Dolomites Rock Climbing

Itinerary

Given the abundance of climbs in the Dolomites, we can adjust the itinerary during our climbing week to the preferred challenge level of our clients and the weather. Following are some of the routes that we can choose from:

Val Gardena / Western Dolomites, Itinerary Options

Driving distance in minutes from our base in Wolkenstein (Selva)

Training/Toprope/Sport Climbing
Steinerne Stadt, bouldering and toprope, 12 min
Frea, Passo Gardena, single/multi-pitch sport climbs, 15 min
Traumpfeiler, single/multi-pitch sport climbs, 10 min

Easy and Moderate Multi-Pitch Climbs
Sella Tower, Chimney Routes, 5.5, 5 pitches, 15 min
Sella Tower, Trenker Route, 5.7, 5 pitches, 15 min
Sella Tower, Gluck Dihedral, 5.5, 3 pitches, 15 min
Sella Tower, Jahn Route, 5.5, 7 pitches, 15 min
Sella Towers Traverse, 5.6, 16 pitches, 15 min
Piz Ciavazes, Ramp Route, 5.6, 8 pitches, 20min
Grohmannspitze, Dibona South Face, 5.6, 17 pitches, 12 min
Grohmannspitze, Normal Route, 5.5 & scramble, long day
Five Fingers, Thumb Ridge and Traverse, 5.6, 12 pitches, 12 min
Langkofel, Normal Route, Scrambling and 5.5, long day, 12 min
Langkofel, North Ridge, 5.6, approx 40 pitches, 12 min
Langkofeleck, Ramp, 5.7, approx 35 pitches, 12 min
Masores, Pilastro della Chiesa, 5.6, 10 pitches, 15 min
Piz Pisciadu, Dillmair Route, 5.6, 5 pitches (can be combined)

Possibly with lodging in the Firenze / Regensburg Hut, 10 min
Great Fermeda, South East Ridge, 5.6, 10 pitches
Little Fermeda, Normal Route, 5.3 & scrambling, 7 pitches
Torre Firenze, Ridge, 5.4, 14 pitches

Moderate to Difficult Multi-Pitch Climbs
Sella Tower, Messner Route, 5.8, 8pitches, 15 min
Sella Tower, Fata Morgana, 5.9, 8 pitches, 15 min
Sella Tower, Kasnapoff, 12 pitches, 15 min
Sella Tower, Vinatzer, 5.8, 11 pitches, 15 min
Five Fingers, Diagonal Route, 5.7, 7 pitches, 12 min
Grohmannspitze, Harrer Route, 5.7, 15 pitches 12 min
Piz Ciavazes, Michelluzi, 5.8, 10 or 18 pitches, 20 min
Piz Chiavazes, Schubert, 5.9, 10 or 18 pitches
Piz Pordoi, Via Niagara, 5.9, 22 pitches, 22 min
Marmolada, Modern Times, 26 pitches, 5.10d, 40 min
Marmolada, Viantzer/Messner, 5.9, 24 pitches, 40 min
Ciampac, Adang Dihedral, 5.7 – 5.8, 12 pitches, 20 min

Cortina D’Ampezzo / Eastern Dolomites, Itinerary Options

Driving distance from our base in Cortina is between 10 and 30 minutes

Training/Toprope/Sport Climbing
Cinque Torri: Abundance of single and up to four-pitch climbs, lots of fixed anchors, ideal for courses of all levels, 10-minute approach from the parking lot, exceptional views.

Fonda Savio Hut, Cadini Range. Several training areas 5 to 15 minutes from the hut

Easy and Moderate Multi-Pitch Climbs
Hexenstein, South Ridge, 5.5 – 5.6, 7 pitches
Falzarego Towers, South Ridges, 5.5 – 5.6, 11 pitches
Cima di Bois, South Face, 5.6, 10 pitches
Cinque Torri, Via delle Guide, 5.5 and 5.6, 4 pitches
Tofana, Dibona, 5.6 and 5.7, 26 pitches
Averau, Alvera, 5.6, 8 pitches
Tofana, First Piller, 5.7, 11 pitches
Punta Fiames, Normal Route, 5.6, 12 pitches
Cima Grande, Normal Route, 5.4 and 5.5, long day
Cima Piccola, Normal Route, 5.6, 8 pitches
Cima Preuss, Preuss Chimney, 5.7, 6 pitches
Paternkofel, South Ridge, 5.5, 6 pitches

Possibly with lodging in the Fonda Savio Hut:
Torre Wundt, Via Mazorana, 5.6, 7 pitches
Pilastro del Rifugio, Tricolore, 5.7, 6 pitches
Il Corro, 5.5, 7 pitches

Moderate to Difficult Multi-Pitch Climbs
Cinque Torri, Myriam, 5.8, 5 pitches
Cinque Torri, Finlandia, 5.10b, 3 pitches
Tofana, Pilastro, 5.11a, 12 pitches
Tofana, Pilastro Edge, 5.9, 11 pitches
Punta Fiames, Jori, 5.8, 12 pitches
Cima Grande, Comici, 5.10c or 5.8/A0, 15 pitches
Cima Piccola, Yellow Edge, 5.8, 9 pitches
Cima Grande, Dibona, 5.7, 18 pitches

*North American Climbing Grades

Curriculum

Our beginners’ course will have you following moderate routes and leading sport climbs. You will learn everything you need to know about climbing multi-pitch routes safely and efficiently. Our advanced level courses will get you leading moderate routes and establishing anchors using traditional gear.

On our climbing camps, the guide acts more like a coach: helping to choose the best route for a given day and skill level of the participants; sharing tips on route-finding, leading, and belaying; and accompanying the climbers to ensure a safe, fun, and successful day. Having a guide in your group assures optimal use of your vacation time and peace of mind should the going get rough.

For our courses, we strongly believe in the “Learning by Doing” concept. Expect lots of climbing!

Rock Climbing Beginners’ Course

• Follow moderate and lead easy bolted multi-pitch climbs, lead (or mock-lead) bolted sport climbs
• Knots, rock climbing technique, belay technique, communication, rappelling, cleaning anchors, introduction to the placement of removable climbing protection (i.e. nuts and cams), hazard evaluation, and risk management

Rock Climbing Advanced Course

• Lead moderate multi-pitch climbs on gear safely and efficiently, lead sport climbs
• Review of beginner’s course contents plus: advanced climbing technique, placement of removable protection (i.e. cams and nuts), building safe belay stations/anchors, basic self-rescue techniques, route selection, and trip planning

Rock Climbing Camp

• A combination of any of the above contents, advancing at a rate in accordance with your personal skill level and preferences

The Climbing Camps are Private Courses requiring a minimum commitment of 5 days and 3 – 6 climbers.

Trips can depart any day between the last week of May and Mid-September.

Pricing and inclusions

Price is per person

2 Participants: US $2770
3 Participants: US $2420
4 Participants: US $1870
5 Participants: US $1730
6 Participants: US $1590

*High Season surcharge $100 for trips departing between July 9 and September 5

Included: 

• 5 x days of guiding by an internationally certified (UIAGM / IFMGA), English-speaking mountain guide or guide aspirant under supervision
• guide’s expenses
• Six nights lodging in a combination of double rooms in B&Bs and hotels at the 3-star level AND mountain huts
• breakfast each morning
• halfboard for the nights in mountain huts
• Helmet and climbing harness rental

Not Included:

• Single hotel room supplement ($50 USD per night)
• Airfares
• Lunches
• Dinners
• Drinks
• Gratuities
• Admission fees for museums, castles, etc.
• Participants are encouraged to share rental vehicles, or land transport can be quoted on request.
• Any additional costs in case of itinerary changes regardless if those changes were made due to adverse weather or mountain conditions, or due to personal or group preferences.

Detail and Logistics

Cortina is most easily reached from Venice Airport.

Transport options: There is a daily bus operating between Venice Airport and Cortina for 25 Euros per person (2 hours). This bus operates daily with 2- 4 departures depending on the weekday and time of year. Please see our Trip Info link at the bottom right of this page for information on the public bus service – Cortina Express.
Alternatively, we can arrange for a private shuttle that takes about 1.5 hrs at 200-350 Euros depending on group size (1-8 passengers) and departure in Venice.

Climate, Weather, Temperatures

The Dolomites, being on the “sunny side of the Alps” are usually blessed with better weather than other ranges in the Alps during the rock climbing season (June – mid-October). However, like anywhere in the mountains, there is also a chance to see some snow any time of year at least in the higher elevations, if a storm hits. Hence, daytime temperatures can range from -5C (23F) to 25C (77F).

Can I Do It?

Private Guiding

The dolomites offer all you can dream of, regardless if you are a beginner in alpine rock or you have been climbing for decades and want to trade leads with your guide.

1) Beginner Course 

Requires good physical fitness for spending an active day in the mountains and you should not be afraid of heights. Previous hiking and indoor climbing experience are advantageous. Objective: Follow multi-pitch climbs, lead sport climbs.

2) Advanced Course 

See under 1) plus outdoor climbing experience following routes up to grade 5.8 (French grade 5). Objective: Lead multi-pitch climbs on gear self sufficiently.

3) Climbing Camp 

See under 1) and 2) plus ability to safely lead up to grade 5.6 (V-) on multi-pitch climbs. If you sign up as a rope team of two, at least one of the partners must be a competent leader. Your guide will coach you on the climbs, helps you set up safe belays, assures route finding and steps in, if the going gets tough.

Private Guiding

As for any of our private guiding weeks, we enjoy optimal flexibility! The dolomites offer all you can dream of, regardless if you are a beginner in alpine rock or you have been climbing for decades and want to trade leads with your guide.

Dolomites Rock Climbing Gear List

Technical Equipment

Bring the following, or rent or buy the items from a shop in Cortina/Val Gardena:

 Lightweight, collapsible hiking poles (optional, but recommended)

Bring the following, buy it in Cortina/Val Gardena, or ask us for a quote to supply the items:

 Climbing helmet
 Climbing harness with gear loops

Bring the following (or buy in Cortina/Val Gardena):

 Rock climbing shoes
 Sturdy approach shoe or light trekking boot
 Running shoe or light approach shoe for easier approaches (optional)
 Climbing backpack (25-30 litres) with rain cover specific to the pack
 Leather belay/rappel gloves (optional)

Clothing

Please dress for the weather. We recommend the ‘layering system’: Bring light, technical clothing that doesn’t take much space in your backpack and dries quickly when sweaty or wet. Layers must be put on and taken off quickly as weather conditions change during the day.  Merino wool is a nice material for base layers and t-shirts because it is comfortable, warm, and it does not retain odours even after many days of use. Examples:

 Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex or similar)
 Lightweight wind and water-resistant over pants (Gore-Tex or similar)
 Lightweight synthetic climbing pants or zip-offs
 Medium-weight Primaloft jacket with hood
 Medium-weight fleece sweater
 Synthetic or wool base layers – top and bottom
 Synthetic shorts and T-shirt
 Warm hat, covering your ears
 Lightweight synthetic gloves
 Sun hat, preferably with a wide rim
 Bandana or Buff (optional)

Other Items

 Sunglasses with high UV protection
 Sunscreen and lip protection with high SPF
 Small container bug spray or cream
 One-litre water bottle
 Your favourite snacks – candy bars, dried fruit, nuts, etc.
 Personal first aid kit and other needs (eg. blister kit, prescription medicine, anti-inflammatory, contact lenses, prescription glasses, etc.)
 Pocket knife (optional)
 Camera, spare batteries (optional)

Climbing grade conversion

Feedback

Dolomites climbing

We will gladly put potential clients in touch with previous participants of each trip in order for interested guests to get personalized references and their questions answered from a more objective point of view than what our office could provide.

References of prior guests

“I wanted to thank you for all you did arranging our trip.  Our guide, Marica was truly outstanding.  We had a wonderful day rock climbing then spent 3 days hiking and doing Via Ferratas. Marica was a delight – helpful, friendly, fun, full of knowledge and history.  I would highly recommend your organization and Ms. Fave to any of my friends.

We had an exceptional and memorable time.  Thanks so much and please let Marica know how much we appreciated having her with us!”

-Jim B and Sue G – USA

“I can’t say enough good things about Walter. That guy is fantastic. He pushed us by getting us on a couple amazing multi pitch climbs that were exactly the limit of what we could do in a day. He had great timing with the weather and both days we got down just as it started raining. He also spent time to walk us to the base of the via ferrata we did the next day on our own. Most importantly he helped us out with a flat tire.   He actually drove us to the shop and translated which took so much stress out of the situation. Communication was easy. He is super responsive. This guy is a real gem. The whole experience was worth every euro. Thanks !!!!”
-Katherine and John A., USA

“Christoph was a really great mountain guide as well as a really cool and nice person. 10/10! The communication was clear so there were no problems with forgetting important things.
The itinerary was very relaxed and everything we did turned out to be so much fun. I really appreciated and liked the fact that Christoph would run what we were going to do by us before we went to do it. The way he handled the planning of our trip was great. Every place and everything we ended up doing was so much fun!
The food and lodging was all well priced and suited the type of trip we were carrying out. Whenever we went out for food we would always walk out of the restaurant feeling like we couldn’t eat anymore, so as you can tell the food quantity and quantity was really great!
I would rate that a 10/10, because I feel like in Europe, finding the suitable guide is hard, especially for teenagers. But OnTop seems to help everyone who needs their help! When I go on my next climbing trip, I will definitely use OnTop Ltd! ”
—Pierce B., Hong Kong

” Christoph was extremely friendly, accommodating while provided strong encouragement to perform well. He was not only very safety conscious but also imprinted that mindset onto us.
Good balanced plan that covered a range of activities. Nice and flexible giving us good choice in what to do based on circumstances, happy that we were given voice in timetable. Fine balance between traveling and activities.Plenty of food. Exceptional food at Mountain hut, all reasonably priced. Comfortable living arrangements throughout. ”
—Hugh S., Hong Kong

FAQ

Do I need to sign a Release of Liability & Assumption of Risk Agreement (a.ka. liability waiver)?

Yes, you do. Mountaineering, skiing, climbing, hiking, via ferrata and all other wilderness and adventure travel activities are inherently risky with potential for injuries or even death.
It is very important to us that you are aware of those risks before you start the booking process, which includes filling out a booking form and paying a deposit.
With signing the liability waiver, you confirm that you understand the potential risks and hazards, and are willing to accept the risks, which includes giving up legal rights you may have.
This would also be the time to ask questions or address concerns before you book.
For your reference here is a link to our Liability Waiver. Our booking terms & cancellation policy with more details can be found here