Trail Running
Alta Via 2

Trail Running on the Dolomites’ Alta Via #2 is a challenge made for mountain trail runner lovers.

The 5-stage tour covers 115 km with over 6,000 m of gain.
Accompanied by a local tour escort, the tour starts in Passo delle Erbe and ends in Col di Pra.

Alta Via #2 on the Dolomites also includes daily baggage transfer from hut to hut, so you can run the Dolomites’ most beautiful trails with a minimum load on your back.

 Length 7 nights

 Level °°°°°

Arrival in Alta Badia: 

After arriving in Alta Badia and checking into the hotel, it’s time to relax after the journey and enjoy the beautiful mountain atmosphere.

Acclimatization day: 

Today is dedicated to acclimatization. Relax, take a walk to stretch your legs, and get used to the altitude and the mountains. In the late afternoon/evening, there will be a general briefing about the route with a local expert from Holimites.

1st stage: approx. 24,5 km (15,2 miles) with +1.600 m (5250 feet) elevation gain; -1.400 m (4600 feet) elevation loss
Transfer to the Passo delle Erbe. We start our tour running southwards immersed in the Puez-Odle Natural Park. Running at the foot of Piz Duleda and Piza de Puez we reach Forcella Cier, from where we descent to Passo Gardena. 

2nd stage: approx. 27,5 km (17 miles) with +1.350 m (4400 feet) e.g.;
-1.450 m (4800 feet) e.l.
From Passo Gardena we run around the Sella massif eastwards to the Passo Pordoi. From here, we start one of the most panoramic trails - the “Viel del Pan” while admiring the breathtaking view on the Marmolada, also called “Queen of the Dolomites”, and the Fedaia Lake at its foot, where our day-tour ends. 

3rd stage: approx. 18,5 km (11,5 miles) with +1.250 m(4100 feet) e.g.;
-1.300 m (4270 feet) e.l.
From Passo Fedaia we descend to Val di Fassa passing through the Contrin valley and along the Passo delle Girelle, arriving directly at Passo San Pellegrino. 

4th stage: approx. 26 km (16 miles) with +1.650 m (5400 feet) e.g.;
-1.050 m (3450 feet) e.l.
We cross the grassy meadows of the San Pellegrino ski resort and once we reach altitude we can admire the panorama of the Pelmo, Civetta and Tofane mountains. We continue to Passo Rolle and run along the elegant and majestic coral mountains, the Pale di San Martino, to Rifugio Rosetta. 

5th stage: approx. 18,5 km (11,5 miles) with +150 m (490 feet) e.g.;
-1.850 m (6100 feet) e.l.
We leave the Pale-plateau behind us and start the descent towards Col di Pra/Taibon Agordino.

Departure.

You have the possibility to do this tour with one of our local tour experts, or, if you prefer, a self-guided tour.

What are the advantages of an escorted tour with a local expert?

• The local expert knows the trails like the back of his hand, and is also well informed about mountains, fauna and flora, and the many traditions of the Dolomites world. Are you already fascinated by the Dolomite legends?
• The tour is enriched with so much knowledge and information.
  ales, stories, and high quantity of tips from locals - from people who grew up here and have much more to tell than the best book.
• Luggage transport from hut to hut is also a big plus.
  You can hike with a small backpack, because your luggage is already waiting for you in the next hut.
• In addition to breakfast , lunch and dinner are also included. Of course, the local expert knows where you get the best dumplings, the most delicious pasta, and the most fluffy cake.
• The weather, or more specifically, bad weather, is not to be underestimated in the mountains, and our local experts have years of experience with it. In case of thunderstorms, rain or even snowfall (yes, even in August it can snow sometimes), they know exactly what to do.
• The correct estimation of the hiking pace is a skill learned over time. When hiking alone, it’s difficult to keep the same pace. This can result in a serious miscalculation of walking time. The guide know exactly when it’s time to take a break, or to push the group with a chocolate bar.
• The community: during our guided tours, people meet who already have something in common from the beginning: the love for nature and being active. The popularity of our guides with the various hut owners can also turn out to be a great benefit (we just say: Grappa!).

ESCORTED TOURS 2025

• from August 25th to September 01st

KEEP IT PRIVATE:

Do you want to reserve one of our guided tours exclusively for you and your group of friends? Choose any tour that you like, contact us and remember to tell us how many people are in your group. We will send you a personalized quote based on the number of participants.

SELF-GUIDED TOUR:

from mid June to the beginning of October

If you opt for the self-guided tour, you can choose your preferred travel time.
Send us you estimated dates of arrival/departure and we will send you a detailed offer.

ARRIVAL:

Holimites is keen to help you plan and organize your arrival and departure. Together we will find the best travel solution, and we will help you to book bus or train tickets, arrange the car rental, or book a private transfer service.

Here you will find more information about travel to the Dolomites.

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

• Bookings of all accommodations

• Overnight stay with breakfast
• Briefing with one of our local trail experts
• Detailed hiking map and roadbook
• All taxes
• Special Holimites Trail Running souvenir

*INCLUDED DURING THE ESCORTED TOUR

• All services mentioned under "included in the price"

• Full board during the stages (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
• Dinner not included during the last stage
• Local tour escort at your disposal during the tour
• Luggage transfer form hut to hut 
• Maps and roadbooks are not included during the escorted tour

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

• Beverages and anything not mentioned under the heading "Included in the price"
• Cancellation insurance

EXTRA CHARGES

• Additional days: starting from € 130,00 per person / night
• Single room: € 160,00 (available only in hotels, not in huts)
• High season (from the end of July to mid-September):  € 150,00 € per person

What is Trail Running?
Rather than a discipline, TrailRunning is a philosophy. Moving through mountain terrain unencumbered by weight and as an athlete, one experiences the mountains as a visitor looking outward as well as an athlete looking inside of oneself. Trail Running allows for new opportunities in contact with nature, away from noise and lets the runner experience their sport at a special level.

Do we have to be able to run uninterrupted to participate?
Participating in a group trail run requires having to keep up a certain pace in order to finish the scheduled stages. If your legs are shutting down or your physical preparedness is constraining the rest of the group to slow down and making group compatibility problematic, your tour escort may decide you need to tone down, leaving the pack. Your alternatives in this case are:

a) to shuttle throughout the day on the service van, each day, to the next hut or

b) to take a shuttle 'bump up' to the last hotel, where you can finish your vacation doing some great day runs.

With a lot of years of of experience with groups on the Alta Via 2 we have a little statistics on the running abilities of every runner. If you run a marathon under 3 hours you are able to run on average 70% of each stage; 3 to 3,5 hours = 50%; 3,5 to 4,5 hours= 40%

I have some Issues with elevation, is that a problem?
The runs each day are between 1.500 and 2.300 meters altitude (between 4,900 and 7,500 feet). In addition, the huts for the overnight stays are above 2100 meters (6,900 feet). If you have trouble with high elevations, please consult a doctor or medical professional for their expert opinion before booking this trip.

Is training necessary?
Yes, for the Alta Via 2, it is absolutely necessary to be well trained. We suggest training 4 times per week for 10 to 15 km (6 to 10 miles) on unpaved ground.

Which one is the most difficult program offerd by Holimites?
Alta Via 2 is considered to be the most difficult program offered by Holimites due to the length of the stages and the difference in altitude covered. If you've never been trail running in the Dolomites, we suggest you begin with our program "Best of Alta Via 1&2" or Alta Via #1 offer.

I'm in a good shape, have trained and can run the stages. Are the stages well marked?
For security reasons you can't outrun the whole group and wait at the end point. But you also don't need to keep the pace of the group if you want to run faster. Our tour escort will tell you day by day until which intersection you can run alone and then wait, or run back to join again the group.

What specific clothing do you recommend?
For trail running, we suggest you always carry a light hydration pack with a few layers such as a light insulation jacket, gloves and a hat. Also, keep in mind that the weather in the mountains can quickly change. We suggest packing some warmer and comfortable clothing as well which can be left in your bag that we that we will transfer for you from hut to hut. 
Note: In some huts, bags are transported via a cableway and thus there are some weight restrictions. If this case pertains to your group, your guide will give clear instructions on acceptable baggage weight which depends on the number of participants in your group.

The programs on the catalog don‘t match my expectations. Are there alternative offers?
On request, Holimites can customize a program for you. Is the tour too long or the stages to challenging? Do you prefer a different itinerary? Would you like to book some extra days to relax in the hotel or on a mountain hut? Just send us a request and we will do our best to meet your needs.

Overnight stay on the mountain huts...
You will be surprised of how lovely our mountain huts are. However, they have to be considered a rifugio in the mountains and not a hotel. So you won’t find all the luxury features you find in the towns.
In the huts there are blankets and pillows. We suggest to bring sleeping bags inlay with you.
All hotels and huts are well informed about dietary restrictions, like gluten or lactose intolerance. Everywhere you will find a vegetarian or vegan alternative.
Not all huts accept credit cards. So we suggest to bring some cash with you, to pay drinks, snacks or extras which are not included in the offer.

What about having lunch in the mountains?
For lunch you can stop in one of the huts to taste some traditional food or you have the possibility to buy a lunch package in the hut where you overnight.

What about dinner?

All the mountain huts where you'll be staying offer dinner service, which you can decide to join on the same day. When you'll stay in a hotel you have the option to dine at the hotel's restaurant or, if you prefer, explore the town to find a restaurant that suits your taste.

Should I expect to climb a Via Ferrata?
Our standard programs don't include a Via Ferrata. But gladly we can organize one for you with a certified IFMGA-UIAGM Alpine Guide. There is the opportunity to do the Via Ferrata during a stage or you can add an extra day at the beginning or at the end of your tour.