Dolomites · Via Ferrata Week

THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL

Iron paths through the pale mountains.

The Dolomites’ via ferratas grew out of First World War supply paths, and around Cortina they still climb through tunnels and trenches to the summits. The week strings together the Lagazuoi, the Tofana di Mezzo and Marmolada’s west ridge, three very different routes with a steady rise in difficulty. For anyone who wants a lot of vertical and a lot of beauty without glacier kit.

• First World War tunnels on the Lagazuoi
• The Punta Anna ferrata up the Tofana di Mezzo
• Marmolada’s west ridge, 3,343 m
• A night at the Lagazuoi hut, 2,752 m

1. 01
   DAY 1 · Training ferrata, 5 hours

   Cortina and a first ferrata

   We meet in Cortina (1,224 m) in the morning, fit the ferrata sets and walk from Fiames up the Ettore Bovero ferrata on Col Rosà (2,166 m): 900 m of ascent in four to five hours on easy rock, ideal for practising clipping. An evening briefing on the week.

   Overnight: Hotel in Cortina
2. 02
   DAY 2 · 700 m of ascent, 5 hours

   The Lagazuoi through the war tunnels

   From Passo Falzarego (2,105 m) the Kaiserjäger ferrata with its suspension bridge leads to the Piccolo Lagazuoi (2,778 m), 700 m up in four hours. We come down to the hut through the 1.1 km Lagazuoi tunnel by head torch. Sunset on the hut terrace.

   Overnight: Lagazuoi hut, 2,752 m
3. 03
   DAY 3 · Grade D ferrata, 7 hours

   The Tomaselli ferrata on Punta Sud

   An hour from the hut to the foot of the Tomaselli ferrata, among the most serious in the Dolomites, 300 vertical metres to Punta Sud di Fanis (2,980 m). Descent by a separate ferrata and path to Falzarego, transfer to Cortina. Six to seven hours in all.

   Overnight: Hotel in Cortina
4. 04
   DAY 4 · Summit 3,244 m, 7 hours

   Punta Anna to the Tofana di Mezzo

   The lift to the Pomedes hut (2,303 m), then the Punta Anna and Gianni Aglio ferratas along the ridge to the Tofana di Mezzo (3,244 m): 940 m of ascent and five to six hours of exposed climbing. Down by the Freccia nel Cielo cable car straight into Cortina.

   Overnight: Hotel in Cortina
5. 05
   DAY 5 · Grade B ferrata, 3 hours

   Cinque Torri and the Nuvolau hut

   A half day: the lift to the Cinque Torri (2,255 m), the open-air trench museum and the short Ra Gusela ferrata onto the Nuvolau (2,575 m). A night in the oldest hut in Ampezzo, perched on the summit, with sunset over the Tofane.

   Overnight: Nuvolau hut, 2,575 m
6. 06
   DAY 6 · Summit 3,343 m, 10 hours

   Marmolada by the west ridge

   An early descent and transfer to Passo Fedaia (2,057 m). From the lake a path climbs to Forcella Marmolada (2,896 m), then the Cresta Ovest ferrata, 450 m of ridge with vertical cruxes, to Punta Penia (3,343 m), the highest point of the Dolomites. Down the glacier on crampons to Pian dei Fiacconi, nine to ten hours.

   Overnight: Hotel in Cortina
7. 07
   DAY 7 · Reserve

   Reserve day and departure

   The Marmolada is sensitive to storms, so this day is kept in reserve. If all went to plan, a morning in Cortina and departures after lunch.

   Overnight: —