The rugged loveliness of the Italian Alps, a topographical collage of craggy peaks, cerulean lakes, and scenic mountain hamlets, attracts hikers from around the globe. Although many visitors flock to the well-trodden trails of the Dolomites or the Matterhorn, the Italian Alps are home to several hidden gems for those who don’t mind getting off the beaten trail. And then these more secret walks let you be that much closer to beautiful nature, far away from the crowds, and, indeed, give you a great opportunity to get a feel for that amazing central and northern Italian landscape.
For the adventurous hiker, several of these trials are also hut-to-hut hiking in the Dolomites, where you can immerse yourself in the beauty of the mountains while enjoying the comforts of a cozy alpine refuge. These are some of the most exciting and least visited hikes in the Italian Alps.
Val di Fassa To the Sassolungo
The Val di Fassa in the Dolomites is often eclipsed by the more popular hiking destinations in the region. But in this valley are some of the most beautiful yet less well-trodden trails in the Dolomites. The hike from Val di Fassa to the Sassolungo Group features dramatic views of vertical peaks, glens, meadows, and empty valleys. This hike, commonly found by those looking to experience hut-to-hut hiking in the Dolomites, can be completed in a few days with mountain huts to stay at on their way. Here, a proper overview of what I can call one of the great joys of the trail: its incredible diversity of landscapes: lush meadows, dense forests, cliffs, and rocky outcrops. On this trail, a high point is at the Sassolungo refuge, where you can take in the Sassolungo group, magnificent serrated rocks, one of the superstar chains in the Dolomites.
The Alta Via 2 (AV2)
While the legendary Alta Via 1 is the most popular long-distance hike in the Dolomites, the alternate Alta Via 2 (AV2) offers a more rugged, less traveled experience. The Alta Via 2, which traverses 160 kilometers from north to south, from Lake Braies to Belluno, is considered to be the more challenging of the two Alta Via treks, featuring steeper climbs and rockier terrain. But it passes through some of the Dolomites’ most spectacular scenery, including the trail’s high mountain passes, sweeping meadows, and hidden valleys. Perhaps one of the longest hikes in the region, yet ideal for you if you seek hut-to-hut hiking in the Dolomites, it boasts a plethora of refugios along the way so you can stay and eat. The Alta Via 2 meanders through fewer crowded hot spots than the Alta Via 1 through the rugged beauties of the Dolomites, making this a less-touristed route.
Montasio Plateau
For a more remote and peaceful hiking experience, head to the Montasio Plateau in the Julian Alps, located along the border of Italy and Slovenia. This area of the Italian Alps — where mass tourism hasn’t yet run rampant — is the perfect place to search for untouched wilderness.
Climbing to the Montasio Summit (2,754 meters) is an exhilarating hike that rewards you with views of the entire Julian Alps as well as the Adriatic Sea and even as far as Slovenia. Hikers will hike through alpine meadows, cliffs, and forests when hitting the trail here, making this a great place for anyone who likes to hike the road less traveled. Montasio Plateaus Lindicle trail, in particular, ranks among the best hut-to-hut hiking Dolomites trails as it features crisscrossing miles between dozens of mountainous margins, where you can stop and feast on traditional alpine recipes. Its relative isolation means this trail is less popular than many in the Dolomites, allowing fans a quieter sense of the mountains, an intimate experience.
Gran Paradiso National Park
Gran Paradiso National Park is one of the oldest in Italy and includes some of the most beautiful and least touristy hikes in the Italian Alps. Situated in the Graian Alps towards the French border, the park’s namesake, Gran Paradiso, is the highest peak in the region at 4,061 meters. The park includes a handful of hikes, from easy walks to challenging scrambles, and is teeming with wildlife, from ibex to chamois to golden eagles. For that yearning for beautiful and quieter hiking trails, the Valle di Cogne conceals a jewel that sparkles with its spectacular glaciers, silvery crystalline lakes, and beautiful mountain villages. Or you can experience hut-to-hut trekking in the Dolomites here, and there are plenty of refuges that can be overnight.
Ortles-Cevedale Group is a stunning and very remote area in the Italian Alps. However, this region is much less crowded than the Dolomites or the Matterhorn, offering solitude and peace while hiking.
The Ortles summit is a difficult climb, but many other trails in the region provide spectacular views without requiring mountaineering skills. If you like a bit of silence, the Val Venosta can be perfect for you, plus getting these few days on the mountains will help you with a lot of hut-to-hut hiking in the Dolomites. This valley is much less visited than the other (very touristy) valleys of the Dolomites.
Val Grande National Park
It’s an immersive hiking experience, with deep wooded valleys and steep ridges, and any number of wild rivers, if you have the energy to hunt down the park’s secret wonders. Pa Henryk’s park includes a system of trails, from short walks to multi-day hikes. It’s an excellent choice for those people looking to escape the masses and immerse themselves in an unspoiled, pristine setting. But there are also a few small and rustic refuges within the Val Grande, making it an enviable area to do those hut-to-hut hikes in the Dolomites.
Conclusion
A mecca of sorts beckons the adventurous mind of the dedicated outdoorsperson in the Italian Alps. But between the Dolomites and the other tourist hot spots are myriad off-the-beaten-path hikes that deliver solitude, peace, and wow — stunning natural beauty. And whether you’re hiking the dramatic scenery of the Montasio Plateau, the gentle pathways of the Gran Paradiso National Park, or the remote Ortles-Cevedale Group, these hidden gems are never far from hand-crafted cheeses, tiramisu, or gelato — the perfect respite in the heart of the Italian Alps. Hut-to-hut hiking in the Dolomites for a taste of the Italian Alps. If you want to see the beauty of the Italian Alps as much as it can be experienced, hut-to-hut hiking in the Dolomites, meaning staying in mountain refuges, will do the job.
