Arco & Lake Garda Via Ferrata

Arco & Lake Garda Via Ferrata Itinerary

The Arco and Lake Garda areas have many via ferrata routes to choose from. The difficulty levels vary from beginner to expert, and the climbs take between two and eight hours. Some, like the Cima Capi, are historic and were built by soldiers in the first World War (they’ve since been retrofitted, of course!) Others are modern masterpieces that take climbers into areas that would otherwise be impossible to reach.

Given the abundance of via ferrata routes at Arco, we can adjust the itinerary during our climbing week to the preferred challenge level of our clients and the weather. Following are just some of the routes that we can choose from:

• Monte Colodri: 2-3 hours. An easy via ferrata, ½ day for getting our systems dialed, combined with climbing to the top of Monte Colodri with fantastic views over the Sarcha Valley and Lake Garda.
• Via Ferrata Fausto Sussati to Cima Capi option to extend to Cima Rocca including WW1 tunnels: 5-6 hours. Climbing above Garda Lake along an easy via ferrata that was originally built by Austrian soldiers during World War I. Along the way, we will see trenches and tunnels from the Great War as well as breath-taking views of the Garda Lake and the town of Riva.
• Gerardo Sega: 6-7 hours. Climbing on Monte Baldo on the east side of Lake Garda. This via ferrata follows ladders up a massive overhanging wall, cables along a very exposed ledge, and trails by the pretty Preafessa waterfall and other scenic landscapes. Feels a bit like a different world, away from the lake in a very rural mountain landscape.
• Burrone Giovanelli: 3-5 hours. Climbing through a sometimes narrow ravine with lovely waterfalls in the Adige Valley above the town of Mezzacorona. A 40 minute drive from Arco or Riva and can be well connected with a visit to the town of Trento. Descent can be done by gondola!
• Ottorino Marangoni: 4-6 hours. Climbing on Monte Albano above the town of Mori overlooking the Adige Valley. This challenging via ferrata provides plenty of exposure and a good full body workout! Great half-day trip in a bit more of an urban setting.
• Sentiero dei Contrabbandieri: 4-5 hours. Was it an old smuggler’s path or a century-old attempt at a high-level road? Legends vary, but the modern use of this narrow ledge carved into an exposed cliff 200-metres above Lake Garda is as a spectacular and relatively easy via ferrata.
• Via Ferrata Che Guevara to the top of Monte Casale is by far the longest via ferrata in the Garda Lake area and a true via ferrata marathon of moderate difficulty with a long descent!
• Via Ferrata Rino Pisetta above the town of Sarche is a difficult via ferrata classic to the top of Piccolo Dain. The route has recently been re-equipped and has some strenuous and steep passages, for which some “ferratista” may be grateful for an additional rope belay by our guide.
• Via Ferrata Amicizia is a moderately difficult classic to the top of the narrow Cima SAT way above Riva and the Garda Lake. Crux / highpoint is a very long, free-standing ladder that needs to be scaled. The descent is on non-technical but very steep trails back to the old port of Riva for gelato and beer. This is when you tend to notice that the entire trip entails 1100 meters of steep vertical rise, 600 meters of which are being spent on the via ferrata.
• Via Ferrata Cascata Signora delle Acque is a difficult, newly built and very well equipped via ferrata that follows a steep waterfall on a spectacular route. Very steep and sustained parts, at times with metal foot holds and a few hanging bridges. Well worth the 30 minute drive from Arco or Riva and can be done as a half-day adventure.

Inclusions

Included:

• 4 days of guiding by a multi-lingual, internationally certified (IFMGA / UIAGM) mountain guide or guide aspirant under supervision
• Guide expenses
• 5 nights double rooms lodging with ensuite at a hotel in the Arco Valley
• 5 x Breakfast
• Transportation during trek
• Equipment use: harnesses, helmets, and via ferrata clip-in sets
• All trip organization, reservations as well as assistance with all pre- and post- trip preparations

Not Included

• Single hotel room supplement (€40 per night x 5)
• Airfare and Airport shuttles
• insurance
• All lunches, dinners, snacks, beverages (water, alcoholic, and non-alcoholic)
• Gondolas/chairlifts (if applicable)
• admission fees for sightseeing (if applicable)
• Any additional cost due to changes in the itinerary, may they be caused by weather, mountain conditions or personal preference

Transportation

Arco is most easily reached from Verona or Bergamo international airports (85 and 130 km away, respectively). Alternatively, you could fly to Milan, Venice, Bologna or Innsbruck, all of which are within a 250 km radius of Arco.

Transport options: Rent a car, or take a train or bus from the airport cities to Arco. Find the details here: gardatrentino.it.

Alternatively, we can arrange for a private shuttle – ask us for details.

Arco and Lake Garda Via Ferrata  Private Trip Pricing

Perfect for families, friends, social groups, and more! Book a private trip and reap the benefits, including:

• Discounts for groups of 6 or more
• Custom itineraries available on request

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: 20% premium in addition to our advertised per person price
5 participants: Our advertised per-person price
6 participants: 10% discount from our advertised per person price

For groups larger than 6, please contact us for a custom quote.

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.

Medical/Rescue and Trip Cancellation Insurance

We recommend pandemic coverage with your insurance policy.

Trip Related Questions:

Meeting place

We will meet at our 3-star level B&B or hotel in the Arco Valley.

Climate, weather, temperatures

The best seasons for via ferrata climbing in Arco are spring and fall, with temperatures normally between 20 and 25°C. One of the reasons Arco is a popular climbing destination is because it is normally protected from bad weather by the nearby Dolomites and Alps, so we can expect to enjoy many days of sunshine.

Should I take hiking poles?

We recommend using only one collapsible pole if any. On the via ferrata trails you can’t use them anyways and they can get in the way if they stick out too high from the backpack. Hiking poles can be rented or bought at the various sport shops in town.

Will I be able to access a cell network or Wi-Fi?

Internet access is available in Arco/Lake Garda at our hotel and many bars/cafes. Currently, the huts have no Wi-Fi, most people rely on the cell service, which is can be a bit spotty in most hut locations.  Make sure to inquire with your cell phone provider as to your roaming capabilities in Europe

Lunch is not included in the trip price. How is lunch handled during the Hut trek?

The lunch options depend on the day and preferences. Some days will see us passing by a hut close to lunch time giving us an option to stop and do a sit-down lunch. Most days we will bring pic-nic supplies, which gives us more flexibility, especially in high season when lots of huts are super-busy during lunch time. The pic-nic supplies can be bought in town and / or at the huts where we spend the night. Often the huts offer a lunch bag with sandwich, fruit, chocolate etc. if you order it the evening before. Most of our guests start off from town with a supply of snacks (granola bars, nuts, fruit, etc), breads, local cheese and dried meats (salami, speck) and supplement in the huts if need be.

 Are we roped up for this? I’m curious exactly how the Via Ferrata is done.
This seems to be a good example:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PEBtTp644I
You will see that you have 2 leashes attached to a device with a braking/shock system and that is attached to your harness.  When done properly, you are always attached to the cable and when you get to the end, you unclip one leash and attach it to the other side of the bolt and then the other so you are always secure.

Can I Do It?

Via ferrata routes in Arco range from beginner to expert levels. We will try to match experience levels ahead of the trips, but we will always start with an easier via ferrata to get the systems dialed and to see how the group performs with regards to fitness and comfort with exposure. Most days will have us on our feet for five to eight hours at a moderate pace and involve a mixture of hiking and via ferrata climbing.

Beginners are welcome, but you should have a good level of general fitness, a big sense of adventure, and you should not be intimidated by exposure.

One strength of the itinerary is the high level of flexibility to adjust the program to adverse weather or the group’s preferences.