Backpacking the Alps with Kids: Packing List To Maximize Fun
By: Morgan Fielder
Tags: Hiking, Mindfulness, Foodies, Wellbeing, Alps

The Dolomites do not disappoint, but a heavy pack will make you want to turn back.

photo by crave the planet

Packing List for the Dolomites for a “Hut-to-Hut” Hiking Experience

Alta Via 1 Northern Half with Kids: 4–5 days with CravethePlanet

So you’ve decided to go hut-to-hut in the gorgeous Dolomites!! Congrats, but according to physical therapist Dr. Morgan Fielder, DPT, the best thing to do to actually enjoy your hike, especially with kids, is to lighten your load.

you will go up and down and up and down this like a boss!

We’ve curated the minimum effective dose of “stuff” to keep you enjoying this miracle of landscape for a 4 day northern half of the Alta Via 1 (AV1) Dolomites backpacking hike.

the huts tend to be on the top

The 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.

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.

Packing Checklist: Clothing

Convertible lightweight, quick drying trousers/shorts. As we were walking in midday heat up 1500 ft (all at once) I rolled by Columbia pants into shorts — my daughter’s yoga pants were not so comfy (too clingy and hot).

1 lightweight, quick drying t-shirt (wash it immediately upon arrival to hotel to dry for the next day)

2–3 pairs of good walking socks (some wear two pairs with one thick and one thin to avoid blisters, one dry pair in bag in case of soaking rain)

1 pair cozy socks for night

1 lightweight fleece or technical fabric warm layer (nights are chilly overlooking majestic mountains from the deck, or after the sauna)

1 pack away lightweight waterproof jacket

1 pack away lightweight thermal jacket (We didn’t need to use this when walking, but I found it very comforting to have it in the mountain huts once it cooled down in the evenings)

Lightweight pants or leggings and t-shirt to wear in the huts in the evenings.

Sports bra, evening bra (for the ladies), enough undies for entire trip unless you have quick dry undies which are pretty intense to have.

Sun hat, sunglasses.

1 pair of good quality walking boots

1 pair of slides (to wear socks with, cold at night) for wearing in the huts — Boots ARE NOT ALLOWED inside restaurant/bedroom area

Packing List Equipment

Walking poles — mine broke on the first day, get some Leki’! Not strictly needed unless you have a hard time with the downhills, which there are MANY!

1.5 litre water reservoir plus a canteen or two, water is sparse along trail.

A few snacks if you plan long hikes

Dry bag — there are too many streams to hop not to get wet

First aid kit including athletic tape, scissors and sun screen- turned out to be essential for blisters, and plasters and painkillers.

Limited toiletries- small tube of toothpaste, toothbrush, small bottle of shampoo

Phone/drone charger

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)

Sleeping bag liner- it is compulsory to use one of these in the dorms, if you rent rooms not needed

Travel towel — same as liner. depends on level of room you arrange.

Mostly importantly, bring your appetite.

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 7–9 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.

Also a book or some sketch paper would be a great thing to bring to capture imagination.