Dolomites High Peaks Via Ferrata

Dolomites / South Tyrol / Italy
Marmolada – Civetta – Moiazza

Long, challenging, via ferrata routes to the highest peaks of the Dolomites
Based out of village hotel with one hut overnight

Dolomites High Peaks Via Ferrata Highlights

  • High summits of the Dolomites by via ferrata
  • Based out of a 3- or 4-star, family-run hotel
  • One hut overnight high on Monte Civetta
  • Quaint mountain villages
  • Lots of WWI mountain history
  • Excellent Italian and Tyrolean cuisine!

The Dolomites High Peaks Via Ferrata trip was designed to target some of the longer and more challenging routes in the Dolomites that lead to the highest summits in the area, including the Marmolada (3,343 m / 10,965 ft), Monte Civetta (3,220 m / 10,562 ft) and Cima Moiazza (2,878 m / 9,440 ft).

One of the highlights is the climb of Monte Civetta, where we will spend the night in the small Torrani Hut just below the summit – stunning views guaranteed!

We will be based out of family-owned, 3- or 4-star hotels in the towns of Alleghe or Caprile in the Aghordo Valley, which are centrally located in the Dolomites at the base of the majestic rock wall of Monte Civetta. From there we will set out for day trips to the highest summits. Expect some of the longest via ferratas in the Dolomites, some of which involve glacier travel (eg. Marmolada) or, depending on the season, some snowy sections. The program is very flexible and can be easily adjusted to weather, conditions, and the group’s preferences.

This trip is aimed at mountaineers with good endurance. Previous rock climbing or via ferrata experience will come in handy. The Dolomites High Peaks Via Ferrata trip is our most challenging via ferrata trip offered, please inquire with our office if you are unsure if it is the right fit for you.

Dolomites High Peaks Via Ferrata Itinerary

Arrival/Travel Day

Travel to Alleghe in the Agordo Valley, reachable by train and public bus from Venice via Belluno or from Munich / Innsbruck via Bruneck and Corvara. Lodging in our Hotel in Alleghe with group dinner.

Day 1-6

Meet with the guide on Day 1 in the morning for breakfast and a trip briefing followed by the distribution of rental gear. Afterwards, we will set off for our first day trip.

Here is only a small selection of Via Ferrata day trip options that we have from our base in Alleghe.

Via Ferrata Trincee

25 min drive to trailhead at Fedaja Lake: Not too long of a trip. Very scenic ridge traverse along the Austrian WW1 position. After a relatively difficult start the route becomes easier. It is well suited in questionable weather due to good and frequent bail-out possibilities.

Marmolada West Ridge Via Ferrata

Relatively long trip to the highest peak in the Dolomites. 25 min drive to a chair lift at the Fedaja Lake. Chair lift ride, then 1 hr approach hike, partly on a glacier. A long via ferrata leads us to the summit of the Punta Penia (3300m), where we can have a late lunch in the summit hut. Descent on the Marmolada glacier back to the chair lift. The via ferrata is not very technical but the length and the alpine ambiance of the mountain make it quite a serious outing. Crampons/ice axe are necessary!

Via Ferrata Alleghesi to the Civetta

With help from a gondola that starts in Alleghe (5 min walk from our hotel) this ferrata can be approached with about 2.5 hours of walking. The route follows largely the North Ridge of the mountain and is one of the longest in the Dolomites. On the descent, we usually spend the night in the Torrani Hut, which is located about 20 mins below the summit. From there, we can either continue our descent by using the via ferrata Tissi (difficult) or opt for a quicker descent on the normal route, which has few cables but requires easy scrambling. All in all, a very impressive trip!

Via Ferrata Constantini – Traverse of the Moiazza

Another via ferrata superlative. Rated very difficult and very long!
30 min drive to trailhead at the Passo Duran. 45 min approach hike and about 9 hrs on the via ferrata with one bail out option halfway.
Very impressive and usually not very busy.

Via Ferrata Tomaselli / Cima Fanis

20 min of driving to the Falzarego Pass. From there relatively quick access by gondola. Somewhat shorter (4 hrs round trip) but very difficult via ferrata to a neighbouring summit of the Tofana di Rozes.
The trip can be nicely combined with a mid-day stop for lunch at the Lagazuoi summit followed by a descent through the WW1 tunnels back to the Falzarego Pass.

Alpini Via Ferrata Col di Bois

Drive to Falzarego Pass for parking. Short, downhill approach to a moderate via ferrata (with a hard start that can be avoided) with excellent equipment on a south face (good for cold days). We usually top out and climb to the summit of the Lagazuoi for a late lunch. Descent either by gondola, WW1 tunnels in the south face of the Lagazuoi or the Kaiserjaegersteig on the west face of the Lagazuoi.

Via Ferrata Beppi Zack

A beautiful trip taking us back to the days of WW1 – first through the Italian positions, then through the Austrian positions. Not difficult at all, often more of a ridge walk, but beautiful views and a nice hut to have coffee and Apfelstrudel / Strudel di Mele on the approach. Perfect for an easier or shaky weather day!

Via Ferrata Ra Gusella and Averau:

Drive to Passo Giau. A sequence of two easy via ferratas with excellent huts to have lunch in between. A Chairlift for the descent as an option. Perfect program for bad weather or an easier day in between the long high peaks via ferrata days!

Travel/Departure Day: 

Your trip officially concludes after breakfast. We hope you enjoyed your time on the Dolomites High Peaks Via Ferrata adventure and hope to see again!

Detail and Logistics


Meeting Point

Meet with your guide at 8AM on the first via ferrata day at our hotel in Alleghe for a briefing on the itinerary, weather forecast and conditions update. On some group departures and for private trips, our guide may be present for a meeting at dinner on your arrival day at the Hotel. This depends heavily on your planned arrival time and the guide’s schedule and will be confirmed in your trip letter (sent 4-6 weeks before your trip start date).


Climate, Weather, Temperatures

The Dolomites, being on the “sunny side of the Alps” are usually blessed with favorable weather during the summer season. However, as anywhere in the mountains, it can also snow any given day. This is rare in July and August but can happen in the early season (June and late September). Day time temperatures can range from -5C (23F) to 25C (77F).

 


Can I Do It?

This is probably our most demanding via ferrata trip. In opposite to our Cortina Dolomites Via Ferrata Trek or our Brenta Dolomites Via Ferrata Bocchette Trail, this trip focuses more on peak ascents and challenging via ferrata routes with less trekking. Participants should have done via ferrata before and/or have rock climbing experience. Participants must be comfortable with exposure and easy scrambling at times without via ferrata cables. The longer days on the trip will keep you up to 10-11 hours on your feet. The Marmolada ascent requires glacier travel and experience with crampons will be very useful. We usually mix more strenuous days with shorter days, to make the pace sustainable over the 6 days of hiking and scrambling. The fact that we are for the most part, valley-based, does give participants the choice to sit out a day.

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

Trip-Related Questions:

What are the huts like? Double rooms? Showers?

We will only be staying in one hut, which is one of the smallest and highest in the Dolomites. Great views, food and drinks catered by hut keeper Venturino. Sleeping is in one room with bunk beds, only cold water available, toilets somewhat primitive.


Dolomites High Peaks Via Ferrata Gear List.PDF

Please download a PDF copy to use as a checklist when preparing for your trip.


Considerations

Packing for a mountain trip is a balancing act. You want your pack to be as light as possible so you can truly enjoy the trek. But you also need to have enough gear to be warm (or cool), comfortable, and well-fed and watered. When buying, renting, or borrowing gear for the trip, please keep weight, performance, and function in mind. Cortina has many outdoor stores intermingled with its lovely cafes, gelaterias, and pizza restaurants. If you need clothing, footwear, or gear for the trip, come a day early and pick up what you need.

Technical Equipment

Bring or Rent the Following:

  • Sturdy, waterproof, leather trekking or light mountaineering boots, suitable for use with
    crampons
  • Lightweight crampons that fit and work with your boots (for early and late season trips)
  • Daypack (35-45 litres) with rain cover specific to the pack
  • Good quality, thin, well-fitting leather gloves for via ferrata sections
  • Lightweight, collapsible ski poles**
  • ‘Shorty’ summer gaiters (for early and late season trips)

Provided by OnTop Mountaineering, Upon Request:

Should you require the use of this gear, please inform your Trip Coordinator. This rental is included as part of your trip package.

  • Via Ferrata Clip In Set
  • Climbing harness
  • Climbing helmet
  • Two conventional locking carabiners

*Optional
**Optional but recommended

Clothing

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. There may be days when you can wear cotton, but your main clothing choices should be synthetic or wool. 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.

  • Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex or similar)
  • Lightweight wind and water-resistant over pants (Gore-Tex or similar)
  • Lightweight synthetic trekking 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
  • Quick-drying sports bra
  • 2-3 pairs good quality trekking socks
  • Warm hat that covers your ears
  • Lightweight synthetic or wool gloves
  • Sun hat, preferably with a wide rim
  • Bandana or neck gaiter (eg. Buff)*

Lodging

  • Sleeping bag liner (silk is lightest) MANDATORY
  • Casual clothing, comfortable footwear, swimsuit – everything you need to
  • be comfortable in and around the villages in the evenings
  • Toiletries
  • Ear plugs**
  • Alpine Club Card*

Other items

  • Sunglasses with high UV protection
  • Sunscreen and lip protection with high SPF
  • Small container bug spray or cream
  • One or two, one-litre water bottles
  • Water purification tablets or small personal water filtration system*
  • Headlamp with new battery
  • Your favourite hiking snacks – candy bars, dried fruit, nuts, etc. Lunches and snacks can be purchased at the huts or in the villages
  • Personal first aid kit and other needs (eg. blister kit, prescription medicine, anti-inflammatory, contact lenses, prescription glasses, etc.)
  • Pocket knife*
  • Passport, health and travel insurance documents
  • Light stuff sacs or Ziploc bags to keep your backpack organized and important items dry**
  • Camera, spare batteries*
  • Compass, maps, GPS, altimeter watch*
  • Hand sanitizer or sanitary hand wipes
  • Feminine hygiene supplies
  • Toilet paper – small amount for daytime emergencies
  • Telephone with charging cable*
  • Adaptor for European charging system*

Closest Airport / Transport Options

Our Dolomites High Peaks Via Ferrata begins from Alleghe / Caprile which are most easily reached from Treviso (135 km = 1.45 hrs), Venice (145 km = 2 hrs),  Munich (365 km = 4.45 hrs) or Milano Malpensa (385 km = 4.45 hrs) International Airports.


Public transport options from the South (Venice, Traviso, Milano):
Train to Belluno via Venice Mestre Train Station. Dolomiti Bus line 3 departs during the summer season (usually around June 10 – September 10 any year) almost hourly from 7AM to 7PM and takes 1.15 hrs.


Public Transport options from the North (Munich, Bozen / Bolzano, Innsbruck:
Train to Bruneck / Brunico, hourly SAD public bus departure line 460 to Corvara (1 hrs – departs year-round), then Dolomiti Bus line 3 to Alleghe via Arabba (1 hr).


Rental Car:
Often small rental cars are very economical, even if you end up not using them for most of your week.


Taxi:
Cost for Taxi rides depend on group size and pick up location but for a group of 2 and pick up at Venice airport you are looking at about Euro 270 for the 2 hrs ride.


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


Guest Feedback


“Walter was an utter professional, he did everything by the book and the clock and made sure we were tracking on time for the big hikes. We all really enjoyed his company, his professionalism and no-nonsense attitude and the pizza eve out with him was a pleasure. He has extreme experience of the peaks, the gear, the WW1 history and most important – the safety, and we felt very privileged to have him as our guide. [The trip organization] was excellent, very prompt and responsive with a well mapped out process for booking, options, payment etc and very thorough trip notes and letters. This was my 4th trip with OnTop and all 4 trips have been very well thought out and arranged. [The itinerary was] Very good! The extreme Ferrata is a tough trip and I think the guys in the group might have been expecting something easier (but none of them read the notes and the trip info). We had 2x easier days to start and finish and then 4 big days so its an exhausting schedule, but there is plenty of relaxation time back at the hotel and of course great food to replenish. I think 6 days is the max I could do. The big Ferratas ()Moiazza, Marmolada, Tofana) are spectacular, and tough and need a good level of fitness. [The lodging/food quantity and quality was] Excellent. Fantastic service, and very good food and always great coffee, beer and wine available. The rooms are very comfortable. Absolutely no complaints. 10/10 will recommend [OnTop], and I have before. I am certain we will be back for a trip with the same guys, in the future.”  – Steve T, South Africa


“Walter’s performance: Superb. You really pick excellent guides. As we were all climbers, he chose some harder routes which were greatly appreciated by all.
General trip organization / communication: Mostly ok, except there was a bit of a mess up (though that did not affect me). The Sporthotel Europe had me booked along with the other 4 clients, even though I was only paying for guiding as I had my own apartment nearby. I do appreciate your flexibility in letting me pay only for the guiding.
Itinerary: Great. Walter adjusted it based on the weather and our ability to provide the best experience possible.
I absolutely would recommend you. Overall rating of 9/10.” Kent B., TX, USA


“I am delighted to say that I had a fantastic time. Undoubtably helped by glorious weather with no rain on any route (last day had to be cut short due to predicted thunder).
(1) Walter was excellent. He gauged abilities and wishes of the group and was flexible in planning round our wishes. Equipment he provided (harnesses, arrest devices, crampons, Ice axes) were all good quality. Lovely pleasant manner alongside reassuring professionalism.
(2) Communication from yourselves was generally good – only issue that I had was rather vague advice about how to get from Marco Polo airport to Alleghe by public transport. In the end, I decided to hire a car at airport (which was surprisingly cheap). You had suggested the car-hire option in one of your later emails but perhaps it might have been better to flag it up as a viable option at an earlier stage.
(3) Itinerary was great
(4) Accommodation at Sports Hotel Europa was fine. Lovely location, good beer, nice wine. Limited choice for meals but a different menu every night kept us entertained and large helpings.
(5) I would happily give you a 9/10 (sorry, I hardly ever give 10/10 for anything!).
I had never done via ferrata before nor had I climbed outside Scotland. I am glad to say that, as you had suggested, my previous rock/ice climbing experience was perfectly adequate to allow me to enjoy the trip. A number of the routes featured, as you had advertised, unprotected scrambling or ridge-walking with areas of significant exposure. These were some of my favourite sections (eg VF Costantini). ” Ron W, Scotland


“We generally had a great time!!
1. Walter is the perfect mountain guide. His detailed knowledge of all the routes, of the anticipated weather, and the abilities of the participants led to considerable success. He is very flexible to change plans as needed. He’s very safety oriented. He’s a charming fellow with a small dash of the classic Italian prickliness.
2. Your office did a great job. Prices were very reasonable.
3. Itinerary for our group of all experienced mountaineers was perfect.
4. Lodging good; very friendly and accomodating staff. Good location. Food excellent but a bit too meat-oriented for us.
5. 10/10 but with the proviso that people need to fully understand the requirements of advanced via route (most were Class 5/C) with lots of strenuous moves, massive exposure, unprotected scrambling up to Class 3, snow and ice. We enjoyed it, but this is what we’ve been doing our whole lives.” Edward F., NV, USA


Dolomites High Peaks Via Ferrata Custom Trips / Private Group Pricing

Why not find some friends and put together your own group?

For private groups, we can offer the following premiums or discounts on our advertised prices

2 participants: 60% premium in addition to our advertised per person price
3 participants: 40% premium in addition to our advertised per person price
4 participants: 8% premium in addition to our advertised per person price
5 participants: Our advertised per person price
6 participants: 8% discount from our advertised per person price

For groups larger than 6, please reach out to us for a custom quote.

Custom Trips

Custom trips are available any time from June – September.

GROUP SIZES

Client / Guides
3-6 clients guide

TRIP INFO LINKS
DIFFICULTY:
Dolomites High Peaks Via Ferrata
  • Up to 11 hours per day
  • Difficult via ferrata routes
  • Exposed trails
  • Some glacier travel
  • Light daypacks
Dolomites High Peaks Via Ferrata

7 nights, 6 days via ferrata

2024 DATES:

Custom trips any time and duration!

June 9-16
June 16 – 23
June 23 – 30
June 30 – July 7
July 7 – 14*
July 14 – 21*
July 21 – 28*
July 28 – Aug 4*
Aug 4 – 11*
Aug 11- 18*
Aug 18 – 25*
Aug 25 – Sept 1*
Sept 1 – 8*
Sept 8 – 15*
Sept 15 – 22
* High season surcharge applies

Dolomites High Peaks Via Ferrata
2024 PRICES

US $2370
*High Season surcharge $200 for trips departing between July 1 and September 10

Included:

  • 6 x days of guiding by an internationally certified (UIAGM / IFMGA), English-speaking mountain guide or guide aspirant under supervision
  • 7 x nights lodging in double rooms in a 3 or 4-star hotel in Alleghe or Caprile for the early and late season departures
  • 7 x dinners at hotel
  • 7 x breakfasts at hotel
  • Daily taxi or bus transfers from your hotel to the trailheads and back
  • 1 night dormitory lodging with half board dinner at the Torrani Hut (if itinerary sees fits)
  • Equipment use: Harnesses, helmets, carabiner and shock absorber set for via ferratas
  • Glacier equipment: ice axe
  • Guide expenses
  • All trip organization, reservations as well as assistance with all pre- and post- trip preparations.

Not Included

  • Single hotel room supplement ($30 USD per night x 7)
  • Airfare
  • Airport shuttles
  • All beverages (water, alcoholic, and non-alcoholic)
  • All lunches and snacks
  • Gondolas/chairlifts (if applicable)
  • Any entrance fees for sightseeing if applicable)
  • Crampons for glacier travel
  • Any additional cost due to changes in the itinerary, may they be caused by weather, mountain conditions or personal preference