurate as possible, but ask you to note that the most modern of technology used to record these details can show considerable variations in terms of ascent, descent, and in particular distance. In other words no two people using GPS devices on the same route will have exactly the same details recorded at the end of the day.
The statistics given should be used as a 'general' indication of the effort required.
Your leader will carry the correct maps and you are not expected to navigate, but if you would like to have maps of the itinerary you could consider those listed below:
Tabacco Maps 030: Brixen - Villnossertal 1:25,000
Tabacco Maps 07: Alta Badia 1:25,000
Tabacco Maps 015: Marmolada - Pelmo 1:25,000
Tabacco Maps 022: Pale di San Martino 1:25,000
It is useful to arrive at your destination with some cash in the local currency, however, on most occasions it is relatively easy to visit a 'cash machine' after arrival and withdraw money on a credit or debit card. Some of our locations are an exception to this where the accommodation will often have no facilities for withdrawing cash, but they will take a credit card.
On many of our trips we will visit remote cafes/farms where it is wonderful to enjoy a drink and a cake, at places such as these they will often only accept payment in the local currency in cash.
Food
On all of our trips we encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes.
If you are vegetarian catering for your diet is not generally a problem. If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy/intolerance we would ask that you make your needs clear on your booking form so we can discuss your requirements with the accommodation as soon as possible. A diet that is not related to an allergy/intolerance or beliefs cannot be catered for. It is simply not possible for mountain accommodation to deal with many variations in diet while providing meals for groups.
In addition, if you have an allergy/intolerance we would suggest you bring/purchase suitable snacks as a supplement to the picnic lunches. At times finding gluten free bread, for example, can be an issue. If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet, gluten or lactose intolerance please contact us.
We request that you do not CHANGE your dietary requirements during the trip as we will have pre-ordered your meals.
Water
The countries we visit all have tap water which is drinkable. If for any reason a particular hotel or mountain hut is having a problem with a water supply they will normally post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water.
In some countries such as Switzerland and Italy it’s not uncommon for restaurants to charge for tap water. If this is the case then Tracks and Trails will pay for the tap water at the accommodation during the evening meal when on half board, but not at lunch stops.
A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for the country you are visiting, paying attention to your citizenship. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice.
New European Travel Regulations from mid 2025
If you are a guest travelling to one of our European holidays you may be impacted by a significant change to travel regulations expected to be in place from the middle of 2025. The new EITAS scheme will start operating this year and, whilst a start date is not yet confirmed, it is likely to affect our summer holidays in 2025 and any winter holiday thereafter. As your holiday approaches we recommend that you check for updates on the website HERE.
We ask that you carry a paper copy of your passport with you on your trip. We suggest keeping your passport in your rucksack, and a paper copy of your passport in any luggage you might have. If your trip is without luggage transfers then keep a paper copy somewhere in your rucksack, separate from your original document.
We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:
Plug, Socket & Voltage by Country
Note that if your trip involves staying in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut that electric sockets may be in short supply and for that night you may not be able to charge any items. Although the accommodation will have electricity this will often be supplied by solar panels or a generator and limited to use by the staff. For this reason we advise that carrying a small slimline and lightweight 'battery pack' can be very useful for recharging phones which many of you will also use as your camera.
Optional Extra: A via ferrata, which in Italian means the 'iron way', is a mountain route with fixed ‘protection’ such as metal ladders, handles and chain that you remain attached to using a climbing harness. This allows access to isolated trail systems, rocky cliff lines and summits normally reserved for skilled rock climbers. The technique was initially developed by soldiers in the First World War, but has now become an established, safe and popular sport. If you would like to try this activity before or after your trip then please ask us for more details.
Please note, we only use qualified IFMGA Guides for this activity and it is in addition to the proposed itinerary.
A via ferrata, which in Italian means the 'iron way', is a mountain route with fixed ‘protection’ such as metal ladders, handles and chain that you remain attached to using a climbing harness. This allows access to isolated trail systems, rocky cliff lines and summits normally reserved for climbers. The technique was initially developed by soldiers in the First World War, but has become an established, safe and popular sport. If you would like to try this activity before or after your trip then please ask us for more details. NB: Please note, we only use qualified IFMGA Guides for this activity and it is in addition to the proposed itinerary.
Tracks and Trails pays guides/instructors a fair and appropriate fee for their professional service. However, if you feel your guide/instructor has provided an excellent service that went 'above and beyond' then it is at the discretion of each guest whether to tip or not. Guests will often give a tip of between 2 - 5 per cent of the total value of their trip. It is entirely up to you and any gesture will no doubt be appreciated no matter the size.
Before booking consider whether you expect to be in the appropriate physical condition on the date of your departure to allow you to fully participate in and enjoy your holiday. If you have any doubts because of an illness or injury it would be advisable to check with your doctor.
For UK residents travelling to an EU country you should obtain and bring with you a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment in certain European countries, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance.
If you have a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it will be valid until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you’ll need to apply for a GHIC to replace it. The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Please check this before departing. We advise that you always carry your insurance documents with details of the Emergency Medical telephone number for your insurance provider, and your policy number.
We feel strongly about protecting the environment and do not encourage the use of single-use plastic items. We would ask that you arrive with a ‘water bottle’ or ‘hydration system’ that can be used repeatedly. We would point out that we operate a ‘zero tolerance’ for rubbish, and would ask you to remove all your rubbish items from the mountain even those you consider to be bio-degradable. In particular we ask that you remove any toilet tissue.
You can read our full policy here.
Working across international boundaries, and with various currencies means that the price of our trips can change overnight. We have, however, undertaken to guarantee that once you have paid your deposit the price of your trip is fixed. In this respect we urge you to book early to ensure that you receive the price advertised on our website. The website price may increase due to currency fluctuations, but we guarantee that the price advertised on the date of your booking will be maintained in your individual case.
We believe in team work, and enjoy working with other small high quality companies. In this respect due to the specialised nature of our holidays, we co-sell a number of trips with 'partner' companies. All the trips being sold by Tracks and Trails are organised by Tracks and Trails, but you may find guests from other companies on your trip. Partners are carefully selected to ensure they reflect our ethos and standards. By encouraging other companies to sell our trips it means your chosen holiday may reach its 'minimum' number earlier, allowing us to guarantee the trip and to give you the go-ahead to book your travel arrangements. We guarantee that companies with whom we work will offer the same price package. If you have any questions about this policy contact us and we will be happy to discuss it with you.
Prices may vary depending on date.
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sat 12 Jul - Sun 20 Jul Code: AVH1 |
Price: £2375 | Spaces available | Book |
|
Sun 07 Sep - Mon 15 Sep Code: AVH2 |
Price: £2375 | Full |
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sat 11 Jul - Sun 19 Jul Code: AVH1 |
Price: £2475 | Spaces available | Book |
|
Sat 29 Aug - Sun 06 Sep Code: AVH2 |
Price: £2475 | Spaces available | Book |
| From Price | £2375 |
| Holiday Type | Walking |
| Duration | 9 Days |
| Group Size | 4-10 |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Maximum Altitude | 2932m (9616ft) |
| Countries Visited | Italy |
| Meet In | Brixen/Bressanone, Italy |
