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Via Ferrata in dolomites

Original Post
Sam The Average Climber · · San Diego · Joined Nov 2021 · Points: 0

Goodmorning Fellows,


I’m heading to Italy for the first time this May and I’ll be in Venice for 4 days. I’d really like to do a via ferrata as a day trip but I’m having some trouble figuring out what to do. 


Any advice on good online resources and beta? Route recommendations? I don’t know what I don’t know if that makes sense. I am mountain savvy and am an experienced trad climber. Not bringing an ice axe.

David H · · Twisp, WA · Joined Mar 2021 · Points: 0

Italy has numerous via Ferrata opportunities which you can research online for “best”, Longest, shortest…It really depends on where you will be in Italy.  Arco, Garda, Cortina, Bressanone, Gran Sasso. You’ll need a harness, helmet, via Ferrata gear lanyards…all available in Italy or take with.

Do a bit of reading research which might help you frame your questions better. Kinda like getting beta for your mountain trad climbing.

Sam The Average Climber · · San Diego · Joined Nov 2021 · Points: 0
David H wrote:

Italy has numerous via Ferrata opportunities which you can research online for “best”, Longest, shortest…It really depends on where you will be in Italy.  Arco, Garda, Cortina, Bressanone, Gran Sasso. You’ll need a harness, helmet, via Ferrata gear lanyards…all available in Italy or take with.

Do a bit of reading research which might help you frame your questions better. Kinda like getting beta for your mountain trad climbing.

Hey David I appreciate the response! Check out my original post, I’ll be in Venice. I’m really asking for the best online resource to do the research. Is there something akin to MP for via ferrata? Is a guidebook the best way? What guidebook?

A lot of what I’ve researched online seems to be local guides websites.

This is a once in a lifetime trip for me, and I’ll have only 1 day to pull it off, so I’m trying to set myself up for success.

Brian in SLC · · Sandy, UT · Joined Oct 2003 · Points: 22,419

This route is on the 'proj:

FERRATA GIOVANNI LIPELLA

May might be early for that route...hard to say.  Early v late May could make a big difference too.  Might be worth renting an ice ax, crampons and boots in Cortina (and a VF rig if you don't own one).  Great route.

The website I've found to be pretty helpful (Bergsteigen.com).

This guidebook also has via ferratas and is available as a digital eBook:

Rockfax Dolomites

You could see if it covers the areas closer to Venice.

These are a popular set:

Rushforth Dolomites via ferratas

Cheers!

duncan... · · London, UK · Joined Dec 2014 · Points: 55

May is not an ideal time, most Via Ferrata will be closed now due to snow, some could open over the course of the month. Cortina guides office has put this information on line: https://www.guidecortina.com/en/attivita/estate/ferrate/situazione-ferrate

I've not checked other guides offices and don't know how free they are with their information but you can do this yourself.

As above, the Rushforth guide will give a good selection of the most popular ones. 

You can also search UKClimbing logbooks. Look for ones that have had ascents in May or June in previous years. 

Fat Dad · · Los Angeles, CA · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 60

I agree with the assessment that May is probably a tad early.  Consider that some may be closed or inaccessible due to snow.  Some are also accessed via chairlift, like the Piz Boe, which sometimes don't operate until later in the summer.  You can buy lanyards in Cortina, Bolzano, etc.  Like David H mentioned, there are other via ferrata not in the Dolomites, such as in Garda and Arco.  I did one in Garda/Arco years ago, which was fun (plus a terrific area) but didn't have the same feel as doing one in the Dolomites, which I suspect is the experience you're looking for.   

JaredG · · Tucson, AZ · Joined Aug 2011 · Points: 17

There are some lower-elevation via ferrata (eg around Arco) that should be open. In your situation you might want to hire a guide just to make everything go smoothly 

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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