Via Ferrata Quick Getaway

Arrive in Cortina d’Ampezzo (1,224m / 4,016') with a group transfer at 02:00 from VENICE AIRPORT (included) and check into your hotel.

Cortina d’Ampezzo is a charming alpine resort town surrounded by stunning peaks. Host to the 1956 Winter Olympics, Cortina enjoys a reputation for great skiing in winter, and in the summer attracts hikers and climbers who challenge the rocky faces of the nearby mountains. This chic Venetian town also caters to the high society crowd, offering many year-round social activities, shopping, and fine dining.

In the afternoon meet your Guide for trip briefing and orientation, as well as maps, and everything necessary for your guided adventure. 

Dinner in town (not included)

In the morning, with your guide,  take a private transfer to Rifugio Dibona and enjoy your first via ferrata adventure day.

Ra Pegna (2241m / 7,352') & Ra Bujela (2,257m / 7,405') are two wonderful via ferratas that rise up at the foot of Punta Anna and the Pomedes tower in the spectacular Tofana Group. These are a great relaxed and easy alternative to the more demanding via ferrate in the area. The via ferrata routes ascend the side of the boulder with no major obstacles or difficulties, and enables first time climbers What’s more? The summits offer great views and photo opportunities of the nearby peaks. Because of their great location and short distance covered, these via ferratas can be combined with the nearby “fixed rope” Sentiero Astaldi trail.

(2,5 hours ascending two easy via ferratas. Total 200m / 656' ascent and 150m / 495' descent.)

The day begins with a short transfer to Passo Falzarego. Hike to the beginning of Via Ferrata Col dei Bos. This via ferrata is not marked on older maps or guide books (it’s quite new, it was made by Italian Alpine Troops in 2009), and it is used by the Alpine Military for training purposes to this day.

The first part is the most challenging section, but it gradually gets easier at about 80m / 262', where you reach a wide ledge, a short wall and several manageable slopes. The pleasant climb continues on to another demanding wall and then a nice, easy grassy section. The final 100m / 328' section of the ferrata contains a few vertical segments, however there are plenty of available holds to assist, making it quite a safe and enjoyable journey. More spectacular views await you at the 2,559m / 8,396' summit and cross, where you can rest in the scenic meadows and admire the summit of the Ampezzo Basin, before returning to your rifugio by hiking on a spectacular and panoramic trail at the foot of Tofana di Rozes.

(4-5 hours hiking ~8 km / 5 miles, ascending a moderate 400m / 1,312' via ferrata. Total 500m / 1,640' ascent and descent.)

Today you have the choice of two different via ferrata. The selection will depend on your ability and comfort level, weather conditions, and the recommendations of your guide.

Option: Via Ferrata Punta Anna

Ascend the Via Ferrata Punta Anna (2,731m / 8,960'). The hike towards the via ferrata is on the panoramic Sentiero Attrezzato Astaldi. This area is of great geologic interest: it traverses along at the very bottom edge of the steep cliffs of Punta Anna, at the juncture where the steep cliffs give way to colourful slopes of softer rock. From the summit of Punta Anna, descend on a short via ferrata (2,580m / 8,465'), followed by an amazing hike down the soft and steep scree of Bus de Tofana to Rifugio Dibona. Transfer to Cortina d’Ampezzo. 

(5 hours hiking ~9 km / 6 miles and ascending a challenging 440m / 1,444' via ferrata. Total 528m / 1,732' ascent, 1,197m / 3,927' descent.)

Option: Via Ferrata Giovanni Lipella

Ths is a challenging, full-day climb of one of the most beautiful peaks of the Dolomites. From the rifugio, you head towards the south face of the Tofana di Rozes (3,225m / 10,581'). The trail runs along the base of the mountain westwards past the entrance of the Castelletto Tunnel, which was used by the Italian army in 1917 to blow up the peak of the Castelletto di Tofana where an Austrian Kaiserjäger position was based. You’ll go through the tunnel by “torch” (headlamp), and then start to climb the west face of the giant Tofana di Rozes on the Via Ferrata Giovanni Lipella. Continuing on the via ferrata you reach the top by following a sharp edge, where early summer travellers might find snow. Descend to Rifugio Giussani along the normal route, and from Rifugio Dibona take a private transfer to Cortina.

(Full day hiking ~9 km / 6 miles and ascending a challenging 600m / 1,969' via ferrata. Total 894m / 2,993' ascent, 1,563m / 5,128' descent. Note: a shorter 5-hour option is available.)