trailalmanac.com alta via 4

Alta Via 4

📌

🌐

Northern

Distance

92

km

Elev. Gain

6,750

m

Duration

6

days

Grade

T4

Route

Point-to-Point

Effort

Hard

⚡ Quick Facts
📏
92 km
Distance
📅
6 days
Duration
⛰️
2,584 m
Peak Height
↗️
6,750 m
Elev. Gain
📶
T4
Grade
🏃
Hard
Effort Rating
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🟢 Trail Status
Status Open
Hemisphere Northern
Timezone Europe/Rome
🗂️ Logistics
Visa Schengen Zone
Transport Easy
Parking Yes
Wild Camping Tolerated

📊 Technical Details

Distance: 92 km
Route Type: Point-to-Point
Grade: T4
Grade note:

While much of the path is T3, the mandatory via ferrata sections (like the Sentiero Bonacossa or the descent from Rifugio Vandelli) require a harness, helmet, and a steady head for heights.

Navigation: Moderate
Suck Factor: Mind your step
Direction: SOBO
Total Ascent: 6,750 m
Average distance per day: 15 km
Average ascent per day: 1,125 m
Max Elevation: 2,584 m
Min Elevation: 1,175 m
Highest Point: Forcella del Ghiacciaio
Lowest Point: San Candido (Start)
Start Trailhead: San Candido
End Trailhead: Pozzale

📅 Best Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Peak
Shoulder
Off

💭 Logistics & Budget

🎒 Dirtbag
€45
per day
🎿 Flashpacker
€150
per day
Budget note:

Budget assumes hut stays. Dirtbagging is hard here due to strict wild camping bans; ‘dirtbag’ price reflects AV Alpine Club discounts on dorms and self-catering. You can expect to pay around €70-90 for Half Board (dinner, bed, breakfast) if not a member.

Wild Camping Tolerated
Dog Friendly No
Dogs note Unlike some other Alta Vias, the vertical ladders and cables on AV4 make it nearly impossible for a dog to complete the standard route.
Permit Required No
Permit note

No hiking permit required, but mountain hut reservations are essential.

Transport Access Easy
Trailhead Parking Yes
Visa Schengen Zone
Accommodation

Rifugi are excellent but require booking months in advance. Mandatory silk liner needed.

🎶 Vibe

Remoteness: Rural
Popularity: Busy
Social Scene: Strong
Local Interaction: Welcoming
Tourist Overrun: High
Plushness: Rustic
Trash Level: Pristine
Avg Local Income: €38,000.00
Cannabis: Illegal
Alcohol: Ubiquitous

🛟 Safety & Inclusion

Terrorism Risk Low
Political Risk Negligible
Solo Female Safety Optimal
LGBTQ+ Friendliness Welcoming
Racism Risk Rare
Muslim Friendliness Neutral
Jewish Friendliness Neutral
Phone Signal Occasional
Charging Interval Every 2-3 days

Suggest a correction

Help keep Alta Via 4 accurate. Only the values you change are submitted, and every suggestion is reviewed before going live.

Distance
Current: 92
Duration
Current: 6
Route Type
Current: Point-to-Point
Hemisphere
Current: Northern
Status
Current: Open
Start Trailhead Name
Current: San Candido
End Trailhead Name
Current: Pozzale
Highest Point
Current: Forcella del Ghiacciaio
Highest Point Elev
Current: 2584
Lowest Point Name
Current: San Candido (Start)
Lowest Point Elev
Current: 1175
Ascent
Current: 6750
Avg Alt
Current: 2100
Grade
Current: T4
Nav Diff
Current: Moderate
Suck factor
Current: Mind your step
Most common direction
Current: SOBO
Good Months (Peak or Shoulder)
Current: 6,7,8,9
Wild Camp
Current: Tolerated
Resupply
Current: 1
Dirtbag Budget
Current: 45
Average Joe Budget
Current: 85
Flashpacker Budget
Current: 150
Baggage transfer
Current: No
Permit
Current: No
Dogs
Current: No
Transport
Current: Easy
Time to Trailhead
Current: 4
Trailhead parking
Current: Yes
Visa
Current: Schengen Zone
Power
Current: Every 2–3 days
Signal
Current: Occasional
Safety
Current: High
Terror
Current: Low
Politics
Current: Negligible
Female
Current: Optimal
LGBT
Current: Welcoming
Racism
Current: Rare
Muslim
Current: Neutral
Jewish
Current: Neutral
Vegetarian Friendly
Current:
Remote
Current: Rural
Popularity
Current: Busy
Social
Current: Strong
Local Interaction
Current: Welcoming
Overrun
Current: High
Plush
Current: Rustic
Trash
Current: Pristine
Income
Current: 38000.00
Weed
Current: Illegal
Booze
Current: Ubiquitous