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When it comes to via ferrata routes in the Italian Dolomites the adventure travel company that springs to mind is Collett's Mountain Holidays. With bases in the heart of the region what these guys don't know about the mountains and routes ain't worth knowing.
So, with that in mind we asked company founder, Tom Collett, to come up with a list of his top five via ferrata in the Dolomites for Adventure Travel readers and what follows is his reply.
Possnecker – (delle Mesules) Grade 4C
This is the oldest route in the Dolomites and has to be in my top five. Year in year out it is a favourite with our resort based climbing staff of Collett’s Mountain Holidays. Located on the western walls of the Sella Massif, the Possnecker is the ultimate ‘big mountain day’. The climbing is interesting but achievable, with several more challenging moves and a crux chimney-pillar combination. Persistent exposure adds to the excitement and sure-footedness is a must. An already incredible day can be topped off nicely if you choose the nearby VF Brigata Tridentina (Grade 3B) as your descent route!
Via Delle Trincee (La Mesola) – Grade 4B
As Arabba is a second home for me personally, this VF has to be on the list. With its origins in the First World War (Trincee meaning trenches), this route follows the dramatic Porta Vescovo ridge, which dominates Arabba to the south. The volcanic rock that hosts this VF makes the climbing a bit different. The most difficult section of climbing is covered in the first 30m, thereafter you can relax and enjoy a route which will expose you to some fascinating features, including a spectacularly airy bridge, tunnels, trenches and other remnants of the Great War. The views from this route are outstanding with the colossal Sella massif to the north and the Marmolada glacier to the south looming large over Lake Fedaia.
Piz da Lec – Grade 3B
Short but sweet, Piz da Lec is a great moderately graded route high above Corvara. Easily accessed by cable car, this VF has it all. It’s tough for its grade, but offers steady climbing and good protection. One pitch towards the end of the route incorporates two exciting ladders with an exposed move off the top of the second one. The staggering view from the summit down into the Val Mesdi some 900m below tops off a delightful VF, as does a post-climb beer at Rifugio Kostner on the way back down.
Tomaselli – Grade 5C
The VF Tomaselli is as exhilarating as it gets. Full of interesting moves, incredible exposure and outstanding views, this route has solid climbing from start to finish, uninterrupted by ladders or bridges. It’s tough from the very start with airy climbing as you traverse ‘the Nose.’ It will keep the most experienced climbers fully focused and enthralled. For those that don’t fancy walking in to their VF’s, you can’t beat the walk into this one, which takes you high above the Falzarego Pass and across a monumental amphitheatre of mesmerising walls of rock. The descent route is a Grade 3C in its own right and finishes off this epic day nicely.
Col Rosa (Ettore Bovero) – Grade 3B
An enjoyable climb and a good ‘all-rounder’, which grows on you every time you do it. Combine it with a visit to Cortina, Pearl of the Dolomites, which is towered over by staggering peaks. The whole panorama (village, valley and massifs) is best enjoyed from the top of the Col Rosa VF. As for the route, it is occasionally strenuous, technically challenging and nicely exposed. It ascends steep limestone walls to some First World War trenches and caves near the summit. Quite a long walk in through forest but you’ll soon get over that once on this memorable route.
Check out the Colletts website here
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