Via Ferrata in the Dolomites

Arrive independently in Cortina d’Ampezzo (1,224 m / 4,016 ft) and check into your hotel (private transfers available upon request). This charming alpine resort town, surrounded by stunning peaks, gained international fame as the host of the 1956 Winter Olympics. Renowned for excellent skiing in winter, Cortina also draws hikers and climbers in the summer who take on the rugged faces of nearby mountains. A chic Venetian destination, it offers year-round activities, upscale shopping, fine dining, and vibrant social events. Depending on your arrival time, you might explore Cortina’s pedestrian-friendly Corso Italia, lined with inviting restaurants, cafes, antique shops, art galleries, and boutiques, or even enjoy a nearby hike.

Accommodation: Hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo

In the morning, meet your UIAGM/IFMGA Professional Mountain Guide for a trip briefing and orientation, as well as a review of the via ferrata equipment you’ll use during your exciting adventure in the Dolomites. Your guide will accompany you throughout, teaching you the basics of navigating near-vertical walls. Afterward, take a private transfer to Rifugio Dibona to begin your first via ferrata experience.  

Ra Pegna (2,241 m / 7,352 ft) and Ra Bujela (2,257 m / 7,405 ft) are two fantastic via ferratas located at the base of Punta Anna and the Pomedes Tower in the stunning Tofana Group. These routes provide a relaxed and beginner-friendly alternative to the more challenging via ferratas in the area. The ascents are straightforward, with no significant obstacles, making them ideal for first-time climbers. The summits offer spectacular views and excellent photo opportunities of the surrounding peaks. Due to their prime location and relatively short routes, these via ferratas can be combined with the nearby “fixed rope” Sentiero Astaldi trail for an extended adventure.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Climbing: 2.5 hours ascending two easy via ferratas
Elevation: +200 m (656 ft), -150 m (495 ft)
Accommodation: Rifugio

The day begins with a short transfer to Passo Falzarego, where you’ll hike to the starting point of Via Ferrata Col dei Bos. This modern via ferrata, built by Italian Alpine Troops in 2009, remains a training route for the Alpine Military and is not marked on older maps or guidebooks. The climb starts with its most challenging section, which gradually becomes easier after about 80 m (262 ft), leading to a wide ledge, a short wall, and a series of manageable slopes. The route continues with a pleasant ascent to another demanding wall, followed by a gentle grassy section. The final 100 m (328 ft) includes a few vertical segments, but with ample holds for support, it offers a secure and enjoyable experience.  

At the 2,559 m (8,396 ft) summit, marked by a cross, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views. Rest in the scenic meadows and take in the stunning panorama of the Ampezzo Basin. Your descent follows a spectacular and panoramic trail along the base of Tofana di Rozes, leading back to your rifugio.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Hiking: 4-5 hours, 8 km (5 miles)
Elevation: +400 m (1,312 ft), total 500 m (1,640 ft) ascent & descent
Accommodation: Rifugio

Today, you can choose between two distinct via ferrata experiences, selected based on your ability, comfort level, weather conditions, and your guide’s recommendations.  

Option 1: Via Ferrata Punta Anna  

Climb the Via Ferrata Punta Anna (2,731 m / 8,960 ft), starting with a hike along the panoramic Sentiero Attrezzato Astaldi. This trail is known for its geological significance, following the base of Punta Anna’s dramatic cliffs, where steep rock faces meet vibrant, colorful slopes. From the summit of Punta Anna, descend via a short ferrata (2,580 m / 8,465 ft) and enjoy a thrilling hike down the soft scree slopes of Bus de Tofana to Rifugio Dibona. A transfer will return you to Cortina d’Ampezzo. 

Hiking: 5 hours, 9 km (6 miles)
Elevation: challenging +440 m (1,444 ft), total 528 m (1,732 ft) ascent & 1,197 m (3,927 ft descent)

Option 2: Via Ferrata Giovanni Lipella  

Take on the challenge of this full-day climb to Tofana di Rozes (3,225 m / 10,581 ft), one of the Dolomites’ most striking peaks. Starting from the rifugio, hike along the south face to the historic Castelletto Tunnel, used in 1917 by Italian troops to dismantle an Austrian stronghold atop Castelletto di Tofana. Equipped with a headlamp, traverse the tunnel before ascending the mountain’s west face on the Via Ferrata Giovanni Lipella. This route features dramatic ridges and rocky faces, with the possibility of encountering snow in early summer. Descend along the normal route to Rifugio Giussani, then continue to Rifugio Dibona for a private transfer back to Cortina.  

Hiking: Full day, 9 km (6 miles)
Elevation: challenging +600 m (1,969 ft), total 894 m (2,933 ft) ascent & 1,563 m (5,128 ft) descent

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo

Following breakfast, the trip officially comes to an end. Pack up and check out, private transfer is available upon request.

Meals: Breakfast