Dolomites Adventure - Via Ferrata

Introduction

7 day itinerary / Dolomites

Dolomites Adventure - Via Ferrata

The Dolomites form a spectacular majestic mountain range in North East Italy that was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009. They form part of the Southern Limestone Alps and extend from the River Adige in the west to the Piave Valley in the east. The northern and southern borders are defined by the Pustertal Valley and the Sugana Valley. ‘The Dolomiti’ are nearly equally shared between the provinces of Belluno, South Tyrol and Trentino.

Journey Through History

At a glance

Dolomites Adventure - Via Ferrata

Map

FAQ

Day 1 - Sesto, Sud Tirol Italy

Acquaint Yourself with Sesto and WWI History

Arrive in the beautiful village of Sesto, a quaint town found in the heart of the Dolomites.

During the evening you will be able to meet your IFMGA guide that will accompany you throughout your Dolomites adventure.

4* Spa hotel, Sesto

Accommodation: Comfortable 4* Spa hotel.

Day 2 - Rudihuette to Rifugio Zigmondy

Via Ferrata Strada Degli Alpini and Passo Sentinella

Cable car journey and hike to Wurzbach

Beginning with a cable car journey, before setting off on foot, ascending above the valley with excellent views of Sesto, walking towards the wartime Austrian troop shelters and buildings of Wurzbach.

Climb towards Passo Sentinella

Continuing our ascent, we climb towards Passo Sentinella where Italian and Austro-Hungarian troops fought an intense battle.

Via Ferrata Strada Degli Alpini

From below the Passo Sentinella we begin one of the legendary Via Ferrata's, named ‘Strada Degli Alpini’, following beneath the limestone walls of the main summits.

Descent to Zigmondy Hutte

Emerging into the head of the valley, a gentile descent bring is to the Zigmondy Hutte for our overnight stay.

Rifugio Zigmondy

Accommodation: Refugio with simple comfortable rooms - 2-4 people.

Day 3 - Rifugio Zigmondy to Rifugio Ospedale

Historic Frontlines and Tre Cime di Lavaredo

Continue along the former front line towards Tre Cime di Laveredo

Picking up our route to continue along the former front line towards the Tre Cime di Laveredo, iconic symbol of the Dolomites UNESCO heritage site.

Pass through shadow of wartime front line and fortified Austrian positions

Passing through the shadow of the wartime front line and fortified Austrian positions, we continue along the Strada degli Alpini before descending into the valley which leads to the Rifugio Tre Cime Locatelli.

Walk in the footsteps of Sepp Innerkofler

After lunch we walk in the footsteps of the legendary mountain guide Sepp Innerkofler, who fought alongside the men of Sesto, embarking on daring nighttime ascents to engage Italian positions under intense enemy fire.

Tunnel and Via Ferrata along north ridge of Paternkofel

Following tunnel and Via Ferrata we progress along the north ridge of the Paternkofel before descending to take a road trip into the Landro Valley and the beautiful Refuge Ospedale, which is renowned for its local cuisine.

Rifugio Ospedale

Accommodation: Refugio, shared rooms.

Day 4 - Rifugio Ospedale to Rifugio Dibona

Via Ferrata, Wartime Ridges, and Cliffhanger Bridge

Ascend towards Dibona Ferrata from Rifugio Ospedale

Beginning at Rifugio Ospedale we ascend towards the Dibona Ferrata, following a ridge lined with wartime emplacements.

Pass through Austro-Hungarian positions to Cristallo massif

We pass through old Austro-Hungarian positions to gain the main peaks of the Cristallo massif where the Italians held defensive positions. This is one of the most beautiful Via Ferratas around Cortina.

Observe ruins of cable ways and loop holes

It passes the ruins of the old cable ways used to supply the troops in their isolated positions. We can look through 'loop holes' or narrow observation windows, cut into the rock to observe and bring fire on opposing troops.

Cross the exposed wire bridge from 'Cliffhanger'

Towards the end of the Via Ferrata we cross the airy and exposed wire bridge that was used in the Sylvester Stallone movie 'Cliffhanger'.

Descent to Tre Cime pass, chairlift, and bus to Rifugio Dibona

Finally we make a long descent to the Tre Cime pass, catching the final chairlift to meet the road, taking the bus to our welcome evening meal at the Rifugio Dibona.

Rifugio Dibona

Accommodation: Refugio, shared rooms

Day 5 - Rifugio Dibona to Falzarego Pass

Tunnels, Via Ferrata, and Lagazuoi Summit

Hike towards Tofana de Rozes and Lipella Via Ferrata

Following breakfast we have several options, weather dependent, including our hike towards the south face of the Tofana de Rozes, an 800m meter wall of soaring limestone. These peaks created a three dimensional battlefield, where the enemy could assault from within the mountains themselves. We follow the start of the Lipella Via Ferrata before reaching the tunnels close to the Castelletto, a fortified Austro-Hungarian position that troops called the 'Schreckenstein' (rock of horror) due to the proximity and intensity of the fighting there.

Descend to Col dei Bois and ascend Lagazuoi

We then descend to the Col dei Bois before making a gradual ascent to the summit of the Lagazuoi itself. This mountain is riddled with wartime tunnels that still exist today, they were excavated by both sides in a subterranean battle counter-mine against mine.

Descend Lagazuoi tunnels and pass Martini ledge

We descend this system of tunnels by head-torch, passing the famous 'Martini ledge' where Italian troops gained a foothold in their struggle to take the mountain. Finally we emerge from the bowels of the mountain just above the Falzergeo Pass and transfer to Arabba for the night.

3* Wellness Hotel

Accommodation: 3* Wellness Hotel

Day 6 - Arabba to Fedaia Pass and Rifugio Ghiacciao Marmolada

Via Ferrata Delle Trincee and Marmolada Views

Transfer from Cortina to Arabba and lift to Porta Vescova

We transfer from Cortina to Arabba in time for the first lift to Porta Vescova and the starting point of the via Ferrata ‘Delle Trincee’ (Trincee meaning ‘trench’).

Via Ferrata Delle Trincee and Padon Crest

Here we begin our appropriately named trek that begins with a very steep section that we climb with the aid of metal rungs in the rock face. We soon gain the start of the ‘Padon crest’ where Austro-Hungarians faced Italian positions at close quarters. The day is set against a backdrop of the majestic glaciated slopes of the Marmolada, the highest peak in the Dolomites. In good weather, we gain stunning views of our final day’s route towards the summit of the Marmolada.

Coffee and cake at Refuge Padon

With a slightly shorter day behind us, we take in coffee and cake at Refuge Padon before descending into the pass below to prepare the additional equipment required for our adventure across the glacier.

Final ascent to Rifugio Ghiacciaio

Our final effort today is to make a final ascent of about 2 hours to the rustic Rifugio Ghiacciaio at 2655m.

Rifugio Ghiacciaio Marmolada

Accommodation: Rifugio, shared rooms and bathrooms

Day 7 - Ascent of Marmolada Punta Penia

Summit Marmolada and Explore Glacier Tunnels

Ascent of Marmolada Punta Penia

We start early from our mountain hut for our 4 hour ascent to summit the highest peak of the Dolomites, Marmolada Punta Penia at 3343m. Our route gives a truly memorable 8-9 hour day, and forms an epic conclusion to our journey through history.

Descent across the glacier and explore WWI tunnels

From the summit we descend across the glacier on its’ northern slopes, where during the War Austro-Hungarian troops dug an immense system of tunnels into the ice itself, linking natural crevasses to form a hidden 'city of ice', complete with dressing stations, kitchens, barracks and store rooms. In recent years the retreating glacier has started to reveal some of its dark secrets.

Return to Passo Fedaia and optional museum visit

Returning to the Passo Fedaia at the end of our journey, we can choose to visit the museum dedicated to the Great War before returning to the Cortina and our final night together before departure.

4* Hotel

Accommodation: 4* Hotel

Loading Map…

Map

1. Sesto (Sexten), South Tyrol

Via Dolomiti, 45, 39030 Sesto BZ, Italy

2. Rifugio Zigmondy

Rifugio Zsigmondy Comici, 39030 Sesto BZ, Italy

3. Rifugio Ospedale

Landro, 39034 Dobbiaco BZ, Italy

4. Rifugio Dibona

Località Dibona, 32043 Cortina d'Ampezzo BL, Italy

5. Falzarego Pass

Passo di Falzarego, 32043 Cortina d'Ampezzo BL, Italy

6. Arabba

32020 Arabba, Livinallongo del Col di Lana BL, Italy

7. Fedaia Pass (Passo Fedaia)

Passo Fedaia, 32023 Rocca Pietore BL, Italy

8. Rifugio Ghiacciaio Marmolada

Rifugio Ghiacciaio Marmolada, 32023 Rocca Pietore BL, Italy

9. Marmolada Punta Penia

Marmolada Punta Penia, 32023 Rocca Pietore BL, Italy

10. Cortina d'Ampezzo

Cortina d'Ampezzo, 32043 BL, Italy

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is the accommodation listed in the itinerary guaranteed?

A. While we endeavour to ensure that the accommodation listed on the itinerary will be where you stay, open occasion it may be necessary to switch to an alternative.

When this happens we work hard to ensure that the alternative accommodation is of the same or a better standard, that it's location is close to the original destination, and that the overall impact is minimised in every way.

Accommodation details will be finalised and shared close to the trip departure (4-6 weeks in advance), however remains subject to change up to and following departure.

Q. How challenging are the treks / hikes?

A. We have graded this trip as a Level 5.

(please see the grading section on the Live Breathe Hike website).

This trip is considered suitable for individuals with very high fitness and many years of trail trekking experience. With key points including:

The terrain involves steep trails, uneven paths, and very sustained walking
Duration of Trek: 7-10 hours of walking per day on multi days treks of at least + 1 week
Physical Requirements: Very high fitness; ability to walk continuously for extended periods
You / your party members should be comfortable carrying your personal possessions required for the day in a rucksack, which might include items such as:
A water bottle 2L
Camera / phone / electronics
Warm top / sun hat / sun cream
Any other items you would want to access while out for the day.

If you would like further advice on the suitability of this trip for you or your party, please contact us.

Q. Do I have to do the planned activities, every day?

A. Not necessarily. Clients can request a 'rest day' or perhaps the opportunity to break from the scheduled itinerary, although when that day can land will entirely depend on the itinerary and other considerations from the trip leaders.

In all cases we will work with guests to best accommodate their request.