The Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage site is known for its jagged peaks and spectacular landscapes. These mountains are ideal for a running adventure. The shelters allow you to travel light, the terrain is as technical as you like, and the views are breathtaking wherever you go.

The Alta Via 2 of the Dolomites starts from Bressanone in the Isarco Valley on the north-western borders of the Dolomites and ends in Feltre, at the foot of the southern spurs of the mountains. The route crosses Alto Adige, Trentino and the province of Belluno. Along its 170 kilometres (105 mi), the route's 10,500 metres (35,000 ft) of elevation gain and challenging terrain will both test you and reward you with enchanting landscapes. The adventure is also known as the Alta Via delle Leggende – the High Path of Legends

I've divided the route into six stages, which are a trail running endurance challenge while maintaining the feeling of hiking. You need to be fit and experienced in the mountains to take on this route. The Alta Via also includes some via ferratas. If you have alpine experience, you can tackle them without additional equipment, but I recommend erring on the side of caution and bringing some webbing and carabiners to create an improvised harness.

The route winds along well-marked paths on mostly rocky terrain; you'll cross slopes, pastures and woodlands and discover some of the most beautiful panoramas of the Alps. The route traces sections of an ancient transalpine route, the Claudia Augusta Altinate, which connected the Adriatic to the Danube basin. The Alta Via delle Legende is steeped in legends and fantastic tales handed down by local communities. These stories tell of encounters with devils, witches and ogres, like Dante's Piazza del Diavolo, located in a wild valley of the Vette Feltrine.

The route crosses eight Dolomite groups and 30 passes and saddles, offering incredible scenery. One of the most memorable moments is the crossing of the Marmolada, the Queen of the Dolomites, which you tackle in three ways. In the Collection, I’ve chosen the original route, which goes from Malga Ciapela up to Forca Rossa and down to Rifugio Fuciade.

The ideal period for this adventure is from the end of June to mid-September when the refuges are open. Going earlier or later may involve snow, making your journey difficult and dangerous.

Each stage ends in an alpine refuge, which offers hot meals, hearty breakfasts, showers and bed to rest your tired muscles. A reliable pair of trail shoes is essential for the technical sections. I also recommend bringing warm, waterproof layers to deal with the frequent weather changes in the mountains.

Both Bressanone, the starting point, and Feltre, the destination of the adventure, have a train station so the Alta Via 2 is very easy to reach.

Lace up your shoes and grab your backpack – it's adventure time!

Are you looking for another alpine route in the Dolomites? Check out another classic, the Alta Via 1: komoot.com/collection/2230911