Via Ferrata in the Italian Dolomites
Price
from £1050
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29 June 2024
–
14 September 2024
Discover Via Ferrata in the Dolomites from Corvara, our unrivalled mountain springboard for high adventure.
Country
Italy
Grade
2A - 4B
Duration
Flexible
Style
Self-Guided
Type
Centre-Based
Price
from £1050
Honed over 25 years, an inspirational alpine holiday with real wow-factor
Via ferrata (also known as VF or Klettersteig) is one of the most exciting attractions in the Dolomites for climbers. Here in Corvara and its dramatic surroundings, we enjoy the world’s greatest concentration of these exposed and thrilling adventures. Originally built to aid movements of military units during WWI, they are effectively a range of protected scrambling and climbing routes, comprised of skillfully installed cables, ladders and gorge-spanning bridges, the maintenance of which is undertaken by the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI).
Without question, a Collett’s centre-based holiday in the Alta Badia is a fabulous platform for climbers, seeking to exploit the home of via ferrata. Firstly, we offer scheduled airport transfers from Venice Marco Polo every Saturday and Wednesday throughout the summer, or, if you prefer, we can book you a private transfer on any day you choose to travel. Secondly, we offer a delightful selection of accommodation, from half-board luxury, to self-catering simplicity. Thirdly, we can help you organise discounted kit hire, either for a single day or longer, as required.
Last, but not least, our Via Ferrata Pack includes everything you require to facilitate your choice of local routes, in line with the grading system adopted by the Cicerone Guide Book. Each route is graded according to technical difficulty and exposure. This is a self-guided holiday, so climbing experience, sure-footedness and being vertigo-free are key to a plain-sailing experience (and unquestionably essential for the harder routes). If desired, local guides can be hired locally and we can provide you with all the details you need to do this.
Gallery
At a glance
Dates
29 June to 14 September 2024
(Arrive & depart any day)
Price
Half Board – from £1050
Self Catering – from £695
See the Accommodation section below for more details.
Grade
Every via ferrata demands a reasonable level of fitness, sure-footedness, awareness of alpine dangers, and freedom from vertigo.
What’s Included
Handpicked Accommodation – choose between delightful half-board, B&B or self-catering options.
Via Ferrata Pack – the information in your Collett’s VF Pack will help you have a fabulous VF experience. For example, by their very nature, VFs are remote, and simply finding the start can be a challenge but once you are ‘on the wire’ the route is obvious. Your Pack will include both relevant extracts from Cicerone’s Via Ferrata guidebook together with a selection of hikes from our own Walk Packs. This will allow you to either focus exclusively on via ferrata or mix things up, by enjoying a walk one day and a via ferrata the next – or by booking a locally provided alpine pursuit, such as High Ropes. The choice is yours!
The Collett’s Team – Their extensive local knowledge is on hand to provide you with all you need to enjoy the mountains. Whist they will have no first-hand knowledge of the via ferrata routes in your pack, they will be able to you advise you on public transport options to get you there and back, as well as any questions you might have about the walk routes in your pack.
Travel
This holiday is based in Corvara so we recommend flying into and out of Venice Marco Polo. If you arrive on a Saturday or Wednesday, you can book a Collett’s airport transfer. At a cost of £90 return, this transfer departs promptly at 3pm. Getting home, our transfers leave Corvara every Saturday and Wednesday early in the morning and your flight home must depart after 11am.
If you plan to arrive on any other day of the week, make your own way to Corvara either by fly/driving, self-driving or public transport. If you plan to hire a car, please click here for a competitive quote.
Alternatively, private transfers are available any day of the week (approx. £375 each way for up to 8 people). Contact us for details.
Your VF Pack
Our VF Pack includes a proposed programme of local routes that, in line with guide books, represent a progression from the easier grades to harder ones. Whilst some routes can be accessed on foot from the village, others require bus transport to get you there and back. By their very nature, they are off the beaten track and can be difficult to find. Also, their descents are not always obvious. Either way, our pack will provide help and advice on getting to and from each via ferrata. We can also highlight when an early start is essential, either because of their length, or because they get busy in August’s high season. Tip: If you are traveling in a group of 3 or 4, consider hiring a car, as this can assist access to routes , especially if you opt for the occasional sunrise start. It can also open up options a little further afield. Finally, there is less time pressure when a car is waiting for you at the end of a route.
Day 1 - Arrive and Settle in
On arrival at your accommodation in Corvara, your VF Pack will be waiting for you. Expect a warm welcome from the reception team at your hotel. Then relax and settle in, before joining us at Office Hour (optional) in the early evening to ensure your holiday gets off to a good start the following day.
Day 2 - Gran Cir (1A) & Cirspitze (2A)
Situated above the Gardena Pass just a 25-minute bus ride out of Corvara are Gran Cir (1A) and Cirspitze (2A). These routes offer a perfect first day, allowing you to experience everything via ferrata has to offer on two of the shorter routes in the area. Car parking is available at the top of the pass for those with a car.
Day 3 - Piz da Lech (3B)
Graded as a 3B, this route sees a jump in difficulty from the Gran Cir (1A) and Cirspitze (2B) but you are rewarded with fantastic views from the Piz da Lech summit. This route is accessed via a gondola and chairlift directly from the village of Corvara.
Day 4 - Brigata Tridentina (3B)
Arguably one of the most celebrated via ferrata in the Dolomites, renowned for its exposed cable bridge just short of the summit. This route can be reached by either a two hour walk from Corvara or a short (15 min) bus journey from the village. There is also a car park at the base of the route for those with a car.
Day 5 - Col Dei Bos (3B)
Situated at the Falzarego Pass, this route has wonderful views across to Cinque Torre, culminating at the top of Lagazoui. This is an area famed as an open-air WW1 museum and you will see fascinating remnants from a unique mountain conflict. The bus journey takes around 35 minutes and there is a large car park at the pass for those with a car.
Day 6 - Trincee (4B)
This iconic route traverses the Porta Vescovo ridgeline right opposite our highest peak, the Marmolada at 3313m. The first section is the hardest and most exposed and can be avoided if necessary. Regular buses run from Corvara to Arabba (25 mins) whilst there is ample car parking for those with their own transportation.
Day 7 - Les Cordes (3B)
A fantastic short route allowing access to one of our favourite mountain huts, Rifugio Gherdenacia. This route can also be combined with Sassongher (1A) to create a truly memorable day in the mountains. Buses from Corvara to La Villa take around 15 minutes and run regularly throughout the day.
Day 8 - Depart or Extend your stay
Independent onward travel or book a Collett’s Airport Transfer back to Venice Marco Polo Airport (Saturdays and Wednesdays only).
Looking to stay for more than 7 nights?
Guests who book for more than 7 nights will still receive the standard VF Pack, which includes more VFs, but these are further afield, reachable by public transport. You might want to spend your additional days relaxing in the village, visit nearby places of interest or partake in other locally-supplied alpine activities. But if you are simply looking for more walking, our Walks Team will be on hand to support this. We have an extended selection of wonderful walks of your chosen grade for you to pick from – all with comprehensive route notes and maps.
Your Accommodation Options
Our 3 Star Hotels
Our 4 Star Hotels
5 Star Indulgence
Need to Knows
Via Ferrata Grades – Every via ferrata has a grade allocated to it. Currently there is no unified European wide standard. We use the Smith/Fletcher dual grading system adopted in the original Cicerone Via Ferrata Guide published in 2009. Each grade is comprised of a number (1-5) and a letter (A-C). Most routes near Corvara range from grade 1A to 4B. The number grades the technical difficulty: a Grade 1 is a protected path, on which the iron cable acts as a handrail on exposed sections; whereas a Grade 5 requires good climbing experience and will often require you to use the iron cable to pull yourself through sections of the route. The letter describes the severity of the route. This includes factors such as the route’s length, its exposure and options to cut the route short. Grade A routes are typically shorter with lower levels of exposure, plus an option to escape the route early, if necessary. It is important to note that grading is always subjective, and will vary on the same route depending on the conditions encountered on any particular day.
Route Choice – This is a self guided holiday and you do everything at your own risk. It is completely down to you to select your routes independently by studying our Via Ferrata Pack or other guide books that are available each evening at Office Hour. Or you might purchase a guide book before your holiday. Please note: our local Walks Team are categorically unable to advise you on VFs in the same way that a local mountain climbing guide can.
Via Ferrata Kit – Essential equipment is comprised of helmet, harness and a self-belay set, which includes tails, karabiners and Kinetic Impact Shock Absorber (KISA).
Our Day Off: Our Walks Team has a day-off every Tuesday. There is no Office Hour, nor hotel visits. However, there is always somebody to meet and settle in new arrivals.
Flight Delays – We cannot be responsible for the repercussions of delayed flights or other travel arrangements. If you are delayed, our coach transfer will still depart as scheduled at 1500. If you miss the transfer, airport taxis can be booked at your expense, or a car hired from the airport can sometimes be a cheaper option. Hopefully, any expenses caused by such a delay will be covered by your insurance.
Booking Conditions – be sure to read our full terms and conditions here before booking.
At Your Own Risk – please read the important notes here.
Travel Advice – check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice here.
Passport & Visa – any questions should be directed to the relevant embassy of your destination country; find out more here. It is your responsibility to be in possession of a full passport, valid for your chosen destination.
Travel Insurance – having adequate and valid travel insurance is a condition of booking with us. Details of our insurance partner, Campbell Irvine, are here.
Health Information – You should carry either an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) Neither is an alternative to adequate travel insurance. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice and https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/
ABTA – Independent travel advice and help is always available from ABTA by calling 020 3117 0599 or visiting www.abta.com.
