Hello to all,
having spent part of my early childhood in the Trentino area of Italy, I always marveled at the mountains nearby and after leaving at age 8 promised myself that one day I would come back and hike in the Dolomites... I did make it into the Brenta Dolomites on two occasions as a student many moons ago but finally managed to book 3 weeks off next September specifically to hike mainly on the Alta Via 1 and 2 but am having trouble finalizing an itinerary. One limitation is that I will not have car and thus must rely on public transport for my transfers and some bus routes stop running after summer. The other dilemma is simply deciding on a route for the 12-14 days I will have for the hiking.
Planning to start with a hike on part of the AV 2 and was thinking of leaving from Passo Gardena to Rifugio Boé, then to Viel del Pan, Rifugio Maria and down to Passo Pordoi. Would like to avoid any via ferrata that require equipment thus my hesitation in continuing around the Marmolada. For the Alta Via 1, which I would do immediately afterwards (thus bus transfer or cab required), I am looking at the 1st half of the section including from Lago di Braies to Biella (and climb to Croda del Becco), maybe a day hike towards Vallandro and back, on to Lavarella, then Lagazuoi (would like to include Nuvoleau) and then exit via Dibona and from there to Cortina. My other option is to start near Rif. Auronzo and make my way to Locatelli, hike around the Tre Cime, and then make my way to Vallandro and Biella and continue from there (but that would mean missing Lago di Braies...)
I have ordered all required Tabacco maps which will help me see my options better but these alas are still on back order. Any suggestions on how to best optimize my time and route would be greatly appreciated.
Mille grazie!