Via Ferrata holiday: hut to hut trekking in the Pale di San Martino Dolomites

The southern Dolomites are the more extended area of the Dolomites, a perfect target for a via ferrata holiday, with many via ferrata long and complicated. We can traverse these Dolomites with the “great via ferrata concatenation of the Pale di San Martino”.
The Pale di San Martino are absolutely the greatest and important group of this large and wild area of the Dolomites. The attention of the first British pioneers was immediately concentred at this impressive Dolomites walls and peaks, here was happen the most important phases of the mountaineer discovery of the Dolomites and was happen some heroic first ascensions of the history of our mountains.
Today the Pale di San Martino offer at the trained hikers a great via ferrata holiday that traverse this Dolomites group, from hut to hut, with a very impressive connections of long via ferratas on the peaks that saw pioneers of mountaineering. If you are ready for a special via ferrata holiday, don’t miss this occasion!

FIRST STEP

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.
(click the map here below to enlarge it at full screen)

SECOND STEP

Before all you need learn the Pale di San Martino mountain territory, study the map of this trek (click on the map to download the PDF file):

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.

DAY 1 – Via Ferrata Dino Buzzatti – Cimirlo peak

Approximate time: 8-9 hrs – Ascent: 1450 m. – Grade: medium

The first day is immediatly steep and long. The new via ferrata Dino Buzzatti climb the wild sections of wall and peaks of the south side of the Pale di San Martino to access at Rifugio del Velo.

In alternative we can climb the easier (but not shorter):

Sentiero del Cacciatore – Cima della Stanga

Approximate time: 7-8 hrs – Ascent: 1450 m. – Grade: easy

In both cases is a great day as “overture” on these peaks.
Overnight at Rifugio del Velo

DAY 2 – Via Ferrata del Velo + Via Ferrata del Porton

Approximate time: 7-8 hrs – Ascent: about 1100 m. – Grade: medium

The combination of these two ferratas is the highlight of the traverse of the Pale di San Martino. A continue sequence of great views in alternace with great exposition points. Don’t worry is not too difficult…. is only fantastic!

At the mid day we can have a short lunch at Rifugio Pradidali to continue to Rifugio Rosetta where we will overnight.

DAY 3 – Via Ferrata Bolver Lugli – Cima Vezzana

Approximate time: 6-7 hrs – Ascent: about 1000 m. – Grade: difficult

This day is dedicated at the longest via ferrata of the central Pale di San Martino. We will descende at the Rosetta side to the approach of the big wall of the Cimon de la Pala and will climb this enormous wall to the peak of the Vezzana. Overnight back at Rifugio Rosetta

DAY 4 – Alta Via n.1 – Passo delle Sparangole

Approximate time: 8 hrs – Ascent: about 900 m. – Grade: easy

The last day of the regular traverse is along the Alta Via n.1 that complete this great traverse with a technically easy day but in any case long. Arrive at Rolle Pass.

OPTIONAL EXTRA DAYS

If you would complete the full week we have two options:

DAY5 (option 1) – Via Ferrata del Canalone – Guglia del Rifugio

Approximate time: 3-4 hrs – Ascent: about 500 m. – Grade: very difficult

A short but technically very difficult via ferrata to complete this week with a nice lunch at Rifugio Treviso. (overnight at Hotel Can del Gal)

DAY5 (option 2) – Via Ferrata Fiamme Gialle – Croda Granda

Approximate time: 9 hrs – Ascent: 1500 m. – Grade: difficult

If you are strong, and after 4 intense days you have more energy…. this is a great final….. The Via ferrata Fiamme Gialle climb and traverse a south eastern side of the Pale di San Martino that is the wildest section of this mountains group.
(overnight at Rifugio Treviso)

Some final considerations….

This trek is sure dedicated at fit hikers. The technical difficulties of climbing are secondary at the physical aspect.

As you can see on the daily descriptions and more better on the linked videos: every day is a long and intense day!
Are you ready for it?

If yes, this is sure your best target on the Dolomites!

PRICES FOR ALL INCLUSIVE SERVICE (*)

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.

At the moment of reservation you can ask to have a personal trek (without others participants) or to accept other potential participants.

If you accept others participants, the guide can combine more persons together of similar levels and it will apply, at every unity of reservation, 20 Euro discount for every day.

Choose your preferred combination of via ferrata trek here below:

(*) WHAT INCLUDED EVERY “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.

Note: How reduce the costs?

If you are independent with your rental car and don't use the overnights in Bolzano the night before and/or after the tour, the prices will be reduced proportionally.

WRITE HERE THE DETAILS OF YOUR REQUEST: