Rifugio Biella

We have rated our tours on a difficulty scale from 1 to 5, with 1 being the easiest and 5 being the most challenging. The difficulty level of a tour indicates how fit you need to be and how much hiking is required. All of our Alta Via 1 tours are suitable for people who are regularly active and can hike for about six to eight hours per day.

In addition to the physical demands of the hike, there is also a technical difficulty level to consider. This refers to the skill level required to navigate the path. A level 1 trail is smooth and wide, like a gravel road, while a level 5 trail is uneven and exposed, requiring the use of your hands for balance. Essentially, the higher the technical difficulty level, the more surefooted and skilled in scrambling you need to be.

We recommend booking your tour as soon as possible to secure a spot, as accommodations along the trail tend to fill up quickly. This will help you ensure that you have a place to stay during your trip.

In the event of an injury, it is best to call local emergency services. While you may be in a remote area and unable to continue without further exacerbating your injury, it is important to remember that you will be hiking along popular trails and will not be completely stranded.

However, if you are feeling too tired to continue hiking, you can choose to reroute towards the nearest town along the trail and find public transportation there. Although Alta Via 1 does not pass directly through any large towns, it does pass close to some of them.

No. The huts provide blankets and pillows for comfort, but it is a good idea to bring your own sleeping liner to reduce the need for the huts to wash their bed linens every day. If you don’t, you might need to buy one on the spot.

Cell phone reception in the mountains can be unreliable. You may be able to get a signal if you can see a town or if you are near a mountain hut. Even if you cannot get a signal inside the hut, you may be able to get one by stepping outside. Wi-fi is not widely available in the mountains, and is only offered at select lodges.

If you dress appropriately, you can typically complete most stages of the hike even in light rain. However, if a storm is forecasted, it is important to not hike and to wait until the storm passes, even if that means spending an additional day at the hut. This is for your own safety.

Most accommodations offer vegetarian meal options, although vegan options may be more difficult to find in huts. However, we will let you know in advance if there are any vegan options available so that you can plan accordingly.

While we do not require you to have insurance before booking, we strongly recommend that you do. Look into joining the Italian Alpine Club, which might provide coverage in the event of any unexpected incidents during your hike.

As long as children are physically prepared for long hiking days and are sure-footed, they should not have any problems participating in the tour. We recommend that children be at least eight years old in order to ensure their safety and enjoyment of the experience.

None of the stages offer any shortcuts if you want to get to the end of your hike. If you get too tired, you can conclude your hike sooner at one of the road-equipped mountain passes or head for the nearest town.