| |
 |
|
| Via
Ferrata (Klettersteig) in the Italian Dolomites |
 |
|
| Gorge
Spanning Via Ferrata bridge |
|
Via Ferrata on the Tofana above Cortina. |
|
Above
Arabba |
| above Corvara. |
on
Via Ferrata Della Trincee. |
|
|
| fixed
cables, ladders |
|
| |
in
a nutshell |
|
 |
Organised
Via Ferrata |
| |
Five
days a week (not Wednesday or Saturday), |
|
| we
offer the choice of two Via Ferrata - they are free
of charge and optional. We usually leave the village
at about 9am, returning late afternoon. Drop into
Office
Hour to sign up for the next days itineraries. |
|
Introduction
to Via Ferrata |
|
| |
Introductory
Via Ferrata are offered on Mondays and Fridays
for those who would like to try a relatively easy
route. |
|
|
Hire
Equipment Locally |
| |
Equipment
for Via Ferrata can be hired locally for €9
per day. |
|
|
Via
Ferrata Presentation |
| |
We
host two audio visual Via Ferrata presentations
each week (Sunday & Thursday) allowing you
to ask our VF Organisers questions, whilst watching
close up photographs and video of popular local
routes. |
|
|
Be
Independent |
| |
The
advice and guidance of our Via Ferrata Organisers
is available each evening at Office Hour. We have
documented over 25 local routes and Route Laminates
of these are available to anyone wanting to do Via
Ferrata independently . |
|
| |
|
|
|
| and
gorge spanning bridges |
|
| The
total exhilaration displayed by those returning from
a day on the Via Ferrata demonstrates the sheer pleasure
on offer in these magnifient mountains. Originally built
to aid movements of military units in WWI, Via Ferratas
are now a key local attraction. |
| |
| They
are, in effect, a range of protected scrambling routes,
comprised of skilfully installed fixed cables, ladders
and gorge-spanning bridges, which assist ascents to
high levels, from which you walk on, often to a nearby
rifugio, or back to the starting point via a path. Arabba,
Corvara and Pedraces are close to many of the best routes
in the Dolomites. |
|
 |
| Traversing
on Via Ferrata Della Trincee, with Arabba below. |
|
|
Graded
from 1A (a protected scramble) to 5C (experience required),
they are not solely the domain of the technically adept rock
climber. Indeed, whilst a reasonable level of fitness, sure-footedness,
awareness of alpine dangers and freedom from vertigo are important,
most routes allow the 'man on the street' to get further from
the street than he ever thought possible. |
| |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
| On a medium grade Via
Ferrata near Corvara and the Gardena Pass. |
|
On a ladder
section of the Via Ferrata Delle Scalette near the
Tre Cima. |
|
An exposed section
of grade 5C Via Ferrata. |
 |
|
 |
|
|
| Kitted
up and ready to start on the introductory Via Ferrata. |
|
The ladder at the start of the introcuctory Via Ferrata.
|
|
In the descent gully of the introcuctory Via Ferrata.
|
|
|
Many
more Via Ferrata routes have been built in recent years and
today we have an extensive and well-charted network, maintained
by the C.A.I. (Club Alpino Italiano). Trail signs to starting
points are excellent and the routes are well waymarked. Usually
it is simply a case of following the cable. |
|
| organised
via ferrata & klettersteig |
|
|
|
| At
Office Hour our team of Via Ferrata ‘specialists’
will be happy to assist you in all aspects of the Via
Ferratas and give you a valuable insight into the characteristics
of the many routes close to Arabba, Corvara and Pedraces.
With their help, creating a suitable and exciting Via
Ferrata itinerary will be easy, whether you intend joining
an organised group or prefer to go out independently.
|
| |
| Five
days a week they offer two different organised Via Ferratas,
one usually being more technically challenging and exposed
than the other. Either way, they are magical experiences
that live with you forever.
|
|
| introductory
route & |
| via
ferrata presentation |
|
| Twice
weekly our organisers offer an introductory ascent for
those who would like to try a relatively easy route
in the company of other people before venturing out
with friends or on other organised excursions. They
also do a presentation one or two evenings a week and
project 'close-up' photographs and videos of the various
stages of popular local routes. They cover aspects of
safety, technique and the kit, which can be hired locally
at about €9 per day. |
|
|
|
See
notes entitled Organised Walks & Via Ferratas here.
Please contact our office if you would like to talk
to someone with first-hand knowledge of the routes.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
| On
a medium grade Via Ferrata above Corvara. |
|
Planning a Via Ferrata
and discussing the route for the following day, pouring
over the Cicerone guidebook a local map and Collett's
Via ferrata Laminates & I'n'I Files*. |
|
| via
ferrata guidebook |
|
| |
| Via Ferratas
of the Italian Dolomites: Vol 1 |
|
|
Two
of our past ‘specialists’, John Smith and
Graham Fletcher, have written a new Dolomites Via Ferrata
guide with, amongst other excellent features, a new
system of route grading. It covers the central Dolomites
and all the areas surronding our bases of Arabba, Pedraces
and Corvara It is published by Cicerone and is available
from Collett's at a price of £14.95 (inc. p&p
within U.K). |
|
|
| In
addition to the Via Ferrata guidebook, a Route Laminate corresponds
to each of the Via Ferrata documented in the Ideas & Information
Files is available. This is a small laminated A5 version of
your chosen walk, Via Ferrata etc., which you can borrow from
us. It is easy to carry and less bulky than the 'I&I'
File. It contains the relevant section of map as well as the
route description and other useful details. Route Laminates
can be borrowed from us either at Office Hour or from our
resort offices. |
|
|
* Ideas
& Information Files & Route Laminates which you can
borrow from us (at your own risk). Prior to your holiday,
we send you a 1:25,000 map of the
area and a Guest Handbook with useful local information, packing
suggestions, pre-departure tips, route directions for fly-drivers
and self-drivers and much more. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| On the summit of the Introductory
Via Ferrata. |
|
|
Crossing the
bridge on a 5C route above Arabba. |
 |
|
|
|
| Approaching
the descent of Tofana di |
|
High above
Passo Gardena celebrating |
|
On Monte Cristallo
with Rifugio Lorenci |
| Mezzo. |
|
on the bridge
before the summit. |
|
in the background |
|
|
 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
