The Dolomites do not disappoint, but a heavy pack will make you want to turn back. Learn from my mistakes over the past 5 years to build your best hut to hut hiking packing list (and don’t overpack).
When doing on a hut-to-hut hike, keeping your load minimal is key.
➡️ Scroll to the bottom to download a PDF packing list you can print.
Let me say that again: PACK LIGHT!
You’ll be provided shelter, so there’s no need for the bulk of camping equipment.
Let me repeat: Pack light.
How? Before you leave your home, weigh everything and write it down on a piece of paper or your phone. Try to shed 20% of that weight. When you return, make a note of what you didn’t actually use (it will be a lot, trust me) so you don’t take it next time.
Third Time’s a Charm? Pack light.
Author’s TLDR: Essential items include:
- Functional clothing & layers
- Sturdy hiking boots or shoes
- Quality hiking socks
- Compact sleeping bag liner
- Small backpack for daily essentials (18-30 liters)
- Indoor footwear
- Rescue insurance – I highly recommend Global Rescue based out of New Hampshire
Always be ready for capricious weather. Pack garments that protect against cold, such as waterproof jacket and pants, and accessories for sun protection. Being adaptable is a must; the mountain’s mood can shift unexpectedly, prompting a change in plans.
What You Will Learn
Hut to Hut Hiking Packing List
One set of clothing is needed to dine with others, hopefully that doesn’t smell too badly! We ran into many of the same people throughout the hike so you may not want to be too scrubby.
hut trip packing list
Backpack Essentials
Your backpack should serve as your portable command center carrying only the most critical items for your trip. Inside, organize your gear in pouches or zip-lock bags to keep things tidy and to simplify access.
You don’t need a large one. Some people get by with 18 liters, but around 25-35 is normal.
Backpacks: An Osprey Sirrus 34 or Mammut Ducan 30 are excellent choices for carrying your essentials comfortably.
Water Bladder: 1.5-3 liter bladder.
I’m going to break it up into:
- tools
- clothing
- personal items
- tech
- rifugio specifics
1. Tools for the Trail
- Navigation tools (map, compass, mountain walkie talkies, GPS watch)
- Multi-tool or knife
- First aid kit
- Emergency whistle and fire-starting materials
- High-energy snacks and rehydration salts
- Tried and tested footwear: Hiking boots or trail runners work well. Running shoes usually don’t work due to the rocky terrain.
2. Clothing for the Trail
Layering is critical for adjusting to temperature changes:
- Hut Clothing: Bring something lightweight to sleep in and eat in dining room with other hikers.
- 2 T-shirts: Preferably made of merino wool, they help regulate body temperature and wick moisture away.
- 1 Pair Quick Dry Pants: Or bring shorts if you can hike in them.
- Warm layers: Such as a fleece or insulated jacket, will retain heat in cooler temperatures.
- Maintain accessibility to a waterproof jacket and sun protection gear including sunscreen and sunglasses.
- Extra hiking underwear and a couple of pairs of hiking socks to keep feet dry and blister-free.
- One set cozy socks for hut evenings.
- Beanie, buff, and sun hat provide added protection against the elements and contain hair.
While some essentials like clothing and basic gear are a given, the next sections will focus on additional items specific to your needs, technological conveniences, and hut-specific gear that can make your journey through the mountains, like the Dolomites’ Alta Via 1 or the Rosengarten Traverse more enjoyable.
3. Personal Items
- Cash and Cards: Always carry some cash for emergencies and huts that don’t accept cards. Keep your credit card handy for other expenses.
- Identification: Don’t forget your passport if you’re hiking in international territory or need to verify your identity.
- Toiletries: – Pack travel-sized essentials like shampoo, soap, & deodorant. A quick-drying travel towel is also essential.
- Membership Cards: Hiking club or hütte memberships can offer discounts or other benefits on the trail.
4. Technology and Entertainment
- Camera: Document the stunning landscape and wildlife you encounter with a good quality hiking camera.
- Mobile Phone: Keep your mobile phone charged as a lifeline and for navigation. Remember that service may be unreliable in remote areas. Komoot is my favorite European navigation app.
- Power: Cords for phone and EU, Italian adaptors for your phone charger.
- Phone charger power bank: some huts have electrical sockets, others don’t.
- Headlamp: A headlamp is optional for navigating around the hut at night in shared dorms.
- Dry bag – there are too many streams to hop not to get your passport or camera wet.
5. Rifugio Specifics and Hut-to-Hut Backpacks
- Backpacks: An Osprey Sirrus 34 or Mammut Ducan 30 are excellent choices for carrying your essentials comfortably.
- Beds: Compact sleeping bag liner, optional camp pillow in case pillows are too soft for you.
- Indoor Footwear: Huts often require you to remove hiking boots. Pack slippers or Crocs for indoor use.
- Trekking Poles: Depending on trail difficulty and elevation gain, trekking poles can be a valuable asset.
- Backpack Raincover: Or a trash bag to cover your bag in case of rain.
- Maps and Guides: Carry detailed trail maps and elevation profiles to help you anticipate the day’s hike. Guide book in your language ( Alta Via 1 is very well marked, hard to get lost, maps if you want to get off beaten track)
- Earplugs and eyemask
- Rescue Insurance: Trekking Insurance – consider both travel and rescue insurance for peace of mind.
Footwear Considerations
Your hiking boots should be well-fitted, broken-in, and suitable for the terrain. Do not bring brand new shoes to hike in the Dolomites.
Hut pack guide
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Morgan’s Alta Via 1 Youtube
Food and Water alta via 1 packing list
It’s not a priority to bring food with you unless you have dietary restrictions. The rifugios serve excellent and varied cuisine.
- 1.5 litre water reservoir plus a canteen or two, water is sparse along trail.
- A few snacks if you plan long hikes
Mostly importantly, bring your appetite.
Morgan’s Video about Rifugio food
The rifugios serve excellent cuisine including many vegetarian options. Our favourite was a 30 year old recipe for nuts and cheese ravioli that made our taste buds content and we’ll never forget.
Mountain hut food and hot cocoa is out of this world!
A liter of house wine only ran about 9-14 euros, so amazingly they don’t gouge you on prices at the top of the world. But bring some cash in case the credit card isn’t accepted, which happens on occasion.
Well, this isn’t a nighttime trail. It’s all about being at the hut by 7pm to be seated for a communal (some might say pilgrim) 3 course dinner with the other hikers.
Free Hut to Hut Hiking Packing List PDF
To download the Hut to Hut Hiking Packing list 👉 click on the link here.
The Alta Via 1 trail is open from mid-June until mid-October and tent camping is generally not allowed — so stays in “rifugios” or mountain huts are typical.
There you will probably have a shower (not always) and (always) have excellent delicious cuisine with other mountain-life pilgrims for dinner and breakfast.
Frequently Asked Questions
When planning a hut-to-hut hike, especially in regions like the Dolomites or the Alps, it’s important to pack smartly. Your gear should enhance your experience, ensuring safety, comfort, and self-sufficiency throughout your adventure.
What essentials should I pack for a hut-to-hut hike in the Dolomites?
For hiking in the Dolomites, your pack should include layers for changing weather, a first aid kit, a map and compass, a headlamp, and personal items like sunscreen and medication. An analysis of hiker preparedness highlights the importance of such essentials.
How should I choose the best backpack for hut-to-hut hiking excursions?
Select a backpack based on the length of your trip, the volume required for your gear, and a comfortable fit. Look for packs with adjustable straps and adequate load distribution features to support multiday treks.
Can you recommend a packing list tailored for the Alta Via 1 trail?
Your Alta Via 1 kit should include alpine essentials: warm clothing, rain gear, hydration system, trekking poles, and emergency shelter. Check trail conditions before departure as they influence specific gear requirements.
What are the ideal items to include for self-sufficiency on self-guided hut-to-hut hiking tours?
Prioritize navigation tools, a multi-tool, personal water purifier, and extra food. Hut facilities vary, so confirmation on what is provided can help streamline your packing list for self-guided tours.
How do I determine the correct size of the backpack needed for a multi-day hut-to-hut hike?
Backpack size is dictated by trip duration, personal needs, and gear volume. Multi-day Dolomites hikes typically require packs ranging from 18-30 liters, ensuring enough space for clothes, food, and equipment while allowing mobility.
Which hiking gear is considered essential for traversing the best hut-to-hut hikes in the Alps?
Essential gear for the Alps includes sturdy boots, layered clothing including a waterproof shell, and a sleeping bag liner for hygiene. Consider altitude-related gear like an ice axe or crampons if venturing onto glaciers or high passes. The book “Alta Via 1 – Trekking in the Dolomites” offers comprehensive insights into mountain trekking preparation.
Final Thoughts
In case of emergency 👉 Rescue Insurance
Crave the Planet partners with Global Rescue to offer the world’s leading travel protection services. Medical and security emergencies happen. When they do, we rely on Global Rescue to provide our clients with medical, security, travel risk and crisis response services.
Without a membership, an emergency evacuation could cost over $100,000. More than one million members trust Global Rescue to get them home safely when the unexpected happens. Learn more about trekking insurance, but we highly recommend our audience enroll with Global Rescue.
Pros and Cons
- Comprehensive Emergency Services: Members have access to a wide array of emergency services, including medical and security evacuations, field rescues, and telemedicine consultations.
- Global Coverage: Global Rescue operates around the world, offering support and evacuation services in both remote and urban settings, which is particularly beneficial for travelers and adventurers.
- Expertise and Resources: The company is well-regarded for its team of medical and security experts and has a partnership with Johns Hopkins Medicine, ensuring high-quality advice and care.
- Cost Factor: The membership can be expensive, especially for those who travel infrequently or are on a limited budget.
- Membership vs. Per-Trip Insurance: Since the services are membership-based, they may not be as cost-effective for those seeking coverage for a single trip as opposed to regular travelers.
- Limited Traditional Travel Insurance Benefits: The membership focuses on emergency evacuation and rescue, which means it may lack comprehensive trip insurance features like trip cancellation, baggage loss, or delay coverage.
Booking Tips
Securing a bed in advance is crucial, especially on coveted routes like the Alta Via 1 in the Dolomites or the Tour du Mont Blanc. Reservations should be made well ahead of your journey to avoid being left without accommodations.
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Author profile: Morgan Fielder is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and passionate hiker who believes in exploring the world on foot with good food. Follow her journey as she shares science-based hiking tips and advocates for sustainable tourism.