FAQ
Frequently asked questions
The questions we get most often about planning a hut-to-hut trek in the Italian Dolomites.
- Is Dolomites Planner free?
- Yes. Planning routes, browsing rifugi, and reading guides is free. We may add a paid tier later for offline maps, GPX export bundles, and more saved itineraries.
- Do you book the huts for me?
- No. We link directly to each rifugio's official booking page, email, or phone. The most popular Dolomites huts often fill within days of bookings opening.
- When should I book my rifugi?
- For July and August trips, book in January or February if you can. For June and September, 2 to 3 months ahead is often enough. Always reconfirm by email a week before arrival.
- Where does the rifugi data come from?
- We seed from public CAI sources and verify coordinates against official references. Opening dates, prices, and contacts change every season. If you spot something wrong, report it.
- How does the planner pick overnight stops?
- The planner targets about 5 to 7 hours of hiking per day, prefers staffed rifugi over emergency bivouacs, and connects them on real trails.
- Do I need to be a CAI member?
- Not required, but it often pays for itself in a few nights. CAI members usually get meaningful discounts on overnight stays in CAI-owned huts and sometimes rescue cover.
- Can I hike the Alta Vie without via ferrata experience?
- Alta Via 1 is mostly standard hiking. Alta Via 2 to 6 include obligatory via ferrata sections. If you've never used a ferrata set, AV1 is the safer starting point.
- What's the difference between a rifugio and a bivacco?
- A rifugio is a staffed mountain hut with beds and meals. A bivacco is an unstaffed emergency shelter with no guaranteed food or water. We don't use bivacchi as planned overnights.
- What if a hut is closed when I arrive?
- Dolomites huts close outside season and sometimes mid-season because of weather or staffing. Always verify directly with the hut 48 hours before arrival.
- Is the trail data accurate for GPS and offline use?
- Trail geometry comes from OpenStreetMap and is usually strong in the Dolomites. It is still a planning aid, so carry the right Tabacco paper map as backup.