Via delle Bocchette – The Historic Via Ferrata Trek in the Brenta Dolomites
Multi-Day Hut-to-Hut Itinerary
The via ferrata trekking in the western Dolomites is a unique experience along the famous Via delle Bocchette. A concatenation of many via ferratas on the main crest of the Brenta Dolomite.
Via delle Bocchette in the Dolomites of Brenta is the most famous, classical, and old via ferrata trek, from hut to hut in the Dolomites.
On fact, Via delle Bocchette is a concatenation of different via ferrata that we can set at your preferred number of days of tour, from 3 to 5 days we can customise your tour at best. In this page you find the complete trekking of 5 days of the ferratas Via delle Bocchette. This project was born in the 1932 with the “via delle Bocchette Centrali” (DAY 3) the most popular section of this long tour. Then during the years was enlarged until today that is possible to cross along the complete crest of peaks of the Brenta Dolomites.
The Via delle Bocchette is one of the most spectacular via ferrata systems in the Dolomites, but it also requires careful planning in terms of timing, conditions, and logistics.
👉 If you want to experience it in the best possible way, you can hire a private via ferrata guide in the Dolomites here:
https://via-ferrata-dolomites.com/hire-a-private-via-ferrata-guide-in-the-dolomites-italy/
A customized approach allows you to adapt the itinerary, manage hut availability, and fully enjoy the experience without unnecessary stress.
How to Reach the Dolomites and Organize Your Arrival
The easy access at the Dolomites is the focal point of my town: Bolzano "the door of the Dolomites". Lear the best combination for your arrival and departure flight and the transfers by train or rental car, but... more important: ask me every logistical info you need. I'm here to help you to find the best solution. Depending where you arrive, generally you will land in the airport of Venice or Milan or Bergamo or Innsbruck or Munich or..... it's indifferent! I will suggest you the best logistical system to arrive in Bolzano. train, bus, or taxi.
When you will arrive in Bolzano we have a preparative briefing at the reception of your hotel on the evening. In this half hour meeting we will check all aspect of the next days tour.
(click the map here below to enlarge it at full screen)
SECOND STEP
As second step: learn the local map of this modular Via Ferrata trek (click the map here below to dowload it in PDF format):
Via delle Bocchette guided traverse in the Brenta Dolomites
The day before (your arrive)
Depending where you arrive, generally you will land in the airport of Venice or Milan or Bergamo or Innsbruck or Munich or..... it's indifferent! I will suggest you the best logistical system to arrive in Bolzano. train, bus, or taxi.
When you will arrive in Bolzano we have a preparative briefing at the reception of your hotel on the evening. In this half hour meeting we will check all aspect of the next days tour.
Via delle Bocchette: DAY 1 – Via Ferrata Sentiero Vidi (*)
(*) In sostitution of The Via Ferrata Sentiero Benini actually is closed for a great rock fall of two years ago. We are waiting for a future re-opening.
Walking to the approach: 0.30 hrs
Climbing the Via Ferrata in: 3.30 hrs
Walking to the next Rifugio: 1.30 hrs
Total time of this day: 5.30 hrs – Total vertical gain (up): 600 m.
The first day of the Via delle Bocchette we start early from Bolzano and go to the town of Madonna di Campiglio.
Here we take the Grostè cableway and arrive in high quote in the north area of the Brenta Dolomites where start the first via ferrata of this tour: the “Via Ferrata Sentiero Vidi”.
This via ferrata is not particulary difficult, for this reason I prefer begin alway this tour from north in direction south. It’s a “overture” of the great panoramas of the next days!
We arrive at Rifugio Tuckett, a historical mountain hut of the Italian Alpine Club, where we overnight.
Via delle Bocchette: DAY 2 – Via delle Bocchette Alte
Walking to the approach: 1.30 hrs
Climbing the Via Ferrata in: 5.00 hrs
Walking to the next Rifugio: 1.00 hrs
Total time of this day: 7.30 hrs – Total vertical gain (up): 900 m.
The second day we have the approach for the Via delle Bocchette Alte on the glacier of the Bocca di Tuckett (the Tuckett pass). In this short and steep glacier are generally necessary the crapons.
From the pass Tuckett start the “Via Ferrata delle Bocchette Alte”. This via ferrata is long and in some sections a bit complicate, with many climbing up and down on long iron stairs, but is not exposed. We walk and climb for about 7-8 hours and arrive at the modern Rifugio Alimonta where we overnight.
In case of bad weather we can climb in 3 hours the variant on the “Via Ferrata SOSAT”.
Via delle Bocchette: DAY 3 – Via delle Bocchette Centrali
Walking to the approach: 1.00 hrs
Climbing the Via Ferrata in: 3.00 hrs
Walking to the next Rifugio: 0.30 hrs
Total time of this day: 4.30 hrs – Total vertical gain (up): 600 m.
The third day is the best! From the Rifugio Alimonta we have a short approach on the little glacier and then begin the Via delle Bocchette Centrali. This via ferrata is the oldest and classical section of this long tour.
Great panoramas, incredible exposition on the big walls, and easy climbing are the particular aspects of this via ferrata!
We arrive at Rifugio Tosa Pedrotti, mountain hut of the Italian Alpine Club, where we overnight.
(Here finish the 3 days trek and continue the 4, and 5 days trek)
Via delle Bocchette: DAY 4 – Via Ferrata Brentari
Walking to the approach: 1.00 hrs
Climbing the Via Ferrata in: 3.00 hrs
Walking to the next Rifugio: 1.30 hrs
Total time of this day: 5.30 hrs – Total vertical gain (up): 500 m.
The day 4 on the Via delle Bocchette continue with a other interessant via ferrata, the “Via Ferrata Brentari”. Now we will enter in the south part of the Dolomites of Brenta where the glaciers presence is more massive.
This via ferrata is easy, but in approach as in downhill we walk at some glaciers. The ambient is continue changing with great and impressive peaks.
We walk and climb for about 4 hours and arrive at the placed in the sunny east side of this group of mountains, where we overnight at Rifugio Agostini.
(Here finish the 4 days trek and continue the 5 days trek)
Via delle Bocchette: DAY 5 – Via Ferrata Castiglioni
Walking to the approach: 0.40 hrs
Climbing the Via Ferrata in: 2.00 hrs
Walking to the next Rifugio: 2.30 hrs
Total time of this day: 5.10 hrs – Total vertical gain (up): 700 m.
The last day we finish our long trek on the Via delle Bocchette with a exposed via ferrata, the “Via Ferrata Castiglioni”. A long sequence of exposed iron ladders climb this wall to have the access at the terminal area of the Brenta Dolomites. This via ferrata is a perfect end of our great experience on the rock of the western Dolomites!
After the via ferrata, we go downhill in direction of Rifugio XII Apostoli and to the Pinzolo cableway.
We arrive with the gondola lift to the town of Pinzolo where you sit in a coffe to rest and I take the local bus to Madonna di Campiglio and to the car parking. After 1-2 hours I come back with my car and we drive back to Bolzano at your hotel.
(Here finish the 5 days “great trek”)
And last: a new great opportunity along the Via delle Bocchette for rock climbers!
If you have a basic rock climbing experience, and if you have your climbing shoes… put it in your backpack! Every rifugio along the Via delle Bocchette have a near sport climbing cliff, generally are lot of easy single pitches routes where we can climb in amazing places with great panoramas every afternoon. It’s a great opportunity at condition that you have a basic rock-climbing experience (if it is only indoor is in any case ok), you have your properly climbing shoes, and last the weather will be good on the afternoon. With these three conditions we will complete your great experience in the Dolomites with a perfect integrative activity! At moment of the reservation, let me know your interest for this preference, because I need carry some integrative equipments.
Before booking – Frequently Asked Questions about via ferrata tours
Before booking your via ferrata tour in the Dolomites, we strongly recommend reading our complete FAQ page.
You’ll find clear answers about difficulty levels, safety, equipment, weather flexibility and logistics.
→ Via Ferrata Dolomites FAQ – safety, difficulty, equipment & logistics
Still have questions about this program?
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Prices for the All-Inclusive Guided Via Ferrata Tour (*)
The best policy for pricing is the clarity and flexibility. Are you agree?
For this reason here below you find an extended explanation of the prices in one single sheet, based at the number of days and at the number of persons of your request.
Under the sheet is explained what is included in every price (accommodations, transfers, equipments, etc.).
Every price is consider per single person based at the composition of every single group that do the reservation.
On this site, the mountain guide who will lead you on your favorite tour will answer you directly. No artificial intelligence chats or boring secretaries sitting in an agency office. Here, you'll speak directly via email or video conference with your Dolomites mountain guide.
CHOOSE YOUR PREFERRED COMBINATION OF VIA FERRATA TREK WITH THE PRICE STARTING FROM:
(*) What Is Included in the All-Inclusive Price
- My personal suggestions for your vacation in Italy and for the travel logistics before and after the trek.
(this is a unique and valuable service: you can ask for help to best arrange any aspect of your vacation in Italy).
- Full time mountain guide service during the reserved days.
- Transportation during the trek.
with my car which holds a maximum of 6 people plus me, or other local transport like buses. (cableways are NOT included)
- The nights of lodging in the rifugios during the trek, with half board.
HB = bed + breakfast + dinner. (lunch and beverages are NOT included)
- 2 nights of lodging in Bolzano at a Bed-and-Breakfast, one night before and one after the trek.
B&B = bed and breakfast. (lunch, dinner, and beverages are NOT included).
- All technical gear for climbing, as you need.
helmet, harness, kit for via ferrata, protective gloves for via ferrata, ice axe, crampons, trekking poles, etc.
Program-specific questions – Via Ferrata in the Dolomites
Is the Via delle Bocchette suitable for beginners?
The Via delle Bocchette is not suitable for complete beginners without hiking experience, but it does not require advanced technical skills.
This program is ideal for hikers with basic mountain experience, good physical condition and a minimum familiarity with exposed terrain.
Previous via ferrata experience is helpful but not mandatory if you are fit, motivated and guided by a professional mountain guide, who manages pace, safety and daily decisions.
What makes the Via delle Bocchette different from other via ferrata programs?
The Via delle Bocchette is a continuous high-level traverse, not a sequence of isolated ferratas.
You move for days along the main ridge of the Brenta Dolomites, often above 2,500–3,000 m, crossing ladders, ledges and exposed sections with minimal descent into valleys.
This makes it one of the most iconic and alpine via ferrata treks in Europe.
What happens in case of bad weather during the Bocchette traverse?
Weather management is crucial in the Brenta Dolomites.
If conditions are not suitable for exposed sections, the program is modified or shortened using safe escape routes and alternative stages.
The decision is always taken together with your mountain guide, prioritizing safety without compromising the overall hut-to-hut experience.
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