Dolomites

Wild

Alta Via 3

Alta Via 3 hut-to-hut: 100 km from Villabassa to Longarone through the wilder eastern Dolomites — Cadini, Sorapiss and the Antelao.

Open in planner
Distance
100 km
Days
8–10
Ascent
5,610 m
Max altitude
2,655 m

Alta Via 3, the 'Via dei Camosci' (Chamois Way), runs north-to-south through the wildest corner of the Dolomites: from Villabassa in the Val Pusteria down to Longarone in the Belluno valley, crossing the Cadini di Misurina, Sorapiss, Marmarole and Antelao groups.

It is technically harder than AV1 — several days include exposed cabled traverses and one mandatory via ferrata (the Sentiero Vandelli around the Sorapiss lake) — but receives a fraction of the traffic. Most days end at small, family-run rifugi where you'll be one of fifteen guests, not one of eighty.

Highlights

  • Cadini di Misurina from Rifugio Fonda Savio at dawn
  • Lago di Sorapiss — the turquoise lake under the north wall
  • Sentiero Vandelli ferrata around the Sorapiss basin
  • Marmarole ridge from Rifugio Galassi
  • Antelao's south face from Rifugio Antelao

Day-by-day itinerary

  1. Day 1 — Villabassa → Rifugio Vallandro (Dürrensteinhütte)

    8 h
    17 km1500 m620 m

    Hardest day; paths 27/15/16/33/37. Start early.

  2. Day 2 — Rifugio Vallandro → Rifugio Vandelli (Sorapiss)

    5 h + transfer
    12 km370 m980 m

    Trail to Val di Landro, then bus/taxi Carbonin → Misurina, then path 215 up to Vandelli (otherwise a 15 km road walk).

  3. Day 3 — Rifugio Vandelli → San Vito di Cadore

    7 h
    18 km600 m1500 m

    Paths 215/216/223/426; long descent. Optional via Ferrata Berti.

  4. Day 4 — San Vito di Cadore → Rifugio Venezia

    3.5 h
    10 km990 m55 m

    Path 470; shortest ascent-only day.

  5. Day 5 — Rifugio Venezia → Rifugio Remauro / Forcella Cibiana

    6 h
    15 km500 m900 m

    Paths 471/475/493/456/479.

  6. Day 6 — Rifugio Remauro → Rifugio Casèra di Bosconero

    3.5 h
    6 km460 m540 m

    Short but steep; paths 483/485.

  7. Day 7 — Rifugio Bosconero → Bivacco Tovanella

    5 h
    8 km1040 m820 m

    Via Viàz de le Pónte (equipped); bivouac — carry food, no meals served.

  8. Day 8 — Bivacco Tovanella → Longarone

    3 h
    10 km150 m1365 m

    Path 482 to Podenzòi, then descent to Longarone.

Rifugi on this route

  • Rifugio Vallandro
  • Rifugio Vandelli
  • Rifugio Venezia
  • Rifugio Remauro
  • Rifugio Bosconero

Logistics

Getting there
Train to Dobbiaco/Toblach, then the Val Pusteria bus to Villabassa. Or fly to Innsbruck and take the train via Brennero.
Getting back
From Longarone, regional buses and trains run to Belluno (30 min), with onward connections to Venice Mestre.
Permits
No permit required. Some sections cross the Sorapiss and Marmarole protected areas — stay on the marked trail.
Booking
Book by early April for July and August. The Sorapiss section (Vandelli, San Marco) fills first; the back-country huts (Tita Barba, Bosconero) usually have space into May.

Season & difficulty

Best season
Early July to mid-September
Difficulty
Demanding
Start
Villabassa / Niederdorf (BZ)
End
Longarone (BL)

What to pack

  • B/C-rated approach boots
  • Via ferrata set (lanyard, harness, helmet) — mandatory for Sentiero Vandelli
  • 30–35 L pack
  • Sleeping-bag liner
  • Waterproof shell — eastern Dolomites get more rain than the central groups
  • Head-torch
  • Cash (cards rarely accepted at the smaller huts)

FAQ

Is Alta Via 3 harder than Alta Via 1?

Yes. AV3 has more cumulative ascent, more exposed cabled sections, and one mandatory via ferrata (Sentiero Vandelli). Walkers comfortable with cables can do it; AV1-level walkers should treat AV3 as a clear step up.

Is Alta Via 3 quieter than Alta Via 1?

Much quieter. Outside the Sorapiss section (which day-trippers reach from Misurina), most days you'll see fewer than 20 other walkers.

Do I need a via ferrata kit for AV3?

Yes — the Sentiero Vandelli around Lago del Sorapiss has obligatory cables with real exposure. Helmet is also mandatory.

Read next