Synopses & Reviews
As a trekking destination the Italian Dolomites has few peers. Juxtaposing dramatic mountain scenery with picture-perfect Tyrolean villages, and flower-filled alpine meadows with poignant WWI battlefields, this small yet exquisite range rarely fails to enchant and beguile those who visit. This guide has been re-researched and updated to include the two most popular long-distance hikes in the Dolomites--the Alta Via 1 (AV1) and the Alta Via 2 (AV2) as well as shorter walks.
The Alta Via 1 is the classic high level traverse of the Venetian Dolomites, from north to south. It's a nine to fouteen day walk which begins at Lago di Braies in Val Pusteria running along a trail which connects a network of high mountain refuges south to Belluno. The Alta Via 2 is the longest alta via of them all, taking ten to sixteen days.
>55 detailed trekking maps--showing route times, places to stay, and points of interest:
>Alta Via 1 (nine-fourteen days)
>Alta Via 2 (ten-sixteen days)
>15 short treks (one-five days)
>Practical information--planning the trip and getting to Italy from other countries in Europe, North America, and Australasia
>Historical and cultural background--with comprehensive sections on the legends and culture of the indigenous Ladin people
>Cortina, Bolzano, and ten other towns and villages--detailed street plans, where to stay, where to eat, what to see, and getting to the start of a trek
>Green hiking, health, and safety--how to stay healthy on a hike and minimize impact on a fragile region
>Italian language section
>Flora and fauna--four-page full-color guide to the flowers of the Dolomites, plus an illustrated bird identification section
Review
"The Trailblazer series stands head, shoulders, waist and ankles above the rest. They are particularly strong on mapping."--The Sunday Times (UK)
Synopsis
Hiking guide to the AV1 and AV2 trails, the most popular of the long-distance walks in the Italian Dolomites. Includes detailed walking maps, places to stay, and places to eat.
About the Author
Henry Stedman studied economics at Bristol University in England but not even the undoubted thrill of neoclassical endogenous growth theory could keep him from his current calling as a travel writer. He has been writing guidebooks for more than seven years now and is the author or coauthor of half a dozen titles including Trailblazer's guides to
Kilimanjaro and
Coast to Coast, The Bradt Guide to Palestine and the Rough Guides to
Indonesia and
Southeast Asia. When not trekking or traveling, he lives in Hastings, editing other people's guidebooks and putting on weight.
Tristam Jones updated this second edition, adding the Alta Via 1 trail. He is an experienced alpine hiker.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION (1) PART 1: PLANNING YOUR TRIP - With a group or on your own (Independent trekking, Group/guided walks, Trekking agencies: UK, Continental Europe, North America ), Getting to the Dolomites (By air, By car, By coach), Visas and other documents (Visas, Other documents, Insurance), Budgeting, When to go (Temperature tables), Route options (Route map, Long treks, Short treks, Route markings), What to take (Boots, Clothing, Camping equipment, Money, Photographic equipment, Recommended reading, Maps), Mountain safety, Weather and equipment, Emergency procedures, Information and rescue services), Health precautions (2) PART 2: THE DOLOMITES - Facts about the Dolomites (Geographical background , Geology, Climate, Historical outline, The people, Languages, Economy, National parks), Practical information for the visitor (Local transport, Accommodation, Minimum impact trekking, Electricity, Opening hours, National holidays, Money, Post and telecommunications, Food and drink, Things to buy, Security), Fauna and flora (Mammals, Reptiles, Birds, Flora) (3) PART 3: ALTA VIA 1 - Facts about the walk, Rifugio Sènnes, Lago di Bràies, Rifugio Biella, Rifugio Fodàra Védla, Rifugio Pederü,
Rifugio Fànes, Rifugio Lavarella, Rifugio Scotóni, Rifugio Lagazuòi, Rifugio Pomédes, Rifugio Col Gallina, Rifugio Scoiattoli, Rifugio Cinque Torri, Rifugio Averàu, Rifugio Nuvolàu, Rifugio Città di Fiume, Albergo Passo Giàu, Rifugio Passo Staulànza, Casèra Pióda, Rifugio al Coldài "Adolfo Sonino", Rifugio Mario Vazzoler, Rifugio Bruto Carestiato, Rifugio San Sebastiano al Passo Duràn, Rifugio Sommariva al Pramperét, Rifugio "Furio Bianchet" al Pian dei Gat, Rifugio 7° Alpini al Pis Pilón, Belluno (4) PART 4: ALTA VIA 2 - Facts about the walk, Bressanone/Brixen, Bressanone to Rifugio Plose, Rifugio Plose to Rifugio Genova, Rifugio Genova to Rifugio Puez, Rifugio Puez to Rifugio Boè, Rifugio Boè to Malga Ciapèla, Rounding the Marmolada, Traversing the western side of the Marmolada, Malga Ciapèla to Rifugio 0Passo di Valles, Passo di Valles to Rifugio Pedrotti, Rifugio Pedrotti to Rifugio Treviso, Rifugio Treviso to Passo Cereda, Passo Cereda to Rifugio Bòz, Rifugio Bòz to Feltre, Feltre (5) PART 5: SHORT TREKS - Which short trek? One-day trails, Two-day trails, Three- to five-day trails (6) APPENDICES (A: Italian words and phrases, B: Food guide)