Does anyone have experience of doing Alta Via II in late September ? When do the huts close? If the huts close are there any other options?

Hi Tom,

Huts generally close in mid September. Check out the individual hut web-sites.

Some huts have a winter room, but if using them you'll need to carry sleeping gear, food etc.

Day lengths are shorter, with poorer weather, but the treks may be quite feasible in their own right.

Enjoy the great Dolomites !

Generally late September is the best time togo to the mountains. I'll be in the southern Dolomites myself during that timeframe. However, I won't go on any Alta Via. Generally, you should really look up the refuges. Since the Alte Vie are so popular they often stay open longer than the regular mountain huts.

If huts are closed, you can bring a tent and camp wild. I don't know the official Italian rules, but even in August I've seen the occasional tent high up in the mountains as well as by the side of the road (well away from any village), and nobody seems to mind.

From the climatic point of view the period is excellent.
As a general rule, most of the Dolomites shelters located on the Alte Vie are open until the third Sunday of September, but to be sure it is good to consult the websites of the shelters concerned.