Hiking in the Dolomites

April 20, 2004 2:34 PM

I was planning on hiking along the Alta Via 1 trail in the Dolomites within the next few weeks and I was wondering if anyone had experience in this region. Is it safe during springtime without proper hiking/snow equipment? Can the higher mountains with snow be avoided? Thanks for any tips or suggestions!
posted by RGD to travel & transportation around Falcade, Italy (1 answer total)

I hiked Alta Via but it was in September (1991) so I can't tell you what it's like in spring. I wasn't well prepared - I was in Italy on a business trip and snuck away for a few days with a colleague at the end for some hiking and therefore didn't have my regular gear with me - but because of the refugi I was OK with just a large day pack. I did buy a good pair of boots there and couldn't have done it without them. . There was snow on the North faces of some peaks but none on the trails. It was cool - I saw some ptarmigans and a chamois. I climbed Tofana di Rozes - no gear needed because of the Via Ferrata (affixed cables and ladders). Everyone I met hiking was German or Austrian.
posted by TimeFactor at 8:19 PM on April 20, 2004